Ninja Theory team up with Andy Serkis for a modern Journey to the West of rare emotion. Monkey and Trip form a touching duo, the platforming stays light and the staging spills over with post-apocalyptic poetry penned by an inspired Alex Garland.
Your verdict
Category
Action Adventure1 player16+
Description
Action-adventure by Ninja Theory and Namco Bandai, October 2010. Monkey and Trip traverse post-apocalyptic America invaded by dangerous mechas on a quest to find Trip's village. Evolving relationship between the two characters based on choices, Monkey's staff combat, environmental puzzles and lush graphics. Adaptation of Journey to the West by Andy Serkis and Alex Garland.
Enslaved - Odyssey to the West review
MAX
Art direction
★★★★★
"Iconic"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
MAX
Story
★★★★★
"Masterful"
Nature reclaiming a post-apocalyptic world: lush vegetation, colourful ruins and warm light compose a surprisingly luminous future. The polished character design, overseen by Andy Serkis, gives a rare expressiveness. This art direction, lively and inspired, stands apart from the genre's greyness.
Forced by a mind-slaving device to escort a young woman across a post-apocalyptic America, a taciturn colossus slowly learns to grow attached. Loosely inspired by a Chinese classic, the tale banks on the evolution of a duo and genuine tenderness. Carried by careful writing, this humanist journey deserves better than to be forgotten.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Engaging"
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Average"
Technical info
💾6,8 GB📅05/10/2010
Published by Namco Bandai
Enslaved - Odyssey to the West (Xbox 360) price, value & rarity
European (PAL) edition of the Ninja Theory action-adventure, Enslaved Odyssey to the West retells the Monkey King myth in an overgrown post-apocalyptic world, carried by acclaimed staging and writing. Widespread in Europe, its interest lies in this narrative ambition and its status as an underrated gem rather than scarcity. A piece valued by fans of cinematic adventure.
An underrated gem
A post-apocalyptic retelling of the Journey to the West, this action-adventure shines through the touching bond between its two heroes, its polished writing and its vistas of nature reclaiming the world. Its slightly bland gameplay hurt it commercially. A warm, luminous human adventure for fans of strong storytelling to rediscover.
Is Enslaved - Odyssey to the West still worth playing in 2026?
Released in 2010 on Xbox 360, Ninja Theory's Enslaved Odyssey to the West is a narrative action adventure loosely inspired by Journey to the West, carried by a magnificent art direction of a post apocalyptic world reclaimed by nature. The relationship between Monkey and Trip, finely written and served by remarkable motion capture, gives real emotion. The combat and climbing stay simple but readable. The lack of gameplay depth disappoints some. But the writing and visual beauty amply make up for it. For fans of narrative adventure and careful storytelling, this overlooked title keeps a lasting charm today.
