Advent Rising

 PC
Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
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  1. GameShark
    100
    It is both fun and engaging with a magnificent story, great dialog and a score that is not to be missed. It’s an experience that is well worth the money.
  2. CPUGamer
    93
    What ultimately sets Advent Rising apart from other Sci-Fi themed video games is the cinematic quality of its storytelling. Orson Scott Card truly touched upon a great story with this game and I certainly hope to see parts 2 and 3 of the Advent Rising Trilogy within the next few years.
  3. Game Chronicles
    91
    Advent Rising is interactive fiction at its finest. This is what Halo wanted to be; hell, it’s what Star Wars wanted to be. Orson can write circles around George Lucas when it comes to stories, characters, and dialogue.
  5. Computer Games Online RO
    88
    One of the best games of the year and an action adventure that I would recommend to anyone, even if they’re not fans of the genre.
  6. BonusStage
    82
    The control issues are a thorn in the game’s side, no doubt, however you eventually do reach some level comfort with the handles to enjoy the non-stop, thrill-a-minute shooting action enough to forgive some of the annoyances.
  7. Play Magazine
    80
    A few rough edges aside, Advent Rising is gaming's latest and most promising future epic. [July 2005, p.74]
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  8. IGN
    79
    It brings original ideas and a good dose of personality to a genre that often focuses too much on just shooting people in the face. If you are able to ignore some technical shortcomings and enjoy cut-scenes and character development, this title is worth a look.
  9. My Gamer
    76
    Flaws aside, Advent Rising is still, at the end of the day, an enjoyable romp through a galaxy full of noble aliens, implacable enemies, burning space ships and furious action, and in my book, that’s a win.
  10. GameZone
    73
    Average graphics for most of the game, indistinct sounds during combat, and a difficult targeting system are its only flaws.
  11. Cheat Code Central
    70
    It's short but it's good. There are some flaws that you need to overlook but there's nothing here that will ruin the entire experience. The lack of a co-op or multi-player modes reduces the replay value but you can go back and experiment with different combinations of powers.
  12. GameSpot
    63
    A disappointing effort on all fronts, and probably isn't worth your time.
  13. PC Gamer
    62
    There are better games, but not too many better B-grade scripts. [Dec 2005, p.88]
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  14. Worth Playing
    60
    I so want to love Advent Rising, I honestly do. It's good, stable science-fiction with a heavy supernatural sub-plot and enough action to make Han Solo's trigger finger hurt for days. Unfortunately, all of that wonderful stuff is damaged by a hare-brained control scheme that simply doesn't work well enough when it has to.
  15. Computer Gaming World
    60
    Ultimately, Advent Rising shoots for the stars but barely breaks orbit. [Nov 2005, p.94]
  16. Jolt Online Gaming UK
    60
    Advent Rising is not unenjoyable, but it simply doesn’t make much of an impression, being overtly unoriginal and not nearly as ambitious in its gameplay as in its story.
  17. RewiredMind
    60
    Shoots for the stars but barely breaks orbit.
  18. PC Gameworld
    55
    Unfortunately, this long-awaited sci-fi shooter suffers from sub-par graphics, simply god-awful controls, run of the mill third person shooter gameplay and a dull storyline.
  19. GameSpy
    50
    While it's hard to fault the good intentions that underlie the creation of Advent Rising, a game of this quality does more than just eventually stink up some EB bargain bin; it misses a huge opportunity to put the medium forward. Advent Rising has fallen -- it's time for us to move on.
  20. GamerFeed
    50
    After gaining psychic powers, the game becomes amazingly easy. Additionally, the storytelling isn't very good and the game is riddled with bugs and design flaws.

Awards & Rankings

25
#25 Most Discussed PC Game of 2005
90
#90 Most Shared PC Game of 2005

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 142 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 116 out of 142
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 142
  3. Negative: 11 out of 142
  1. thebloodline
    Feb 19, 2011
    10
    The best story line ever, probably better than FF7! the game was made for the 360 so theres no suprise no one picked up a copy, since theyThe best story line ever, probably better than FF7! the game was made for the 360 so theres no suprise no one picked up a copy, since they where just getting there hands on the 360 they wanted to play with the best graphics at that time, even though the graphics on this game is the best i saw for the original xbox, the company rushed it and made it flop. I just wish I could play the last two games and find out what happens. the game play and the story line along with the graphics (kickass)… Full Review »
  2. quin
    Nov 23, 2010
    10
    It's been a long time since I last played this game, but I enjoyed it like I've enjoyed few games since. What brought Advent Rising to lifeIt's been a long time since I last played this game, but I enjoyed it like I've enjoyed few games since. What brought Advent Rising to life was the progression of the story, which kept you going, just to find out what would happen next. I have little patience for the critics who slammed the game for technical errors. If I read a great book, 2 pages into it I don't care what paper it's printed on; I just want to find out what'll happen when I turn over the page.
    Three parts were promised, one was delivered. I'm downright pissed, gentlemen, because I want to see the sequel coming out. Because of the story!!!!!!    … Full Review »
  3. Matseb2611
    Sep 18, 2015
    5
    I was quite disappointed with this game. It has a pretty cool sci-fi setting, and the main characters from what I've experienced so far seemedI was quite disappointed with this game. It has a pretty cool sci-fi setting, and the main characters from what I've experienced so far seemed decent enough. But the gameplay is just so rough around the edges that the game becomes a test of patience a lot of the time.

    The combat seems fun and all. Some battles in the beginning were quite fun, especially with the whole chaos going on aboard the space station. However, that whole area was just gunfight after gunfight. And when you're not engaging in gunfights, you're crossing vast areas doing nothing but walking, like the first plains area right after the space station. I spent a good minute or so crossing it, then died in a battle, then had to cross it again, two more times.

    And shortly after that there was a car driving section. The control for the car is quite awkward, and I ended up giving up when I kept failing to make it over a gap between the cliffs whilst trying to dodge enemy gunfire. It's not my idea of fun. If you thought controlling Mako in Mass Effect was bad, think again.

    In addition to frustrations in the gameplay, the game also crashes a lot. You can't save when you want, and checkpoints are quite far apart, so every time the game crashes to desktop, you lose a lot of progress.

    There are some good ideas present regarding the setting, and some of the mechanics are nice, like doing dodging manoeuvres during gunfights, but in general the game feels very rough and even unpolished, with no regard to the player's time, so I can't recommend it.    … Full Review »
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