Enslaved: Odyssey to the West

Enslaved is as ambitious as it is flawed. Those of you who can put up with mediocre gameplay and a lack of polish will find a touching, rewarding story heightened by top-notch cast performances. Others need not apply.

67%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

stability, grinding

84% User Score Based on 5,166 reviews

Critic Score 65%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $1.71

Buy NowGet on Steam$19.99

About

"Enslaved: Odyssey to the West" is a post-apocalyptic action-adventure game set 150 years in the future. After escaping a slave ship, a technologically skilled woman named Trip forces herself into a partnership with the powerful and brutish Monkey, linking them together through a slave headband. The pair journey through a dangerous, reclaimed world, with the fate of Trip resting in Monkey's hands as he must protect her or face death. The game focuses on their complex relationship and the challenges they face together.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Enslaved: Odyssey to the West screenshot

+17

84%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,167 reviews

story2k positive mentions

stability175 negative mentions

Engaging story with well-developed characters, particularly the dynamic between Monkey and Trip.
Beautiful visuals and art direction that hold up well despite the game's age.
Solid voice acting, especially from Andy Serkis, which enhances the emotional depth of the narrative.

Clunky camera controls that can lead to frustration during combat and platforming sections.
Repetitive combat mechanics with limited enemy variety, making battles feel monotonous.
The ending feels rushed and unsatisfying, leaving many plot points unresolved.

story
4,152 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
49%
3%
The story of "Enslaved: Odyssey to the West" is a reimagining of the classic Chinese tale "Journey to the West," set in a post-apocalyptic world. Players follow the journey of Monkey and Trip, whose evolving relationship drives the narrative, blending themes of survival, sacrifice, and redemption. While the story is praised for its emotional depth and character development, some reviewers noted pacing issues and a rushed ending that left certain plot elements unresolved. Overall, the narrative is considered a highlight of the game, complemented by strong voice acting and engaging visuals.
- “Enslaved: Odyssey to the West is a masterpiece of storytelling, world-building, and character development that is unfortunately marred by a few missteps.”
- “The game's bold reimagining of the Journey to the West story, stunning visuals, emotional depth, and shocking twists make it a must-play for fans of action-adventure games and thought-provoking narratives.”
- “The story, while it doesn't reach even half of its potential, is fine.”
- “We get to the end of things, but we feel as if a big chunk of the story is missing.”
- “The ending is also really disappointing, and honestly, the story is just not worth your time.”
- “The story lacks initiative and is very bland throughout most of the game.”
gameplay
1,972 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
55%
10%
The gameplay of "Enslaved: Odyssey to the West" is characterized by a mix of platforming and combat, often described as simplistic and linear, with repetitive mechanics that can become tedious over time. While the game features enjoyable elements such as acrobatic movement and engaging combat, it suffers from dated design choices, poor camera controls, and a lack of depth in combat mechanics. Despite these shortcomings, many players appreciate the game's narrative, character interactions, and visual presentation, making it a worthwhile experience for those who prioritize story over gameplay complexity.
- “Though it wasn't properly adapted to PC, most of the controls respond well, the gameplay is fun, the combat is satisfying, the platform elements are very fun, it's really cool to jump around like a monkey, and it's really interesting to explore this world, which by design feels like it's filled with a deeper story than it appears to be, even though it's a post-apocalyptic earth.”
- “The gameplay strikes a perfect balance between combat, platforming, and puzzle-solving, making for an engaging experience.”
- “The gameplay is solid and the story has just enough charm that I wanted to keep playing to see what happened next.”
- “The gameplay is dull and repetitive and gets boring too quickly.”
- “The gameplay is frustrating and repetitive, with simplistic platforming and very basic (though cinematic) combat rendered difficult through poor controls and frustrating camera angles.”
- “The gameplay is extremely linear, repetitive and predictable.”
graphics
1,311 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
45%
6%
The graphics of "Enslaved: Odyssey to the West" are generally praised for their beauty and artistic style, especially considering the game's age, with many noting that they still hold up well today. However, some players have encountered graphical glitches, particularly with shadows and textures, and the need for tweaks to achieve optimal visual quality on PC. Overall, while the visuals may show their age, they are often described as vibrant and engaging, contributing positively to the game's immersive post-apocalyptic setting.
- “The graphics are beautiful despite their age, and especially facial animations and lighthearted comedy are done well.”
- “The graphics hold up really well though, world and enemy/boss design is beautiful and creative, set-pieces are great, and the really good voice acting along with expressive facial animations sell the fun humour and character moments throughout the game, making the story involving.”
- “The graphics are truly beautiful if a little dated by today's AAA titles but certainly good enough to give the right feel to your journey.”
- “It also has some graphical issues with the shadows, that'll cause some very distracting 'lines' that weren't fixed despite using the fixes provided by the community.”
- “The game also crashes when trying to change graphics settings.”
- “I also encountered a surprising amount of graphical glitches and the constant screen effects made me nauseous.”
music
230 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
37%
1%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its atmospheric and immersive qualities that enhance the overall experience, while others find it forgettable or bland. Many highlight the soundtrack's ability to complement the game's environments and emotional moments, though a significant number of reviews indicate that the music often goes unnoticed during gameplay. Overall, while the soundtrack is appreciated by some for its beauty and fitting themes, others feel it lacks memorability and impact.
- “The ambient noise and music are excellent and overall, the game's environment is one of the prettiest, most enjoyable of anything I've played lately.”
- “The soundtrack sets the mood right in every scene, whether being chased by a mechanical rhino or chilling in a boat gazing at the stars; the soundtrack is mesmerizing.”
- “The sound design, world, lore, soundtrack, all of it comes together into this beautiful masterpiece as you journey across what remains of a desolate North America.”
- “The music was for the most part forgettable and I can't remember a single piece from the game; it wasn't terrible, just not anything amazing either.”
- “The music in the main game is serviceable but forgettable.”
- “Overall an enjoyable journey with a mix of platform & combat, good characters but lackluster story; the soundtrack is pretty meh as well, I didn't even notice it the vast majority of the game.”
humor
220 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the witty banter and comedic interactions between characters, particularly the dynamic between Monkey and Pigsy. While some moments are genuinely funny and well-executed, others fall flat or feel forced, especially in later parts of the game and the DLC. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted touch to the narrative, making it enjoyable despite some inconsistencies in delivery.
- “Monkey as a character offers a layered and entertaining protagonist to follow; he's resourceful, grumpy yet funny and focused, and has great rapport with Trip, making their banter enjoyable.”
- “Pigsy's perfect 10 was hilarious, an example of DLC done well.”
- “The game is a beautiful, nice romp through a post-apocalyptic world, with a well-acted and funny story.”
- “They try to fill the story gaps with small moments that are supposed to be funny, but almost all of them boil down to Monkey is an asshole and Trip is a nice girl.”
- “Monkey is the usual sexist depiction of the male hero: far too muscular to be able to jump (but jumps and climbs like a monkey nonetheless), manly grunts each time he makes the slightest effort (like opening a door), comically stupid (except it's not funny).”
stability
183 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
1%
96%
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous reports of graphical glitches, frame rate drops, and game-breaking bugs that can hinder progress. While some players have experienced smoother performance on specific platforms like the Steam Deck, many others have encountered significant issues, including crashes and problematic auto-save features. Overall, the game is considered quite buggy, making it a frustrating experience for many users.
- “It runs great on Steam Deck as well (on Proton 7.0-6).”
- “Runs great on Steam Deck.”
- “I personally have had no glitches or bugs.”
- “The native configuration of the application simply doesn't work correctly and, nowadays, some glitches with shadows and textures (especially one that makes strange lines appear on characters) break the game's immersion completely.”
- “It's so bad that at certain points the FPS drops so low the game essentially freezes and becomes unplayable.”
- “Attrocious porting job and game-breaking glitches make this game unplayable despite the interesting setting.”
optimization
180 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
43%
11%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant issues such as poor mouse and keyboard support, frequent crashes, and frame rate drops, particularly during cutscenes. While some players found the game to run smoothly on certain systems, others experienced frustrating performance hiccups and a lack of configuration options. Overall, it appears that the game is better suited for console play, as the PC port has not been adequately optimized, leading to a less enjoyable experience for those using a keyboard and mouse.
- “Game still runs smoothly, like eleven years ago when it came on the PC platform.”
- “Great story, great character development (a rare thing to see), great gameplay and excellent optimization for the PC.”
- “Beautiful graphics actually, good level design and well optimized.”
- “2 full system reboots, 7 game crashes, 9 soft locks, a camera system that was designed by 5 year olds, music stuttering, and menus that clearly do not work properly.”
- “My biggest issue with the game is that the controls don't seem very optimized for mouse and keyboard.”
- “Weird shadows all over the place, improper lighting, incredibly ridiculous framerate and performance hiccups whenever the game needs to load a new area, and a complete lack of any sort of control over the settings.”
character development
146 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
47%
4%
Character development in "Enslaved: Odyssey to the West" receives mixed reviews, with many praising the strong bond and growth between the protagonists, Monkey and Trip, as well as the engaging voice acting. However, some critics find the character arcs to be clichéd or superficial, with calls for deeper exploration of the characters' backgrounds and relationships. Overall, while the game showcases impressive character design and development, opinions vary on its depth and execution.
- “The character development is quite well done, although the story could have been better.”
- “Great story, great character development (a rare thing to see), great gameplay and excellent optimization for the PC.”
- “Where this game does shine, however, is in character development.”
- “The story is meh, character development is shallow and cliché, the platforming is fake and doesn't require any skill.”
- “Sadly, the character development sucked.”
- “You meet close to no other people and these people inspiring and adventurous as they are just did not cut it for me.. character development, gameplay & story feels so rushed that I never got to truly enjoy the game.”
emotional
122 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players noting the believable and nuanced character dynamics, particularly between the protagonists, Monkey and Trip. The story tackles profound themes of love, loss, and redemption, delivering touching moments that resonate long after gameplay, despite some criticisms regarding pacing and the ending. Overall, the game is celebrated for its emotional depth, strong voice acting, and the ability to evoke genuine feelings, making it a memorable experience for players.
- “The game's bold reimagining of Journey to the West, captivating characters, stunning environments, and emotional depth make it a truly unforgettable experience.”
- “By the end of the game, I felt connected to Monkey and Trip; you could see an almost tangible emotional connection form between the two of them.”
- “This game stands as a shining example of what video games can achieve as a medium, blending storytelling and interactive elements to create an emotionally resonant adventure.”
atmosphere
118 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
66%
31%
3%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its beautiful and immersive design, effectively capturing a post-apocalyptic world filled with vibrant colors and detailed environments. Players appreciate the combination of engaging sound design, compelling storytelling, and well-developed characters, which together create a unique and melancholic ambiance. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its strongest aspects, enhancing the overall experience and drawing players into its richly crafted world.
- “Both the atmosphere and characters are well-thought and it is definitely a joyful experience for many players.”
- “Beautiful sceneries of nature slowly taking back and swallowing former civilization creations creates a unique melancholic atmosphere where you look at something beautiful but you feel the history.”
- “Enslaved: Odyssey to the West's main draw is its absolutely gorgeous visuals, which are bright, detailed and compelling for such a somber post-apocalyptic atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere this strange waste of studio recording equipment and voice talent creates is frankly akin to replaying a level in Mario for the optional stars and dealing with the titular Italian stallion reminding you every thirty seconds that he won't be able to get his bing-bing wahoo's off until you jointly get to the final stage, which for him, delusionally features a warp-pipe leading directly beneath Princess Peach's chaste, perpetually knackered frock, to which I would respond: 'save you and myself some time and just go for Daisy, man.'”
- “The atmosphere, the story, the whole scope of the game should be absolutely enthralling, but to me... it feels like a soft-spoken echo I've done before.”
- “Only the atmosphere and the world stand out, this is where Enslaved is brilliant, still a breathtaking experience at some points.”
grinding
82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
11%
88%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and repetitive, with many players feeling that the combat lacks variety and becomes monotonous over time. Collecting hidden items and completing achievements can also feel like a chore, detracting from the overall enjoyment and pacing of the game. While some players appreciate the upgrade system, the general consensus is that the gameplay often feels clunky and frustrating, leading to a lack of motivation to continue.
- “The upgrade system is great in that about twice per level you can upgrade in a way that makes a difference to your play style, not grinding for 2-3 levels for one upgrade that you may not ever use.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The setting and story are interesting, but the rest of the game makes the progress tedious.”
- “The gameplay is boring, tedious, and repetitive.”
replayability
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
61%
23%
Overall, the game exhibits limited replayability, primarily due to its linear storytelling and lack of multiple endings or significant alternate paths. While some players may find value in replaying for achievements or different difficulty levels, most reviews indicate that the experience is best enjoyed in a single playthrough, lasting around 10-12 hours. A few users noted minor replay value through character variants and upgrades, but the consensus leans towards a short, satisfying experience with little incentive for repeated play.
- “Game has excellent replay value because you get to keep all the skills you have unlocked and you can start any chapter again.”
- “It delivers until the very end and its 'game +' style replay value makes it one worth keeping in your collection.”
- “Short game, plenty of replay value.”
- “The game has little to no replay value as you will unlock almost everything in the perk tree and there are no alternate ways to progress.”
- “Replayability (0/5) - I don't see a reason to replay this game, except for trying harder difficulty or completing achievements.”
- “On a negative note, it's a bit repetitive and linear. I have nothing against linear games as they are often a great vehicle for telling a story exactly the way it was intended, but I see little replay value in this as a result. Once you experience it, you will probably shelve it.”
monetization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
25%
50%
Reviewers express concern that the inclusion of microtransactions and quick-time events (QTEs) could detract from the game's quality, likening it to a trend in modern gaming where engaging single-player experiences are overshadowed by soulless multiplayer models driven by monetization. There is a desire for the developers to revisit the game with a stronger marketing push, as its current obscurity limits its potential audience.
- “So many games today are lost on those simple principles in replacement of making the game an online sandbox with soulless multiplayer driven by microtransactions and endless grinding.”
- “I keep hoping Ninja Theory will revisit this world with a larger advertising budget so it gets more of the hype it deserves.”
- “At first glance, Enslaved appears to be quite an obscure release, with no major first-party push or advertising.”