Odyssey to the West First Impressions

With Enslaved, Odyssey to the West, Heavenly Sword developer Ninja Theory has created a third-person adventure whose futuristic world is filled with vivid colours and rich vegetation.

Most visions of a post-apocalyptic future involve a crumbling society, decaying cities, and a colour palette that doesn't stretch beyond grey and browns.

Enslaved is loosely based on the 16th century Chinese novel, Journey to the West (known as Monkey in western countries), but set 150 years in to the future.

A widespread conflict has led humanity to the brink of extinction, leaving a mere 50,000 humans left alive on the planet. Robotic drones created to fight in the wars are the only remnants of the conflict, and serve as futuristic mines, killing anyone who dares disturb them. With so few people left, the planet has reverted back to an very Eden-like state, with vibrant plant life taking over the dilapidated cities.

The remaining humans are split in to two camps; those who live in tiny communities and those who select to go it on their own, living in the wild.

The game focuses on the uneasy relationship between these two characters. They have amazingly different views about life, with Trip believing in the safety that comes from living with others, and Monkey believing in the solitary life.

28 Days Later writer Alex Garland has been brought on board to help pen the script, and Lord of the Rings star Andy Serkis has been brought in to voice, and motion capture Monkey.

Though Monkey is forced to help Trip, they finally learns to care for her over the coursework of the game. Ninja Theory has gone to great lengths to ensure the story and the relationship between Monkey and Trip is at the heart of the game.