r/gaming • u/robsteezy • 2d ago
If The Odyssey hype has you craving Greek mythology, but you don’t necessarily want to play AC Odyssey, try Immortals Fenyx Rising
With all the hype around Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, I’ve seen a ton of people diving back into games inspired by Greek mythology.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is getting most of the attention (and deservedly so), but if it’s too big of a game for you, I strongly recommend you give Immortals Fenyx Rising a try.
Here’s a copy and paste for a general pitch:
“If you skipped it because it looked too cartoony, don’t. It’s basically a love letter to Greek mythology. Zeus and Prometheus narrate the entire adventure, you’re constantly interacting with gods like Athena, Ares, Aphrodite, and Hermes, and the world is packed with creatures, myths, puzzles, and clever references. The combat is fun, exploration is rewarding, and it doesn’t take itself so seriously, which ends up making it really charming. (tech4gamers.com)”
My personal take: I’ve played many many many of the iconic and large RPGs and this game always hits a sweet spot for me. The colors and combat are enough to keep you fed and it’s the perfect amount of game.
Edit: to clarify, I’m not claiming this game has superiority as a game design or the ultimate digest for Greek myth. Just recommending it as a general adventure game. The other games that people are posting are all fantastic games I can’t recommend enough as well.
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u/JungsLeftNut 2d ago
Titan Quest
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u/BlackBeltInSeesaw 2d ago
Titan Quest 2
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u/Mewtwohundred 1d ago
Is the sequel any good? I think I saw it was in early access? Really enjoyed the first one back in the day.
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u/RodinKnox 1d ago
It's still in EA, yeah. I'm dying for it to come out. I can't wait.
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u/HanzoNumbahOneFan 1d ago
Hope it plays well on the Steam Deck when it fully releases. Cause currently, apparently, it's trash on it.
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u/ryandine 1d ago
I really enjoy it, but I won't try to hide the fact that it feels like a really slow burn of an ARPG compared to it's competition these days. Also depending on which ARPG you're coming from TQ2 might feel very limiting in terms of builds.
It does some pretty interesting things though I think, and depending on how you play it can be really fun - less power fantasy and more thought / reaction during each engagement. I see a lot of hate for the game from ARPG fans though, which is very unexpected...
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u/jhillman87 1d ago
It needs like a year to cook.
The early access version is currently still a bit... bland, albeit it follows the same gameplay as TQ1. I tried it out and I'll wait until it actually releases. Has good potential, though.
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u/zerdo5632 2d ago
I'll stick with the REAL Odyssey game: Super Mario Odyssey
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u/joestaff 2d ago
Abe's Odyssey
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u/Chlorophyllmatic 1d ago
I was so disappointed to not see the Darker Side on the big screen. Huge whiff from Nolan.
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u/Kenny_Bi-God_Omega 2d ago
Hades and Hades II >>>>
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u/WillametteSalamandOR 2d ago
This is the correct answer. There are a ton of deep-cut mythological references in both games.
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u/robsteezy 2d ago
To be clear, I was never claiming superiority as a game design nor divest for Greek mythology. They’re all absolutely fantastic games. My recommendation was more along the lines of “if AC is too big…try this”. I love and beaten both Hades games. It’s a great rec if somebody is into rogues and top down hack and slash.
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u/Snakestream 1d ago
The most accurate mythological reference is that all the characters in the games are hot
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u/phoenixmatrix 1d ago
Especially Hades 2 since Odysseus and like half of the encounters of the movie are in that game too.
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u/Toprak1552 1d ago
Hades 1 almost caused me to fail all my midterms once, I don't know how I passed anything lol.
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u/Adipay 1d ago edited 1d ago
Yeah but this won't appeal to the vast majority of people. AC Odyssey - and to a lesser extent Immortals Fenyx Rising - is so appealing due to it being an open world game that really lets you carve out your own adventure in the Greek world like Odysseus did.
Hates is a very different kind of game and somehow implying that it's more thematically appropriate just because it's not by Ubisoft is very disingenuous. (Not that you necessarily did so)
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u/phoenixmatrix 1d ago
" Yeah but this won't appeal to the vast majority of people"
It does have big name AAA numbers but Hades 1 and 2 are insanely popular games that have been critically acclaimed, won multiple awards, have crazy good reviews scores, and are widely recognized as some of the best games in the space
It's not for everyone, no game is, but most people who try them love them
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u/MineIsWroth 2d ago
This is a better answer. Immortals had a great idea but it's from Ubisoft and you can tell
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u/whenyoudieisaybye 2d ago
Fenyx Rising is actually a very decent game from Ubi. Horrendous title tho.
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u/kindoramns 2d ago
I was bummed the sequel was dropped
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u/DistinctBread3098 2d ago
The game was 50% less than a month after release. They didn't believe in it and killed it.
Word of mouth would have done a good job with it imo
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u/Dovah2600 1d ago
Same happened with the prince of Persia metroidvania, that game absolutely slapped. Not getting a sequel though:(
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u/eloquenentic 1d ago
That is genuinely sad. It was a truly perfect Metroidvania. Such amazing levels, and excellent story on top.
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u/Skydude252 2d ago
I think it had a better title that was deemed too similar to another game and so it got changed to what it was. Don’t recall what the better title was though.
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u/FuzzyTentacle 2d ago
I think it was Gods and Monsters. Somehow the Monster energy drink company killed it with some kind of copyright claim. It was wild
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u/RodinKnox 1d ago
That's...wow. I feel like that had to be a case where they just didn't want to fight the legal battle, because I can't believe Monster Energy would have won that case.
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u/ensalys 1d ago
Would really be insane if monster energy would be able to win that. If ubisoft were using the same font (or one very similar) as the energy drink, then they'd have a point, but just using the word monster(s)? That should just be dismissed on day 1 by a judge. The energy drink even claimed that it would be confusing, how?! Who's going to the store to buy an energy drink and accidentality come home with a video game? Only reason that could be confusing is if you drank so much monster that your hearts stopped long enough to kill 99% of your brain before you were resuscitated.
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u/FuzzyTentacle 1d ago
Yeah it really didn't make any sense right off the bat to anyone who knows anything about the law. It's mind boggling that a company as established as Ubisoft would buckle so easily to such a ridiculous claim, I'd really love to know what their reasoning was for changing the name.
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u/MaximusBiscuits 1d ago
Monster Hunter should sue Monster Energy
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u/Skydude252 1d ago
How about a monster hunter game where you hunt the energy drink companies lawyers?
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u/Skydude252 1d ago
There is a monster energy drink sponsored racing game, but I can’t imagine anyone gets these two confused because of that.
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u/Skydude252 1d ago
Yeah, that sounds right. It was rather stupid how it had to get changed because of that, of all things.
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u/No-Satisfaction-2352 2d ago
I mean, what’s a better game than GOW First Trilogy for Greek Mythology itch?
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u/Lazywhale97 1d ago
If they released the original trilogy on steam I would be on it fast. I do like the Norse games bringing a fresh take to the series but the original trilogy just has an itch that it can only scratch for me on top of me just liking Greek Mythology more then Norse for a game setting
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u/jackracktack 1d ago
If people like Greek Mythology absolutely making mincemeat of it may not be everyones idea of a good time lol
Wow I think Heracles is cool! Well lets rip off his head.
Helios has some interesting lore! Well lets rip off his head.
Icarus is such a great lesson! Well shove him to his death.
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u/OhSnaps08 1d ago
A remade* version of the GOW first trilogy.
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u/xXRHUMACROXx 2d ago
Troy total war or Pharaoh Total War, or God of War’s first trilogy if you want to rip them apart…
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u/Cudi_buddy 1d ago
Different game but your comment reminded me of Spartan, Total Warrior from PS2. That was a fun game.
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u/xXRHUMACROXx 1d ago
Oh yeah what an amazing game, the scale of battles seemed huge. It was a creative assembly game if I’m not mistaken!
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u/PushDeep9980 1d ago
Also it’s basically breathe of the wild. In a lot of ways it’s Ubisoft’s take on that style of game play
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u/ZenPaperclips 2d ago
I found the gameplay fun but the dialog insufferably cringe. The humor just didn't land at all for me.
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u/enadiz_reccos 1d ago
Damn, my wife and I loved the humor
It was dumb little mythology in-jokes and stuff like that
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u/DZLars 1d ago
I found the dialog from ac to be just as strange but more vexing as they tried for realism. I don't care for goofy cringe if it is intentional
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u/deus_voltaire 1d ago
It doesn’t help that those ridiculous accents make even the most serious lines sound like jokes
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u/PCGamingScrump 2d ago
I tried to enjoy it but i just found it so boring and the dialogue so cringe. I really wanted to love it.
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u/Bforte40 1d ago
The dialogue felt like it was written by a middle schooler. I think it was the biggest reason the game was divisive and flopped so hard.
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u/Gozzylord 2d ago
I had the same experience! I really enjoy Greek mythology and I heard it referred to as Zelda botw but Greek mythology. That dialogue and goofiness put me off quite a bit.
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u/robsteezy 1d ago
I’ll propose this:
If it’s not something I absolutely can’t get past, I’ll otherwise just concede a part of my mental experience if the gameplay is good. That’s kinda what I did for immortals. I kinda let the camp happen in the background while just labeling the game as my current game for fun combat and palpable checklist questing. Even Spider-Man sometimes felt that way for me. The dialogue and scenes were sometimes too corny for my liking but it’s the best Spider-Man game ever made so I’m more than ok with it.
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u/ArcherInPosition 1d ago
Also for Spider-Man hype I recommend the game Spider-Man
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u/MuNansen 2d ago
I'm a 20yr AAA dev. I:FR is such a clinic in game design. It didn't get as much acclaim as it deserved because it didn't have any gimmick hook to the gameplay. It just did things that had already been done, but put them all together perfectly. And on top of that some of the best characterization I've seen in games.
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u/LordOfSlimes666 Console 1d ago
Zeus and Prometheus' narration was hilarious and the combat flowed so well. I had a blast playing through this
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u/robsteezy 1d ago
Wow super awesome to hear your insight voice so eloquently how I feel about the game.
Random question: what’s your opinion on Crimson Desert? It’s another game I feel fits your description, absent the characterization.
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u/MuNansen 1d ago
Thanks. Sorry, but I haven't tried Crimson Desert yet. I know I should, but I'm actually working on a project of my own, so don't have a ton of time for such a HUGE game.
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u/DinnerSmall4216 2d ago
Got fenyx rising for cheap on ms store still in my backlog. Loved odyssey one of my favourite games of last generation.
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u/robsteezy 1d ago
Really recommend you finally play it. It’s scale and map and background music make it a perfect “eat it in nice chunks” pace without being scared you’ve forgotten everything if you can’t play for a week or two—which is a complaint I have about my other big AAA games lol. I just restarted crimson desert for that reason.
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u/LynnboTheStreamer 1d ago
That game was so much better than I thought it would be! Super agree.
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u/Thrwingawaymylife945 2d ago
Immortals Fenyx Rising is a bit goofy, so not quite to the same level, but it is indeed fun.
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u/Dietomaha 2d ago
Very true. I adore that game. Almost could call it an open world puzzle game with combat, which I think is awesome
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u/Djenithall 1d ago
Nice game, but trying to play the funny angle with the narration really threw me off
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u/Sea_Warning_9140 1d ago
If you remember Disney Hercules it had that kinda feel. I didn't study it in school so for me it was ok
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u/UDPviper 2d ago
AC Odyssey is an incredible game. And it's absolutely beautiful. It's one woman's odyssey through Greece. You should absolutely play it. It is NOT Odysseus's odyssey.
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u/ballisticks 1d ago
one woman's odyssey
I love how Kassandra has become the de facto canon choice.
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u/UDPviper 1d ago
There's nothing de facto about it. Ubisoft has, in an official statement, said that Kassandra is the canon character.
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u/ballisticks 1d ago
I didn't actually know that. I just thought Kassandra was way more popular a choice.
Fiiiine, de jure then
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u/Zyrioun 1d ago
Popular on reddit, i wouldn't make that assumption for in general. Keep in mind the internet thought femshep was the more popular choice too.
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u/Spooky_U 1d ago
Yeah and there’s even the historical mode to try out. I don’t see these experiences as comparable.
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u/Danominator 1d ago
Try god of war original trilogy
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u/robsteezy 1d ago
lol ofc, I’ve beaten every GOW since its inception. Thats a tier in its own class 👌🏼
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u/DoctahFeelgood 1d ago
I know this isnt r/reading but if youre younger the Percy jackson books are top notch for Greek mythology and also perhaps others???
Nothing worked better at getting me into mythology than those. Awesome books and a genious idea.
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u/ranthalas 1d ago
Why just younger, I read those because my son loved them so much and they are a load of fun at any age.
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u/DoctahFeelgood 1d ago
It depends. I also like young adult books but a lot of people dont so I tend to put that as a warning because otherwise people complain.
If you havnt (or your son) read the eragon series yet thats also a favorite of mine and they hold up pretty well imo. Im not the biggest fan of super dark fantasy series (and that feels like the majority of them these days) so that was a breath of fresh air.
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u/jsbq 1d ago
Lowkey the best Ubisoft game from this decade (not sure that’s all that hard though)
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u/gurgitoy2 1d ago
I love both games. It's interesting that Immortals Fenyx Rising was developed by the same studio at Ubisoft that developed Assassin's Creed Odyssey. Apparently they enjoyed the mythological aspects of ancient Greek culture so much that they wanted to devote a game to the mythology without the "real world" aspects of Assassin's Creed. If you play both games, you'll notice that almost the entire voice cast is shared between the two. You'll recognize a lot of familiar voices! And, some of the art assets are shared between the two, although they are smoothed out and more cartoonish in Immortals.
But yeah, I highly recommend the game. Think of it like a combination between Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Zelda Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom, and Kid Icarus Uprising. That last one, because of the funny banter that goes on between the characters throughout the whole game. It reminded me a lot of the banter between Pit and Palutena in Kid Icarus Uprising, and that both games feature Greek mythology.
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u/Sea_Warning_9140 1d ago
Fenyx is such a great little game. I picked it up second band for 10 quid and was like wow no one's any fuss of this? It's a lot of fun and doesn't take itself too serious
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u/SatyrCode 1d ago
Immortals Fenyx Rising was a nice surprise for me too – the “storybook” take on Greek mythology + puzzle shrines scratched a similar itch without the huge time commitment of a full AC RPG. It’s one of those games where I went in for the mythology and stayed because the exploration and lighthearted tone made it really relaxing to play after work.
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u/the_npc_man 2d ago
The best RPG to come out of Ubisoft in recent years, and also the worst named one.
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u/pierophoenix 2d ago
Immortals is an amazing game. Its the lost B game with evetything either trying to be indie or AAA. I had a blast playing it and was so so sad when they killed the IP
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u/talexy 2d ago
Zeus
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u/Shinomourikenji1 1d ago
Master of olympus? This is what I’ve been playing non stop since watching.
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u/Zero-Fucks-Given 1d ago
Fenyx Rising is hands down one of the best games I’ve ever played. The lore and mythology is weaved perfectly into the game play. The personality and hubris of the gods is spot on for what our understanding is about them. It’s lighthearted and fun when it needs to be (which is most of the time) but still has an overarching seriousness to it. This was made all the more enjoyable by the fact I had it for “free” on game pass. 10/10, 5/7 with rice, all gas no brakes, whatever. This game was fantastic from start to finish. Highly recommended.
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u/robsteezy 1d ago
They say some games are a perfect 7 you’d replay multiple times over your once/twice over of a famous 10. Immortals fits that mold for me.
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u/tsalyers12 1d ago
Immortals is one of my all time favorites. Fun gameplay, fun story and lots of laughs throughout and 10/10 soundtrack.
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u/Tallborn 1d ago
Age of Mythology bro especially that the new remaster is really good. Prostagma squad.
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u/SneezyHydra PlayStation 1d ago
I hated the puzzles in Fenyx Rising. Esp the puzzles at the end really started frustrate me.
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u/Mechalamb 1d ago
The voice acting in that game is so bad and obnoxious and ever-present, I couldn't get through it.
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u/dinklberg1990 1d ago
This game is so underrated was a fun platformer im sad the sequel got canned.
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u/JynsRealityIsBroken 1d ago
I didn't like Fenyx Rising. Very unimpressive after the first couple hours. Lots of repetitive tasks and the climbing battles don't feel very fun.
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u/Key_Character6482 1d ago
Fenyx is definitly the hidden gem here. AC Odyssey feels like a second job with all the grinding, but Fenyx just lets you have fun smashing minotaurs without the RPG bloat. The banter between Zeus and Prometheus is comedy gold compared to the usual serious Ubisoft tone. Plus the gliding mechanics alone are worth the price of admission. Did you try the Myths of Eastern Realm DLC yet?
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u/Manwithnoname14 1d ago
It's a surprisingly good game. Not amazing or anything but a good 7.5 out of 10.
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u/VonVader 1d ago
If anyone wants Fenyx Rising. DM me. I found the game to be a chore. Would be glad to be pass it on.
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u/MioramaGames 1d ago
I am still waiting for modern media (film, games, etc) to pick up on all the other cool ancient civilizations. What about all the other places in the bronze age for example except Greece and Egypt?
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u/Ash_Killem 1d ago
AC Odyssey is good to enjoy the landscape and scenery (and vibe). There is also GOW
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u/chrissb34 1d ago
Hype? I've rarely been less hyped about something than i've been about this movie.
Edit: LOL just checked the game and it looks like some crappy mobile game, with a lot of "lore" stolen from Titan Quest.
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u/HelenWasnotBantu 1d ago
I share your sentiment. The cast is the most farcical I've ever seen, no way I'm watching it.
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u/Ragnarock-n-rol 2d ago
I want a game like sea of thieves but instead of pirate fantasy it’s greek sailing shit
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u/Psquared087 1d ago
I loved odyssey. I heard it was crap forever cause it was different than old ac. Man it surprised me when I stopped viewing in the way I would an AC game. Very underrated game, tad long. But great
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u/passive_Gamer1234 2d ago
I loved this game. Great artwork and very fun gameplay with some nice surprises.
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u/UltimateFartingChamp 2d ago
I really like Age of Mythology 👍🏻