After an unexpected delay, the game that once was Ubisoft's Gods and Monsters is finally coming out this winter. Immortals Fenyx Rising is finally on the way this December, and with it many changes to the game's visual style and game mechanics. According to game director Scott Phillips, the delay helped expand and solidify the game's scope into something truly unique for Ubisoft's catalogue. That being said, the game still garners comparisons to Breath of the Wild that are in some regards true, which frankly isn't a bad thing.
In a lot of ways, Immortals Fenyx Rising is very different from Breath of the Wild. Whether it's the mission structure or the actual gameplay itself, Fenyx Rising is still distinctly its own game. At the same time, there are multiple aspects early previewers have noted as very similar to Breath of the Wild, whether it's from the bright and vibrant art style or the puzzles within the game world. At the same time, there are distinct differences in systemic structure and gameplay mechanics that differ the two immensely.
Very Similar Open World Design
The main criticism weighed against Immortals Fenyx Rising when compared to Breath of the Wild is the world design. Many feel as though the whole free-flowing open world design is a direct inspiration, which frankly wouldn't be too off base. In both games, players are allowed to fully traverse and explore the in-game world at the get-go. Both games even let players tackle the boss/endgame immediately. Ancient Greece and Hyrule both utilize landmarks dotted amongst the landscape to encourage players to explore, just in different capacities.
While on the surface the two games seem very different, they both have very similar worlds. Both games have different world puzzles dotted across the landscape (Shrines in Breath of the Wild, Vaults in Fenyx Rising) that players can explore at will. Aesthetically speaking, the color palette of both worlds also resembles each other quite well, using elements of vibrancy to make certain areas stand out more to players. Additionally, both games allow the progression of each region to continually freely, regardless of whatever progress players have made previously.
Differences in Tone and Atmosphere
Where Immortals Fenyx Rising differs greatly is the narrative progression and tone throughout the game. Both games do have moments of levity throughout, but Breath of the Wild's overarching atmosphere is one of isolation and despair. Zelda's ethereal voice pushes Link along in his quest to power up the Divine Beasts and defeat Ganon. In Fenyx Rising, Zeus and Prometheus narrate the adventure as if telling some kind of silly fairy tale amongst friends. The two are cracking jokes and quips in an endearing way, as if Fenyx's adventure is some kind of joke.
Immortals' tone is just silly enough that the game never takes itself too seriously, whereas Breath of the Wild does tend to remind players of the overarching goal of ending a century-long sorrow. Even in moments of levity, Breath of the Wild's world and narrative is ruptured by the desolation Ganon wrought several years ago. It's a peaceful but foreboding game, whereas Immortals Fenyx Rising evokes a feeling that makes the game's debut trailer feel appropriate when backed by a James Brown song. Fun is meant to be the primary emotion felt throughout Fenyx Rising, and the game's whimsical characters and world emphasizes that.
Going Beyond Breath of the Wild's Combat
That being said, Immortals Fenyx Rising is not just a Breath of the Wild clone, especially in the combat gameplay. Breath of the Wild thrived on its elegant simplicity, with several interweaving systems playing together to encourage creativity when fighting enemies. Players could generally utilize the elements in Breath of the Wild to their advantage. Immortals Fenyx Rising does that to some degree as well, but combat plays closer to a skill-based action game. Players have access to similar tools like perfect parries and dodges, but also have a litany of potions and special hero attacks that are utilized throughout battle.
Breath of the Wild's champion abilities came close, but the boosts they provide are largely involuntary. Immortals Fenyx Rising takes combat abilities several steps further, with entire skill trees dedicated to learning new combat abilities. Generally, most abilities players can utilize in the game are player actions. Conjuring several lances as an upwards hitting melee attack, dashing abilities, large hammer attacks, and various other special attacks that utilize stamina are available to players in Fenyx Rising. Combat in Breath of the Wild can largely be classified as methodical, whereas Fenyx Rising's combat is all about comboing attacks and optimizing the most damage.
Overall, there's a lot of Breath of the Wild infused in Immortals Fenyx Rising, but that's definitely no big reason to dislike the game. In fact, there's a lot that differentiates Ubisoft's take on the open world adventure that makes exploring Ancient Greece just as fun.
Immortals Fenyx Rising releases on December 3, 2020, for PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.