First look at Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora

[Eltu]

Looking quite promising! Definitely hoping that the immersion factor and magic of just being part of Pandora will be the largest emphasis over constant conflict, but will be very interested to see where this goes.

[Ja'k Dawsiin]

holy seeds of our beloved Hometree forest!

[Artemis]

Cinematic trailers are nice and all but it would have been better if they'd showcased the gameplay for Frontiers of Pandora instead.

I'll still keep an eye on how it all progresses though i'm not gonna get my hopes up.

[Eltu]

Originally Posted by Artemis

Cinematic trailers are nice and all but it would have been better if they'd showcased the gameplay for Frontiers of Pandora instead.

For me personally, I think that thinking in the dichotomy of "gameplay vs. everything that isn't gameplay" isn't really the most relevant way to approach an experience like this.

I appreciated that the trailer seemed to highlight the experience of simply being on Pandora, more so than constant combat or more gamified elements. Sure, the game itself might be different but at least the trailer evokes what is in my mind the right sensibilities.

This interview with James Cameron comes to mind: https://www.indiewire.com/2021/04/ja...rs-1234627393/

He speaks of the core appeals of the movie and how it has spoken to people, and eventually concludes with:

“There was a tertiary level as well, and we were all in unison about it, but there was a level that was dreamlike that you could not express in a sentence,” Cameron said. “It didn’t have any ‘-isms’ to it, it was a dreamlike sense of a yearning to be there, to be in that space, to be in a place that is safe and where you wanted to be. Whether that was flying, that sense of freedom and exhilaration, or whether it’s being in the forest where you can smell the earth. It was a sensory thing that communicated on such a deep level. That was the spirituality of the first film.”

If the game can emphasize this quality and understand this appeal, then I do believe it will be a fantastic experience. Being a Ubisoft-run game and also having a lot of pressure on it to go in a particular direction makes me a little cautious but we'll see!

But this is a great example of where a more "walking simulator"-like direction I think would be a fantastic thing. I don't need unique mechanics, a gripping storyline, progression and combat as a core focus, or a specific sort of gameplay loop. Sure those things nicely flesh out the experience but they feel like complementary aspects in favor of the greatest appeal - the ability to simply immerse yourself in the world, explore this fantastical place and feel like you are simply part of it, take in the sights and sounds.

That's all I ask for and if it can execute on that well I will be very happy.

[ahoragi]

Looking forward to this....badly. I still play Avatar the Game every now and then but I really need something fresh. Saw this on Google and got extremely excited because I just bought a gaming PC and a 65" 4k TV to replace the 3D Plasma used for Avatar. I originally wanted a PS5 but gave up on trying to get one at a decent price because humans be dumb like the RDA and ruined any chances of buying one any time soon. So apparently this is only available on Ubisoft Connect and not Steam?

[Ja'k Dawsiin]

i really want to play this game now, after watching the video a few times!

[ahoragi]

Originally Posted by Ja'k Dawsiin

i really want to play this game now, after watching the video a few times!

Hell Yeah! I will be playing Avatar the Game 2nite just to reduce the cravings for this epicness of a game.

[Wind12]

2022 is going to be a dark year for my wallet, that game seems incredible, almost time to... go home!

[iron_jones]

This looks so promising.

[Ja'k Dawsiin]

i like to think the wreckage of old Hometree, has sprouted an entirely new eco-system with numerous small trees which will one day be very large, and an an entire complex of trees guarding the mineral treasures below, so necessary to the functions of the planet. i refuse to use the unobtanuim word anymore, since it should never have been removed from the ground in the first place.

[Wameyn]

I am curious, what will you all be playing this game on? I hope several of us can get together and play it here in the next year. I currently have an Xbox, but I'm open to getting a PS next year if need be.

[Wind12]

I will be getting a PS5 for it, since I can use it for the game and other family members can use the console as well. My poor wallet is going to need counseling this coming year hrh.

[Wameyn]

Originally Posted by Wind12

I will be getting a PS5 for it, since I can use it for the game and other family members can use the console as well. My poor wallet is going to need counseling this coming year hrh.

Isn't that the truth! Everything is creeping up in price right now, and with all this Avatar goodness...it's going to be a fun and expensive year. I hope the new consoles become easier to get. I will have to get a PS so we can play Wind...just like with the first game all those years ago.

[Ja'k Dawsiin]

i am still as big an Avatar fan today, as i was in December 2009/January 2010. bring on the sequels!