Agents Mayhem - Xbox One

Review of Agents of Mayhem - Xbox One

Released in 2017 by Volition, the same team behind the Saints Row series, Agents of Mayhem is a third-person, open-world action game that channels the over-the-top, chaotic energy of its predecessors, while introducing a new set of characters and a more colorful, comic-book-inspired aesthetic. Set in a future version of Seoul, South Korea, the game features a variety of unique agents with their own abilities and personalities, tasked with taking down a global terrorist organization known as LEGION. The game was designed to emphasize fun, chaotic gameplay, but it struggles with some of the same issues that have plagued similar open-world games in the past.

Strengths

1. Colorful Art Style and Comic Book Aesthetic One of the standout features of Agents of Mayhem is its vibrant and visually striking art style. The game adopts a comic-book-inspired look, with bold colors, exaggerated character designs, and vibrant animations. This stylistic choice gives the game a fun and light-hearted vibe, which complements its over-the-top tone. The character designs are unique, and each of the playable agents has their own visually distinct look that sets them apart from one another.

2. Diverse Cast of Playable Agents The game offers a diverse roster of agents, each with their own set of unique abilities, personalities, and weapons. Players can switch between agents on the fly, allowing for different playstyles and combat strategies depending on the situation. For example, the character Hardtack is great at close-quarters combat with heavy weaponry, while characters like Fortune or the more tech-savvy characters are better suited for ranged attacks or strategic support. This system promotes experimentation, as players can mix and match agents to find the combination that works best for them.

3. Fun Combat and Action Agents of Mayhem delivers solid third-person shooting mechanics, with fast-paced combat that emphasizes mobility and chaos. The game encourages players to use a variety of weapons and abilities, all while switching between agents in real-time. This leads to dynamic and engaging combat situations, where you can quickly adapt to enemy types by switching to an agent that counters their strengths. The shooting feels satisfying, with large explosions, flashy special moves, and plenty of destruction to keep things exciting.

4. Sense of Humor and Over-the-Top Action Much like the Saints Row series, Agents of Mayhem excels in providing a lighthearted, over-the-top experience. The humor is intentionally cheesy and self-aware, often poking fun at typical superhero and action movie tropes. The characters are exaggerated, and their banter during missions can be genuinely funny, adding charm to the game. This sense of humor sets the game apart from other more serious open-world action titles and ensures that it doesnt take itself too seriously.

5. Expansive Open World to Explore The games open world, set in a futuristic version of Seoul, is vast and filled with activities. Players can explore the city, engage in side missions, and unlock hidden secrets. While the world itself isn't as detailed or alive as some of the more polished open-world games, it still offers a lot to see and do. The missions are varied and include things like destroying LEGION bases, gathering collectibles, and battling through waves of enemies.

Weaknesses

1. Repetitive Mission Design While the games chaotic, action-packed combat is fun, the mission design quickly becomes repetitive. Many of the missions follow a similar formula, such as clearing out enemy bases or collecting speci