Advent Rising

 Xbox
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 50 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 50
  3. Negative: 4 out of 50
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  1. GamingTrend
    72
    The graphics engine never really received enough attention to smooth it out, nor did the sound system. The control system is ambitious and unique but just doesn't pan out either.
  2. Cheat Code Central
    70
    This is a sci-fi adventure game with a compelling storyline, interesting gameplay and nice visuals. For all intents and purposes it's an interactive movie with lots of control variables that allow you to really get into your character.
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  3. 1UP
    70
    One of Advent Rising's most obvious assets is the game's ability to suck the player headlong into an unapologetic (and occasionally pretentious) space opera, all the while maintaining its inertia throughout the journey.
  5. MS Xbox World
    70
    Sits just above average.
  6. The New York Times
    67
    Its most interesting aspect is "flick targeting," in which you snap your right control stick at an enemy to lock your weapons on it.
  7. Game Over Online
    62
    If they had put the money they are giving away toward development, Advent Rising may have been a little more "Blade Runner" and a little less "The Fifth Element."
  8. Gaming Target
    61
    Advent Rising is too easy, too short and too buggy to justify spending your hard earned money on it.
  9. Edge Magazine
    60
    Reduced to its simplest terms and stripped of its highly aspiring overtones, Rising is essentially a competent shooter with its heart in the right place, and a ton of ideas that never gel into any cohesive whole. [Aug 2005, p.92]
    All this publication's reviews
  10. Eurogamer
    60
    If you have zero tolerance for stuttering frame rates and occasional fumbled controls then don't go near Advent Rising. It's a good science-fiction action game that suffers from technical problems.
  11. Thunderbolt
    60
    Advent Rising reminds me of "Breakdown" (the Xbox game, not the Kurt Russell movie) in many ways. Both feature brilliant stories and interesting innovations, but are shackled by flawed gameplay mechanics.
  12. DarkStation
    60
    Majesco promises a unique gaming experience that looks great on paper, but is constantly plagued by poor enemy AI and major frame-rate issues.
  13. 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.
  14. GamerFeed
    60
    It's got plenty of big ideas and executes most of them brilliantly, but the game's shortcomings - namely the frame rate and questionable dialogue - leave us wondering what really could have been with another year of development time.
  15. eToychest
    59
    A textbook example of something that must have looked great on paper, but whose actual implementation fell apart in almost every conceivable way.
  16. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    59
    A brave attempt at making an epic experience, but it was never going to be the game it so desperately wanted to be. [April 2006, p.90]
    All this publication's reviews
  17. Gaming Age
    58
    Advent Rising also suffers from its really short lifespan. Gamers can quickly move through this one in an afternoon, and the open ending keeps you wanting more, but who knows how long that will be.
  18. Into Liquid Sky
    58
    Advent Rising certainly could have used a lot more work. If you're a sci-fi themed shooter fan, you can find this one for a decent price. You have to be pretty forgiving as there's a lot here that could use some polish.
  19. GameSpot
    57
    The presentation is a technical nightmare, the story is poorly told, and the modicum of uniqueness the gameplay has to offer is almost completely murdered by sloppy mechanics and a myriad of bugs.
  20. Inside Gamer Online
    56
    Too ambitious of an undertaking, and for whatever reason, not even one of the game's features felt complete.
  21. Armchair Empire
    52
    There's a good game here but when you have to fight tooth and nail through its problems to actually see it, there aren't many that will feel that AR is anything but a somewhat finished mess.
  22. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    50
    It's a work in progress somehow on shelves, full of frustrating bugs; shooting for the stars, it lands well below its own lofty expectations. [Aug 2005, p.116]
  23. GameSpy
    50
    All the good intentions in the world can't make a game good, and shoddy craftsmanship and not-quite-there design afflicts just about every aspect of this one.

Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2005
34
#34 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2005

User Reviews

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User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 71 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 49 out of 71
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 71
  3. Negative: 13 out of 71
  1. GameMan2005
    Aug 22, 2023
    8
    This game might be a meme because of the contest, but it's honestly fairly solid.
  2. LordKinoda
    Jan 24, 2011
    6
    Potential. That's definently the best word to describe this game. Unfortunately it doesn't reach it's fullest. The story is definentlyPotential. That's definently the best word to describe this game. Unfortunately it doesn't reach it's fullest. The story is definently awesome, and might just be enough to hold you over for dealing with the games annoying flaws. The framerate gets to be seriously annoying at some points in the game, and the action could of been handled better, mostly the targeting system. It was a good try at something new, but ultimately didn't have enough polish. It feels as though the developers were super rushed or something and put out an unfinished game. Alot of the mechanics are just too buggy. I think if they had given the game another six months or so for fine tuning, it could of been in the top 20 games of all time for sure. As I said, the story and what grahics you are allowed to perceive without framerate issues are the best things about the game. If you're a sci-fi junkie like myself, you might be able to muddle through the game just to enjoy the story. The game definently sets it up like this is going to be the first chapter in a trilogy, or maybe a big series of games. I know I would of been chomping at the bit for them to come out with a sequel with more spit and polish. Who knows, maybe they wil some day. As it stands, all I'll say is the one word I stared my review with. Potential.… Full Review »
  3. AlexD
    Jul 25, 2009
    7
    Starts out wonderfully - the opening scenes are as big and beautifuly as 2001 A Space Oddity. But the extensive tedious combat is simply Starts out wonderfully - the opening scenes are as big and beautifuly as 2001 A Space Oddity. But the extensive tedious combat is simply button mashing devoid of tactics. Driving the Scythe vehicle (think: Halo Warthog) is unsatifying and frustrating. I think they may have been a resonable story in there somewhere but it's obscured by lousy gameplay mechanics. IMO, Fire Warrior on the PS2 is a much better game. I'll rate AR a lucky 7 'cos I believe the developers tried hard but were hampered by some bad design decisions.… Full Review »
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