Every Christmas has its avatar. After enchanting cinemas last winter, James Cameron’s franchise is coming to living rooms for an exciting new adventure.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora has been in the works since 2017 and is now finally available for PC, PS5 consoles and Xbox Series X|S. The game, developed by Swedish studio Massive Entertainment (the Division, that is) on behalf of Ubisoft, is expected to be the last very major video game release of 2023. Here’s what to expect before diving into Pandora (again).
1 Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora expands the Avatar universe
With two films already available (and three more in the works) and an extensive literature expanding its universe, fans of the iconic franchise will be delighted to be able to play as a Na’Vi for the very first time.
©Ubisoft
The game is set between the two films and creates narrative connections to the events and characters of the films. As you play, fans will be able to recognize iconic characters and explore deeper aspects of the planet Pandora and its Na’Vi culture. This approach allows the game to expand and deepen the universe created by James Cameron, offering a new perspective and complementary stories to existing films.
2 An adventure to live in collaboration
This is obvious to anyone who has followed the communication of the Ubisoft game and is interested in its gameplay: Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora can be considered a copy of Far Cry in the universe imagined by James Cameron.
We find an open-world gameplay structured around exploration, liberating bases and completing quests, advancing the scenario of a Na’Vi tribe oppressed by the forces of the RDA on the famous planet, which gives gambling its title.
But like the latest Far Cry, the entire adventure can also be carried out with two players (online only) thanks to the cooperative mode. The opportunity to hunt as a couple and experience the wonder of exploring Pandora for the first time together.
3 A game that pushes visual boundaries
Last but not least: Ubi Massive’s game is already one of the biggest artistic slaps in the face of a year, which nevertheless spoiled us in this respect.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora uses the Snowdrop engine, proven in both The Division games, and features lush environments with flora full of detail. This exotic adventure offers you numerous panoramas that you can discover on foot, but also on the back of an Equidius or from the air thanks to your trusty Ikran.
©Ubisoft