Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Rise of the Argonauts offers a robust action-adventure experience that puts you directly in the sandals of Jason, blending melee combat, exploration, and party-based tactics. The core combat loop revolves around three distinct weapon types—swords, maces, and spears—each offering unique attack patterns and special “executioner” moves. Switching between weapons on the fly is seamless, allowing you to chain combos that feel both weighty and responsive.

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Beyond Jason’s own arsenal, the game introduces a companion system where legendary figures such as Hercules and Atalanta join your journey. These allies fight alongside you, each with their own basic attacks and powerful god-granted abilities. Managing their positioning and activating their special moves at the right moment adds a strategic layer, encouraging you to adapt your tactics when facing groups of foes or powerful bosses.

The progression system leans heavily on divine favor. As you perform heroic deeds or engage in conversations that appease Apollo, Athene, Ares, or Hermes, you earn “favor points” that can be invested in four distinct skill trees. Whether you prefer bolstering Jason’s brute strength with Ares’ bloodlust or enhancing your party’s survivability with Athene’s wisdom, the branching upgrades keep gameplay fresh and allow for varied builds.

Outside of combat, the world encourages exploration and interaction. NPCs scattered across the Aegean islands offer side quests, lore tidbits, and roleplaying choices that can sway which god you favor. Although some fetch quests can feel repetitive, they integrate naturally into the theme of uniting Greece against a prophecy, and often reward you with new gear or favors that meaningfully impact battles.

Graphics

Visually, Rise of the Argonauts strikes a balance between realistic textures and mythic stylization. The sun-drenched vistas of Iolcos, rocky outcroppings along the Aegean, and lush olive groves are all rendered with care, immersing you in an ancient Greek world that feels both lived-in and legendary. Distant landmarks—temples, cliffside fortresses, and storm-lashed shores—create a sense of scale befitting a quest for divinity.

Character models for Jason, his allies, and enemy types are detailed, with armor rivets glinting in sunlight and subtle dirt clinging to worn shields. Combat animations, while occasionally stiff, deliver satisfying impacts: spear thrusts pierce armor, maces stagger foes, and executioner moves send enemies sprawling in graphic slow-motion. The lack of jumping or advanced traversal is noticeable, but the grounded movement style reinforces the game’s focus on melee duels.

Spell effects and god powers bring vibrant color to the battlefield. Apollo’s fiery arrows, Ares’ blood-red shockwaves, and Hermes’ lightning-fast afterimages punctuate the otherwise earthy palette with flashes of divine flair. Environmental effects—rolling dust clouds, dynamic shadows, and weather changes—add further atmosphere, especially during boss encounters where thunderstorms herald dramatic showdowns.

While the engine shows its age in some texture pop-ins and less detailed background crowds, these shortcomings rarely detract from the overall spectacle. On mid-range hardware, performance remains stable, ensuring that combat flows without stutters—an essential factor when you’re juggling multiple foes and switching weapons on the fly.

Story

The narrative of Rise of the Argonauts kicks off in idyllic Iolcos, where King Jason is set to wed Alcmene in a joyous ceremony attended by Marvels of Mythology. This tranquil setting is shattered when traitorous Morien forces strike, assassinating Alcmene before Jason’s eyes. This traumatizing event propels Jason on a blood-soaked quest for vengeance and restoration of order in a world teetering on the brink of chaos.

As Jason travels across Greece, he uncovers a dark prophecy foretelling the rise of an unstoppable evil. Along the way, he summons a pantheon of heroes—Hercules, Atalanta, and many more—each drawn by loyalty, fate, or the promise of glory. Dialogue choices with NPCs and gods alike shape your relationship with these characters and influence which divine favor you earn. This branching structure gives the story a roleplaying edge, prompting you to decide whether Jason embraces mercy or indulges in ruthless retribution.

Voice acting and writing are earnest, if occasionally melodramatic, capturing the grandeur of myth. Jason’s grief and rage feel genuine, as do the camaraderie and banter among his companions. Supporting NPCs enrich the lore with tales of local strife, supernatural omens, and hidden temples. Though some side characters fall into familiar archetypes, the overarching plot steadily builds toward confrontations that feel both personal and epic.

Thematically, the game explores fate versus free will: Will Jason fulfill the gods’ designs, or carve his own path? Divine interventions during key moments underscore this tension, as Apollo’s guidance may conflict with Ares’ thirst for war. This mythic tug-of-war keeps the narrative engaging through to its climactic conclusion, even if some pacing hiccups arise in the midgame.

Overall Experience

Rise of the Argonauts delivers a memorable fusion of mythic storytelling and action-packed combat. The game’s strengths lie in its character-driven narrative, tactical party dynamics, and the allure of the Greek pantheon. Whether you’re unleashing devastating god powers or swapping spears for swords in the heat of battle, the gameplay loop remains compelling throughout.

Some repetitive quest design and occasional graphical rough patches prevent it from reaching absolute greatness, but for fans of ancient mythology and action-adventure titles like Rune, it offers a satisfying journey. The blend of real-time combat and RPG progression ensures that every encounter can be approached in multiple ways, rewarding both strategic planning and reflexive skill.

Respawning friendly heroes, regenerating health during lulls, and the ability to resurrect fallen companions keep frustration at bay, allowing you to focus on the spectacle of heroism. The variety of divine skill trees further tailors the experience to your preferred playstyle, whether that’s focusing on offensive devastation or party support.

Ultimately, Rise of the Argonauts stands as a worthy homage to Greek myth. Its blend of revenge-driven plot, engaging combat mechanics, and enchanting world-building make it an appealing choice for players seeking an action-centered RPG steeped in lore. While not without its flaws, Jason’s odyssey remains an epic worth undertaking.

Retro Replay Score

6.3/10