[Update: Per Namco Bandai's request, the video of the game's intro has been removed; an edited version of the intro -- which we believe still contains some of the most epic moments of the game -- has been put in its place.]
"Ever play a game and within the first 15 minutes you just want to toss the controller down and declare "Game of the Year"? Just happened," I wrote on Twitter last week.
Now, with an embargo lifted I can reveal I was referring to Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, Ninja Theory's upcoming third-person action adventure, published by Namco Bandai for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. While I'm not really ready to declare it the best game released this year (it's not even out yet; Twitter enables me to spout impulsive nonsense), I'll say this: the opening sequence is an incredibly polished, highly exhilarating start to what promises to be an epic adventure.
Enslaved's first chapter, "The Escape," finds the game's two key characters, Monkey and Trip, hurrying to escape from a flying slave ship fast-descending upon the city of New York. Once freed from his pod-cage, Monkey chases a mysterious young girl (soon revealed as Trip) through the ship which is crumbling around him. Monkey runs through the burning corridors of the aircraft, scurrying around and climbing broken pieces of the massive jet. Throw in some melee combat against aggressive machines and breathtaking outdoor platforming on the wings of the ship as it hurls itself towards the Big Apple, and you easily have one of gaming's best opening hooks.
The intro is one of the seven introductory levels to Enslaved which I'm allowed to talk about, and what follows "The Escape" is surprising in its variety and scope. Given that it's a holiday, this is all you're going to get from me today -- a full video playthrough of the game's opening sequence. Expect more details and impressions later this week.
Contest:
3:00 PM on 09.06.2010
| 
What have worried is the climbing and platforming sections, is the Entire game-play just laid out paths that you just go along with it, I certainly hope not.
"What have worried is the climbing and platforming sections, is the Entire game-play just laid out paths that you just go along with it, I certainly hope not." what do you want, trial and error?
If that can happen with this, I'll be glad; from what I'm seeing, that's a VERY long shot. Nothing seems all that great about this...
You're not, I don't think. I say that having played most if the game at this point. The relationship of the characters changes, so this changes a bit.
Sold.
I like how he talks to himself. That's always something I would do when faced with problems, either in game, or in real life, and it's nice to know that devs think this is a common thing and that I'm not crazy.
I wonder if this section was conceived before Uncharted 2 or after?
Gah one month to go~
It looks fun and a step up from their last game but people hoping for this to be the next uncharted might be dissapointed. Still i'm excited.
@ TheOldHouse
i think you forgot about a little game called God of War 3 as a game of the year contender.
Judging by journalist reactions, it's also pretty damn fun to play, too.
Also, if you feel platforming is a bit too automated, it's time to get a Wii, then. Experience the glory of the Super Mario Galaxy series.
Except the fact that the Assassin's Creed franchise is utter shit, of course. That 4.5 was well deserved.
It looks great. I want to play it so hard.
"Odyssey" implies quite a lengthy journey. If this turns out to be less than 20 hours long I'm going to be very disappointed.
@deathsmiles666: I noticed a number of places in there where the player could have very easily died. The engine fire, the wing being clipped off by the building.
...maybe that was it, but they were still there. Plus this was just the prologue, you're never supposed to die in the prologue, just look at Final Fantasy Tactics.
REALLY? I wonder WHAT makes you think that? *Looks at title full of sarcasm*
@KG989
Anyone else getting a major "Monkey King" vibe from the main character of this? Especially with the monkey like movements and the red extendo staff. It looks like this game is making itself out to be post-apocalyptic "Journey to the West."
@Bossmonk
A guy named Monkey with that fights with a glowing extending staff? I'm calling it now, it's going to be a loose adaptation of (or at least inspired by) Journey to the West.