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Graphics
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Audio
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Story
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Gameplay
Summary
Pros
- The game features a gorgeous open world with an alluring atmosphere that calls for exploration.
- The game is a standalone adventure that does not require prior knowledge of the Avatar films or lore.
- The game is a manageable length for an open-world game, with around 15 hours for the main story and 25 hours for 100% completion.
Cons
- Occasionally clunky combat mechanics in the air, ramps up difficulty once stealth is broken.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora (reviewed here on XBox Series X) is a visually stunning open-world adventure that lets you explore the rich and diverse alien world of Pandora.
Developed by Ubisoft, the game is set in a new region of the planet, separate from the events of the movies, and follows the story of a Na’vi warrior who must unite the clans and fight against the invading human forces. The game features a variety of environments, creatures, and activities to discover, as well as a dynamic combat system that allows you to use both melee and ranged weapons, as well as your bond with nature. But does the game live up to the hype and expectations of the fans of the franchise? Let’s find out.
Graphics
The first thing that strikes you when you start the game is how gorgeous it looks. Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is a visual feast, with stunning lighting, vibrant colors, and incredible details. The game runs smoothly on the Xbox Series X, with no noticeable frame drops or glitches. The game also supports ray tracing and up-to 4K resolution, which enhance the realism and immersion of the game world.
The game does a great job of capturing the beauty and diversity of Pandora, with lush forests, open plains, floating mountains, and underwater caves. The game also features a day and night cycle, as well as dynamic weather effects, which add to the variety and atmosphere of the game. The game also boasts an impressive character and creature design, with the Na’vi, the RDA soldiers, and the various animals and plants of Pandora all looking lifelike and expressive. The game also features some spectacular cutscenes and set pieces, which showcase the cinematic quality of the game.
The graphics of the game are not flawless, however, as some minor issues can detract from the experience. For example, some textures and animations can look low quality or unnatural, especially when compared to the high standards of the rest of the game. Some pop-in and clipping can also occur, which can break the immersion and continuity of the game.
The game also has some loading times, which can interrupt the flow and pace of the game. The game also has some bugs and glitches, which can affect the performance and functionality of the game. These issues are not game-breaking, but they can be noticeable.
Gameplay
The gameplay of Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is a mix of exploration, combat, and stealth. The game gives you a lot of freedom to explore the open world of Pandora, with a glider, a mount, and a fast travel system to help you traverse the terrain. The game also encourages you to interact with the verdant and vibrant environment, as you can collect resources, craft items, scan plants and animals, and connect with the Eywa, the spiritual force of Pandora.
The game also features a skill tree, which allows you to upgrade your abilities and unlock new ones, such as taming wild animals, summoning a storm, or healing yourself. The game also has a reputation system, which affects your relationship with the different clans and factions of the game. The game also offers a variety of side quests and activities, such as hunting, fishing, racing, and liberating outposts, which add to the content and replay value of the game.
The combat of the game is fast-paced and dynamic, as you can switch between melee and ranged weapons, as well as use your bond with nature to gain an edge in battle. The game also allows you to choose between stealth and aggression, as you can sneak past enemies, distract them, or take them out silently, or you can go guns blazing and unleash your full arsenal of weapons and abilities.
The game also features a variety of enemies, from human soldiers to mechs, to helicopters, to wild animals, which require different strategies and tactics to defeat. The game also features some boss battles, which are challenging and rewarding. The game also has a difficulty setting, which affects the enemy AI, damage, and health, which adds to the challenge and variety of the game.
Whilst the gameplay shows hints of the Ubisoft / Far Cry formula in terms of leveling and toppling bases – the varied landscapes and novel crafting mechanics elevate it above open-world competition, with missions and objectives remaining fresh many hours into the game.
What may feel like balancing issues at the start give way to clever ways to leverage your advantage over the RDA through stealth, smart guerilla tactics and using the verticality of the map to gain the upper hand – you truly begin to realise the sheer variety of effective strategies once the map and your skills open up.
Story
The story of Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is a familiar one which takes place many years after the events of the first movie, as you play as a Na’vi warrior who must unite the clans and fight against the RDA, the human corporation that is exploiting the resources of Pandora.
The game is set in a new region of the planet, separate from the events of the movies, and features a new cast of characters, as well as some references and welcome cameos from the movies. Whilst the game lacks a branching narrative, it does heavily feature the ecological and colonial themes one might expect, as well as some moral dilemmas that challenge you to question your motives and values, as well as the consequences of your actions.
The game also has some emotional moments, that make you care about the characters and the world of Pandora, although some of the initial story beats come a little quickly and prevent you from gaining as much of an attachment to the cast as their impact might suggest.
Fans of the films will find themselves living out iconic moments from the franchise as well as creating new ones, and with the promise of DLC to expand the lore it’s exciting to see the places the game is likely to go to next.
Verdict
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is a game that will appeal to the fans of the franchise, as well as to anyone who enjoys a beautiful and immersive open-world adventure.
The game delivers on its promise of letting you explore and experience the amazing world of Pandora, with stunning graphics, varied gameplay, and a decent story.
The game also has a wealth of content and replay value, as well as some choices and consequences that add to the depth and diversity of the game. The game is close to a masterpiece in terms of a marriage between emergent open-world storytelling and narrative beats, but also an indication that Ubisoft can reach new highs on the back of its tried-and-tested formula – an exciting sign of things to come.
