Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora – A New Chapter in the Avatar Mythos
The highly anticipated Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is set to be the next canonical chapter in the Avatar mythos. Taking place during the one-year gap in the film Avatar: The Way of Water, the game explores a new area called the Western Frontier on the other side of the planet Pandora. Players will control a Na’vi character who was raised and trained by the Resources Development Administration (RDA) but finds themselves joining the fight against the corporation. Along the way, they will reconnect with Eywa, the planet’s spiritual entity, and learn what it truly means to be a Na’vi by engaging with the game’s three new clans.
In a recent preview event, I had the opportunity to play four early story missions, providing a glimpse into the world, combat, and exploration mechanics of Pandora. Here’s a breakdown of what I experienced during my time on the planet.
Combat and Stealth
My demo started in the Kinglor Forest, a rainforest-like area inhabited by the Aranahe clan, known for their expertise in artistry and weaving. The Aranahe’s silk production, which relies on moth-like creatures called Kinglor, has been disrupted by the RDA. As the protagonist, my mission was to restore the balance between the clan and the corporation.
The combat in Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora feels familiar to modern shooters, as the game is played in a first-person perspective. The protagonist is equipped with both Na’vi and human weaponry. Na’vi weapons, such as various bows with different arrow types, excel at stealth and offer a range of options. The Staff Sling, resembling a lacrosse stick, is a unique weapon that can be used to launch explosives.
The RDA weapons I used included an assault rifle, shotgun, and stun grenades. While these weapons are more powerful, they are also louder, making stealth more challenging. Na’vi weapons can be crafted by collecting plants in the environment, ensuring a steady supply of ammo. RDA weapons, on the other hand, require finding ammo at outposts or from fallen enemies.
In one mission, I had to shut down a large RDA outpost, a task that required careful planning and execution. Sneaking around as a 10-foot-tall Na’vi presented a unique challenge, as human-sized barriers didn’t provide adequate cover. Engaging enemies using stealth felt satisfying, especially when dispatching them with well-placed arrows or melee attacks. The outpost was heavily guarded, with walking mech suits called AMPs providing a formidable adversary. These AMPs could be temporarily disabled using a hacking device called the Systems Interrogation Device (SID), creating a window of vulnerability.
The combat sequences were intense, with the entire outpost on high alert if I was detected. The presence of aerial reinforcements, such as RDA Wyverns, added an extra layer of challenge. The game maintained a sense of realism by keeping the RDA alerted to my presence, even after evading their gaze for a considerable amount of time.
Platforming and Flight
Due to the Na’vi’s agility, platforming in Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is reminiscent of parkour. During a mission in the rookery, I had to scale suspended islands to tame my flying mount, the ikran. Sprinting across massive vines, climbing platforms, and grabbing objects while in motion created a fluid flow of movement. The level design was well-crafted, with climbing points blending seamlessly into the environment.
Once I reached the top of the rookery and earned the ikran’s trust, it became my permanent flying mount. Flying on the ikran was a thrilling experience, with the ability to boost flight speed at the cost of the mount’s energy. Tricks like barrel rolls added excitement to aerial combat encounters, which involved engaging RDA Wyverns with bow and gun attacks. One standout moment was diving off the ikran mid-air, performing a free fall, and using the Staff Sling to launch bombs at ground targets before commanding the ikran to catch me.
The ikran also served as a distraction in combat situations, drawing enemy fire and allowing me to slip by unnoticed. As the bond with the ikran grew stronger throughout the game, I was able to use it to travel to other regions of Pandora.
Exploration, Hunting, Crafting, and Cooking
Exploring the vast and vibrant Kinglor Forest was a highlight of the game. The developers took a less-is-more approach to open-world design, highlighting only key locations and encouraging players to explore using their surroundings rather than relying on icons. The dynamic interactions with the alien plant life added to the immersion, with different plants offering playful, beneficial, or dangerous interactions.
I engaged in hunting and gathering, harvesting plants for crafting and cooking materials. The harvesting and hunting mechanics were more intricate than expected, with factors such as time of day and weather affecting the quality of the yield. Hunting involved targeting animals’ weak points for more efficient kills and better-quality meat and hides. Crafting and cooking systems allowed for the creation of various dishes, some of which provided temporary buffs.
Throughout the game, I had the opportunity to donate requested goods to communal baskets in various villages, a recurring sidequest. Each donation filled a portion of a spiral meter, although the full impact of completing these requests remains unknown.
As I progressed, I earned skill points to invest in five skill trees: Survivor, Warrior, Hunter, Rider, and Maker. Each tree offered unique abilities and improvements, ranging from stamina and inventory upgrades to combat proficiency, tracking skills, and crafting expertise.
Overall, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora delivered an enjoyable experience that captured the essence of the Avatar IP. The game combined familiar open-world mechanics with refreshing design choices, such as a less cluttered map and an emphasis on exploration through visual cues rather than icons. The combat felt satisfying, especially when utilizing stealth and the unique Na’vi weaponry. The platforming and flight mechanics provided exhilarating moments, while the hunting, crafting, and cooking systems added depth to the gameplay experience.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is set to release on December 7 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. With its immersive world and engaging gameplay mechanics, it promises to be a must-play for fans of the Avatar franchise.