Ryse looks spectacular, as you'd expect from Crytek, and the basic combat is extremely satisfying - even if it doesn't evolve much over the game. Meanwhile, the Gladiator Mode gives the game longer appeal, but is poisoned by randomised, monetised, loot.

Well; it looks great; The combat basics are great; Excellent; well-acted story

Combat doesn't evolve; Cheap instakill moments; Elephants

At E3 2013 Microsoft featured Ryse: Son of Rome as a game that would show naysayers what the Xbox One was capable of; however, the general consensus was that the game had quite a ways to go before being a must have title.

As a fan of all videogames, I try to be objective in what does or doesn't make a videogame fun to play. If you have ever played a hack-n-slash or beat-em-up game, you are already prepared for what Ryse has to offer.

Ryse: Son of Rome brings with it enough visual pizzazz to impress anyone, though what you see is pretty much what you get.

Highly impressive graphics; Solid combat mechanic

Quick time based executions; Limited overall scale

Ryse has an entertaining story and sky-high production values. The gameplay that's there isn't bad – it just stops in its tracks before it gets anywhere near close to demanding. The multiplayer mode has some neat ideas, like a deadly, shifting Colosseum, but it's hamstrung by the same combat issues...

Amazing art and audio; Interesting story; Unique multiplayer

Limited combat; Repetitive boss battles

Ryse: Son of Rome is an interesting title for its developer, Crytek. Crytek has only made shooters until now, and pretty good ones at that (the first Far Cry, the Crysis series). Their CryEngine is aptly named, as it has broken the heart of many a PC gamer whose rig couldn't handle its stiff system...

○ Combat is fun; at least for awhile ○ Very nice to look at

Gameplay cannot hold its own; Multiplayer offers little of substance; Stunted campaign

Ryse certainly is a game that showcases the visual quality that the Xbox One can produce, as the graphics are stunning at times. Sadly the gameplay is not quite up to the same standard. The timed events can get repetitive in the beginning and you don't really feel as if you are in total control.

Launch titles are strange beasts, with their range and quality often determining the number of early adopters of a new console. At least on paper, Microsoft had the edge in the lead-up to the Xbox One versus PlayStation 4 showdown, with a greater range of exclusive titles on offer at lunch.

Ryse: Son of Rome is a bombastic action title filled with bloody battles, cinematic encounters, and gravely sounding centurions barking orders about glory and empire, but it's also very repetitive.

Ryse: Son of Rome has some great ideas, but bland gameplay holds it back from capitalising on uncharted waters. The combat and execution mechanics are serviceable, but not particularly engrossing, and the ranged and formation segments feel horribly clunky, as if you're not in control.

+ Stunning visuals; + Roman setting; + Gruesome executions

- Range weapons; - Very linear movement; - Gameplay is serviceable; but not challenging or involving