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CRITIK

Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey
Item: Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2019

GenresAdventure, Indie, Action, Science Fiction and Futuristic, Third Person Perspective, Open World, RPG, Single Player

AvailableAug 27, 2019

PlatformXbox One, PlayStation 4, PC

DeveloperPanache Digital Games

Overview

Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is a third-person open world survival game where you explore, expand and evolve to advance your clan to the next generation. You relive the early story of mankind, but humanity is only one idea away from evolution or extinction.

Elsewhere

6.1

Game analysis

Critik Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

46%

Mixed (50-79)

52%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The Story of Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey has garnered praise from several critics for its unique premise and focus on the evolution of early hominids. Critics like App Trigger and Worth Playing appreciate the game's setting in Africa ten million years ago, following the journey of a primate clan as they strive to survive and evolve. CGMagazine and The Digital Fix commend the game for its refreshing premise that tasks players with recreating the process of evolution over millions of years, starting from basic apes to advanced hunters. Impulsegamer and VideoGamer highlight the educational and scientific elements of the game, emphasizing the accurate depiction of human evolution in a beautifully crafted open-world environment. On the flip side, some critics express concerns about the lack of a clear storyline or objectives in Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey. Critics like COGconnected and Press Start Australia mention that while the concept of simulating human evolution is ambitious, the execution falls short with tedious gameplay mechanics and a lack of engaging narrative elements. PC Invasion and Game Informer point out that being dropped into a prehistoric world without much explanation can lead to a sense of aimlessness and frustration for players, hindering their overall experience. GameSpew and TheSixthAxis note the game's failure to create an emotional bond with the characters, making it challenging for players to feel invested in their journey of survival and adaptation. Overall, the opinions of the critics regarding the Story of Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey are mixed. While some critics appreciate the game's unique concept, educational value, and focus on evolution, others criticize its lack of clear objectives, tedious gameplay mechanics, and emotional engagement. Despite the varying opinions, it is evident that the game offers a distinct experience that challenges players to navigate the complexities of early human evolution. As highlighted by Worth Playing and The Digital Fix, Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey succeeds in immersing players in the journey of our species' origins, albeit with some shortcomings in execution, as noted by COGconnected and GameSpew.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics are divided on Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey. Some praise its unique premise set in ancient Africa and educational value, while others criticize its lack of clear objectives and emotional engagement. The game challenges players to simulate human evolution but falls short with tedious gameplay mechanics and a sense of aimlessness. Overall, Ancestors offers a distinct experience delving into early human evolution, but its execution leaves room for improvement.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

31%

Mixed (50-79)

53%

Negative (0-49)

16%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The gameplay of Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey has received a mix of positive and negative feedback from critics. Some reviewers, such as GameSpace and Vandal, appreciated the unique and original take on the survival genre, emphasizing the importance of learning and evolving through trial-and-error mechanics. The game challenges players to think critically and adapt to the environment, with a focus on survival, exploration, and evolving the species. The emphasis on self-discovery, passing down knowledge through generations, and the satisfaction of overcoming challenges were highlighted as positive aspects by several critics. On the other hand, numerous critics expressed frustration with various aspects of the gameplay. Slant Magazine and PC Gamer criticized the game for its slow pacing, frustrating controls, and lack of clear instructions, leading to trial-and-error gameplay that can feel punishing and artificial. Worth Playing and Press Start Australia also mentioned issues with muddy controls, ill-explained mechanics, and a lack of direction, making it difficult for players to navigate the world and progress effectively. Additionally, some critics, like Game Informer and PC Games, found the gameplay to become repetitive and limited, with sparse building options, frustrating mechanics, and a lack of rewarding progression. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards a divisive reception of Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey's gameplay. While some reviewers appreciated the game's emphasis on survival, evolution, and learning through experimentation, others found the experience frustrating, slow-paced, and lacking in direction. The challenging nature of the game, requiring players to figure things out on their own and adapt to the hostile environment, was both praised for its depth and criticized for its opacity. The mix of positive feedback on the unique mechanics and concepts alongside the negative feedback on the clunky controls and repetitive gameplay suggests that Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey offers a polarizing experience that may appeal more to players seeking a challenging and immersive survival simulation.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey's gameplay has divided critics. Some praise its unique survival and evolution mechanics that emphasize learning and adaptation, while others criticize its slow pace, frustrating controls, and lack of direction. The game challenges players to overcome obstacles through trial and error, offering a polarizing experience that may appeal to those seeking a challenging survival simulation.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

51%

Mixed (50-79)

45%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The Graphics and Visual Design of Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey have received a mix of positive feedback from critics. Many reviewers praised the game for its stunning and immersive environments, with detailed animal life and diverse landscapes. Critics like App Trigger and Push Square highlighted the incredible attention to visual detail, lifelike animations, and the lush prehistoric world that adds to the immersive experience. CGMagazine and GRYOnline.pl also commended the game for its captivating atmosphere, detailed jungle environments, and convincing forest settings. The visuals were described as vibrant, diverse, and beautifully designed, contributing to the overall appeal of the game. On the other hand, some critics pointed out several shortcomings in the Graphics and Visual Design of Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey. PlaySense and Worth Playing criticized the graphics for falling short of realism, with odd-looking character designs, angular graphics, and limitations in visual quality. JeuxActu and Press Start Australia highlighted issues with dated graphics, distracting visual elements, and poor visual communication that affected the overall gameplay experience. Some critics, like Gameplanet and SpazioGames, mentioned problems with animations, camera angles, and imperfect gameplay mechanics that detracted from the visual immersion of the game. Overall, the general consensus among critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey leans towards the positive side, with many reviewers appreciating the game's immersive environments, detailed landscapes, and lush jungle settings. Despite some criticisms about graphics limitations, awkward animations, and visual noise, the majority of critics praised the game for its stunning visuals, attention to detail, and the sense of immersion it provides to players exploring the prehistoric world. The game's ability to capture the essence of early human evolution and survival in a hostile world, as noted by Riot Pixels, along with its diverse and beautifully designed environments, as mentioned by Metro Montreal and Generación Xbox, contribute to making Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey a visually engaging and captivating experience for players.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey's graphics and visual design have received mixed reviews. Critics praised the stunning and immersive environments, lifelike animations, and lush prehistoric world. However, some critics criticized the graphics for lacking realism, odd character designs, and visual distractions. Despite some shortcomings, the majority of critics appreciated the game's detailed landscapes and immersive settings, making it visually engaging and captivating for players exploring the prehistoric world.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

57%

Mixed (50-79)

43%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The Sound Design and Music of Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey have received mostly positive feedback from critics. App Trigger praises the game for its impressive sound design, creating an immersive audio experience. Worth Playing appreciates the sparing use of music, allowing the sounds of the jungle to shine and finding a nice balance between effective design and realism. Generación Xbox also commends the game for effectively immersing players in the constant struggle for survival and evolution through its sound design, including background music and nature sounds. On the flip side, some critics have pointed out certain drawbacks in the Sound Design and Music of Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey. CGMagazine notes that while the music fits the scenes well, sound cues are quiet and subtle, which may hinder gameplay for some players. TheSixthAxis mentions that the audio and visual signals in the game can be overwhelming and confusing, impacting the overall immersion for players. Overall, the consensus among critics is that the Sound Design and Music of Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey greatly enhance the gameplay experience. Critics like Destructoid and GamesRadar++ highlight the importance of sound cues in gameplay mechanics, such as identifying and tagging threats or gathering resources. Worth Playing emphasizes the immersive sound design with crisp effects and spatial audio, adapting to the environment and player condition. Despite some minor criticisms, the majority of critics appreciate how the sound design and music contribute to the immersive and atmospheric nature of the game, ultimately enhancing the overall experience for players.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics praise Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey for its immersive sound design and music, creating an atmospheric gameplay experience. Some note drawbacks like subtle sound cues impacting gameplay, but overall, the majority agree that the audio elements greatly enhance the game's immersive and survival-focused nature.

Voice Acting

Analysis Unavailable

Summary unavailable

TL;DR

voice acting

Description unavailable

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

12%

Mixed (50-79)

60%

Negative (0-49)

28%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of technical performance on different gaming platforms, Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey received mixed reviews. On the PS4, CGMagazine noted that the console port had reduced load times compared to the initial PC release, which is a positive improvement. However, Gamers Heroes highlighted bugs and counter-intuitive button prompts on the PS4, indicating some technical issues affecting the gameplay experience. Moving on to the PC platform, there were varied opinions among critics regarding the technical performance of the game. Some reviewers, like GameGrin and Ragequit.gr, mentioned that the game ran smoothly with minimal technical issues, providing an enjoyable experience. On the other hand, several critics, such as USgamer and Press Start Australia, criticized the game for numerous bugs, unresponsive controls, crashes, and other technical shortcomings, impacting the overall gameplay negatively. JeuxActu also pointed out dated graphics, awkward interface elements, and occasional bugs as drawbacks affecting the gameplay experience on PC. When considering the overall consensus of the critics for all platforms, it is evident that the technical performance of Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey was a significant point of contention. While some reviewers appreciated the stable performance on Xbox One, like Generación Xbox and Vandal, others, such as USgamer and Press Start Australia, highlighted various technical issues on the PC platform. The general sentiment leans towards a mixed reception, with some praising the game's performance on specific platforms while others critiqued the technical aspects, including bugs, controls, and graphical issues, across different platforms. This diverse range of opinions showcases the varying experiences players may encounter based on the platform they choose to play the game on.

TL;DR

technical performance

Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey's technical performance received mixed reviews across gaming platforms. While the PS4 version saw reduced load times but also suffered from bugs and button prompt issues, opinions on the PC version varied from smooth gameplay to numerous bugs and technical shortcomings. Overall, critics had differing views on the game's performance, with some praising stability on Xbox One while others criticized technical issues on PC. The consensus is a mix of positive and negative feedback, highlighting the diverse experiences players may have depending on the platform.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

18%

Mixed (50-79)

67%

Negative (0-49)

16%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The Replay Value of Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey has garnered a mix of positive and negative feedback from critics. Several reviewers, such as App Trigger and The Games Machine, highlight the game's ability to offer replay value through evolving gameplay mechanics and incremental character improvements. App Trigger specifically mentions the opportunity to try different strategies and approaches to survival and reproduction, adding depth to each playthrough. Additionally, The Games Machine emphasizes the unique experience the game provides, suggesting that players can discover new aspects with each playthrough, enhancing replayability. On the other hand, some critics, like Cultured Vultures and Metro GameCentral, point out the repetitive nature of tasks and lack of variety as potential drawbacks hindering the game's long-term replay value. Cultured Vultures notes the repetitive tasks and lack of variety that may deter players from multiple playthroughs, while Metro GameCentral mentions the punishing nature of the game that could discourage players from engaging in multiple playthroughs. These criticisms suggest that while the game offers initial intrigue, the repetitive elements may limit its long-term appeal for some players. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards acknowledging the unique and rewarding experiences Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey offers, despite its flaws. Critics like TheXboxHub and Generación Xbox commend the game for providing a deep and original experience, with evolving gameplay mechanics contributing to high replay value. However, concerns raised by critics such as Cultured Vultures and Metro GameCentral regarding repetitive tasks and lack of variety indicate potential limitations to the game's long-term appeal. Despite these criticisms, the game's immersive world, thrill of discovery, and evolving gameplay mechanics seem to have resonated positively with many reviewers, making Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey a title worth exploring for players interested in a unique and challenging gaming experience.

TL;DR

replay value

Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey offers a mix of positive and negative feedback from critics. Some praise its evolving gameplay mechanics and replay value, while others criticize its repetitive tasks and lack of variety. Overall, the game provides a unique and rewarding experience with potential limitations in long-term appeal, making it worth exploring for players seeking a challenging gaming experience.

Overall Verdict

CRITIK

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Critik Score

Positive (80-100)

22%

Mixed (50-79)

70%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

In analyzing the opinions of various critics on Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey, it is evident that the game has garnered praise for its ambitious and unique concept. Critics like JeuxActu and Gamer.no commend the game for offering a demanding and unconventional adventure that provides a deep and engaging experience. The emphasis on freedom, immersive exploration, and the satisfaction of evolving primates over generations has been highlighted as a positive aspect by PlaySense and Generación Xbox. Additionally, the game's innovative RPG system and potential have been lauded by GamesRadar++ and The Games Machine, further emphasizing its positive attributes. On the flip side, Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey has faced criticism for a variety of issues that have hindered the overall experience for players. Several critics, including COGconnected and Push Square, have pointed out the game's tedious gameplay, lack of clear tutorials, and repetitive elements that can lead to frustration and lack of enjoyment. Technical performance problems, rough edges, and frustrating controls have been highlighted by Press Start Australia, New Game Network, and Worth Playing as major drawbacks that impact the player's engagement and immersion in the game. The game's complexity, finicky controls, and lack of direction have also been noted as negative aspects by CGMagazine and PC Invasion, further contributing to the mixed reception. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey leans towards a game with potential but one that falls short of delivering a consistently enjoyable experience. While the game's ambition, innovative concept, and unique gameplay elements have been recognized and appreciated by some reviewers, the prevalent issues with gameplay mechanics, lack of player guidance, and technical shortcomings have dampened the overall reception. The game seems to polarize opinions, with some critics like TheXboxHub and Destructoid celebrating its gratifying experience and ambitious nature, while others like Gameplanet and PC Gamer express disappointment and a lack of recommendation. Ultimately, Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey appears to be a title that offers a distinct and challenging experience, with a niche appeal that may resonate more with players seeking a different and immersive survival journey despite its flaws.

TL;DR

Critics praise Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey for its unique concept and ambitious gameplay, highlighting its deep exploration and evolution mechanics. However, the game faces criticism for tedious gameplay, technical issues, and lack of player guidance, leading to mixed reviews. While some appreciate its innovation and challenging nature, others find it frustrating and lacking direction. Ultimately, Ancestors offers a distinct experience with niche appeal, but falls short of delivering a consistently enjoyable game.

CRITIK

Reviews

135 reviews found

GamingTrend

Aug 26, 2019