As it celebrates its sixtieth anniversary in 2019, Asterix has lost none of its popularity. In December 2018, the Gallic hero returned to cinemas for the release of a new feature film, The Secret of the Magic Potion, directed by Alexandre Astier and Louis Clichy, while a new album, La Fille de Vercingétorix, was published in October 2019. At the same time, Microïds released a remastered version of Asterix & Obelix XXL2 Mission Las Vegum: the latter was then an appetizer before the arrival of a third part now available on current media. But is the result really worthy of such a comic book figure?
First of all, it should be noted that Asterix & Obelix XXL 3 is neither the adaptation of the new film nor of the latest album. This is an unpublished story written especially for the game: one day, Getafix receives a letter from his colleague and friend Hella Finidrir. The high priestess of Thule is indeed threatened by the forces of Julius Caesar and asks the druid to bring the Snaefellhelgajökull, alias the crystal menhir, out of its hiding place. Only, as it is, this mysterious stone is of no use. This is why Asterix, accompanied by Obelix and Dogmatix, must go to the four corners of the Roman Empire in search of the three crystals supposed to reveal all the power of the menhir. If the story can sometimes seem far-fetched, it is above all a good excuse to visit varied environments, from verdant Armorica to hot Phenicia, passing through the frozen plains of Thule. It is above all an opportunity to introduce the new powers conferred by the crystal menhir on Obelix, the official bearer of the artefact, as the protagonists gather the elementary stones.
ROLLING STONE...
These ice, fire and magnetic stones thus allow the characters to solve more and more puzzles and overcome the obstacles that stand in their way. However, the game is aimed at a very family audience, the tests are generally very affordable. It is enough, for example, to use the power of fire to illuminate a dark area or to burn the vegetation which obstructs the road. Unfortunately, it's a few design issues that make some things more complicated than they should be. It would seem that the tutorials are incomplete or that certain information appears only too briefly, so that we miss important details, such as the key to switch from one character to another when we plays alone, in particular. In addition, the now fixed angle of view (impossible to manipulate the camera) is not always very practical, since decorative elements regularly clutter the field of vision. Thus, during combat, enemies or one of its own characters may be difficult to distinguish despite the display of silhouettes in transparency. This is all the more annoying during the biggest confrontations, at the end of the level, when the soldiers arrive from all sides and in large numbers, supported by archers who spray the player, even when they are outside the screen and touch a little too easily because of rather hazardous collisions. Knowing that a Game Over systematically returns to the very beginning of a mission, certain passages can quickly be irritating.
A NOT SO MAGIC POTION
These few pitfalls then spoil a formula which nevertheless started off on a fairly good basis. If, like the level of the puzzles, the combat system seems simplistic in absolute terms, it still offers some elements capable of satisfying the target audience. Because, in addition to the simple slaps that we send by hammering the attack button, Asterix and Obelix have four special moves: the uppercut, the Roman throw which allows you to clean up around yourself, a super charge to dash through a group of enemies and spin attack. Added to this is a special ability specific to each: Asterix can drink a sip of magic potion to temporarily increase his power and speed while Obelix can call Dogmatix to bite opponents. The realization also leaves a mixed impression. The varied and colorful decors are not lacking in charm, but the distant view prevents you from really enjoying them. But it is especially the few jerks (fortunately far from being penalizing in the heart of the action) that make up for the low level of detail displayed. Whatever happens, it is always possible to take part in the adventure for two in cooperation, each player having control of one of the protagonists. Everyone can thus play their role and, under these conditions, the tedious passages are already much less frustrating. Shared with his children or little sisters and little brothers, this Asterix & Obelix XXL 3 can thus be unwinding from time to time. On the other hand, the interest is less obvious when playing solo, unless you are an absolute fan of the license and a very tolerant action lover.
