Thursday, 25 Jul 2024

Apotheon Review: A Beautiful and Engaging Greek Mythology Game

Last year, I had the pleasure of visiting a museum and being captivated by the beauty of Greek pottery art. Little did I know at the time that this art would be transformed into a captivating video game called Apotheon. The developers have truly excelled in bringing the characters and environments of Greek mythology to life. With every screen, players can appreciate the subtle textures reminiscent of handmade pots.

But Apotheon offers more than just great looks. The game starts with a compelling story of head god Zeus abandoning humanity, convincing other deities to follow suit. Without the benevolence of the gods, the Earth and its inhabitants face certain demise. In this setting, our hero Nikandreos teams up with Zeus’ wife, Hera, to challenge and gain the upgrades of the gods one by one. While comparisons to Sony’s God of War series are inevitable due to the shared pantheon, Apotheon stands out with its unique tone, look, and gameplay.

The combat mechanics of Apotheon add to the game’s appeal. It features a twin-stick shooter style, with movement controlled by the left stick and analog aiming by the right stick. Melee battles involve strategic high, medium, and low shield blocks, along with a variety of overhead strikes, thrusts, and low hacks. Ranged attacks, such as arrows and projectiles, provide precise aiming as well as quickshot options. This balanced approach to attack and defense elevates the strategic element of combat, while still allowing players to engage in straightforward battles against weaker enemies.

Apotheon challenges players to adapt their strategies by introducing weapon durability. Weapons break over time, forcing players to switch between swords, spears, axes, and clubs. While this adds offensive diversity, most of the time, players will rely on medium-quality weapons, saving special traits and powerful weapons for boss battles. The ability to access the entire inventory at any time ensures that equipping the right tool for the job is always convenient.

One of the most impressive aspects of Apotheon is the variety and freshness of its levels. Each stage is intricately designed around the theme of its associated god. For example, Poseidon’s area features an ocean to navigate, allowing players to explore dungeons on various islands or swim through underwater cave networks in search of hidden treasures. Ares’ temple is a blood-soaked environment where inhabitants are constantly forced to engage in battle. Athena’s domain is a massive spinning labyrinth filled with traps and puzzles that test players’ dexterity and problem-solving skills. Personally, I found Artemis’ forest to be the most captivating, with its rare creatures to hunt and a creative boss battle. As part of a hunting challenge, players alternate between being the hunter and the hunted, transforming between human and deer forms. This constant change in themes prevents the game from becoming repetitive and keeps players looking forward to the next exciting stage.

Apotheon boasts an excellent map system, a crucial feature in any Metroid-style game. With a simple button tap, players can overlay a translucent map on the screen while still being able to move their characters. This feature proves invaluable when exploring uncharted territories, finding new objectives, or getting a better understanding of the overall puzzle. However, players should be cautious as enemies can still attack, requiring a return to the normal view for battle and precise jumping.

While Apotheon offers a rich single-player experience, it also includes a two-player local battle mode. Although the current offerings are limited, with more players, additional maps, and added options, this multiplayer mode has the potential to provide the same captivating mayhem as Towerfall.

As with any game, there were a few minor issues during my playthrough. For example, during the Poseidon boss fight, my ship was knocked off the screen, resulting in a few restarts before everything worked correctly. However, it is reasonable to expect that these issues will be patched soon.

In conclusion, Apotheon is not only a visually stunning and expertly executed tribute to ancient Greek art and culture, but it is also an incredibly fun game. It has certainly become one of my surprise favorites of 2015. Whether you are a fan of Greek mythology or simply enjoy engaging gameplay, Apotheon is a must-play experience.

FAQs

1. Can I play Apotheon on multiple platforms?
Yes, Apotheon is available on PC and PlayStation 4.

2. How long does it take to complete the game?
The duration of the game can vary depending on the player’s skill and playstyle. On average, it takes about 8-10 hours to complete.

3. Is there a New Game Plus mode?
Yes, Apotheon offers a New Game Plus mode, allowing players to replay the game with their acquired upgrades and abilities, providing additional challenges and unlocking new content.

4. Are there any additional downloadable content (DLC) for the game?
Currently, there are no DLCs available for Apotheon.

5. Does the game have controller support?
Yes, Apotheon fully supports controller input, enhancing the gameplay experience.

Conclusion

Apotheon is a remarkable game that seamlessly blends Greek mythology with engaging gameplay. With its stunning art, diverse levels, strategic combat, and captivating storyline, Apotheon stands out as a must-play experience for fans of Greek mythology and action-adventure games alike. Whether you are exploring the beautifully crafted levels or engaging in challenging battles against powerful gods, Apotheon will keep you entertained and continually surprised. Don’t miss out on this gem of a game that truly brings an ancient world to life.

For more information about Apotheon and other exciting games, visit Wqaindia.