Immortals Fenyx Rising

The gameplay of "Immortals: Fenyx Rising" is characterized by a blend of open-world exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat mechanics that draw inspiration from both "Breath of the Wild" and "Assassin's Creed Odyssey." While many players appreciate the engaging combat and humorous narrative, some criticize the repetitive nature of the gameplay and the reliance on puzzles that can feel tedious over time. Overall, the game offers a satisfying experience with a variety of mechanics, though it may not reach the depth or originality of its inspirations.

The humor in "Immortals Fenyx Rising" is a mix of light-hearted, juvenile jokes and clever commentary on Greek mythology, often delivered through the banter between Zeus and Prometheus. While many players found the humor to be entertaining and occasionally laugh-out-loud funny, others criticized it as cringeworthy or overly forced, suggesting it may appeal more to a younger audience. Overall, the game's comedic elements contribute to its charm, though reactions to the humor vary widely among players.

The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising its vibrant, cartoonish art style and colorful environments that evoke a playful atmosphere reminiscent of titles like "Breath of the Wild" and "Fortnite." However, some players report performance issues, including frame drops and crashes, particularly on lower-end systems or the Nintendo Switch, where the graphics are notably downgraded. Overall, while the visuals are generally considered appealing and well-designed, technical optimization remains a concern for many users.

The grinding aspect of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with players describing it as tedious, repetitive, and exhausting. Many reviewers noted that the game requires excessive grinding for resources, puzzles, and upgrades, leading to a frustrating experience that detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some players found moments of fun, the consensus is that the grinding elements significantly hinder the game's pacing and engagement.

The music in the game has received largely positive feedback, with many praising the soundtrack composed by Gareth Coker for its beautiful and fitting melodies that enhance the gameplay experience. While some players found certain tracks to be repetitive or forgettable, the overall consensus highlights the music as a significant strength, contributing to the game's chill atmosphere and engaging combat moments. However, a few reviews noted that the music could be muted in favor of personal playlists without detracting from the experience.

The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including frame drops and stuttering, particularly on the Steam Deck and older hardware. While some users experienced smooth gameplay on high-end systems, the overall consensus indicates that the game is poorly optimized, especially for a title from Ubisoft, leading to frustration among players. Recommendations for improvement include better support for technologies like AMD FSR and NVIDIA DLSS to enhance performance.

The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous users reporting frequent crashes and freezes, particularly on newer NVIDIA drivers. Despite some players experiencing smooth performance on specific platforms like the Steam Deck, many others have faced persistent issues that hinder gameplay, leading to frustration and extensive troubleshooting efforts. Overall, the game appears to lack adequate support and updates to address these ongoing stability problems.

The monetization strategy in this game has drawn significant criticism, particularly for its inclusion of numerous cosmetic microtransactions and daily/weekly challenges in a single-player experience, which many players view as unnecessary and exploitative. While some users noted that these microtransactions do not impact gameplay, the pervasive advertising for in-game purchases and the integration of Ubisoft's platform have left a negative impression, leading to accusations of a blatant cash grab. Overall, the monetization approach has been described as disrespectful and detracting from the overall experience.

The atmosphere of the game is described as cozy and immersive, particularly through strong voice acting and interactions with gods, creating a romantic and cartoonish vibe. However, some players feel that technical issues, such as slow startup times and in-game store presentations, detract from the overall experience. While the game offers a decent atmosphere and engaging exploration, it lacks the charm and depth found in titles like "Breath of the Wild."

The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted through the relatable struggles of its deities, particularly focusing on themes of flawed parenthood and personal growth. While the narrative features humorous and wholesome moments, it also delves into deeper emotional issues, making the protagonist's journey both heartwarming and impactful. Overall, the blend of humor and emotional depth creates a unique storytelling experience.

The game offers limited replayability, though the New Game+ option enhances it for some players. Cross-save functionality is appreciated, especially for those who purchased the game multiple times. However, the absence of Steam achievements is seen as a missed opportunity to further boost replay value.

Character development in the game is noted for its intriguing approach, particularly in the portrayal of figures like Zeus, who is given unexpected depth despite his traditionally negative traits. However, the overall character design, especially for human characters, has received criticism for being unappealing.