Xena: Warrior Princess

by Electronic Arts

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00002R28Q
• Media: Video Game
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,602 in Video Games (See Bestsellers in Video Games)

Product Description

GameSpot Review
Though the prerelease hype made it out to be a more action-oriented sort of Tomb Raider-style adventure game, Electronic Arts' Xena: Warrior Princess has much more in common with a 3D version of hack-and-slash titles like Golden Axe. Or, still more accurately, it's essentially like Eidos' Fighting Force with a sword.

Playing as the television series' title character, you must rescue your companion, Gabrielle, from a fate worse than death and fight the forces responsible for her capture in the first place. The game is played from a third-person perspective and revolves around slashing, jumping, and kicking your way through a series of 3D environments. Various button combinations produce special combo moves like those seen on the show, but since mashing the buttons alone appears to work well, you won't be inclined to learn the combinations. Xena can also use power-ups, which she'll find along the way, as well as her trademark chakram (that bladed Frisbee she's always chucking around). Once you throw the chakram, the perspective switches to that of the whirling circle, which you're able to aim, after a fashion. Once it hits something, it's propelled back. The downside to using it is that Xena is defenseless while the weapon is in the air, so you've got to use it wisely when you're under fire from archers perched up above or from multiple opponents on the ground. You use the chakram to flip switches, cut chains, and pick off opponents from a distance. These opponents sometimes become tougher targets because of the hostages they keep so near to them.

There are minor puzzle-solving and platform-jumping sections in Xena: Warrior Princess, but the game camera keeps both from being much fun. The camera has a mind of its own at times, swinging this way and that in some situations while taking too long to catch up to your character in others. On top of that, the controls that let you adjust the camera manually feel backward and the perspective shifts too slowly to be much use in tough situations. The camera system does some things right, though, like causing obstacles and even Xena herself to go translucent when they're in the way of the action. This is one of the few pluses concerning the game's graphics. The characters in X:WP all look very blocky, and the backgrounds are basic and sparse.

You'll fly easily through this title if you can find the motivation to attempt it, the hardest tasks being those set by working with the camera. There are a few points, such as battling the Cyclops on the beach, that break up the monotony of the hack-and-slash nature of the game, but they're exceptions, not the rule. Ultimately, X:WP feels as though its developers were focused so intently on making the title carry mass appeal that in the end, the result is a watered-down, thin, sorry state of a game barely deserving of a rental, let alone a purchase. Like Xena? Stick to the TV show and put this one out to pasture. --Joe Fielder
--Copyright ©1999 GameSpot Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of GameSpot is prohibited. GameSpot and the GameSpot logo are trademarks of GameSpot Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is fun!, January 11, 2001

By	S. Stiles "media hound" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

First of all, I am not a Xena fan, so I really don't care how accurately the game reflects the TV show. In this game, you are Xena, and you have to rescue her best friend. You have a sword and the ring thing, (that is really fun to throw at all of the enemies!) This is a combination puzzle and action/fighter game. I did not think that I would like this game, but I really am having fun. I love the scenery. I have explored all of the worlds/levels, and they are pretty entertaining. The graphics could be much better, but I think that the game play makes up for that. I don't take these games too seriously, so this makes a great stress reliever for me. Xena is no tomb raider, but if you are looking for some fun, this would definitely qualify.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Be the Warrior, December 2, 2002

By A Customer

This game is the sole reason I bought a Play Station. It was a blast and I really enjoyed playing it. Mastering all the unique Xena moves allows you to slaughter your foes with true warrior style. I was sad after I got through all the levels. I wish they would make another one with Gabrielle as a second player or just being in it more.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A sad day for Xenites, June 8, 2000

By A Customer

Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars Fun:2.0 out of 5 stars Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

I am a major Xena fan (ok, obsessive is more like it), so you can imagine my disappointment at this game. My main nit was with the voices. They sound NOTHING like the actors. Xena sounds like a freakin' Valley Girl--her voice is too high, and Gab sounds like she's been getting off on helium. And as for Ares...*shudder* Needless to say, it was bad. My second problem was with the graphics. One word--POINTY. With emphasis on the bust. Honestly, can't the companies come up with a decent game where the female protaganist doesn't look like Madonna on steroids? And they left out Callisto? What game is complete without the psychotic blonde? The game is only for completists (me). They should have taken a cue from Nintendo and allowed for multiple players, or at least different characters. I would LOVED to fight as Gabby with her little stick.

For a more complete review of this and other games, check out my site. If you DO want to play this--RENT FIRST. I made the enormous mistake of paying for it without testing it first. The one cool thing is the chakram testing ground, which would have been cooler if there was a practice fighting arena, with stunties coming at you, but you don't take damage. Whoops, sorry for the rant--I DO get into this show. :)