Ninja Theory: Enslaved Isn't A "Knock-Off" Of Anything
Enslaved: Odyssey to the WestWhile we know Ninja Theory felt inspired by Naughty Dog and their stellar Uncharted series, the Enslaved: Odyssey to the West developers don't like it when you say their game is a "knock-off" of Nathan Drake's adventures.
Granted, one can easily make the comparison, as Enslaved is a colorful action/adventure title with an emphasis on the story and characters, but Ninja Theory co-founder Tameem Antoniades told VideoGamer that even those comparisons can chafe every now and then. Comparisons can set "an expectation." Said Antoniades:
"I think there are similarities, like, just because they're making a cinematic game and we're making a cinematic game. Ico, the comparison is valid because that's one of my favourite games. And Another World on the Amiga was one of my favorite games, and Ico was actually based on Another World. So, there are definite comparisons, but they're comparisons that I'm uneasy with, because it sets an expectation. But those are some of my favorite games and I do want our game to be up there."
He added that Uncharted 2 was sort the first "eureka moment of actually achieving that cinematic quality in an adventure," and they're merely aiming for that same level of quality. But in comparison, he does say his game has plenty of differences; it has its "own twist," it's melee-based while Uncharted is more about third-person shooting, and the "story's unique." In short, he said it's "not a knock-off."
In some cases, like when Tecmo tries to say Quantum Theory isn't a knock-off of Gears of War, we have a tough time believing it. But in this case, after seeing all the footage and reading all the info, we'd have to agree; we don't see Enslaved as being a replica of anything. It falls into a certain category, certainly, but that's about it. And we can't wait to give it a try this fall.
Related Game(s): Enslaved: Odyssey to the West
Tags: enslaved, uncharted, ninja theory, naughty dog
7/27/2010 10:50:02 AM Ben Dutka
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Comments (43 posts)
Swim_Irr
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 1:28:11 PM
2 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 3:06:57 PM
3 up, 0 down
frostface
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 11:21:44 AM
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After watching some gameplay footage on YouTube, I would definitely agree that it's not an UC2 rip off...it looks like an OK game but doesn't look anywhere near the quality imo of UC2. I'm gonna wait for the reviews before purchasing this one.
But since we're talking about Ninja Theory, this goes a little off topic but anyway, I had a dream last night that I was playing Heavenly Sword and cleared it. Haven't touched that game in months. Totally came out of nowhere so think I need to clear it sometime over the next few days, at least my subconscious thinks I should. I think I agree!
5 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 3:08:07 PM
3 up, 0 down
Oyashiro
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 11:24:28 AM
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3 up, 0 down
fluffer nutter
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 1:11:54 PM
3 up, 0 down
ro kurorai
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 11:28:53 AM
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Enslaved always looked original to me and it's not like Enslaved's their first "cinematic" game. Heck, HS was released prior to Uncharted and I'd say NT invented "cinematic" games on PS3 while ND perfected them.
It's great to know that NT take ICO and Uncharted as inspiration, though. That way they aim for a certain level of quality which only benefits us gamers =)
I ain't gonna compare Enslaved to Uncharted as they're different games, still my expectations are high as Enslaved's a NT game.
Gonna laugh my a§§ off if Enslaved sells more copies on PS3 than on 360 and NT finally go PS3-exclusive again, just to take a peek at Naughty Dog's tech ^^
Honestly I can't imagine Enslaved selling on 360. They got Reach, Black Ops and Kinect coming out dangerously timely to Enslaved. 360 gamers won't probably care about a lush, vibrant, cinematic third person adventure: They wanna shoot aliens with plastic guns, flail their arms around while "playing" and generally shoot stuff.
Maybe NT realize their mistake afterward and Sony are re-conciliatory enough to take them back. Would be a shame should NT stop making games after another "failure" (less than 1.5mil sales on each console).
Last edited by ro kurorai on 7/27/2010 11:31:45 AM
3 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 @ 12:32:12 AM
Sounds like Ninja Theory was once the Amish girl doing well on the farm, then going out to explore the world (on different consoles), before returning to the farm where she was at her best and most loved.
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Jawknee
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 12:05:18 PM
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I kid, i kid. ;)
3 up, 0 down
ABUrabad
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 5:00:20 PM
Last edited by ABUrabad on 7/27/2010 5:01:07 PM
3 up, 0 down
Fane1024
Thursday, July 29, 2010 @ 6:19:05 PM
It makes it really hard to turn a profit, even if your games sell 1.5 million units.
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Kai200X
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 12:18:01 PM
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2 up, 0 down
Scarecrow
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 12:33:48 PM
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Anyway, they must have not played MGS3/MGS4 if they belief UC2 is the "Eureka" of cinematics.
Sometimes I feel they should just start making films and not video games.
4 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 @ 12:41:40 AM
Inception was the only film to truly "wow" me in the last several years, maybe even since I first saw the Matrix. Yet there are at least 2-3 games every year that 'wow' me with outstanding visuals and an excellent script. Uncharted 2 is at the top of that list.
I certainly hope that Enslaved can hit that same spot. Since NT have worked with the PS3 before, hopefully the PS3 version won't have the screen tearing and framerate / freeze issues that Heavenly Sword had. (Don't get me wrong, Heavenly Sword is a good game, but it did have its issues, and playing it today just frustrates me now that there are heaps better games out there, GoWIII, Uncharted 2, Dante's Inferno, Bayonetta [on 360 for me] and so on)
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JackC8
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 12:37:43 PM
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1 up, 0 down
maxpontiac
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 12:57:23 PM
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4 up, 0 down
Swim_Irr
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 1:31:02 PM
2 up, 0 down
Lawless SXE
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 1:34:57 PM
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I've never considered it a "knock-off", but I have drawn comparisons to ICO in the past, and now they are trying to say that that is wrong, in spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. These people confuse me no end. Still be buying it though... probably not close to a D1P though.
Peace.
1 up, 0 down
kraygen
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 1:36:34 PM
lol, sorry couldn't help it.
1 up, 0 down
Lawless SXE
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 @ 1:43:57 AM
After a bit of contemplation (and re-reading the article) I realised that I made an error of conception. He isn't telling us not to make these comparisons, just that he doesn't want us to as he thinks it puts more pressure on the game to do well.
I don't see it as setting the world on fire, but I do think that it will be a decent game, and I think the way he is playing it is better, rather than hyping it to hell and having it not quite living up to expectations *cough* GTAIV *cough*.
Peace.
1 up, 0 down
Lawless SXE
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 @ 1:43:58 AM
Last edited by Lawless SXE on 7/28/2010 1:44:30 AM
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kraygen
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 1:35:51 PM
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I'm sorry but if they are making the game and telling us it won't be great, to have low expectations, and not to think about big hit games when we think of it, what should I think?
Oh that's right, what I've been saying, the game probably won't be very good. Hey at least they are telling us before they release it, instead of after. I wouldn't pre order this game and to those that have, better cancel it, because not even the devs like it.
3 up, 0 down
Lawless SXE
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 @ 1:40:20 AM
Peace.
1 up, 0 down
kraygen
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 @ 4:42:21 AM
1 up, 0 down
Lawless SXE
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 @ 6:11:23 AM
Peace.
1 up, 0 down
Oxvial
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 1:50:07 PM
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1 up, 1 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 3:05:24 PM
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4 up, 1 down
BikerSaint
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 3:36:57 PM
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with all the mindless blathering Ninja Theory keeps saying against their own game, I don't what the hell to think about that company.
All I know is, that their game had better be freaking good, and withouta huge babysitting chore, or they're going to wind up having to stick their words right "where the sun don't shine"!!!!!
2 up, 0 down
ace_boon_coon
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 4:01:48 PM
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4 up, 0 down
xxPS3fan24xx
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 5:10:25 PM
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4 up, 0 down
RebelJD
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 6:48:09 PM
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0 up, 0 down
Snaaaake
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 7:00:11 PM
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We pretty much been through a lot.
But who knows, look at Heavy Rain.
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dlte
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 7:50:47 PM
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Last edited by dlte on 7/27/2010 7:51:58 PM
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aaronisbla
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 9:16:31 PM
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4 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 10:53:56 PM
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"Hey, we have nothing better to do than to go grrrrrrr! Play my game!"
2 up, 0 down
Scarecrow
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 11:03:49 PM
Not the greatest ad ever
Not unique at all
They could have used Flash better
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bentl78
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 @ 2:08:38 AM
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As long as its good, i'll support it. so far i am quite intersted in it
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___________
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 @ 4:16:26 AM
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i hate it when developers flap their mouths like a lawn mower, but than show nothing!
as they say talk is cheap!
thats what i love about crytek, they talk the talk than they walk the walk.
as the saying goes why tell you, when i can show you!?
well, ninja theroy, im waiting................
1 up, 1 down
Scarecrow
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 @ 6:49:59 PM
Now they're overflowing game sites with info.
A bit too late...
1 up, 0 down
___________
Thursday, July 29, 2010 @ 7:57:22 AM
im sure they can do it, they proved with heavenly sword they can make a amazing game!
but they really have not showed much off, i mean its been ages since i read a preview or saw a gameplay trailer!
star wars the force unleashed 2 has had more news on it, each month they release a dev diary.
especially 2 months from release, you really need to get your name out in the world.
theres so many games out there competing for everyones money so you need to give your customers a reason to buy your game over theirs.
especially in the month there releasing, there is 5 other games releasing on the same day as enslaved!
why should i buy enslaved over those?
0 up, 1 down
sonic1899
Reply
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 11:05:12 AM