Enslaved is set in a post-apocalyptic New York of the future. You might think that the place would look something like Blade Runner’s dystopian vision, but this world is bursting with colour. The city’s all but been retaken by nature, with vines and foliage swathing concrete and steel. Oh, and it’s populated with robotic survivors of an ancient war.
With mankind on the brink of extinction, you take control of the super-agile character Monkey, who sets about smashing enemy robots with a staff. His platforming episodes are a real highlight, as he clambers around the city with ease.
This is a co-op affair, however, and Monkey is inescapably linked with flame-haired woman Trip. She has a form of mind control over Monkey and, after crash landing in the city, is using him to return to her homeland. If Trip dies, Monkey will bite the dust too. You’ll have to use the duo effectively to overcome the robot hordes, issuing Trip with a variety of orders, such as creating a distraction so that Monkey can sneak up on unsuspecting enemies.
Monkey is voiced by Andy Serkis, Gollum in The Lord of the Rings films, and the actor lovingly conveys the blossoming relationship between Trip and Monkey. With a story that matches its sumptuous yet bleak surroundings, Enslaved is definitely worth playing