Achilles: Legends Untold Review (Darthvegeta800)
Note: This is just an initial impression. I will update this review as I get more time in and more updates are put up.
So far the game is rather good and the gameplay seems satisfying.
I was playing on the lower of the 2 difficulties available at the start.
A few observations so far:
1) Combat works well with a controller. Strong and normal attack. Block. Dodge. Run. But also abilities like a 'Spartan Kick' stereotype that pushes people over and a shield throw.
All worked quite well.
2) Leveling works with shrines you unlock. They allow you to upgrade skills & rest. A bit Dark Souls-like in that you collect life essence / souls to buy skills with.
3) The skill tree seems varied and large. Special abilities, stat boosts etc. There seem to be several builds possible at first glance.
4) After only an hour of play I can't judge the weapons yet but there is clearly a crafting system and you can find weapons in the levels and equip them.
5) The story so far is nice. Troy, Age of Mytholoy, Titan Quest, Classical Greece slammed into the Troy era (so very Homer). The Gods are alive. There are supernatural beasts to fight but also bandits, hoplites etc.
6) Levels so far look good. The game is beautiful. I like Achille's design and armor.
7) I fought Hector and Paris so far. Judging by how these played out, the basis is there for some rewarding and more complex boss battles later on.
Initial impression: Very promising. Hopefully they keep upgrading it. A very promising hack and slash / dark souls / loot & XP grinder game with an awesome theme.
Update after some more playtime:
1) Loving that they use a system of soul recovery but also have you collect soulshards you keep like in Dark Souls. Wouldn't mind a few more of these drop. Ensuring the pain of a loss of trying to push through is a bit lessened. Overall I like it.
2) Good elements of Dark Souls but so far they thankfully don't overdo it either. It is after all partially an action hack and slash rpg with loot. So it looks for a nice blend of Dark Souls skill meets loot and level-up fun.
3) New boss fight I bumped into was challenging but far from impossible. Satisfying for averagely skilled players like me that struggle with hardcore Dark Souls but can appreciate an actual challenge.
4) Unlocked some more weapons. I'm liking the selection so far. Love the Classical Greece inspired weaponry so far.
5) There seems to be a decent variety of enemies from human to supernatural.
Update: Got up to the part of the story released in Early Access.
So far I like it a lot.
Good combat, fun leveling.
I'd love to see more visual/cosmetic variety. (unlockable in game!)
And more fun sidequests.
Main story is interesting. I get the impression the story will let you side with one of 2 Gods based on some choices you make. Not sure. But if you can go down 2 paths (or more) and thereby unlock other story content & weapons (ideal for replayability!) that's awesome!