Rise of the Argonauts

 Xbox 360
Metascore
54

Mixed or average reviews - based on 43 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 43
  2. Mixed: 30 out of 43
  3. Negative: 9 out of 43
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  1. MS Xbox World
    50
    Rise of the Argonauts is not a terrible game, and in some respects is quite enjoyable, especially in regards to its story. However, the low production values in the gameplay and graphics department, does mean that you’ll possibly find enjoyment is severely hindered and your patience somewhat tested.
  2. GamePro
    60
    Rise of the Argonauts had mythic origins-it's based on Jason's legendary quest for the fabled Golden Fleece-but the only thing epic about it is the amount of failure it produces. Solid action and a cool skill system isn't enough to save a game marred by a poor presentation and dull design.
  3. IGN
    62
    The problem is how the game's put together – so much has been stripped from what we traditionally think of as an RPG and an action game that the result feels like an awkward, neutered hybrid bloated by hours and hours of static dialogue sequences.
  5. TeamXbox
    52
    Fighting, when you get to do it, is good – there are a lot of moves to try out. But the constant shuttling during missions blows.
  6. GameSpot
    60
    Jason spends too much time talking and not nearly enough time fighting in this Greek mythology-inspired action-RPG.
  7. 3DJuegos
    59
    Innovation in Rise of Argonauts goes in the wrong direction. Although the story is not bad and the epic and mythic world remains interesting, it's gameplay mechanics and technical flaws make the game boring and uninteresting.
  8. WonderwallWeb
    67
    A decent take on ancient Greece which is played out in a action / RPG style.
  9. Extreme Gamer
    70
    So Rise of the Argonauts isn’t the best action RPG on the market, but it’s no where near the worst. If you enjoyed God of War, or action role-playing games with a mythological twist then you should check out Rise of the Argonauts.
  10. Console Monster
    65
    Rise of the Argonauts rises to the challenge but comes crashing down. It feels like a cut-down RPG, despite the rather broad dialogue options.
  11. The A.V. Club
    58
    There isn't enough actual gaming here, so like a TV host facing the "stretch" signal, Argonauts tries to fill the void with talk.
  12. Hardcore Gamer
    50
    While Rise of the Argonauts offers lots of hacking and slashing, which is fun for a time, its story, style and sound aren’t enough to atone for its shallowness and elevate this odyssey to the epic heights to which it aspires.
  13. Planet Xbox 360
    63
    The interesting yet predictable narrative is buried deep within poor design choices.
  14. ZTGD
    72
    The combat is competent if not a bit repetitive and the story is entertaining from start to finish.
  15. Cheat Code Central
    54
    If there's an upside to this game, it's that despite the shallow combat system, it's rather amusing to spill blood in battle. That's a small upside for a game that costs $60 and demands you sit through hours of talking just to kill stuff.
  16. GamesRadar+
    60
    Rise of the Argonauts has a nice story and something to offer, but shortcomings like this chip away at the fun and ultimately keep the game from matching its legendary sources of inspiration.
  17. Gamer 2.0
    70
    With an adventure at only 10 hours long with no redeeming co-op component, your first run-through should be enough to get what you want out of the game, which is a shame cause Rise of the Argonauts, could have been so much better.
  18. Gamervision
    50
    The constant glitches awful enough to dissuade even the strongest at heart from playing for more than a few hours, and Rise of the Argonauts might be one of the most disapointing games of the generation.
  19. GameTrailers
    65
    A poor man's Mass Effect. It's too heavy on frivolities and too light on gameplay.
  20. Game Informer
    60
    Rise of the Argonauts is an average action game. [Feb 2009, p.84]
  21. InsideGamer.nl
    70
    Despite the graphical glitches, poor collision detection, and frustrating (lack of) integration of the world map, Rise of the Argonauts is simply a good game. Both story and dialogue are well-written, the action is awesome and gory, and the skill-upgrading system is thought out really well.
  22. Total Video Games
    50
    Bland, unoriginal, buggy, beleaguered with frame-rate issues, filled with visual 'quirks', and featuring combat that's lacking any great sense of satisfaction, Rise of the Argonauts is a truly lacklustre action-RPG experience.
  23. GamingExcellence
    72
    The final package is still good, but if you were planning on it being the next big thing, you may be disappointed.
  24. Absolute Games
    60
    Tyler Bates' excellent music, great voice-overs and amusing banter of Jason's companions are the only things that elevate Rise of the Argonauts above value-priced drivel.
  25. RPG Fan
    68
    Rise of the Argonauts is not unplayable. It's just mediocre and marred by countless careless mistakes born out of a lack of inspiration and passion for the product.
  26. Cynamite
    60
    Disappointing! Granted, the aggressive argonauts deliver a fresh setting and some good ideas. But when it comes to the basics, the gaming experience is rather weak.
  27. D+PAD Magazine
    50
    From its ship-based hub to its mythological roots via its highly linear attempts at non-linearity, Rise of the Argonauts is very much a case of ’seen it all before, done much better’.
  28. Play.tm
    50
    This kind of thing has been done so much better so many times before there's no reason to invest your time and money here, even if you've a hankering for ancient Greece.
  29. RPGamer
    70
    Rise of the Argonauts is a difficult game to judge, mainly due to its backwards design. The majority of the game is spent engaged in the story rather than the combat, which is unusual for a game of its type.
  30. XGN
    60
    Due to it's shortcomings, Rise of the Argonauts doesn't score that high. The game comes out quite good, thanks to it's great storyline.
  31. Xbox Achievements
    69
    Rise of the Argonauts tells a great story with interesting characters, but fails to utilize Greek mythology well enough to reach its full potential, falling short as both an action game and an RPG.

Awards & Rankings

68
#68 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2008

User Reviews

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User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 58 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 58
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 58
  3. Negative: 8 out of 58
  1. SpartanEdge
    Aug 1, 2011
    7
    Anyone who likes their Greek Mythology(as i do),or games like Jade Empire or even Mass Effect,would probably like this game.Though it isntAnyone who likes their Greek Mythology(as i do),or games like Jade Empire or even Mass Effect,would probably like this game.Though it isnt generally as good or as polished as those games,it certainly has a similar flavour & feel to it.Like those games,be prepared for ALOT of dialog & conversations with multiple choice replys & outcomes.Like Jade Empire & Mass Effect,this is very much a story driven game,& is therfore linear.You can still decide what locations you go to first,like the other games.Seeing as those games are extremely good,& being linear is part & parcel of a story driven game,i cant accept 'Its Linear' as a criticism to this game.Many,if not all games are linear to a degree.When you do get into combat(& you will quite alot)thats where the game really shines,as the combat mechanics are very good.Requiring you to block alot,combined with considered tactical strikes.You have different classes of weapon you can swap to at any time,much like Mass Effect.These classes are Sword,Mace & Spear.They all have their own attacks & benefits,as well as having extra non-weapon related skills you can unlock by offering points earned by completing quests,to the various Gods,who can give you different abilities,Some of which are inate & permanently active,Some are activated temporarily in combat as buffs.The combat is solid though,& is always fun,satisfying & actually quite graphic.The team you assemble in the game,is quite an impressive one,& anybody who likes their Greek mythology,will be quite happy with who joins you(No Spoilers)as you go in your quest.So to sum up,yes,the game maybe could have benefitted from more polish,but its a good game at heart,& a good story driven RPG with good combat.… Full Review »
  2. As3adMechalany
    Jan 11, 2009
    10
    The Reviews really ruins the expectations for the game it is a really well made game , both a great story line and great action battles. Even The Reviews really ruins the expectations for the game it is a really well made game , both a great story line and great action battles. Even though at the beginning the game gets little complicated for us to fully master it, like god powers and how to use the weapons , but when u do, u will find your self indulged in a raw action game… Full Review »
  3. osprey
    Aug 28, 2016
    10
    This game is an absolute gem! There is endless fun and great story here. The voice acting is wonderful and there is even some comedy added.This game is an absolute gem! There is endless fun and great story here. The voice acting is wonderful and there is even some comedy added. I have played through 4 times and still want to play it again on legend for the last achievement. I don't think there is anything that could make this game any better and that is something you can't say about many games new or old. I picked this game up in the used bin and wish I had discovered it years ago. I would have loved to have payed full price to support these developers who did an awesome job. Buy this game and play it and enjoy!… Full Review »
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