Apotheon
- February 3, 2015
- Alientrap
- 12h median play time
Alientrap has struck a great balance between their core 2-D Platforming and RPG-lite mechanics, and a varied world that challenges players in different ways throughout the course of this tightly paced adventure.
Apotheon is a Historical Hack and Slash game set in Ancient Greek Mythology with a masterful story, compelling mechanics, and stunning graphics. As Nikandreos, the last hero of humanity, players can battle mythical beings, climb Mount Olympus, and take the Gods' powers to ensure mankind's survival. The game features local multiplayer, brutal combat, and a rich single-player experience with a colorful cast of characters, but can be quite grinding and has some bugs .
Reviews
- Stunning art style inspired by ancient Greek pottery, creating a unique visual experience.
- Engaging story that incorporates elements of Greek mythology, with well-designed boss fights and varied environments.
- Fun and satisfying combat mechanics, allowing for a variety of weapons and strategies.
- Clunky controls and awkward combat mechanics can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences.
- Frequent crashes and bugs, particularly during transitions between areas, can disrupt the flow of the game.
- Limited replayability and a somewhat linear progression may leave some players wanting more depth.
- graphics1,100 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Apotheon" are widely praised for their stunning and unique art style, which is heavily inspired by ancient Greek pottery and frescoes. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create an immersive atmosphere through its visually striking aesthetics, complemented by a fitting soundtrack and voice acting. While some players note that the visuals can become repetitive over time, the overall consensus is that the art style is a standout feature that enhances the game's appeal and thematic depth.
“The game's theme overall and art style is really what sets this game apart from many others. I think it was very clever how the developers made it look like the game was a Greek wall painting. It's so prominent that if you press start and hover your mouse over blank spaces in the menu, your mouse acts as a flashlight and you can see it shining on patterns of a stone wall. I thought that was super neat.”
“Alientrap absolutely nailed the Greek art aesthetic in a way no other media I have seen captures it. Apotheon has a beautiful art style and a straightforward combat system.”
“The graphics in 'Apotheon' are truly stunning. The game is set in ancient Greece and the 2D hand-painted art style perfectly captures the look and feel of that era.”
“Visuals are kinda ok for a couple of screenshots, but in the actual playing it gets old pretty fast, repetitive, indistinguishable, and, again, just boring.”
“The fighting mechanics are overly simplified, the gameplay gets repetitive easily as the art style and assets keep repeating themselves the whole game.”
“The art style is not enough to carry the rest of the game.”
- story947 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "Apotheon" is a straightforward yet engaging narrative that draws heavily from Greek mythology, centering on the protagonist, Nikandreos, who embarks on a quest to confront the gods of Olympus after they abandon humanity. While the plot is often described as simple and reminiscent of other titles like "God of War," it is well-executed and enriched by environmental storytelling, side quests, and references to ancient texts, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre. Overall, the combination of a compelling storyline, unique art style, and immersive atmosphere contributes to a satisfying gaming experience, despite some critiques regarding its predictability and linearity.
“The story follows a character called Nikandreos as he restores humanity from the wrath of the Olympian gods.”
“The story is engaging and has some surprising moments too.”
“The story is rich with detail and the art style is unlike any other!”
“The story is very basic, but that's fine for the kind of game it is.”
“The story is simple, and in any other context would be cliched, but it's appropriate here.”
“The story is predictable in its major points, but I suppose that’s just how classic tales go.”
- gameplay710 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Apotheon" is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its unique mechanics and engaging combat, while others criticize it for being clunky and repetitive. The game features a variety of weapons and combat styles, but some find the controls imprecise and the overall experience lacking depth. Despite these issues, the beautiful art style and integration of Greek mythology into the gameplay are frequently highlighted as strong points, making it a visually captivating experience.
“The gameplay is engaging and does not get old even to the very end of Nikandreos's arduous quest to become one with the gods.”
“The gameplay is fun, the story is intense, and the multiplayer isn't that bad.”
“The gameplay is simple yet varied enough to maintain your interest through the hack'n'slash.”
“The gameplay is so simple and tedious that I wonder if this game was designed for kids.”
“Probably the most boring, stretched out game with repetitive mechanics and annoying 'bosses' you'll ever waste your time on.”
“The gameplay feels stiff and the story is also very bland, but that said, it's just an excuse to tour through some amazing scenery.”
- music476 mentions
- 66 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "Apotheon" has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric and thematic relevance, effectively enhancing the game's ancient Greek setting. Reviewers praised the soundtrack for its orchestral compositions, which range from ambient to epic, perfectly complementing the gameplay and narrative. Overall, the combination of beautiful music, quality voice acting, and stunning visuals contributes significantly to the game's immersive experience.
“The soundtrack of the game was also well implemented.”
“The music is beautiful, the artwork is very original and fits perfectly.”
“The soundtrack is amazing, really setting the mood and allowing you to be pulled in.”
“The game runs smoothly, but eventually when entering or leaving a room the game will get stuck in a black screen with the soundtrack in the background, and then it's a dead end; you'll need to restart, losing whatever you have done before saving.”
“While the gameplay is mostly hack-and-slash with a bit of platforming across a series of relatively short levels, what really recommends this game is its gorgeous, truly original art style and the evocative soundtrack.”
“I just wish the music was able to keep pace with the graphics, but unfortunately, to me it falls a bit short.”
- atmosphere131 mentions
- 66 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive representation of ancient Greek mythology, enhanced by a stunning art style reminiscent of Greek pottery and a fitting soundtrack. Reviewers highlight the distinct environments, compelling lore, and the effective use of lighting and color, which together create a captivating and unique experience. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics, the overall aesthetic and atmospheric elements are considered standout features that significantly contribute to the game's appeal.
“The game's use of lighting and color gives each location a distinct and striking atmosphere.”
“Apotheon is a beautiful and atmospheric game; I still have some of the music on my playlist.”
“The atmosphere, art design, and music for this game are phenomenal, and it's one of the few side-scrolling games I actually like.”
“No amount of sophistry in art and atmosphere can hide the weak combat and controls, shallow progression, and glaring technical problems.”
“Most indoor atmospheres feel very samey.”
“While these games won't quite warrant comparison in a gameplay sense, it brought to me memories reminiscent of Morrowind and Dark Souls, with its patient yet frantic combat and well-designed atmosphere.”
- stability47 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
The game has been widely reported as very buggy, with frequent crashes, glitches, and issues affecting gameplay, particularly during combat and area transitions. While some players found these bugs frustrating, many noted that the overall experience remained enjoyable due to the game's aesthetics and engaging mechanics. Autosave features help mitigate the impact of these issues, but the stability remains a significant concern for many users.
“Runs great on Linux and is a must-have for any ancient Greek buff!”
“Not bad for a new game; so far, no glitches, and the art is spectacular, beautiful, and quite colorful.”
“Runs great on my aging system.”
“This game is too buggy for me at least; on both PS4 and PC my saves were corrupted and I cannot progress through the game.”
“Very buggy game with frustrating combat.”
“There are a lot of bugs and glitches.”
- replayability35 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is generally considered low, with many players noting that it offers little incentive to replay after the initial playthrough. However, some aspects, such as multiplayer modes and achievement hunting, can enhance replay value for certain players. While a few reviews mention enjoyable gameplay and potential for replayability, the consensus leans towards limited replayability, making it more suitable for those who enjoy short, focused experiences.
“The game also has a multiplayer mode, which can add to the game's replay value and extend its lifespan.”
“I'm pretty sure I missed quite a bit after playing through it the first time, so there is definitely replayability.”
“Completing the campaign takes somewhere around 10 hours, but there are a few optional bits around the place and there is room for replayability for achievement hunters.”
“• [u]limited replay value[/u]: once completed, the game offers little in terms of replayability beyond the initial playthrough.”
“• The game offers zero incentive for replayability.”
“• One downside to the game is that it's not very replayable and there isn't any 'new game +' mode either.”
- grinding29 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 3 % neutral mentions
- 90 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can often feel tedious and slow, with combat mechanics that may lead to frustration and a sense of monotony, particularly in later stages. While some players appreciate the exploration and story elements that mitigate the grind, others find the overall experience lacking in excitement, with repetitive tasks and chaotic combat contributing to a sense of fatigue. However, a few players noted that the game avoids excessive grinding by allowing for exploration and discovery, making the experience more engaging despite its flaws.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Times when I couldn't defeat a boss, I decided to go and collect gold to improve my abilities. I wasn't really grinding; it actually allowed me to explore areas and find things that I had missed.”
“Due to all of this, the combat tends to be slow and tedious at times, with me just switching to a bow to kill enemies quickly or at least more efficiently.”
“A strong aesthetic can't make up for gameplay so simple and tedious that I wonder if this game was designed for kids.”
“By the time I reached the maelstrom of tedious traversal and bland level structuring that is the Poseidon portion of the game, enough was enough.”
- optimization28 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing performance issues such as occasional drops, stuttering, and crashes, particularly on lower-end systems and Linux. While some users reported smooth gameplay and solid performance, others noted clunky controls and a lack of optimization for specific platforms, leading to frustration during gameplay. Despite these issues, some players found the game enjoyable and playable, albeit with the caveat that it could benefit from further optimization.
“Haven't encountered any bugs or had optimization issues.”
“I have encountered no performance issues and the game does seem to be locked to 60fps, which is very playable.”
“Optimized so some fps lag may happen, but animations are quite smooth, weapon diversity from melee to ranged, the epic quest your character embarks on is definitely one to enjoy.”
“The overall performance was slightly lacking with the game crashing 3 times within 90 minutes.”
“Also it's poorly optimized for Linux so it runs at like 19 fps.”
“The only gripe I have with it is the fact that the controls aren't as finely tuned as they could be and the game, at least on my machine, suffers from performance issues on higher settings, while it really shouldn't.”
- humor21 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a blend of awkward combat mechanics, funny glitches, and clever dialogue, often drawing laughs from unexpected moments, such as characters defying gravity and humorous interactions with mythological elements. Players appreciate the game's ability to balance its tragic narrative with comedic twists, particularly in the context of Greek mythology presented in an Egyptian art style. Overall, the humor enhances the gameplay experience, making challenging moments more enjoyable and memorable.
“The gameplay is quite similar to the igavania-style; the combat system is hilariously awkward, but I think it works overall.”
“So I got stuck inside the ground, but I just loaded the save I had from 1 minute before that and continued on my way, so that didn't make much of an impact on my gaming experience; it was more funny than problematic.”
“The only bugs I've encountered are that throwing thunderbolts in water makes them float in the air (which is hilarious), and a crash bug sometimes on transition, but I never lost any progress because of it.”
- emotional13 mentions
- 92 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the touching story, excellent music, and art style that evoke strong feelings, while others criticize the combat mechanics for detracting from the overall experience. Many players felt a sense of heroism and connection to the narrative, despite some characters lacking emotional depth. Overall, the game's emotional impact is heightened by its music and atmosphere, even if gameplay elements sometimes undermine that connection.
“Overall nice music, excellent puzzles and a touching story.”
“They definitely hit a good emotional level seeing the attackers torment the frightened townsfolk.”
“The music is wonderful and made me feel like I was on Mount Olympus during the Greek times.”
- character development7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players expressing disappointment over the lack of depth and personality in the protagonist. While certain aspects of the game, such as art style and combat, are praised, others feel that character and story progression were not adequately prioritized. However, the inclusion of ancient Greek literature quotes has been noted as a positive element that enhances the narrative experience for some players.
“The art style is phenomenal, the physics and combat are endlessly entertaining, and the character development and story progression were definitely well-attended during development and testing.”
“Great attention to detail is also displayed in level and character design, with each in-game location having a different feel and plenty of variation in the appearances of both NPCs and enemies.”
“Then I started coming across the quotes from ancient Greek literature (used to support the storyline and character development, of course), and I was moved.”
“I would have preferred something with more character development or skill development, but it gives me the impression that's intentional.”
“The only element that is particularly lacking is character development.”
“It has very little character development and the protagonist has no personality, which is such a shame!”
Critic Reviews
Apotheon Review
Alientrap has struck a great balance between their core 2-D Platforming and RPG-lite mechanics, and a varied world that challenges players in different ways throughout the course of this tightly paced adventure.
80%Apotheon
Ancient Greek Art Springs To Life
90%Apotheon Review
Dig beneath the effortlessly stylish veneer of Apotheon though and it soon becomes clear that its impressive calibre bleeds through into its homage to the engrossing Castlevania and Metroid games pioneered back in the 8-bit days. And that folks, minor niggles aside, is a godly thing indeed.
85%