Apotheon

 PlayStation 4
User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 254 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 136 out of 254
  2. Mixed: 95 out of 254
  3. Negative: 23 out of 254

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  1. hb1209
    Feb 4, 2015
    10
    Dis game is beast! amazing atmosphere, music, design, gameplay, story.
    For me its 2D Dark Souls mixed with ancient greece
    absolutely beautiful indiegame.
    for me its the ps+ game of the month and even better then transistor.
    trust me and play this game, its amazing.
  2. True_Reclaimer
    Mar 7, 2015
    10
    Really loved this game more than I thought I would, as it turned out it was the 1st game I bothered to get a Platinum trophy for. Definitely the best Indie sidescroller of 2015!
  3. VickTorrie
    Feb 4, 2015
    10
    Gamers versed in the God of War universe will feel right at home playing Apotheon. This 2d adventure game also reminds me of a similar beloved game: Guacamelee. As a free game for PS4 PS Plus users in February I highly recommend digging into this game.
  4. ElektroDragon
    Mar 18, 2015
    10
    Beautiful game, brilliant execution and fun gameplay. The combat is just right. Could have used some deeper RPG elements. Great hidden areas. The game just oozes style and intelligently makes use of Greek mythology. There are some bugs and crashes, so hopefully more patches are incoming.
  5. Makaveli
    Feb 3, 2015
    9
    Game kind of reminds me of a 2D Dark Souls mostly because of the stamina bar.. You must defeat gods and acquire their powers a la God of War... You get a bunch of different weapons like spears,swords,bombs,bows etc... weapons break fast so you are constantly picking up weapons through the journey.. You can upgrade your armor,weapons and you can also repair your armor with repair kits.
    I'm    Game kind of reminds me of a 2D Dark Souls mostly because of the stamina bar.. You must defeat gods and acquire their powers a la God of War... You get a bunch of different weapons like spears,swords,bombs,bows etc... weapons break fast so you are constantly picking up weapons through the journey.. You can upgrade your armor,weapons and you can also repair your armor with repair kits.
    I'm not sure how long the game is as I have not beaten it yet. I'm almost done though.

    It's a fun game, give it a shot...    … Expand
  6. DeusXCom
    Feb 21, 2015
    9
    This game is amazing! I always loved ancient Greek mythology, as a child I was reading Greek myth stories with ancient Greek art style illustrations and Apotheon lets you play this, in this exact art style, these exact themes and characters, almost a childhood dream coming to life. Visually it's beautiful, aesthetic is very appealing and unique, the gameplay is fun, it reminds me a bit ofThis game is amazing! I always loved ancient Greek mythology, as a child I was reading Greek myth stories with ancient Greek art style illustrations and Apotheon lets you play this, in this exact art style, these exact themes and characters, almost a childhood dream coming to life. Visually it's beautiful, aesthetic is very appealing and unique, the gameplay is fun, it reminds me a bit of Guacamelee, except with much better theme which of course is pure love in here, the gods you meet, the quests you do, various locations you explore, the secrets you discover, this game is full of good stuff. Hunting in the forests of Artemis, descending into dark underworld of Hades, roaming the seas of Poseidon, puzzle mazes of Athena, wine party with Dionysus and so on. All of this is injected with monuments where you can read the excerpts of real Greek literature about these gods and characters, further enhancing your experience and it's all accompanied by an absolutely fantastic soundtrack that fits the theme of this game perfectly. Subtle sounds of ancient instruments, atmospheric ambient tracks or majestic choirs and chants, reminds me of Vangelis and I love it. The only problem I have right now are minor technical problems such as occasional crashes, important items not appearing or being exploded into solid wall, your own character being thrown away into solid wall unable to move, forcing you to restart, or some trophies not popping, but I'm sure that's nothing a patch won't fix and all you will have left is one of the most pleasant indie surprises of recent years and a fantastic unique title. 9/10… Expand
  7. masterjohnson1
    Feb 11, 2015
    9
    this is a fun little indie game that is alot of fun when you get used to the controls, climbing mount Olympus and killing all the gods, fun for the kind of game it is, if you enjoy shooters I don't know it this is from you but everyone else should have a blast with this game
  8. miteshu
    Feb 16, 2015
    9
    this game has the most beatiful and well tought art i have seen in a while. the greek vassel animation is beatiful and the game is good. it makes me remember prince of persia. but mostly the art.
  9. chadflowers
    Feb 4, 2015
    9
    Apotheon is a MetroidVania styled game with the look of Greek Pottery painting. This game does everything right. It has tight platforming, expansive levels, gorgeous atmosphere, extremely detailed graphics and not to mention the unforgiving combat. Something I found very frustrating with the game was the inventory. The inventory, while vast, won't let you sell unused weapons back toApotheon is a MetroidVania styled game with the look of Greek Pottery painting. This game does everything right. It has tight platforming, expansive levels, gorgeous atmosphere, extremely detailed graphics and not to mention the unforgiving combat. Something I found very frustrating with the game was the inventory. The inventory, while vast, won't let you sell unused weapons back to merchants to use that money towards more useful items. You face Greek Gods such as Apollo, Ares, Athena, Hades, etc..

    There's not much about Apotheon, other than the non-sell able inventory, that I can complain about. It's a truly wonderful and enjoyable experience. Yet another fantastic game to start off 2015 with a BANG!    … Expand
  10. xMedusax
    Feb 5, 2015
    9
    I made a metacritic account just to review this game and that should give you an idea of how good it is. Creative re-imagining of existing Greek myths, interesting art style, simple yet good mechanics, scaling RPG-like weapons and armor scaling system, unlockables, and rewards you for simple exploration, although their isn't a ton. Game is actually surprisingly long at around 5-6 hours.I made a metacritic account just to review this game and that should give you an idea of how good it is. Creative re-imagining of existing Greek myths, interesting art style, simple yet good mechanics, scaling RPG-like weapons and armor scaling system, unlockables, and rewards you for simple exploration, although their isn't a ton. Game is actually surprisingly long at around 5-6 hours. For the price, this is a must own for any gamer.… Expand
  11. MEMESAREPEOPLE
    Jan 1, 2021
    9
    It can be tough to make your game stand out from the thousands of games on the market. However, Apotheon stands out from this crowd in the best possible way. This story centered around Greek mythology contains a fantastic level of detail in just about every aspect, marred only by frequent game crashes.

    The first thing you’ll notice when booting up the game is that Alientrap truly hit    It can be tough to make your game stand out from the thousands of games on the market. However, Apotheon stands out from this crowd in the best possible way. This story centered around Greek mythology contains a fantastic level of detail in just about every aspect, marred only by frequent game crashes.

    The first thing you’ll notice when booting up the game is that Alientrap truly hit the nail on the head with it’s presentation. It’s style being centered around Greek pottery is very pretty to look at and see in fluid motion. While the animations did feel at bit stiff occasionally, I grew to love the style of animation that complemented the art. The soundtrack perfectly suits this style as well. Long story short, the devs delivered on an authentic and immersive look at what animated Greek pottery would look like.

    In Apotheon, you play as Nikandreos, a hero destined to challenge the gods of Olympus after they left the humans to fall into oblivion. While the story doesn’t have any gripping moments, it is quite fitting for the style and works great. Gameplay is a bit niche, but if you get used to it’s mechanics, then there is a lot to enjoy here. You control where you stick your weapon or launch your arrows by aiming with the right stick. It can be quite challenging to precisely aim where you intend to hit, and some weapons have a very slow wind-up. However, upon growing accustomed to these quirks, it began to complement the gameplay, rather than hinder it. I had to effectively time my blows according to when the weapon would be in the reach of an enemy.

    One major positive about the game is how often Apotheon mixes things up. In combat, your weapons all have durability, forcing you to use different weapons on the fly during combat. Don’t worry about running out of weapons, since this game is extremely generous with weapons, and can be found very easily. Think of it more as a way to keep things fresh rather than a handicap to add challenge. There is also variety in what you are doing. In one instance, you’ll be fighting enemies as usual, and in the next, you’ll be playing a hunting game as both predator and prey. You could also play a drinking game, frantically running about the area, searching for drinks to chug to keep yourself awake. You could also be doing puzzles, breaking out of a prison, or testing your skills through platforming, rather than combat. This variety was more than enough to carry me through the 10 hours it took me to beat Apotheon. However, there is one problem that prevents it from being excellent, which is the frequency of crashes. While they weren’t extremely apparent in every session, but it was enough to be noticeable, and something that scared me into thinking that my data would get corrupted, or I would lose a lot of progress. Luckily, save corruptions never happened, and auto saves are incredibly generous, so the crashes were just simply annoying to deal with.

    Usually, games that look this good are style over substance, but Apotheon has style AND substance. While it’s aiming system won’t be for everyone, and it may crash occasionally, it’s combination of beautiful art and music, fun and skill-based gameplay, and constant variety through weapon durability and various situations makes Apotheon an experience absolutely worth trying.    … Expand
  12. Brody_Low
    Feb 5, 2015
    8
    The first thing I thought when I started playing this game was "damn, this is really cool." Then when the combat started to open up and take hold in my brain, I got excited. The Sword and Shield gameplay feels like a 2D Souls game, in a way. The art direction and level design are just pure genius. This is why I love indie games. The sound design and music score are just too good at timesThe first thing I thought when I started playing this game was "damn, this is really cool." Then when the combat started to open up and take hold in my brain, I got excited. The Sword and Shield gameplay feels like a 2D Souls game, in a way. The art direction and level design are just pure genius. This is why I love indie games. The sound design and music score are just too good at times as well. The one thing I can criticize is the movement and platforming. There are times where you feel like you are jumping high enough but it just wont happen. A game with a combat design as good as this should have tight controls. The inventory management could use some work as well. I am about halfway through the game but it doesn't look like I'll be wanting to stop anytime soon, or lower my score. I think this game deserves a chance for anyone who enjoys Metroid-vania style games like Guacamelee and Rogue Legacy.… Expand
  13. Sparkticle
    Nov 6, 2015
    8
    This game is great. Gameplay is simple, but can be very challenging. When the game was challenging, I don't remember a single time when I didn't feel rewarded for it. Great, unique visual art style, professional sound work. It's one of those indie games that you won't regret being on your list.
  14. Mosh603
    Mar 9, 2015
    8
    Apotheon is one of the better games on the PSN (PS4) store. Has great art, visuals, and music. The combat is simple, a tad repetitive, but it doesn't make the game unplayable. You can roam the map and do objectives as you please, while hunting for items and new weapons. Overall, I would recommend this game.
  15. hoppypoppy1
    Feb 11, 2015
    8
    fluid combat, entertaining music, solid level design. Basic enough story, nothing spectacular. Gods punishing humans then one human (you're character) stops the Gods and saves the world. Heard it all before. But it's free this month! Who can complain?
  16. Faceless2015
    Feb 14, 2015
    8
    First of all, those who says this game is boring is lying to you. It brings a good story and it gets you interested in mythology. I had timed when I found my self glued to the ps4 remote. Bit the most bad thing you can do in a game like this is screw up the controls. At times I found it frustrating to be in combat. And the gameplay can be sticky. This is what holds this back. But otherFirst of all, those who says this game is boring is lying to you. It brings a good story and it gets you interested in mythology. I had timed when I found my self glued to the ps4 remote. Bit the most bad thing you can do in a game like this is screw up the controls. At times I found it frustrating to be in combat. And the gameplay can be sticky. This is what holds this back. But other than that. This is a game that you can play to past time.i dont expect this to be played head on, non stop. No this is not for that. I recommend this if you want to just start your ps4 and play for a few hours.… Expand
  17. LetsDoThis305
    Feb 11, 2015
    8
    Aside from minor gripes, I'm very pleased with this game. The graphics fit the mood of the game which makes it stand out. The game play is fun and addictive. The RPG elements are just enough to not make the game boring or tedious. As you get deeper, you really start to see the love that was put in this game. There are some crashing issues (Hades) but very solid otherwise.
  18. Nel
    Dec 10, 2016
    8
    This game is really enjoyable, it took some great combat system, and it feels kinda like a god of war game, but also has great controls, and functions well. The graphics are great.. and it's a fun game, enjoyed platinum this game. Great fun.
  19. stamito
    Jan 8, 2016
    8
    This game was a complete surprise in a good way. I must say I probably would have never bought this game but I gave it a try since I got it for free in PSN. Briefly, I’d call this a kind of a metroidvania game. The graphics, music and the setting in general is excellent, really good. The game play (in terms of action) is quite simple but works and completing the 100% is a good challenge. IThis game was a complete surprise in a good way. I must say I probably would have never bought this game but I gave it a try since I got it for free in PSN. Briefly, I’d call this a kind of a metroidvania game. The graphics, music and the setting in general is excellent, really good. The game play (in terms of action) is quite simple but works and completing the 100% is a good challenge. I don’t know, I just found this game very enjoyable, it may not be the best metroidvania out there (it is not) but it is worth a shot if you like this kind of game. If you’re not into the whole metroidvania thing you might want to save your money and try some other game first.… Expand
  20. Madbeast8
    Aug 25, 2016
    8
    This game is the definition of a hidden gem. The Hellenistic art-style is beautifully drawn and makes for excellent immersion into this world of Greek mythology. The combat mechanics can be a bit tough to grasp at first given its unique nature, but the learning curve really is not that steep (although it may seem as such at first). The inventory could be a bit better handled, but it isThis game is the definition of a hidden gem. The Hellenistic art-style is beautifully drawn and makes for excellent immersion into this world of Greek mythology. The combat mechanics can be a bit tough to grasp at first given its unique nature, but the learning curve really is not that steep (although it may seem as such at first). The inventory could be a bit better handled, but it is not unworkable nor does it drastically take away from the experience. The story is both engaging and fitting for the time period, and serves to pull you through the traditional settings of that era (Hades, Athens, Mt. Olympus, etc.). Fighting against the Gods and their twisted creations is as fun as it is gripping. Having gotten platinum on this game, I can tell you that I have seen virtually all that it has to offer and yet I still find myself looking forward to jumping back into this one again at some point in the future. Great side-scrolling platformer!… Expand
  21. m3ny0
    Oct 28, 2022
    8
    Apotheon é um jogo lindo. A estética baseada em pinturas gregas usadas em objetos de argila, como potes e vasos, é traduzida lindamente nas animações e interações com o cenário. A música também é muito boa, e a história bem simples, mas coesa, em partes me lembra bastante como God of War lida com a mitologia nos seus primeiros jogos, como meios para um fim. Uma das minhas poucasApotheon é um jogo lindo. A estética baseada em pinturas gregas usadas em objetos de argila, como potes e vasos, é traduzida lindamente nas animações e interações com o cenário. A música também é muito boa, e a história bem simples, mas coesa, em partes me lembra bastante como God of War lida com a mitologia nos seus primeiros jogos, como meios para um fim. Uma das minhas poucas reclamações são certos bugs que encontrei, mesmo tendo jogado o jogo quase três anos após seu lançamento, e que eu tive que tentar contornar para não perder meu progresso. Fora isso, é um jogo majestoso, a jogabilidade é bem fluída e as opções de armas são muito boas, dando realmente uma boa variedade a aventura.… Expand
  22. rodericrinehart
    Feb 7, 2015
    7
    Had a good amount of fun with this Metroidvania. Nice art style, enough variety to keep you entertained and interested. Getting it for free on Playstation Plus was just gravy.
  23. Trunks252
    Feb 9, 2015
    7
    Hardcore Gamer wrote that Apotheon was a classic case of "style over substance". I can 100% confirm that this is NOT the case. Apotheon is a classic case of style AND substance. Yes, the visuals are very impressive and a fresh compared to most other generic cartoon or stylized games, but it doesn't stop there either. The voice acting is top notch and the greek mythos is a fantasticHardcore Gamer wrote that Apotheon was a classic case of "style over substance". I can 100% confirm that this is NOT the case. Apotheon is a classic case of style AND substance. Yes, the visuals are very impressive and a fresh compared to most other generic cartoon or stylized games, but it doesn't stop there either. The voice acting is top notch and the greek mythos is a fantastic platform for storytelling and exploration, and explore you will. There are many side paths and hidden treasures to be found, and even more side quests to conquer.

    On top of this, the game is a blast to play. The game has a heavy influence from RPGs and Metroid-vania style games. Combat is deep and challenging, and there are dozens of weapons to choose from and a variety of melee, thrown, projectile, and even specialty and rare weapons. There are also many consumables and bombs to help augment your character or strategize against any of the tough boss battles. Upgrades are also plentiful, as you can visit the marketplace to learn new crafting recipes, upgrading weapon proficiencies and armor strength, etc.

    However there are problems that can't be ignored. The game crashes around once an hour, but this isn't a huge deal due to the auto save feature. Some of the stronger enemies can occasionally knock you outside of the map, and barriers prevent you from getting back on track. The UX is strangely designed, and often impossible to use correctly during more intense combat scenarios. Selecting weapons or items mid-combat is nearly impossible without taking damage or pausing. Combat itself can sometimes be akward as well, as weapon hit boxes for certain weapons like the spears are so far out that you can be right next to the enemy and still not hit them.

    All in all, I had to subtract a couple points due to technical flaws, but the bugs can easily be patched. This is worth full price, and definitely worth a free download on PS Plus. 8/10    … Expand
  24. alexmanea
    Feb 28, 2015
    7
    Apotheon kinda reminds me of God of War in terms of story so I found it pretty nice. I really had fun playing this game but there was one thing that pissed me off: it crashed. It happened sometimes when I travelled from a place to another and it was very frustrating. Once it crashed after a boss fight and I had to replay that boss fight. Nevertheless, it was a fun game and I recommend itApotheon kinda reminds me of God of War in terms of story so I found it pretty nice. I really had fun playing this game but there was one thing that pissed me off: it crashed. It happened sometimes when I travelled from a place to another and it was very frustrating. Once it crashed after a boss fight and I had to replay that boss fight. Nevertheless, it was a fun game and I recommend it to everyone that likes a game which requires skill in order to beat.… Expand
  25. seriimac
    Aug 8, 2016
    7
    Amazing setting, nice story, but repetitive gameplay. Also, not so comfy controls. The font is too small.
    But the visual style is perfect! Wish to see more games in this setting.
  26. Jarhead335
    Aug 5, 2015
    7
    Apotheon is a few things. It is an incredible visual triumph, for starters. The art style, various level designs, and smooth movement make it quite pleasing on the eye. That's its main selling point. After that, the diverse range of weaponry available in the game, and the great feeling of triumph after overcoming a difficult group of enemies or boss are right up there with Dark Souls onApotheon is a few things. It is an incredible visual triumph, for starters. The art style, various level designs, and smooth movement make it quite pleasing on the eye. That's its main selling point. After that, the diverse range of weaponry available in the game, and the great feeling of triumph after overcoming a difficult group of enemies or boss are right up there with Dark Souls on the, "damn, that was satisfying," scoreboard. Coupled with a pretty engaging score, and the look and feel of Apotheon was both unique and incredibly enjoyable.

    The story, while lacking much context, is pretty straightforward. You must traverse Mount Olympus attempting to save humanity by stealing necessary items from (think Apollo's Lyre), or gaining the help of, many prominent Greek Gods and Goddesses. I felt compelled to continue on my missions, despite their incredible difficulty at times.

    However, it is obvious from the start that this game was developed for a mouse and keyboard. Looking around and remaining fluid in combat are downright painful at times with the twin-sticks. Very often I felt hampered in my ability to spring over enemies, dispatch them quickly beneath a volley of arrows or javelins and move on. Instead, I'd leap over an enemy, take about 10 seconds too long swiveling my view back towards the enemy, and spend another 10 seconds painstakingly attempting to level my reticle with a foe's head, just to miss anyway. Another key drawback is that the platforming mechanics were actually quite...ugly. Having to crouch through floors to descend from one floor to a next is old news in platformers, but for some reason in Apotheon it felt off somehow. I can't quite explain it, but traversing the physical levels themselves sometimes felt tedious and lacked fluidity. I didn't love it. Similarly, the inventory system was pretty strangely integrated and was clunky. On top of that, to craft items one must pause the game fully and scroll down through the menu, which I hated. Why not hotkey a button on the D-Pad or touch pad for the inventory/crafting? Missed the mark there, too.

    Overall its look and feel were good enough to bolster it into the "good" category, and it showed flashes of greatness at times. But on the whole, its various mechanical drawbacks were too much to keep it from feeling like a real gem to me, and while I enjoy playing it and will continue to play it, it's not something I'd consider a classic or must-own.    … Expand
  27. SuperKing
    Nov 22, 2020
    7
    This is a retro inspired 2d side scroller. The controls get a bit of getting used to due to the animations of the character but once you figure it out its not an issue. The story is based on greek mythology and is good enough to push the game along. I wouldn't say its a "must play" but If you like side scollers, I would grab this if it goes on sale.
  28. drlowdon
    Dec 19, 2016
    6
    With the Gods having abandoned the human race a young warrior, named Nikandreos, awakens to find his village on the verge of being destroyed by raiders. After fighting off the invaders, and saving his village, he sets out to get his revenge on the Gods with the help of Hera (the wife of Zeus).

    In terms of gameplay Apotheon is a 2d action game with some metroidvania elements that I must    With the Gods having abandoned the human race a young warrior, named Nikandreos, awakens to find his village on the verge of being destroyed by raiders. After fighting off the invaders, and saving his village, he sets out to get his revenge on the Gods with the help of Hera (the wife of Zeus).

    In terms of gameplay Apotheon is a 2d action game with some metroidvania elements that I must admit I quite enjoyed, despite the fact that it gets about as much wrong as it gets right. The graphics for instance, which are designed to look like the type of art you'd see on ancient Greek pottery, give the game a fantastically unique look, but when the screen gets crowded or you enter a darker area (such as the section set in Hades) it becomes very difficult to actually see what’s going on. Thankfully this doesn't happen too often but it certainly makes for a frustrating time when it does.

    The combat, which is the primary focus of the game, is an equally mixed bag as. Despite the opportunity to use multiple weapons and tactics, the controls never really feel comfortable even after playing for the eight or so hours it'll take to complete the game and I couldn't help but make unfavourable comparisons to the excellent Salt and Sanctuary in this regard.

    With the crashes and bugs which I've heard other reviews mentions fixed I found Apotheon to be a game that added up to more than the sum of its parts and anyone that has it sitting in their library having picked up with PS+ should give it a try.    … Expand
  29. RedWulfr
    Dec 27, 2015
    6
    If you like the side scrolling lode runner stylish game in a well told historical context this is the game for you. If you dont like games with that exact combination. Its pretty boring.
  30. wsacramoni
    Apr 1, 2015
    6
    It’s an OK game and I would NOT recommend adding to your play list. There’s a good game in here somewhere, but in order to find it you’ll have to know where to look, and perhaps turn a blind eye to some significant drawbacks.
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Awards & Rankings

88
#88 Best PS4 Game of 2015
70
#70 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Apr 22, 2015
    60
    Strikingly handsome and fun for a while, Apotheon's scrappy combat and awkward controls spoil its atmosphere, costing in a place among the action-platformer elite. [Apr 2015, p.94]
  2. games(TM)
    Apr 12, 2015
    80
    The positives do make it stand out. [Issue#159, p.112]
    Read full review
  3. CD-Action
    Apr 1, 2015
    85
    The best news about Apotheon is that it does not just look astonishing, but it is also a great, very enjoyable metroidvania game made with passion. [04/2015, p.62]
See all critic reviews »