Ben-DutkaMaybe multiplayer really is taking over the world. Maybe Namco's advertising budget for the game wasn't anywhere near high enough. Maybe it shouldn't have released on the same day as Castlevania: Lords of Shadow . …or maybe some gamers have simply passed on the game for various, somewhat vague, reasons.
The sales numbers for Enslaved: Odyssey to the West are not good. In fact, rumor has it they sit at only 150,000 copies worldwide and based on the game's inherent quality, that's unacceptable in our eyes. As we said in our review, we admit it has its fair share of technical shortcomings, and it's always difficult to find success with a new IP (especially in the fall), but despite the competition and despite the flaws, Enslaved is a game that should receive more appreciation. You will note the end of our review; the bolded final notes that explain the specific appeal of that particular title. It's story-driven, it relies on its characters, it doesn't offer a multiplayer option, it places plot and artistry above technical achievement. Granted, the latter is sorta necessary for an elite production and because Enslaved lacked that polish, we couldn't possibly give it a 9+. But it was more than worthy of the 8.4 it received and you can easily find other reviews that say the same thing. There are numerous reasons to play it.
People, Enslaved isn't to be avoided and Ninja Theory should be rewarded. We understand there are a ton of games you wish to have this holiday season, and we understand everyone has priorities when it comes to spending on hobbies. But at the very least, put it on a Christmas list. If you enjoy well-drawn, interesting characters, a decent plot, a really cool, colorful environment, and a nice mix of action, co-op gameplay elements, platforming, and a dash of puzzles and stealth, you shouldn't pass it up. Those of you who have played it and enjoyed it, spread the word!
Related Game(s): Enslaved: Odyssey to the West
Enslaved really was a great game; I just think they botched the ending or set it up for a sequel that won't happen if it doesn't sell better.
I too beat it on Hard during the 1st playthrough, and after the ending, my final impression was just meh. The ending was terrible and absolutely left me with no feeling of accomplishment of my odyssey to the west. The story and plot and the character emotion tries, but it is too cliche *SPOILER* (boo who, I lost my dad and now I want revenge), and just falters imo. No emotional connection for me.
The ungodly texture pop in and tearing were blatently noticable and it did detract from my overall enjoyment. I did want to keep playing to see what would happen hoping the story would get better, but to me it never did. Also, on the hard difficulty, it was just too easy. I did not die once on any of the boss fights. In fact the only parts where I spent my most time dying was the totally unforgiving 2 chase sequences you have to go through which are completely busted when it comes to the controls. Not to mention you can't pass them unless you hit every single blue turbo ball or whatever it was. I had to quit the game a few times and come back because those sequences where just too darn frustrating.
Plus, the stiff animations when you boost Trip up to higher locals is terrible. The humor is god aweful, and the Pigsy pervert shtick was lame. I think there is a total of 5 maybe 6 enemy types and they all prove to be no challenge, and you find you can spam the same attack the whole game.
All it does get right are some of the locals, the sound, and the easy climbing platforming mechanic. The combat never even gets upgradeable enough to where it feels rewarding like in say a GOW title.
Overall a 7 in my book.
In just minutes CoD BO will sell 150,000 copies worldwide.
That be the first 2 seconds Killa
i think one reason it didn't sell is because NT kept bashing the ps3 and they kept bashing fans on heavenly sword. They couldn't kept their mouths shut. they even compared this to uncharted (which is blasphemy). They have made their bed and have to lie in it. i do not fell sorry for them. i was goin to buy thi game, but they didn't stop bashing the ps3, so it was a no sale for me.
Black Ops has already outsold this game. Some people actually pay in full when they pre-order. I'm sure even a small percentage equals that amount.
Of course COD is going to sell more it's 1st person shooter, need I remind you people that most shooter game tend to sell more than the action genre so the comparisons you guys are making doesn't make much sense.
I just don't have the cash on hand to spend right now otherwise I would get this game.
Sorry.
Last edited by IrreducibleSUN on 11/4/2010 11:27:11 AM
same here friend, have to pre-order Dead Space 2, and in december pick up Castlevania and Vanquish, i will buy Enslaved some time in the future, for the PSX review i am confident that is a great game, but for the other side i'am happy that is bombed so hard, Ninja Theory pay for talking so bad about ps3 and uncharted, if they think that 1,500,000 is not profitable, i imagine 150,000. not good in believe that will conquer the shooter cloud of the "almight" 360.
the got what they deserved. if this we're exclusive it could have gotten more attention from sony and the fans. they brought this on themselves. i see they quiet now. those 1.5 million are looking really appealing right now i bet.
I actually just got my platinum trophy for Enslaved last night and was thinking the same thing. I thought it was a great game but it seems like nobody has really mentioned it very much. Yes, there's not much replay value but definitely something worth playing through. At least give it a rent.
who in the hell would buy a $60 game 4 days before black ops comes out?
People who would rather play another game. Drrr!
Well, I actually got it in a B2G1 free sale so this means that I spent $120 a couple weeks before Black Ops came out. Oh no! What should I do? Is the world gonna end? Oh, I know! I'll just spend another $60 and buy Black Ops too! Oh man, crisis averted. I thought my life was over for a second there.
Seriously though, not everyone's life revolves around COD. I might rent it or borrow it from someone but that's about it. There are so many more games out there that are more important to me than Black Ops.
haha that was funny… I mean i am buying black ops, but I realise some people are not buying it. that comment made my day!
If I had £40 to spend on games then I would buy Enslaved over Black Ops.
Apparently Irred doesn't have the cash on hand right now, but honestly. The formula for me is bad, they couldn't utilize the Unreal Engine well enough, the character design is awful I just cannot get over how lame Monkey is, and lastly technical issues on the PS3 from the Developers that created Heavenly Sword. Perhaps they can somehow strike gold with the "reboot" of DMC.
Last edited by BeezleDrop on 11/4/2010 11:30:18 AM
The sales are laughable. I think if they stuck with Heavenly sword engine and made a PS3 exclusive. They could have enough appeal to sell 300,000 by now on one platform. At the very least, the people on this website will give it more attention when an article about this game is written.
I might get the game when it comes down in price say… $20?
^^^^You can't. Hence too easy.
Tbh, its a shame, i'd love to support it, but i dont have the time or funds to play video games like i used to. So when i do buy a game, its generally a exclusive.
I get that, gotta be choosy these days! But you're missing a lot of great titles by just sticking to exclusives!
I was on the fence for this for this game after I played the demo. But after reading the review on here it convinced me to buy it and I'm glad I did. I thought it was of the most fun games of the year. Although I do think pigsy took a little out of the story.
I bought this on the release date, i have yet to play it as my course has suddenly bombarded me with tasks, but i am certainly looking forward playing it, i loved the demo possible GotY condenter
Last edited by Vivi_Gamer on 11/4/2010 11:35:58 AM
GotY? Never.
GOTY…that's funny. Haha
That was funny… Lol!
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
GOTY? are you high? just asking
Oh Hogwash!
Well for me its either that Heavy Rain or FFXIII. since March there was not being any interesting titles.
You should have bought Red Dead Redemption friend. Don't discount it because "wild west" is American.
Unless you've played it. What do I know?
I have to admit i havent got around to that yet. i've played it briefly but i can tell that its a game you have to let consume you to get the full benefit.
FFXIII is just as funny. Hahaha!
…
Though I doesn't own a copy of Enslaved, the demo really gave me a good impression of it.
I'm no big fan of Unreal Engine but I find Enslaved to be one of the best looking multiplat game.
And with that being said, 150k sold is a really bad bad bad bad bad number.
Now about NT, if Heavenly Sword 1.5million was a failure, then I'm sure this game is gonna put them in the red.
Oh, for fans of DMC, maybe the closure of NT ain't so bad, just sayin' ya?
I can't tell if I like this game because of the unique environment visuals, cinematic cut scenes and what not or if it's just because Trip is so hot. I mean seriously that red hair and reveling clothing set she has going.
Either way much like so many I just don't have the money for any games right now.
Let's face it- Trip is Nariko's long-lost sister.
Lets face it…who wouldn't want a Trip and Noriko sandwich?
Kai is better than both.
I liked making Nariko just walk and stop and walk. Makes the "view" much nicer. LOL :p
I will immediately do my part and purchase the game!
**goes off to GameStop and buys the game used because it's a new IP and doesn't have MP**
Sigh.
lol support fail.
Multiplayer, couldn't even help this game.
There you go, Gamestop is to blame 😉
Them and their gamepass-repeat card, or whatever, it scrapes potential Namco revenue right off the top.
Score for Gamestop. No score, but frown for Namco =(
I wonder if Gamestop will ever become it's own publisher =p They could sell their new games out of their stores for $10 less than anywhere else.
At first enslaved was a very good game but as you play it more, I noticed a lot of bugs/glitches. I actually fell through the map once (didnt die) when you had to race Pigsy to the top of the junk tower, and had to restart the level, i couldn't get out from under the map. However this did not take away from the story. A definite rent.
Last edited by X_shadowkilla_X on 11/4/2010 11:57:05 AM
You summed it up greatly, but let me add a little to it. Definitly a rental…only since it will only take you 7-8 hours. No replay value except for trophy mongers.
It looks like a game I'd really enjoy, I'll probably pick it up for Christmas. I thought the demo was excellent. It's a nice breath of fresh air in this market saturated with shooters and umpteen franchise sequels.
i wont ignore it i will just be renting it from gamefly.
Too many games, not enough time…
Judging a game by the demo is like judging a book by it's cover, yet it still doesn't appeal me in anyway. I know the original Journey to the West and original Dragonball story WAY too well.
I expected what to happen. Maybe the story is appealing in the middle or end, but I just can't get myself to get through this type of gameplay and story.
A demo is made to give people a taste of what's to come. Like a test driving a car. Not the same as judging a book by it's cover.
Last edited by Jawknee on 11/4/2010 12:16:45 PM
They couldn't even reach Heavenly Sword numbers going multiplat with this game? Sad. I wasn't impressed at all with the demo. As Beezledrop said, the character designs were horrendous. Monkey and Pigsy? What are we 12? They probably shouldn't have released it with Castlevania. Gabriel Belmont kicks monkeys arse anyday. Konami and Koji Pro spent more time making their game shine on both consoles while Ninja Theory clearly went for a cash grab with this game. Screwing people out of a technically sound product. Especially PS3 owners. That's why I opted for Castlevania instead. Don't regret it either. That game deserves more attention in my opinion.
Last edited by Jawknee on 11/4/2010 12:16:00 PM