Rise of the Argonauts

About

Rise of the Argonauts is a single player role playing game with fantasy and historical themes. It was developed by Liquid Entertainment and was released on January 7, 2009. It received neutral reviews from critics and mostly positive reviews from players.

In "Rise of the Argonauts," players step into the sandals of Jason, the Greek warrior king, leading Hercules, Achilles, and other legendary Argonauts in brutal combat against formidable enemies. The quest for the Golden Fleece is an epic journey across a vibrant and dangerous Ancient Greece, where every decision and victory shapes Jason's transformation from warrior to divine hero. This action-packed RPG offers a rich, immersive experience that blends historical mythology with a compelling original narrative.

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Play Modes

Single-Player

+28

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69%

Audience ScoreBased on 405 reviews

story111 positive mentions

stability12 negative mentions

Engaging story that draws from Greek mythology, with well-developed characters and interesting dialogue choices.
Unique skill progression system where players can dedicate deeds to different gods, influencing gameplay and character development.
Visually appealing environments and decent voice acting that enhance the overall experience.

Frequent crashes and technical issues, particularly with the PC port, leading to a frustrating experience.
Combat can feel repetitive and simplistic, lacking depth and challenge, especially against regular enemies.
Linear gameplay with limited exploration and a lack of meaningful choices that affect the story.

story
344 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
62%
6%
The story of "Rise of the Argonauts" is a central focus, offering a rich narrative inspired by Greek mythology, particularly the tale of Jason and the Argonauts. Players appreciate the engaging dialogue choices and character interactions, which enhance the storytelling experience, although some criticize the plot for being predictable and diverging significantly from traditional myths. While the game features a strong narrative and character development, it suffers from pacing issues and a lack of impactful gameplay mechanics, leading to mixed feelings about its overall execution.
- “Rise of the Argonauts is a very story-driven game with many dialogues you would expect in a Bioware RPG.”
- “The story was good and probably the strongest aspect of the game.”
- “The story is rich and you feel like you are in a movie.”
- “Unfortunately, as the game went on, I did feel that the main plot did drag out a little bit towards the end.”
- “The story requires a particular interest in Greek mythology; with little knowledge of it, it may not be enjoyed.”
- “The main story is mediocre and predictable, while the side quests are most of the time quite boring and can be easily missed if you forget to speak with certain characters.”
graphics
127 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
65%
13%
The graphics of the game are generally considered dated, with many reviewers noting that they do not hold up well by modern standards, often comparing them unfavorably to titles from the PS2 era. While some appreciate the charm of the older art style and find the visuals acceptable for a game released in 2008, others criticize the lack of graphical options and the presence of glitches. Overall, the consensus is that while the graphics may have been decent at launch, they now feel subpar and hinder the overall experience.
- “I like the steampunk aesthetic with stylized visuals and instantly recognizable characters.”
- “The graphics in this game are beautiful.”
- “The graphics won't win any awards today (this game came out in 2008), but just about everything is pleasing to the eye.”
- “Graphics-wise, the game uses old Unreal Engine 3 and even though I'm the kind of person who finds heaps of charm in older games and how they are presented, there was nothing here for me to commend.”
- “This game is definitely a product of its time, and I mean it in the worst possible way - terrible graphics (even for 2008), stiff voice acting, uninteresting story, bland side quests, surface-level RPG system, gimmicky boss fights, and small areas that are still somehow split into smaller areas.”
- “The graphics and animations are mediocre at best for today's standards.”
gameplay
100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
62%
13%
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its repetitive and simplistic hack-and-slash mechanics, which often feel clunky and unpolished. While the story and character interactions are praised for their depth, the gameplay is criticized for being heavily linear, with a significant focus on dialogue and exploration rather than engaging combat. Overall, players suggest that those seeking a rich narrative experience may find value, but action-oriented gamers might be disappointed by the lack of depth and excitement in the gameplay.
- “Game feels a little unique for sure, the beginning is more peaceful and less hack and slash gameplay and more story talk compared to during the end when it's all more very serious action packed even with its story.”
- “The gameplay is good, with the combat (which stresses making an opening and striking, rather than hacking away at an HP bar), and skill systems (dedicating deeds to various gods, to gain their powers and favor) being of particular note.”
- “It's not really breaking any new ground, but the story is nice, the setting is refreshing, the gameplay is solid and I did have fun while playing it.”
- “Unfortunately, the game is let down by shallow gameplay and mediocre console porting... while you can steer the camera with the mouse, it's unpolished and unresponsive, and you can't tilt up and down, just left and right, which is really frustrating when you're used to the complete analogue freedom that a mouse provides.”
- “The combat system isn't as mechanically deep as God of War and honestly feels more like a chore than it is challenging; not that you'll really have that much time to delve into the combat system as this game is definitely more skewed towards the walking and talking aspect.”
- “Repetitive, boring gameplay, poor visuals, glitchy camera.”
music
39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
48%
8%
The music in the game has received largely positive feedback, with many reviewers praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and set an epic tone, particularly noting the contributions of composer Tyler Bates. While some found the music to be memorable and fitting for various locations and scenes, others felt it blended into the background and was not particularly standout. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the game's strongest aspects, complementing the visuals and voice acting effectively.
- “Each location has its own musical theme, and most of them are good.”
- “Finally a special mention to the music of the game composed by Tyler Bates, simply incredible.”
- “The music is just fascinating; they tried to keep that 'epic ancient Greek atmosphere' but sometimes they add variations of other kinds of music like a tribal sound when they arrive in a jungle or dramatic chants when you arrive in ruins or dramatic parts of the story.”
- “The music is not memorable; you'll just hear it as a background sound that you mostly ignore.”
- “Buggy, terrible and boring combat; music was okay, visually okay in places, but generally laughable.”
- “Also, this is one of those games where if you turn off the music, it will silence the cutscenes as well.”
atmosphere
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
25%
19%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its unique and immersive setting, particularly its effective representation of Greek mythology, complemented by diverse environments and engaging music. While some players noted a decline in atmospheric engagement during certain gameplay segments, the overall aesthetic and level design contribute significantly to the game's appeal. Despite some graphical limitations, the atmosphere remains a standout feature, making it a compelling choice for fans of the genre.
- “Loved the atmosphere and all the Argonaut mythology around the game!”
- “The real jewel of the game is the atmosphere, the level design, the quests, characters, and story.”
- “The music is just fascinating; they tried to keep that 'epic ancient Greek atmosphere' but sometimes they add variations of other kinds of music, like a tribal sound when they arrive in a jungle or dramatic chants when you reach ruins or dramatic parts of the story.”
- “It's a fascinating part of Greek mythology, but unfortunately, the gameplay and the lack of atmosphere is what killed the experience pretty quickly for me.”
- “Atmosphere - every level you are in offers a different feel, and while the graphics aren't great by today's standards, they can be quite enjoyable.”
- “The real jewel of the game is the atmosphere, the level design, the quest/characters/story.”
stability
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
92%
The game's stability is a significant concern, with many users reporting frequent crashes and glitches that hinder gameplay. While some players find it playable with minor graphical issues, others describe it as buggy to the point of being unplayable, with crashes occurring approximately once an hour. Overall, the game's unfinished state and technical problems detract from the experience, making it a gamble for potential players.
- “Overall, this is an excellent older budget game and not buggy.”
- “It was released unfinished, therefore it is buggy and you can see where content was cut here and there; half of the characters that were meant to be party members are stuck as dialogue-only NPCs on the ship, beautifully crafted memorials to what might have been.”
- “Overall, Rise of the Argonauts is a really great hidden gem RPG, but it’s very buggy to the point of being unplayable.”
- “The game frequently (about once an hour) crashes/freezes in random situations.”
optimization
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
9%
64%
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with many users noting that it feels like a poorly executed console port lacking essential graphics settings and controls for PC. Performance issues such as stuttering, crashes, and instability are common, making it difficult for players with less powerful computers to enjoy the experience. Overall, the lack of optimization significantly detracts from the gameplay, leaving many players frustrated.
- “But virtually everyone does a very good performance, and there will be a lot of different voice actors.”
- “Performance is no issue.”
- “Occasionally the game felt unstable and suffered from performance issues, but overall it was still a very enjoyable game.”
- “It was very clearly ported from a console and not optimized for PC.”
- “However, the port of the game from the console version makes it a really badly optimized game, and if you don't have a good computer, you're going to endure lags and slowdowns because there's no menu for the graphics settings, the resolution, and such.”
- “Badly optimized = unplayable; there is no VSync nor graphic settings, it was a straight port to PC with no setup options.”
replayability
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
64%
27%
Overall, the game has low replayability, with many users noting a lack of new game modes or significant incentives to replay after completing it once. While some elements, like Greek mythology and skill upgrades, offer minor replay value, the consensus is that the game feels short and lacks variety, making it less appealing for multiple playthroughs.
- “The use of Greek legend provides a great ambiance, and unique ways to upgrade and play give it some replay value, too.”
- “Unfortunately, there is little replay value once you finish it once, but just the fact that I mention this means it was worth the first playthrough.”
- “There is zero replay value in this game, unless you really want to max out another skill tree.”
- “Overall, there is some potential for replayability, and the game itself is solid but short.”
humor
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is primarily driven by the characters, particularly the witty remarks from Achilles and the lore shared by Pan, which many players found entertaining. While some aspects, like Jason's armor and goatee, are perceived as unintentionally funny, the overall comedic execution, including the visual spectacle of combat, adds a lighthearted touch to the RPG experience. However, opinions vary, with some players not appreciating the humor, highlighting a divide in reception.
- “The only good thing about the game is the Argonauts - Atlanta is hot, Achilles is funny, and Pan can share interesting lore about Greek mythology.”
- “When entering Krytha, Pan was a fixed member, and I chose Achilles as the second one, hoping for some funny remarks, which he delivered.”
- “The execution moves you use are fun to watch, and seeing Hercules rip a guy in half is pretty funny.”
character development
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
28%
29%
Character development in "Rise of the Argonauts" is highlighted as a strong point, with engaging side-quests and impactful dialogue options that influence the narrative. However, the overall linearity of the game limits the depth of choices available to players, despite the appealing character designs and ancient Greek theme.
- “I completed most of the side quests, which are quite interesting in character development.”
- “Of all its positive traits, the highlight was by far the story and character development.”
- “This game has some spectacular environments and some unique character designs and arms.”
- “Rise of the Argonauts is an ugly looking game with ugly animations, and truly the only thing that barely resembles any creativity is the character design (barely).”
- “Bad: the game is short and fairly linear; although the dialogue options affect your character development, there is not much choice in how the quests play out, apart from which order you attempt them in.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly during boss fights that require repetitive practice to master mechanics. While some enjoy the power fantasy of becoming overpowered, many criticize the excessive backtracking and dialogue that detracts from the overall experience, making it feel more like a chore than engaging gameplay. Overall, the game struggles with pacing and fails to evolve its mechanics, leading to a lack of excitement in the grinding process.
- “I found the boss fights horrendously tedious; you just have to reload until you discover all the mechanics and then practice until you win that fight.”
- “Against all reviews, I wanted to give a chance to this game, but this is really tedious and an old game, not evolved well until today.”
- “Seriously, only about 1/3 of the game was actual combat, while the rest was just walking around and talking to people, which gets tedious really quickly.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report a strong emotional connection to the game's narrative, particularly appreciating its touching themes of death and the afterlife, complemented by a fitting soundtrack. The game successfully engages players, evoking feelings of investment and desire to continue the journey, despite some mixed opinions on environmental design. Overall, it leaves a lasting emotional impact, with moments that resonate deeply.
- “Nice and touching story about death and the afterlife with good soundtracks.”
- “It succeeded in emotionally involving me in the story and caused me to want to continue playing to see where it takes me.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization of the game is generally viewed positively, especially considering its low budget and minimal advertising; players appreciate the value it offers despite its limitations and issues typical of its era.

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56%Critics’ scoreBased on 2 critic reviews

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23h Median play time

19h Average play time

12-26h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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Rise of the Argonauts is a role playing game with fantasy and historical themes.

Rise of the Argonauts is available on PC, Steam Deck, Windows, PlayStation 3 and others.

On average players spend around 19 hours playing Rise of the Argonauts.

Rise of the Argonauts was released on January 7, 2009.

Rise of the Argonauts was developed by Liquid Entertainment.

Rise of the Argonauts has received neutral reviews from players and neutral reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Rise of the Argonauts is a single player game.

Similar games include The Technomancer, Sudeki, Risen, Demonicon, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning and others.

Rise of the Argonauts

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