“Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora™” is a PC game developed by Massive Entertainment and published by Ubisoft that has been officially distributed on Steam since June 18, 2024. It is an action-adventure game where you can enjoy adventures and battles in the world of the popular science fiction movie “Avatar”.
Features include the planet Pandora and its characters, which are recreated with deep 3D graphics comparable to those in the movie, a system where you can act as an alien Navi with physical abilities higher than humans, and a CO-OP system that allows up to two players to play online together in addition to solo play.
This new work is recommended for fans of James Cameron's blockbuster sci-fi movie “Avatar'' series, for those who like playing AAA-class action games that major companies have spent generous amounts of money on, for those looking for a game they can play co-op with friends, and for those looking for a PC game with heavy-duty graphics.
- Steam version released
- overwhelming graphics
- 2 people co-op possible
Finally available on Steam
“Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora™”, which is currently being officially distributed on the PC game portal site “Steam”, is a recommended new work that has been ported from a hit work with the worldview of the classic science fiction movie series so that it can also be played via Steam. This is a must-see title for fans who can play in the world created by director James Cameron.
This work was first released in December 2023, and in addition to the PC version, it was also released for the next generation consoles PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. In Japan, the PS5 version sold 8,363 copies in the first week, with a cumulative total of over 1.9 million players across all platforms and estimated sales of $133 million (according to Insider Gaming). It was a huge hit.
“Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora™” is a highly acclaimed work around the world, and has received high scores across the board on review sites. Although this is not the first game to feature the movie “Avatar,'' there is no doubt that its overwhelming graphics have captivated many players to this day.
The latest title has finally been released on the Steam store, and since we have postponed writing an article about it on this site when it first appeared in 2023, we will be featuring it here. First of all, let me say that the Steam version and the works already distributed for other platforms are completely the same content, and there is no special content installed.
At the time of writing, there are 48 user reviews on the Steam store, with the overall rating being “slightly positive.” Among the negative opinions, there are some who argue that this work has the exact same structure as the Far Cry series, and some who make ironic comments about the delicate relationship between Steam and Ubisoft, but we'll look at this later.
The player acts as the main character Na'vi who descends on the planet Pandora familiar from the movie “Avatar'', regaining the lost “connection with tradition'', discovering the true meaning of being a Na'vi, and collaborating with other Na'vi tribes to throw themselves into the battle to protect the beautiful Pandora. An original story will unfold.
In addition to solo play, the game also supports online co-op with up to two players, and this cooperative play element is compatible with all “story campaign” modes. This is a new game that can be recommended for people who have PC gamer friends who can easily find time to play together, and allows you to play while experiencing the beauty of the planet Pandora, where the magnificent scenery unfolds.
However, although I will discuss the details later, this work has achieved the highest level of game graphics, so the required specs for the PC are high. Also, due to the large installation size, it is not recommended at all for people with low-end gaming PCs. This is a title created for PC gamers with a certain amount of horsepower.
About the original science fiction movie “Avatar”
Before I explain the general outline and worldview of the game, I would like to touch on the original “Avatar'' movie series, which was a huge hit by director James Cameron. More than 90% of the people who play this game should have seen this movie, but since we can't rule out the possibility that there are some people who haven't, I'll just write a quick synopsis in the form of a “review.”
The science fiction movie “Avatar” was released in 2009. This work is set in the future world of 2154, and depicts the story of the main character, Earthling Jake Sully, who blends into the Na'vi, the natives of the planet Pandora, and ends up starting a war with the Earthlings, who were only interested in plundering the planet's resources. The video game “Avatar THE GAME'' was also released in the same year.
The movie “Avatar'' caused a worldwide sensation upon its release, setting the prestigious record of being the world's highest-grossing movie of all time, and was also a huge hit in Japan. The use of cutting-edge 3D technology to combine the CG models of the Na'vi with live-action scenes is amazing, and it's a great achievement for director Cameron, who has made many masterpieces in science fiction films.
The title “Avatar'' is used to refer to the Na'vi bodies artificially created by Earthlings, who are able to function by leaving their bodies in a hypnotic capsule-like machine and merging their minds with the Avatars. The setting that it is not possible to have a spirit in two bodies at the same time is directly connected to the turbulent story.
The film, which has been shown in 3D, is characterized by its portrayal of vast nature with “differences in elevation,'' and a 3D version was later released as a Blu-ray disc. This is a work that stands as a “milestone'' in science fiction movies, especially in the field of works that deal with 3DCG models, and is sure to leave you mesmerized by the magic of visual effects.
Japanese director Mamoru Oshii went to see “Avatar'' with his staff while carrying the work he had in mind at the time (Cameron was a fan of Oshii's “Ghost in the Shell''), but he said that he was blown away by the quality of the special effects. This film is also famous as a work that reached a level that Japan's technological capabilities could never catch up to.
It was announced in 2009 that this work would be made into a series, but the sequel “Avatar: Way of Water'' was not released in 2022. It looks like there has been a gap of 13 years since the previous work, but I imagine this is due to the long preparation period needed to finish off the series, which had expanded to five works, all at once.
By the way, the third film is scheduled to be released in 2025, and the fourth and fifth films have been announced for release in 2029 and 2031, respectively. At the time of writing, it is an incredible schedule with a span of seven years until the final work, but considering the circumstances of production resources, it may be said to be a reasonable line. This will probably become director Cameron's life's work.
Game features
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora™ features unique story elements that differ from the movie series. Players will step into the game world as Navi, the main character who was raised as a “soldier” by the Earthling Resource Development Agency “RDA”, and will experience various adventures and battles.
Similar to the movie “Avatar,'' which strongly denounces humans' selfish actions of destroying the pristine beauty of nature, this film depicts the conflict between the human side, the RDA, and the planet's unique life forms, the Na'vi. The basic structure of “Humans vs. Navi'' remains unchanged, so if you are a fan of the movie, you are sure to be able to immerse yourself in the game.
Fifteen years have passed since his abduction, and even though he is finally freed from the hands of humans, the protagonist realizes that he is an “outsider Na'vi.'' He regains his connection to his lost traditions, discovers the “true meaning of existence'' as a Na'vi, and decides to fight together with various Na'vi tribes to protect the irreplaceable planet Pandora. This setting overlaps with Jake's.
The stunning beauty of the planet Pandora, which captivated audiences in the movie “Avatar'' series, has been faithfully recreated through careful modeling, and you will be sure to enjoy adventures on an unknown continent in an open world. The game has a great visual impact, and you'll be able to immerse yourself in the first-person view.
Another feature of the work is that you can freely customize the main character, and you can also experience growth elements such as crafting new equipment to suit your play style and upgrading skills and weapons, making it completely worth playing. The scene where you connect with Eiwa, who harbors great memories, has also been faithfully recreated, so you should be able to empathize with the game as you play.
The Banshee, which was the biggest highlight of the first Avatar movie, also makes a solid appearance. Players can enjoy dynamic actions such as forming a bond with their very own banshee, gaining an advantage in aerial battles that unfold on an overwhelming scale, and freely flying through the sky to traverse the vast western frontier. This is a new PC game that movie fans cannot miss.
In a sense, the protagonist is a hybrid between a human and a Na'vi, and in addition to using highly accurate traditional Na'vi weapons such as bows and javelins, he is also able to use his RDA training experience to use destructive weapons such as assault rifles and shotguns. This is almost the same setting as Jake Sully, who was originally human, so the tension will probably rise.
To put it bluntly, “Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora™'' was created with the assumption that the player had already seen the movie, so it is not a game that can be recommended to people who have not seen the movie. Even if it's a hassle, if you watch the “Avatar'' movie series first and then play this game, it will be twice as fun.
Although it doesn't have much in common with the movie's storyline, the RDA's weapons and the lifestyles of the Na'vi and others seem to have been carefully considered for the visual work, establishing its high status as an official game. Above all, the greatest value of this work is that it achieves visual beauty that rivals that of movies, making it a game that fans are coveting.
The game's overall system and style have elements from Ubisoft's popular series Far Cry, so it may be a new game that can be recommended to fans of the same series. However, on the other hand, you won't be able to see any brand new game systems, so you may feel a sense of “déjà vu'' while playing through the Far Cry series.
Compatible with Japanese interface
The selling price on Steam is 9,790 yen, and you can currently purchase it for 40% off at 5,874 yen, which is the “release commemorative sale price” (limited time price until July 12, 2024). This is probably due to the fact that the Steam version of the game is already on the market, but the discount is quite high, so those who want it are recommended to get it within the period.
In addition to the unbranded version, this work is currently available in three versions: “Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora Deluxe Edition'', “Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora Gold Edition'', and “Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora Ultimate Edition''. Gold and Ultimate editions are unique in that they include a season pass from the beginning.
The Season Pass, which is sold as downloadable content for 5,610 yen, includes two story packs, additional quests, a Banshee cosmetic set, and more. The content is aimed at people who have played the main game to the fullest, and it is also recommended for users who want to experience the game in its entirety after playing the unbranded version.
The most expensive of these is “Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora Ultimate Edition'' at 18,150 yen (the release commemorative sale price is 40% off at 10,890 yen), and if you purchase this, you will be able to cover all the DLC sold separately, and it will also come with a “digital art book'' that is not sold separately. For core fans, this edition will be their only choice.
The game supports a Japanese interface and subtitles as standard. There are only five types of audio: English, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese (Brazil), and there is no Japanese dubbed audio by a voice actor. In addition to your Steam account, you will also need a free Ubisoft account to play.
In addition to the mouse and keyboard operation method, the work also partially supports two types of controllers: Xbox controller and PlayStation controller. There is no data regarding third-party controllers, so those who have them should be aware that they may not work. In addition, various DLC can also be purchased from within the game.
The CERO rating is equivalent to “D” and is intended for players 17 years of age or older. There are a total of 31 types of Steam achievements that can be unlocked, and it can be said that this is a new PC game that can be recommended to players who are “achievement hunters” who have unlocked achievements in various games. Aim to unlock all achievements while adventuring on the planet Pandora, recreated in high-definition 3DCG.
There is no mention of compatibility with Valve's portable game console “Steam Deck”, which is somewhat disappointing, but it may be difficult due to the “PC system requirements” mentioned in the next section. Playing with reduced image quality is not the best way to play this game, so it can be said that this game shines in a high-spec gaming PC and monitor environment.
System requirements
The system requirements for Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora™ are somewhat high. This work is created to enjoy cutting-edge graphics, so players are also presented with a high hurdle. It is essential to have a current mid-spec, mid-high, or high-end class gaming PC.
The parts presented in the recommended graphic board requirements are AMD's Radeon 6700 XT or NVIDIA's RTX 3060 class, and the required amount of VRAM is 12GB and 8GB, respectively. By the way, these recommended graphics board parts have been calculated after testing to ensure that they work comfortably under the upscale technology “FSR2” environment.
The recommended CPU model is AMD's Ryzen 5 5600X or Intel's i5-11600K class, and the recommended amount of main memory is 16GB. It's a game that requires more than a certain amount of parts in terms of processors, and especially for those who maintain their gaming PC configurations with old PC parts, it's a work that makes them feel anxious about the operating environment.
The installation size is heavy at 90GB. This game includes additional downloadable content, so if you want to play with these included, you will need to have around 100GB of dedicated storage. If you usually have a lot of games in your storage, make sure to uninstall any games you won't be playing for a while to free up some space.
Note that the graphics board presented in the minimum operating environment includes names such as Intel's Arc A750, and parts such as RX 5700 and GTX 1070 are also listed, but this is a setting that allows you to play in a full HD environment with compromised graphics settings, so please note that you will not be able to fully enjoy the rich graphic expression of this game.
Also, for those who use Full HD or higher, WQHD, or 4K PC monitors at native resolution, it would be a good idea to prepare a model with higher performance than the graphics board suggested in the recommended requirements. Basically, as the resolution of your PC monitor increases, the load on the graphics board increases, so it's important to have enough power in your machine.
Furthermore, if you are planning to broadcast a high-quality video of the game played, it is a good idea to have a processor with higher performance than the CPU recommended in the recommended requirements. The task of live streaming video is highly dependent on the processing performance of the processor, so do your own research and create an environment that will provide you with a comfortable experience.
The latest game titles from major publishers tend to screen PC gamers to a certain degree, and this also leads to enrichment for PC parts manufacturers. As high-performance parts are created, there is a need for games that can fully demonstrate their performance, and vice versa. Let's understand the relationship between having and having.
“Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora™'', an action-adventure game where you can enjoy adventure and battle in the world of the popular science fiction movie “Avatar'', is currently available on the Steam Store. This is a must-have game for fans of the original movie, and its amazing graphics are sure to make your heart dance.
If you are interested, please visit the Steam store now and check out detailed game information.
[Recommended points]Depart into the world of avatars!
Overall review: Nothing new, but the graphics are impressive
In recent years, 3DCG technology has made dramatic advances, and the wave is definitely hitting the gaming industry. What I'm most interested in is the automatic game remastering function that uses “AI (artificial intelligence)'' proposed by NVIDIA, which converts the original textures into beautiful models for compatible titles and outputs them. I'm really looking forward to seeing what the future holds.
Generally speaking, the fun of a game is not proportional to the beauty of its graphics, and there is no clear consensus. Games that are interesting even with their choppy pixel art can feel interesting, and games that have eye-popping graphics can look boring. In short, the expression style and approach will vary greatly depending on “what the essence of the game is.''
A major role of the “Avatar'' movie series, which “Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora™'' is based on, is to captivate audiences with overwhelming visual effects. The style is typical of director Cameron, who quit his job as a truck driver after seeing Star Wars and jumped into the world of film himself.
SFX (special visual effects), which reached its peak in the 1980s, was still dominated by analogue, but many audiences were captivated by the magic of images, and many science fiction film series were born that have been handed down to future generations as masterpieces. With the “Avatar'' series, director Cameron could be said to have once again regained his position as a science fiction film director.
Due to the significant development of 3DCG tools, 99% of the SFX (VFX) processes used in movies are now digital, and many high-quality science fiction and animation movies have appeared. There used to be variations in quality between studios in different countries, but recently all movies have been achieving high-quality visual beauty across the board.
Even under such circumstances, director Cameron's “Avatar'' series is by far the best because it is rich in “cutting'' and “storytelling,'' which are the real pleasures of visual expression. It can be inferred that the film does not just show off the quality of the special effects, but also uses a number of tricks that allow the audience to empathize with the characters.
I have also watched all the Avatar movies, and since director Cameron is able to draw up his own storyboards, I felt that he was outstanding in his ability to faithfully reproduce the construction of scenes in his head. Movies are all about stories, and special effects are just a tool to complement those productions. It is also a work that makes you realize that “fact''.
Let's return to the game industry. How about “Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora™'', which recreates the world of the “Avatar'' series using state-of-the-art 3DCG models? It boasts overwhelmingly beautiful graphics, and the better the PC performance, the more players will be able to experience the stunning visual beauty.
So what is the “essence” of this game? Is it a worldview and system that will enthuse even players who haven't seen the movie? When asked, the answer is “no”, and is the game doing anything new? If you ask me, the answer would be “no”. In other words, this work aims to have “a visual beauty that is just like a movie,'' and it can be said that it lacks “something'' that is important as a game.
The most harsh user evaluation was that the game reused systems from the Far Cry series, and I have no objection to this point. Major game publishers have strict schedule management systems in place to develop games in time for financial results, making it difficult to come up with ideas for innovative and groundbreaking game systems.
I think this work was a “connection'' to maintain the general “interest'' in the “Avatar'' movie series, which will be released in the future. And its raison d'être may have been decided a year after the release of the second work, Avatar: Way of Water. That thought suddenly occurs to me.
“Multimedia development'' is an admirable strategy in the world of entertainment, and the “Matrix'' series also released video games that complemented the worldview of the movies. This may have something to do with the fact that the directors, the Wachowskis (then brothers), were unparalleled game fans, but it can be said that their affinity is extremely high.
If “Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora™'' had a setting that was somehow tied into the third movie in the series scheduled to be released in 2025, its value would increase, but unfortunately director Cameron and Ubisoft appear to have been unable to reach an agreement to that extent, so it will be treated as a complete “spin-off''.
In recent years, the FF series has had many movie scenes that look like grand technology demos, giving the impression that they have strayed away from exploring the original fun of the game, but in a sense, this work can't shake off the aspect of it being a technology demo to bring out the performance of the latest gaming PC. I feel sorry for the team that took the time to develop it, but this is my honest opinion.
Of course, for those who love the system of the Far Cry series and are excited by the gameplay elements of high-tension battles, this work will be useful as a game with excellent graphical quality. However, on the other hand, it is likely to be of no use to those who believe that each game should have an independent identity.
If Avatar were to be made into a series, if this game were to be made into a series while maintaining its unique storytelling, it might solidify its position as a game title with its own fans in a sense, but if it continues to serve as “just a link'' as mentioned above, then it will have a future where it gradually fades out as a one-off release.
“Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora™'', an action-adventure game where you can enjoy adventure and battle in the world of the popular science fiction movie “Avatar'', is currently being distributed on the Steam Store.
[Recommended points]The graphics are a must-see!
