Immortals: Fenyx Rising

Immortals: Fenyx Rising is an action-adventure game set in a stylized open world inspired by Greek mythology. Players assume the role of Fenyx, a customizable mortal hero tasked by Zeus to save the Greek Gods from the titan Typhon, who has escaped imprisonment and stolen their powers. The game unfolds across seven regions of the Golden Isle, blending combat against mythical beasts like Minotaurs and Gryphons with puzzle-solving, exploration using abilities like Daedalus Wings, and crafting gear. Fenyx gains divine powers through progression while managing stamina-based combat and navigating challenges that test agility and strategy.

Immortals: Fenyx Rising: Review

In the pantheon of modern video games, few titles have managed to blend the rich tapestry of Greek mythology with the exhilarating freedom of open-world exploration as seamlessly as Immortals: Fenyx Rising. Developed by Ubisoft Quebec, this action-adventure game stands as a testament to the studio’s prowess in crafting immersive and engaging experiences. From its inception as a spin-off from the Assassin’s Creed series to its eventual rebranding and release, Immortals: Fenyx Rising has traversed a journey as epic as the myths it draws from. This review delves into the game’s development history, narrative depth, gameplay mechanics, world-building, and its enduring legacy in the gaming landscape.

Development History & Context

Immortals: Fenyx Rising originated from a serendipitous software bug encountered during the development of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. This bug transformed the humans on the player’s crew into giant cyclopes, sparking an idea to create a separate game that embraced the mythological side of Greece. The positive reception of Odyssey encouraged Ubisoft’s management to greenlight the project, which was initially announced as Gods and Monsters during E3 2019. However, the game underwent a significant delay in October 2019 after another Ubisoft tentpole release, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint, failed to meet commercial expectations. This delay provided additional time for the development team to refine their innovations and deliver an optimal experience for players.

The studio decided to rename the game to Immortals: Fenyx Rising to reflect its narrative focus and emphasize the protagonist, Fenyx. This change was also influenced by a trademark dispute with Monster Energy, which challenged the Gods and Monsters name, believing it would cause confusion. The additional development time allowed the team to add Zeus and Prometheus as the game’s narrators, replacing the initially intended Greek poet Homer. Jeffrey Yohalem, who wrote for previous Ubisoft titles such as Assassin’s Creed II, Far Cry 3, and Child of Light, served as the narrative director and lead writer. The humor in the game, particularly the bickering between Zeus and Prometheus, was inspired by films such as Robin Hood: Men in Tights, The Princess Bride, and The Naked Gun.

Gareth Coker, who previously worked on Ori and the Blind Forest and its sequel Ori and the Will of the Wisps, composed the score. Ancient Greek instruments such as the lyre and kithara were used, adding an authentic touch to the game’s auditory experience. The game was released on December 3, 2020, for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. A free demo for the game was released for Stadia users before the official launch, and a version for Amazon Luna was made available the following day.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Immortals: Fenyx Rising tells the story of Fenyx, a mortal who must rescue their brother and stop the evil Typhon after his escape from the underworld. The narrative is framed as a tale told by Prometheus to Zeus, adding a layer of meta-commentary that enriches the storytelling. The game’s humor is a standout feature, with Zeus and Prometheus providing a witty and irreverent running commentary that keeps the player engaged. The characters are written with similar wit and irreverence, making the game’s storytelling feel like an animated show for audiences of all ages.

The plot revolves around Typhon, who has overpowered the Greek gods and seeks to break the barrier between the mortal realm and Tartaros. Fenyx, a young Greek shield-bearer, survives a shipwreck and washes up on the Golden Isle, where they find that the surviving crew and the island’s residents have been turned to stone. After recovering several artifacts belonging to legendary Greek heroes and receiving a prophecy, Fenyx rescues a young stranger, who reveals himself as Hermes. Determined to save humanity, Fenyx agrees to venture out into the Golden Isle to restore the deposed Olympian gods.

The game’s narrative is not just about saving the gods but also about exploring the flaws and strengths of the Olympians. Each god that Fenyx helps restore has a unique quest that delves into their personal struggles and growth. For instance, Aphrodite, who was transformed into a tree, must rediscover her passion. Ares, turned into a rooster, must regain his pride. Athena, turned into a child, must learn to make clear judgments. These quests provide a deep dive into the characters’ psyches, making the narrative rich and engaging.

The game’s themes of heroism, redemption, and the consequences of one’s actions are explored through Fenyx’s journey. The protagonist’s self-deprecating humor and humble demeanor contrast with the gods’ larger-than-life personalities, creating a dynamic that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. The narrative also touches on the idea of balance, where strengths and weaknesses coexist, reflecting the ancient Greek belief in the duality of human nature.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Immortals: Fenyx Rising is an action-adventure game played from a third-person perspective. The player can customize the gender, voice, and appearance of Fenyx, though they are canonically female. The game is set on the Golden Isle, a large open world consisting of seven distinct regions inspired by Greek mythology. The player is accompanied by Phosphor, a bird who can identify locations of interest on the map. Fenyx can traverse the world quickly through climbing cliffs, riding on a mount, and flying using the wings of Daedalus.

The full open world is accessible from the start of the game, encouraging exploration and discovery. As players explore, they encounter rifts that teleport them to the Vaults of Tartaros, which are a series of platforming challenges that require players to utilize both Fenyx’s combat and traversal abilities. These vaults are visually stunning and offer a variety of puzzles and combat challenges that keep the gameplay engaging.

Combat in Immortals: Fenyx Rising requires careful conservation of stamina and accuracy, whether it’s close or long range. Fenyx can use a sword for fast and weak light attacks and an axe for slow and strong heavy attacks. The bow and arrows provide a ranged combat option, adding depth to the gameplay. As players progress, they can unlock powerful godlike abilities, such as Ares’ Wrath, a group of spears that thrust enemies into the air. Armor and weapons can be upgraded by collecting sufficient crafting resources, providing a sense of progression and customization.

The game’s user interface is intuitive and user-friendly, with clear indicators for health, stamina, and special abilities. The map is well-designed, with Phosphor marking points of interest, making navigation straightforward. The game also features a variety of side quests and optional puzzles that add depth to the gameplay, ensuring that players are never bored.

World-Building, Art & Sound

The Golden Isle is a vibrant and colorful world that feels like a child-like watercolor painting. The art direction is bold and bright, with liberal use of colors that make the world visually appealing. The architecture is inspired by ancient Greek buildings, but they tend to be larger than life, with exaggerated shapes and colors. This stylized approach to world-building creates a unique and immersive environment that is a joy to explore.

The sound design in Immortals: Fenyx Rising is top-notch, with Gareth Coker’s score adding an authentic touch to the game’s auditory experience. The use of ancient Greek instruments such as the lyre and kithara enhances the immersion, making the player feel like they are truly part of the mythological world. The voice acting is consistently great, with Zeus and Prometheus providing a witty and irreverent running commentary that keeps the player engaged.

The world of the Golden Isle is occupied by various enemies inspired by Greek mythology, including minotaurs and cyclopes. These enemies are well-designed and provide a challenging combat experience. The world is also filled with collectibles, chests, and puzzles that encourage exploration and discovery. The condensed size of the world ensures that players never feel overwhelmed, making the exploration experience enjoyable and engaging.

Reception & Legacy

Immortals: Fenyx Rising received generally favorable reviews from critics, with praise directed towards its narrative, humor, combat, progression systems, soundtrack, and open-world design. The game’s aggregate score on Metacritic is 78/100 for the Nintendo Switch version, 79/100 for the PC version, 77/100 for the PlayStation 5 version, 76/100 for the Xbox One version, and 81/100 for the Xbox Series X version. Critics and players alike appreciated the game’s unique blend of Greek mythology and open-world exploration, as well as its charming and humorous storytelling.

The game’s influence on subsequent games and the industry as a whole is evident in its innovative approach to world-building and storytelling. Immortals: Fenyx Rising has inspired other developers to explore mythological settings and incorporate humor into their narratives. The game’s success has also paved the way for more open-world games that prioritize exploration and discovery over linear storytelling.

Conclusion

Immortals: Fenyx Rising is a standout title in the action-adventure genre, offering a unique blend of Greek mythology, open-world exploration, and humorous storytelling. Its development history, narrative depth, gameplay mechanics, and world-building all contribute to an immersive and engaging experience. The game’s reception and legacy are a testament to its impact on the gaming industry, inspiring other developers to explore similar themes and settings. Whether you are a fan of Greek mythology, open-world games, or simply looking for a fun and engaging experience, Immortals: Fenyx Rising is a game that should not be missed. It stands as a shining example of what modern video games can achieve, blending rich storytelling with innovative gameplay mechanics to create an unforgettable experience.