This Overlooked Xbox One Launch Game Deserved Better and Remains Great Today

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Games released with a new console have a lot riding on them. They need to convince people to buy the system, demonstrate its visual capabilities, highlight new features, and please the first players who try it. If they’re a hit, they become iconic and closely associated with the console itself. But if they disappoint, or even receive just lukewarm reviews, they often face harsh criticism and are quickly forgotten. Unfortunately, that initial negative impression can be lasting, even if it isn’t entirely accurate. Many gamers never give these launch titles a second chance to see if they’ve aged well or deserve a reevaluation.

I’ve revisited many games released with the Xbox One, and while I often feel the same way I did initially, Ryse: Son of Rome consistently stands out as much better than it was originally perceived. Despite having strong combat, a beautiful presentation, and a captivating atmosphere, Ryse suffered from the negative reception surrounding the Xbox One’s launch and never really got a fair second look. It deserved another chance, and it still holds up incredibly well today.

Ryse: Son of Rome Was a Rare and Ambitious Game

Released in 2013 with the Xbox One, Ryse: Son of Rome is an action game that presents a dramatic take on the Roman Empire. Created by Crytek using their CryEngine, the game quickly gained attention for its stunning graphics and technical achievements. At the time, it boasted some of the most detailed character models, realistic armor, lifelike facial expressions, and impressive lighting ever seen on home consoles.

The game’s combat revolved around close-up fighting that emphasized well-timed attacks, blocking, and performing combos. Some players found the fighting system a bit repetitive, but others appreciated how challenging it became on harder levels, demanding careful timing and strategy. How well you played directly impacted your score and the rewards you received, making it more than just randomly pressing buttons. When played correctly, it wasn’t a mindless button-mashing experience, but a real test of skill.

Compared to other games available when the Xbox One launched, this title really distinguished itself through its atmosphere and how it was presented. Very few launch games tried to create such a large-scale, cinematic historical experience. It captured a similar feeling to what players now enjoy in Red Dead Redemption 2, aiming to transport them to a bygone era. The game’s story focused on impressive visuals, realistic character movements, and dramatic scenes. At a time when most launch titles were shooters or racing games, a Roman war story was a daring and innovative choice – and one that had the potential to be a hit.

Ryse Should Have Led a New Age of Xbox

One of the difficulties facing Ryse: Son of Rome was simply bad timing. The Xbox One had a rocky start, with confusing messages and policies – and everyone remembers the requirement to always be online. Discussions about the console’s limitations and price tag overshadowed everything, and that influenced how new games like Ryse were received. Instead of being judged on their own merits, launch titles were viewed through the lens of the console’s overall problems.

Many critics used Ryse: Son of Rome as an example of a game prioritizing looks over substance in the early days of the Xbox One. However, this perception didn’t fully acknowledge the game’s achievements. Ryse was one of the most visually impressive games released that year and demonstrated the potential of cinematic action games to highlight the power of new gaming consoles.

Over time, action games have increasingly adopted a more cinematic approach to design. Many newer titles prioritize impressive visuals, realistic character movements, and carefully choreographed battles, with God of War being a prime example. Considering this trend, Ryse: Son of Rome doesn’t seem so unusual anymore; instead, it appears as a pioneering game that foreshadowed a popular direction for the industry, which was later proven successful.

Xbox Needs to Revisit the Series Today

Even today, this game is better than many people recall. Its visuals and animation still look great on modern TVs and gaming consoles. The combat is satisfyingly strategic, impactful, and easy to follow. The story campaign is still worth playing through, and thankfully isn’t padded with unnecessary content. If you’re looking for hidden gems on Xbox One or underrated action games, this one is essential.

Xbox is bringing back some of its popular franchises, with new games and fresh attention being given to series like Fable, Halo, and Gears of War. Because of this, it’s a good time to remember other great, standalone games Xbox has offered in the past. Revivals don’t always need to be huge, open-world adventures or remakes of old favorites. A shorter, action-packed sequel could be a welcome addition to their game selection.

As a big fan, I’d absolutely love to see a new game building on what the original did. It really felt like it had potential, and I think with some updated combat, more diverse enemies, and keeping that realistic historical feel, it could be amazing. The core idea is solid – the first game proved that! It just didn’t quite catch on at the time, and maybe people were expecting something different. Honestly, I’m craving more games set in the Roman Empire, and it’s great to see titles like Anno 117: Pax Romana exploring that world from a different angle.

Games sometimes fail due to technical issues, but others fail because of timing and circumstances. Ryse: Son of Rome falls into the latter category. It was a visually impressive and well-made game with big ideas, but it launched alongside a new console that had a rough start. Even now, over a decade later, it remains enjoyable and feels like it could have been the beginning of a great series.

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2026-02-09 01:11