It’s time for another Retro Ad Replay article! This is the series where we head backward in time to reminisce and celebrate the anniversary of some of the most significant moments in gaming. If you find yourself wanting more content like this, be sure to visit Mandatory.com.
In this November 22 edition of Retro Ad Replay, we’re traveling back eight years in time to when Ryse: Son of Rome first launched on Xbox One. That’s November 22, 2013. Developed by Crytek and published by Microsoft Studios, Ryse: Son of Rome was a launch title for the Xbox One. It showcased the next-gen console’s impressive graphical prowess with life-like visuals.
GameRevolution awarded Ryse: Son of Rome a 6/10 in our review, praising the “stunning, breathtaking visuals,” “fun hack-and-slash content,” the ability to “change execution bonuses at any time for players’ needs,” and the “online multiplayer gladiator mode.”
Rome is burning. As Roman Centurions do what they do best—kill the enemy in nasty, nasty ways with gladius swords—Emperor Nero cowers in his vault with General Marius Titus as he hopes the big, beefy man will save him from impending doom. Not exactly. You see, Marius has a story to tell Nero, and he’s going to tell it even though his men are out in the Forum fighting a very bloody battle. I had always heard that Nero fiddled while Rome burned; in this game, he gets bored to death instead.
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RYSE is an absolutely beautiful game, but all the beauty in the world can’t make up for repetitive gameplay that will most likely bore the average gamer, even those who like hack-and-slash. The game is honestly kind of a guilty pleasure for me, but I know I’m a bit of rarity. The realistic portrayals of Roman combat satisfy me, and I greatly enjoy finding the proper combinations to smacking around Britons into execution mode. That said, I was quite ready for the campaign to be over when it was, which doesn’t speak that highly for an Xbox One launch title that was supposed to have so much promise.
Check out the Ryse: Son of Rome official E3 gameplay demo:
