Summary
Anyone remotely familiar with the video game industry knows the wild trajectory of Ubisoft. The developer is hailed as one of the biggest names in the modern era of gaming, while also serving as an example of the problems that plague AAA titles. Regardless of which side of the fence players are on, there’s no denying that Ubisoft’s footprint in the gaming landscape is massive. The company focuses on both huge AAA experiences and smaller, more intimate games.
The formula that most Ubisoft games follow has become way too obvious for most people to ignore, lending to the fatigue that most people have experienced with the bulk of their modern releases. However, to say that Ubisoft’s entire library is dominated by these cookie-cutter experiences would be a short-sighted statement. The truth is that players who want to check outsome creative and unique Ubisoft titleswill find more than enough games that fit this criteria.
There was a time when thePrince of Persiagames were coveted by the masses, with the runaway success ofThe Sands of Timecontributing a lot to the franchise’s legacy. Reimagining this series would have taken a lot of work after the huge failure ofPrince of Persia 3D, so fans were more than glad to engage with a smart-mouthed version of the Prince who embodies a level of cockiness that may make him easy to hate. However, this is precisely why the character development inThe Sands of Timewas so fascinating to witness.
As players interacted with Farah and saw the Prince turn over a new leaf, it was impossible not to love the protagonist when he showed a gentle and vulnerable side. It’s this kind of strong writing that is missing in most modern Ubisoft games, where the stories suffer because of their non-linear structure. All of this is held up withan amazing parkour systemthat helps players feel like ninjas as they wall-run, leap, roll, and climb across numerous levels. The combat is the only part of the game that may not be all that deep or engaging, but this was fixed in the sequels to make for one of the greatest gaming trilogies of all time.
Obsidian Entertainment’s amazing work onThe Stick of Truthwould be hard to match, but Ubisoft’s in-house studio did a commendable job of living up to this legacy.The Fractured but Wholemay not be as iconic as its predecessor, but fans ofSouth Parkwill love the fun expansion of the previous title’s turn-based combat coupled with an enjoyable story that channels the hilarity of the series. All of this is held up by the iconic superheroes that have appeared in the series time and again.
This shift from the fantasy roleplay that the kids engaged in before was a breath of fresh air, withthe town of South Park littered with secrets. Whacking Morgan Freeman for a bit of fun, only to find out that he’s the game’s secret boss is a hilarious moment that fans won’t forget anytime soon. And that’s just one of the many ridiculously fun moments that are rampant inThe Fractured but Whole. With most modern Ubisoft games playing it safe, it’s nice to see a game from this developer that doesn’t mind engaging in a lot of dark humor and ridiculous scenarios.
Given how Ubisoft games tend to glorify violence, it’s genuinely surprising to seea game from this publisherthat focuses on the human aspect of war and the harrowing stories that can change someone forever. Such is the case withValiant Hearts: The Great War, a game that is both visually and intellectually stimulating. Despite lacking any dialogue, the narrative ofValiant Heartsfeels way more emotionally charged than most high-budget Ubisoft games.
Documenting the journey of a soldier drafted into war who tries to regain his lost love,Valiant Hearts: The Great Waris one of Ubisoft’s most experimental games, and has numerous satisfying payoffs. The puzzles in the game are simple, yet engaging enough to keep players interested until the end of this short and sweet experience. One drawback is that some of the out-of-place boss fights take away a bit from the title. Still, in terms of games that buck the Ubisoft formula, there’s no better shout-out than this game.
A common problem in major Ubisoft games (and AAA titles in general) is the need to load up as many gameplay loops as possible to cater to a wide swath of players. In contrast,Trials Risingfocuses on a single aspect and executes it with great panache. The ridiculous physics and racing mechanics make it important tostay on track and not lose balanceas players try to complete every stage without bashing their heads.
The sheer hilarity of the gameplay inTrials Risingmakes it an excellent title, regardless of whether players play this game on their own or with friends. It can effortlessly become a party game where players can push themselves to reduce their number of deaths and cross the finish line by any means necessary. The online community ensures that the game’s tracks are as engaging as ever, showing how strong a Ubisoft game can be if it focuses on a single concept.
It’s hard to believe that one of the most colorful and imaginative side-scrolling platformers of all time was developed by Ubisoft. TheRaymangames are fun titles that can ramp up the challenge in no time, so fans were elated whenRayman Legendsfound a middle ground. Players could be left in awe at the title’s imaginative level design without feeling like they were stuck on an insurmountable challenge.
Rayman Legendsstands out with its colorful art style and couch multiplayer support, letting a group of players collectively experience a fantastic platformer. Considering how creative and charming this game is, it’s a shame that Ubisoft hasn’t released a mainline entry since,preferring to focus on other gamesthat lack the heart displayed in every level ofRayman Legends.
