Asterix & Obelix XXL

Last updated

Asterix & Obelix XXL
A and O XXL.jpg
European GameCube cover art
Developer(s) Étranges Libellules
Velez & Dubail (GBA)
OSome Studio (Remaster)
Publisher(s) Atari Europe
Microids (Remaster)
Director(s) Jean-Marie Nazaret
Designer(s) Jean-Marie Nazaret
Vincent Achille
Marc Dutriez
Vincent Ravier
David Silvy
Programmer(s) François Jean
Guillaume Blanc
Artist(s) Jean-Christophe Blanc
Frédérique Blanc
Writer(s) Jean-Marie Nazaret
Composer(s) Fabrice Bouillon-LaForest
Valentin Lafort (Remaster)
Engine RenderWare
OEngine (Remaster)
Platform(s) PlayStation 2, GameCube, Microsoft Windows, Game Boy Advance, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, macOS, PlayStation 5
ReleasePlayStation 2
  • EU: 21 November 2003
  • NA: 14 September 2004
Gamecube, Windows, GBA
  • EU: 18 June 2004
PS4, Xbox One, Switch
macOS
  • WW: 17 July 2022
PlayStation 5
  • WW: 1 December 2022
Genre(s) Action-adventure
Mode(s) Single-player

Asterix & Obelix XXL is an action-adventure video game first released in 2003. [3] It is based on the French comic book series Asterix about the Gaulish warrior Asterix in the year 50 BC, as he and his best friend Obelix battle the Romans. It was released in the United States (for PlayStation 2 only) with the title Asterix & Obelix: Kick Buttix.

Contents

A sequel was released the following year, Asterix & Obelix XXL 2: Mission Las Vegum .

Plot

One ordinary day in the village, Asterix, Obelix, and Dogmatix leave for the forest to hunt for wild boars. As they are walking, a storm begins to brew, and a nearby tree is struck by lightning. Dogmatix is frightened and runs away. While they are searching for him, Asterix and Obelix see flames in the distance. Asterix hurries off to investigate, while Obelix remains and searches for Dogmatix. Upon arriving at the scene, Asterix meets a Roman secret agent, formerly in Caesar's service. He feels scorned for having been sacked by Caesar and agrees to help Asterix and Obelix foil the Romans' plans. Asterix enters the village to find it ablaze and full of Romans. He quickly defeats them and makes his way through the Gaulish countryside to a hilltop by the sea. There, he meets up with Obelix, who tells him that Dogmatix is still nowhere to be found. They learn from the Roman agent that their fellow villagers have been kidnapped by the Romans. Asterix and Obelix then follow him to a dock, where he points out two barges far off in the distance, and mentions that their friends are probably being held prisoner aboard them. Farther up the path, the secret agent finds Dogmatix, and Obelix's beloved pet joins the duo in their Roman-bashing antics. Asterix and Obelix then fight off many more Roman soldiers, plowing through a country road. After finally defeating all of the warriors, the two discover a padlocked wagon at the end of the road. Obelix breaks open the door, and the village druid, Getafix, clambers out. He explains to them that while he was locked up, he overheard Caesar's plans to send the Gaulish villagers to different parts of the Roman Empire. Their locations were etched into a white marble map, which Caesar smashed after showing to his soldiers. Thus, Getafix returns to the village, and Asterix, Obelix, and Dogmatix set off to the first location to free their fellow villagers from the clutches of the Romans. [3] [4]

Gameplay

Gameplay involves the rescuing of various villagers while solving large puzzles and defeating the Roman masses. The player automatically switches between Asterix and Obelix depending on the situation. The two characters have slight differences, such as in speed or strength. The only significant difference is Obelix's ability to smash iron crates without magic potion and his ability to push and pull larger platforms than can Asterix. Many puzzles involve the use of a special reusable torch that only Asterix may carry, and a sliding platform guided by a rope, both of which occur in every province of the Roman Empire.

The player may redeem helmets collected from defeated Romans. These helmets can be used to purchase power-ups, such as extra health and new attack combinations from a traveling merchant in each province. There are two types of helmet: ordinary grunts' helmets (worth 1 helmet) and gold centurions' helmets (worth 10 helmets). The latter are usually acquired from iron crates or dropped by high-ranking enemies, such as commanders and gladiators. The player can also pick up gourds of magic potion, which are found regularly. These can only be consumed by Asterix, and are used immediately when collected. After consuming the potion, the player becomes much more powerful for an extremely limited time. The potion allows Asterix to defeat Romans in a single hit and to run much faster. In addition, they allow a player to perform a triple jump and smash iron crates. If Asterix consumes another potion while already under the effect of a previous one, he will generate a huge shockwave that causes all nearby enemies to drop their weapons.

Combat is performed by bashing the Romans with bare hands. The ordinary grunts are the easiest to defeat, with many more powerful classes of enemies. After being bashed, certain enemies will remain dazed for a few moments, at which point some of them can be picked up and swung around the head like a lasso, damaging all other enemies in the vicinity and breaking nearby crates. Dogmatix can also be dispatched during battle. He will bite the enemy soldiers, causing them to drop their weapons and rendering them easily vulnerable to attack.

In each province, the heroes will encounter the Roman agent, who will provide them with helpful information on operating machinery and bring them up to date on the Romans' latest plans. At the end of each province (with the exception of Gaul), there is a boss fight. The bosses are invariably large machines of war, operated by several Romans. After the machines are destroyed, the captive villagers are set free, and they provide Asterix and Obelix with another section of the marble map, allowing them to continue on and rescue the other villagers. Each province (with the exception of Gaul) contain unique enemies native to that area. Players are able to revisit any previous areas in order to collect more helmets, or to find more Golden Laurels.

Throughout the game, players may find Golden laurel wreaths, accessible under different conditions; some are as simple as picking them up, while others are obtained by complex puzzles or fulfilling various conditions. The laurel wreaths when collected permit the player to unlock hidden bonuses, such as new attire, purely for cosmetic effect.

Transport in the game is fulfilled by a manner of catapulting. At different points in an area, the player may find a catapult, which when used will send the player to the next location nearby instantaneously.

Remaster

On 28 July 2020, Microids announced a remastered version dubbed Asterix & Obelix XXL Romastered set for release on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Microsoft Windows on 22 October 2020. [1] [2] It was later released for macOS and PlayStation 5 in 2022. The remaster features upgraded visuals, reworked gameplay animations, new game modes, a new camera and new soundtrack. An option to switch to the original visuals and soundtrack is also included.

Reception

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Obelix</span> Cartoon character in the French comic book series Asterix

Obelix is a cartoon character in the French comic book series Asterix. He works as a menhir sculptor and deliveryman, and is Asterix's best friend. Obelix is noted for his obesity, the menhirs he carries around on his back and his superhuman strength. He fell into a cauldron of the Gauls' magic potion when he was a baby, causing him to be the only Gaul in Asterix's village who is in a permanent state of superhuman strength. Because of this already enormous strength, Obelix is not allowed to drink the magic potion ever again, a ban he regards as being tremendously unfair. Other characteristics are his simplemindedness, his love and care for his dog Dogmatix, his anger when someone refers to him as being "fat", his enthusiasm for hunting and eating wild boars, and beating up Romans. His catchphrase is: "Ils sont fous ces romains", which translates into "These Romans are crazy!", although he considers nearly every other nationality, even other Gauls, to be just as strange.

<i>Asterix the Gaul</i> 1st comic book in the Asterix series

Asterix the Gaul is the first volume of the Asterix comic strip series, by René Goscinny (stories) and Albert Uderzo (illustrations). In Le Monde's 100 Books of the Century, a 1999 poll conducted by the French retailer Fnac and the Paris newspaper Le Monde, Asterix the Gaul was listed as the 23rd greatest book of the 20th century.

<i>Asterix Versus Caesar</i> 1985 film

Asterix Versus Caesar is a 1985 French–Belgian animated adventure comedy film written by René Goscinny, Albert Uderzo and Pierre Tchernia, and directed by Paul and Gaëtan Brizzi, and is the fourth film adaptation of the Asterix comic book series. The story, which combines the plots of Asterix the Gladiator and Asterix the Legionary, sees Asterix and his friend Obelix set off to rescue two lovers from their village that had been kidnapped by the Romans. The film's theme song, Astérix est là, was composed and performed by Plastic Bertrand.

<i>Asterix and the Goths</i>

Asterix and the Goths is the third volume of the Asterix comic book series, by René Goscinny (stories) and Albert Uderzo (illustrations). It was first published in 1963 in French and translated into English in 1974.

<i>Asterix and the Chieftains Shield</i>

Asterix and the Chieftain's Shield is the eleventh volume in the Asterix comic book series, written by René Goscinny and drawn by Albert Uderzo. It was originally published as a serial in Pilote issues 399–421 in 1967.

<i>Asterix and the Black Gold</i>

Asterix and the Black Gold is the twenty-sixth volume of Asterix comic book series, originally published in 1981. It is the second book to be both written and drawn by Albert Uderzo.

<i>Asterix and Cleopatra</i> Sixth book in the Asterix comic book series

Asterix and Cleopatra is the sixth book in the Asterix album series by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. It was first published in serial form in Pilote magazine, issues 215–257, in 1963.

<i>Obelix and Co.</i> 23rd comic book in the Asterix series

Obelix and Co. is the twenty-third volume of the Asterix comic book series, by René Goscinny (stories) and Albert Uderzo (illustrations). The book's main focus is on the attempts by the Gaul-occupying Romans to corrupt the one remaining village that still holds out against them by instilling capitalism. It is also the penultimate volume written by Goscinny before his death in 1977; his final volume, Asterix in Belgium, was released after his death in 1979.

<i>Asterix and Caesars Gift</i>

Asterix and Caesar's Gift is the twenty-first volume of the Asterix comic book series, by René Goscinny (stories) and Albert Uderzo (illustrations). It was the first Asterix adventure that was not published in serial form in Pilote magazine prior to its publication as a book.

<i>Asterix and the Soothsayer</i>

Asterix and the Soothsayer is the nineteenth volume of the Asterix comic book series, by René Goscinny (stories) and Albert Uderzo (illustrations). It was originally serialized in Pilote issues 652-673 in 1972.

<i>Asterix and the Roman Agent</i>

Asterix and the Roman Agent is the fifteenth volume of the Asterix comic book series, by René Goscinny (stories) and Albert Uderzo (illustrations). It first appeared as a serial in Pilote magazine issues 531–552 in 1970 and was translated into English in 1972.

<i>Asterix and Obelix All at Sea</i>

Asterix and Obelix All at Sea is the thirtieth volume of the Asterix comic book series, by Albert Uderzo. The album was dedicated to Uderzo's grandchild, as well as to the American actor Kirk Douglas.

<i>Asterix and the Actress</i>

Asterix and the Actress is the 31st volume of the Asterix comic book series, written and illustrated by Albert Uderzo.

Asterix and the Big Fight is a 1989 French animated film directed by Philippe Grimond and produced by Yannick Piel. It is the first film based on the Asterix comic series to be produced outside France being a co-production between France and Germany. Despite sharing the same title as Asterix and the Big Fight, the film shares only minor plot elements with that story, and is primarily an adaptation of Asterix and the Soothsayer. In the film, Getafix is accidentally made insane and amnesic by Obelix, forcing Asterix to try to cure him as his village is deceived by a fraudulent soothsayer that works for the Romans.

<i>Asterix Conquers America</i> 1994 film

Asterix Conquers America is a 1994 German animated film, directed by Gerhard Hahn, and co-produced by Hahn and Jürgen Wohlrabe. The film is a loose adaptation of the Asterix graphic novel, Asterix and the Great Crossing, and the second film adaptation to be produced outside France. It is also the first Asterix movie to be made in English. The plot focuses on Asterix and Obelix seeking to rescue Getafix, who is transported to North America by the Romans, before their village runs out of magic potion to defend themselves.

<i>Asterix in Britain</i> (film) 1986 film by Pino Van Lamsweerde

Asterix in Britain is a French animated film, written by Pierre Tchernia, produced by Dargaud Films and Les Productions René Goscinny, and released in December 1986. The film is the fifth adaptation of a story from the Asterix comic series, and is based upon the plot from the graphic novel of the same name by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. The film's plot focuses on Asterix and Obelix transporting a barrel of Magic Potion to a rebel village of Britons, as they attempt to hold out against the Romans. The original French release starred Roger Carel and Pierre Tornade in the lead roles, while the English release starred Jack Beaber and Billy Kearns.

<i>Asterix and Obelix vs. Caesar</i> 1999 film

Asterix and Obelix vs. Caesar is a 1999 French-Italian-German comedy fantasy adventure film directed by Claude Zidi, the first installment in the Asterix film series based on Goscinny and Uderzo's Astérix comics. The film combines plots of several Astérix stories, mostly Asterix the Gaul, Asterix and the Soothsayer, Asterix and the Goths, Asterix the Legionary and Asterix the Gladiator but jokes and references from many other albums abound, including a humorous exchange between Caesar and Brutus taken from Asterix and Cleopatra, and the villain Lucius Detritus is based on Tullius Detritus, the main antagonist of Asterix and the Roman Agent.

<i>Asterix: The Mansions of the Gods</i> 2014 French animated film

Asterix: The Mansions of the Gods, also titled Asterix and Obelix: Mansion of the Gods, is a 2014 French 3D computer-animated adventure family comedy film directed by Louis Clichy with a story written and co-directed by Alexandre Astier. It is based on the Asterix comic book The Mansions of the Gods, which was the seventeenth book in the comic book series Asterix by Goscinny and Uderzo. The film features the voices of Roger Carel, Guillaume Briat, Lionnel Astier, Serge Papagalli, and Florence Foresti. The film was Carel's last film before his retirement and later death. It was the first Asterix film animated in 3D.

<i>Asterix and the Griffin</i> 39th comic book in the Asterix series

Asterix and the Griffin is the 39th book in the Asterix series, and the fifth to be written by Jean-Yves Ferri and illustrated by Didier Conrad. The book was released worldwide in more than 20 languages on 21 October 2021 with an initial print run of over 5 million copies. It is the first Asterix book to be released since the death of the series' co-creator Albert Uderzo, and the last to be penned by Ferri before his replacement with Fabrice Caro the following year.

References

  1. 1 2 "Microids unveils its Q4 2020 line-up!". Microids . 28 July 2020.
  2. 1 2 Moyse, Chris (29 July 2020). "Asterix & Obelix Romastered announced for PC and consoles". Destructoid . Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  3. 1 2 Asterix & Obelix XXL (GCN) at http://cube.gamespy.com . Retrieved 26 June 2008.
  4. Asterix & Obelix XXL at "IGN GameCube: Games, Cheats, News, Reviews, and Previews". Archived from the original on 16 September 2008. Retrieved 26 June 2008. . Retrieved 26 June 2008.
  5. "Asterix & Obelix Kick Buttix for PS2 Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  6. Kautz, Paul (9 August 2004). "Test: Asterix & Obelix XXL". 4Players . Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  7. Palley, Stephen (7 October 2004). "Asterix & Obelix: Kick Buttix Review". GameSpot . Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  8. Lewis, Ed (9 September 2004). "Asterix & Obelix: Kick Buttix". IGN . Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  9. "Test: Asterix & Obelix XXL". Jeuxvideo.com . 17 June 2004. Retrieved 15 November 2019.