Status:
Complete and Play Tested
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Rise of the Argonauts (PS3) Review
Rise of the Argonauts aimed to fuse Greek mythology with a story-driven, action-RPG experience. Developed by Liquid Entertainment and released in 2008, it attempts to tell a mature tale of vengeance and destiny through the eyes of Jason, King of Iolcus. While ambition runs deep in its veins, the execution often stumbles, resulting in a title that feels more like a missed opportunity than a heroic triumph.
Gameplay & Mechanics
| System | How It Works | Effectiveness |
|---|
| Real-time Combat | One-button light/heavy attacks, dodge rolls, and shield blocks. Jason can wield swords, maces, spears. | Combat feels stiff, with sluggish inputs and limited enemy variety. |
| God Alignment System | Choose responses/actions that please Apollo, Ares, Athena, or Hermes. Grants unique powers and stat boosts. | Neat concept, but moral choices feel artificial and often lack real weight. |
| Dialogue-Driven Progression | No loot, XP, or levelsinstead, choices and completed deeds unlock passive "blessings" from gods. | Streamlines RPG elements but sacrifices depth and character build diversity. |
| Squad-Based System | Control Jason while Argonauts (like Hercules, Atalanta) assist AI-driven. | Party members add personality, but their tactical impact is minimal. |
The absence of traditional RPG stats and inventory creates a minimalist feel that might appeal to some, but it leaves a void for those who expect deeper progression systems.
Story & World
The game tells a reimagined version of Jasons myth, beginning with the death of his wife Alceme and his vow to retrieve the Golden Fleece to revive her. Along the way, Jason recruits mythic heroes, confronts gods, and sails the Aegean in search of redemption.
Strengths:
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Mature dialogue and a brooding tone elevate it above typical hack-and-slash fare.
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Choices impact your god alignment, which subtly shifts the narrative tone.
Weaknesses:
Graphics & Presentation
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Visuals: The environments are inspired by Greek ruins and temples but suffer from bland textures, stiff animations, and repetitive architecture. Character models are average for the era, with lip-syncing often out of sync.
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Frame rate: Inconsistent, with occasional hitches during combat or cutscenes.
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Sound Design: Orchestral score is surprisingly solid, evoking epic tones. Voice acting is mixedJason and Hercules are decent, but many NPCs sound flat or disinterested.
Menus and UI are sparse but functional. There's a lack of visual flair or variety, which saps immersion as the game goes on.
Pros & Cons
Pros
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Interesting god-alignment system adds philosophical flavor
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Decent mythological atmosphere and music
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Attempts a serious story with meaningful themes
Cons
Shallow, repetitive combat with stiff controls
Sparse world lacking exploration or interactivity
No loot or inventory systems hurt RPG replayability
Subpar production values for a full-priced console title
Final Verdict
Rise of the Argonauts strives to merge myth and morality into a cohesive action-RPG, but falls short on both technical and gameplay fronts. While the idea of stripping down RPG bloat for a more story-driven approach is admirable, the lack of polish, depth, and gameplay variety make it a forgettable voyage.
Score: 5.8 / 10 An ambitious yet clunky tale that sinks under the weight of missed potential and unrefined systems. Worth a look only for die-hard fans of Greek mythology or experimental RPG hybrids.
