Rise of the Argonauts


Rise of the Argonauts is a 2008 action role-playing game developed by Liquid Entertainment and published by Codemasters for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Although very much at variance with the story of Jason in the original Greek mythology, the game's plot surrounds the myth of Jason and the Argonauts searching for the Golden Fleece.

Gameplay

Plot

Story

In Rise of the Argonauts, the player assumes the role of the protagonist Jason, in this instance portrayed as a king of Iolcus. Jason's bride, a warrioress princess called Alceme Enialios, who is the daughter of a Mycenean king called Lycomedes, is assassinated on the wedding day. Jason avenges Alceme by killing the assassin, who led an unexplained attack by mercenaries from Ionia -- and begins to investigate the doomsday cult of Hecate-worshippers in which the assassin admitted membership. Jason seals Alceme's body in the temple where the two were to marry, and it becomes Alceme's mausoleum. Jason quickly discovers that the only way to bring back his wife is to obtain the Golden Fleece, as it is said that the Fleece alone can undo events that have already occurred. Traveling to Delphi, Jason learns from the Oracle that the only way to tread the road to the Fleece is to find three descendants of three of his patron gods: Hermes, Ares and Athena. The descendant of Hermes is found on Saria, Athena's on Kythra, whereas Ares' is located on Mycenae.
After convincing all of them to join him, Jason travels to Delphi again and learns that the Fleece is in Tartarus, the Hell of the Greek Underworld. After obtaining it, Jason sails home to revive Alceme. He confronts Pelias, his traitorous uncle. During the course of the game, Jason will face Blacktongues, who are behind Alceme's assassination, Ionians mercenaries, mythical beasts and other characters, but he would not be alone.

Characters

Reviews have been mixed, with the game receiving praise for its story, leveling up/skill tree system, music, and visuals, but criticized for sparse placement of enemies and relatively easy boss fights. Criticisms also centered on the amount of time spent in conversation with characters in the game, with the lack of compelling voice performances not helping the situation. Further criticisms included technical issues like bugs, camera problems, and crashes.