Ryse Son Of Rome Review. A Selnor Review.

[J_Allard]

You were right, everything was kicked up a notch on the next level and it has remained that way through the rest of the game. *spoilers* I am just past the Commodus fight, so I guess I am right near the end. I don't remember if its Edge or End of the World but whichever one, that level is amazing. A true showcase of next gen graphics. I love the cut scenes too, so pretty.

But mostly the latter half of the game it seems they really opened it up more and are mixing up the enemies and gameplay. I wonder if maybe that represents where they were in development when it was switched from a Kinect title to a traditional controller title. And I love how the game now forces you to pretty much use all elements of the combat. This is something I never liked about titles like Inferno, God of War, or Conan. The option was there to go deeper in combat but it was never really required. Now in Ryse I am at a point where I really need to get my timing down on deflections and attacks or the enemies counter the shit out of me.

I didn't even realize all the way through the game until I was fighting Commodus that you are graded on timing for each execution button press.

The story took an amazing twist that even though someone had told me *spoilers* Marius dies, I had no idea was coming. I wish I could have enacted revenge on Barilius (sp) and Commodus though instead of cinematics. The game really relies on cinematics. It's like a Naughty Dog game, big production and cinematic values, game is pretty linear, and a chore at times to play. But the story and atmosphere are great.

btw MS is going to start selling it digitally for $40 today as they test out selling titles digital for less than retail. I gave the game a 7 originally, I think I'd still give it that, but I would give it a 7.5 or 8 if I'd bought it for $40. There's also supposed to be sales on the DLC leading up to new DLC the 25th IIRC. It has a horde type survival mode. Yes please.

Lets also hope this game does well digitally so MS sells more titles at a 33% savings versus physical retail.