Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 4,577 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • grinding
Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey Game Cover
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"Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey" is a third-person perspective survival game that simulates the evolution of human ancestors. Players start as an ape-like creature and must explore, gather resources, and develop new skills to survive and evolve. The game features a dynamic open world and a non-linear progression system, allowing players to make their own decisions and shape their clan's evolution.

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Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,577 reviews
gameplay163 positive mentions
grinding188 negative mentions
  • Unique concept that immerses players in the experience of early human evolution.
  • Engaging exploration and discovery mechanics that reward players for experimentation.
  • Beautiful graphics and a vast open world to explore, filled with diverse biomes and wildlife.
  • Steep learning curve with minimal guidance, making it frustrating for new players.
  • Clunky controls and mechanics that can lead to frequent deaths and loss of progress.
  • Repetitive gameplay loop that can become tedious after a few hours.
  • gameplay813 mentions

    The gameplay of *Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey* is characterized by a steep learning curve and a unique approach to survival and evolution, requiring players to discover mechanics through exploration and experimentation. While the initial hours can be engaging and rewarding as players learn to navigate the environment and manage their clan, many reviews highlight that the gameplay becomes repetitive and lacks depth as players progress, with clunky controls and poorly explained mechanics leading to frustration. Overall, the game offers a novel experience but suffers from a lack of polish and variety, making it less enjoyable for those who prefer more structured gameplay.

    • “The core gameplay revolves around managing a small clan of primates that gradually evolves and adapts to the surrounding world.”
    • “The game throws you into a wild world and forces you to figure out the mechanics on your own, which adds to the authenticity of the evolutionary process.”
    • “It's a learning cliff but it plateaus at the top, and not for the obvious reasons; it's understanding fully the base mechanics of the game, how leveling up works, what the limitations of the controls are, how this one mechanic affects the other, along with what are the best skills and so forth.”
    • “The controls and gameplay are so clunky and counter-intuitive, it feels less like being a monkey fighting for survival, and more like trying to wrestle a monkey for your own survival.”
    • “The mechanics are poorly explained, leading to a steep learning curve that can be both confusing and frustrating.”
    • “The gameplay loop became a little rote and boring by the second to last/last evolution because I had explored everything, so I was mostly just grinding out neurons just to change generations and evolve.”
  • graphics277 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received a mixed reception, with many players praising the beautiful visuals and immersive environments that enhance the overall experience. While some reviews highlight the graphics as stunning and comparable to nature documentaries, others criticize them as dated or unpolished, particularly for a game released in 2021. Overall, the graphics are generally considered a strong point, contributing to the game's appeal despite some technical issues and clunky controls.

    • “The graphics are amazing, the gameplay is very interesting.”
    • “The graphics, sound, and overall gaming experience are phenomenal!”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, music is great, and controls are easy to learn if you pay attention.”
    • “I did buy this game on sale for $9.99, I am not sure I would pay full price for it since it is an older game and the graphics are a little unfinished looking.”
    • “The next cut scene highlights the finest graphics from 1995 as you watch a comically large eagle effortlessly lift two apes hundreds of meters into the air at once.”
    • “You're not going to progress unless you watch third-party tutorials and even doing so it's a monkey death and failure simulator with graphics from 2010... you move slow as can be and the controls are clunky and poorly explained meaning you're going to yeet yourself off cliffs and trees regularly.”
  • grinding195 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it becomes excessively tedious and repetitive, especially in the later stages. While some appreciate the slow, evolutionary progression as a realistic element of the survival genre, others find the lack of variety and clunky mechanics frustrating, leading to a gameplay experience that can feel like a chore. Overall, the game is described as highly grindy, which may appeal to players who enjoy that style, but could deter those seeking a more dynamic and engaging experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It's not really grindy like an MMO or anything, but I 100% believe that no one should be looking at guides or tips or advice while playing this game.”
    • “The gameplay loop became a little rote and boring by the second to last/last evolution because I had explored everything, so I was mostly just grinding out neurons just to change generations and evolve.”
    • “Fun for the first couple of hours as you explore and discover new things, but after that the game very quickly becomes tedious and repetitive as you figure out that there is nothing left to discover other than new areas with the same sticks, berries, coconuts as the last 15 areas you've been to and there will never be any different weapons or fighting mechanics.”
    • “The game is very grindy but I like that personally.”
  • story167 mentions

    The game's story is often described as minimal or non-existent, with many players feeling that it lacks a traditional narrative structure or clear objectives. While some appreciate the opportunity for emergent storytelling and personal experiences within the game world, others find the vague quests and lack of guidance frustrating, leading to a sense of aimlessness. Overall, the game is seen as more of a sandbox experience where players create their own stories rather than following a defined plot.

    • “The minimalistic approach to guidance complements the theme of the game well, providing an organic and free-form exploration experience without the constraints of missions or task-oriented gameplay.”
    • “This game isn't bad and tells a compelling story about the evolution of humankind.”
    • “It is a beautifully made game that offers a unique story to play through but no real reason to play again after fully evolving/beating the game.”
    • “There isn't a real story of any kind; I'm not particularly invested in any of these monkeys, so I really don't care if any of them live or die.”
    • “The game sends you on quests with extremely vague descriptions.”
    • “There's no story, no objective, no purpose to evolution.”
  • music97 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its immersive and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the overall experience with a beautiful soundtrack that complements the diverse environments. Many players appreciate the engaging and thematic nature of the music, although some suggest adjusting the volume to better hear important sound cues. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal despite some criticisms regarding its repetitiveness and timing.

    • “Immersive, beautiful world and music that you can disappear into for hours.”
    • “The music amazingly complements the atmosphere of the environment, doesn't knock out of the gameplay.”
    • “The soundtrack is beautiful as well as the ambiance of the wild... if you're part of the people who made this happen; thank you <3 as a nerd with a bit of science-y interest this game is amazing and fascinating to explore.”
    • “The end of the game doesn't close you out either; you go through all the credits and then are just left on a black screen with music that sometimes pulses those annoying white spots.”
    • “I get the impression there's supposed to be music, but even with all three volume sliders up to 100%, there's no music.”
    • “The soundtrack is fine, but it just seems to cut in and out at the weirdest times.”
  • atmosphere38 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive qualities, combining stunning graphics, detailed animations, and a rich soundscape filled with wildlife and ambient effects. Players report a captivating experience that evokes feelings of both fear and dominance as they navigate a primal world, enhanced by a tribal soundtrack that complements the environment. Overall, the atmosphere is described as deep, engaging, and integral to the gameplay, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “The sound is also well-executed: the environment is filled with the sounds of wildlife, helping you fully immerse yourself in the game’s atmosphere.”
    • “With a strong emphasis on graphics, gameplay, and atmospheric elements, the game aims to immerse players in a primal world of survival and adaptation.”
    • “The atmosphere is relaxing, the sounds are pleasing, and the soundtrack made for the game was good enough for me to purchase it separately.”
    • “I picture gamers becoming ultra frustrated with the wonky camera, the unpredictable fall-off-tree-and-plant-your-face-into-the-dirt controls; for me, it just adds to the general atmosphere of being an oblivious ancestor looking to make sense of a wild nature.”
    • “That certain atmosphere of the unknown?”
    • “Easy to get into the mental atmosphere of these primal times.”
  • humor37 mentions

    The humor in the game is largely centered around the antics of the monkeys, with players finding amusement in their absurd behaviors and the challenges of gameplay, such as throwing chimps off trees or managing clan members. While many players appreciate the comedic elements and the irony of a game about evolution being "hilariously shallow," some express that the humor can wear thin after extended play. Overall, the game is seen as a mix of funny moments and frustrating mechanics, leading to a varied reception of its comedic value.

    • “Funny accurate monkey sim, would recommend.”
    • “Amazing game, and maybe it's just a skill issue, but man it's honestly just hilariously hard to play.”
    • “The fact that playing as a literal ape is too hard for some people is hilarious.”
  • stability37 mentions

    The game's stability is widely criticized, with many players reporting numerous glitches and bugs that significantly hinder the gameplay experience. While some users mention minor issues that are manageable, the overall consensus is that the game feels unpolished and frustratingly buggy, leading to a lack of immersion and enjoyment. Despite its potential, the frequent technical problems detract from what could be a great experience.

    • “The game runs great.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, and the game runs great for me on maxed settings.”
    • “Glitches are halfway to Ark: Survival Evolved level, which makes playing it migraine-inducing.”
    • “Was really looking forward to trying it, but the opening cutscene and loading takes at least 5 minutes and can't be skipped. Before it even finishes, it freezes on me.”
    • “Seeing if support can help, but for the time being - this is a buggy mess, stay away, unfortunately.”
  • replayability26 mentions

    Overall, the game offers a unique and engaging experience, particularly during the initial playthrough, but suffers from low replayability due to its reliance on exploration and discovery. Many players find that once the mechanics are understood and the map is fully explored, subsequent playthroughs lack the same excitement and novelty. While some elements, like random mutations and skill trees, provide a degree of variability, the consensus is that the game does not encourage repeated play.

    • “Even if you have to restart, the game's replayability ensures that you'll find new things on subsequent playthroughs.”
    • “Lastly, Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey has a high amount of replay value due to the complex skill tree, environmental variables, and the game's survival aspects.”
    • “P.S.: As for replayability, not so sure yet since I haven't finished my first playthrough, but given that mutations are random, and the fact that you can 'build' your species according to whatever you want to do, I guess it would be playable with multiple lineages no problem.”
    • “Potential downsides for some: somewhat grindy; almost no direction given to the player, they are left to do their own exploring and learning of the sometimes unintuitive mechanics; and very little replay value. Playing the game a second time will never truly feel close to the first time I explored the map and learned new mechanics.”
    • “However, the replay value of the game is still small.”
    • “There is 0 replayability with this game.”
  • optimization24 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews. While some players report smooth performance, particularly on the Steam Deck, many criticize the lack of optimization for keyboard and mouse controls, leading to clunky gameplay and random FPS drops. Additionally, Linux users have noted significant performance issues, and several players feel that the game is better suited for controller use rather than PC.

    • “It is something that usually bothers me a lot and in most games pulls me out of the immersion, but in this case, I don’t know if it is because of the implementation of some new patches or because I am very lucky, but most performance issues have been minor and have not compromised my experience in a substantial way.”
    • “Runs smoothly on Steam Deck.”
    • “The graphics are pretty low end for 2021, but the performance on my machine is very good because of this.”
    • “A warning for Linux users: it has extremely bad performance.”
    • “The game is quite badly optimized, as there are random FPS drops that made the game unbearable to play even for the little amount of time I played it.”
    • “It is very easy to tell it hasn't been optimized for PC.”
  • emotional15 mentions

    Players report a strong emotional connection to the game, often feeling invested in their monkey clan and experiencing genuine sadness upon losing characters. The game evokes a range of emotions, from frustration to joy, as players navigate challenges and milestones, such as crafting tools and ensuring the survival of their tribe. Despite its lack of a traditional narrative, the immersive environment and meaningful gameplay moments create a heartfelt experience that resonates deeply with players.

    • “I have gotten super invested in my monkey clan; I cried when my first monkey died.”
    • “The environment can be truly beautiful, and putting in the hours and exploring the map have been a meaningful and even emotional experience.”
    • “I feel emotionally connected to my apes as we progress through unknown lands creating tools and trying new things as we go.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization aspect of "Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey" is not explicitly addressed in the provided text, but it suggests that while the game has clear design goals, there may be frustrations with gameplay mechanics that could impact players' overall experience and satisfaction, potentially influencing their perception of value in relation to monetization.

    • “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
    • “I find the in-game purchases to be overly aggressive, which detracts from the overall experience.”
    • “The reliance on microtransactions is frustrating and takes away from the immersion of the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

25hMedian play time
28hAverage play time
7-50hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 36 analyzed playthroughs

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