The survival genre has become oversaturated in recent years, but Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey brings a new meaning to living in the wild and utilizing your resources. Coming from the creator of Assassin’s Creed, Patrice Désilets’ new studio Panache Digital will deliver its first title that was announced back in 2015. The time has come to check out what we know about one of the most ambitious games of the year.
Story and Setting
Taking place 10 million years ago and spanning 8 million, you will explore Neogene Africa and try to live off of the land. As time progresses, you will evolve along with new abilities. It is an adventure of surviving and through the history of our planet.
The story is crafted from your choices and what you want to do in the world. An ending can mean many things, whether you are doing a speed run or trying to gain something that you did not do in your first playthrough.
Gameplay
All of the basics from needing food and water to crafting supplies like shelter or weapons will be the foundation of this experience. The big twist is you need to learn how to do all of this. You start off as a dumb ape that grows and learns how to make a fire or create tools.
You have a whole clan of apes, so to not risk death you can switch between characters. As you communicate and interact with other apes, this group will grow.
This will be a difficult task to live as breaking bones, eating unknown food, or predators can lead to your demise. Death awaits everywhere, and as you move through, new abilities will help ensure that you thrive in such a dangerous environment.
Désilets is the mastermind behind Assassin’s Creed, so you bet the open-world elements with its exploration will be reminiscent. This is most apparent as you can climb around your environment to get around Africa.
Unlocking new areas like the savannah will have many unique properties to it that need adjusting. Progressing will evolve not only your ape into something more human, but it will also change the world around you. Once this becomes available, you can start a new campaign in this biome.
Dangerous areas can cause panic for your ape. To avoid the hazy visuals and potential death, you must retreat into the light.
Three game modes will be available. The first called First Time Experience will give basic tasks as the primary way to play. Once you progress, you unlock Survival and Custom. Survival drops you anywhere, and you must survive alone while Custom gives freedom to go wherever you have discovered with as many clan members as you desire.
The Future
The developers hope to have a future for Ancestors. Future volumes will add to the history of humankind for more replayability. The scope for millions of years would be unrealistic, so potentially making more games or expansions can happen.
Release Date
Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey comes out Aug. 27 for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. The game will have a $39.99 price tag.
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Image via Panache Digital
Tristan Zelden 