Straight from the annals of mythology comes 'Achilles: Legends Untold', where you'll stick your thumbs deep into the glorious and sometimes murky waters of Greek mythology! As Achilles himself, embarking on a quest that even Hades himself might consider a tad over the top, you'll be thrust into a narrative that's both intriguing and at times, frustrating. Let's dive into what makes this game tick, and why it may just leave you feeling like a mighty warrior...or a slightly disoriented one.
Players take on the role of Achilles, the hero who typically has a soft spot for heroic deeds, curses, and the occasional existential crisis. After being sandwich-pressed by the realities of dying in the Trojan War, Achilles is gifted a resurrection by Hades, who apparently has more free time than most of us realize. Your main objective? Do Hades' errands - because nothing screams 'hero' quite like fetching coffee for the god of the underworld. The gameplay revolves around familiar Soulslike mechanics: dodge rolling like a caffeinated squirrel, managing stamina like a high schooler juggling after-school clubs, and hitting enemies with combos that will send them sprawling. Equip yourself with a variety of abilities that you can unlock as you grind your way through Hades' questionable requests. Yes, exploring your inner warrior through the lens of myth sounds incredible, but like all tales, the execution is vital, and the potholes in gameplay can leave you wondering if Achilles should've stayed dead and saved himself the trouble.
Let's talk visuals - or as I like to put it, the icing on the game's proverbial cake. The graphics are more reminiscent of a Saturday morning cartoon mixed with a demo reel from 2008. They certainly don't hold the same visual glory as some modern titles vying for the Nintendo throne. While some environments are lush and vibrant, others make you feel like you're wandering through a particularly bland neighborhood of Mount Olympus. It's a cute style, but don't expect to be blown away. The character designs look decent although sometimes they resemble action figures that have been left in the sun for too long. Still, there's some nostalgic charm to seeing Achilles swing his sword like he's auditioning for a Greek theatre play.
'Achilles: Legends Untold' is an ambitious endeavor that tries to weave together Greek mythology with the challenging gameplay of the Souls genre. It's like biting into a Greek salad only to discover that half of it has wilted away. While the quest for Hades is interesting and offers a glimpse into a favorite mythological tale, it stumbles along the way, tasked with carrying the weight of flaws in execution. For those who enjoy a challenge that grants them satisfaction if they can figure out how to make it work, Achilles may just be your jam. However, if you're looking for a flawless hero's journey, you might want to check your compass - is that Hades I hear chuckling? Perhaps Achilles' real lesson is that sometimes it's best to take a step back and let others do the heavy lifting.