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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsRyse: Son of Rome is a cinematic action-adventure whose visual spectacle and revenge story drew more consistent praise than its combat. Critics at launch were divided, while Steam players have rated the later PC release more positively. Whether it is worth playing depends largely on how much you value presentation over combat variety.
What is Ryse: Son of Rome about?
You play Roman soldier Marius Titus on a revenge journey after his family is murdered. Crytek describes the story as involving revenge, betrayal and divine intervention. The game puts that story at the center of a cinematic action-adventure built around Roman battles and dramatic presentation.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Ryse: Son of Rome XBOX one (Renewed) | $14.17 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Ryse: Son of Rome Day One Edition - Xbox One | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Ryse: Son of Rome XBOX one | $39.90 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![Ryse: Son of Rome Season Pass – Xbox One [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/5157EvP9J4L._SL160_.jpg)
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Ryse: Son of Rome Season Pass – Xbox One [Digital Code] | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Ryse: Legendary Edition | $73.55 | Buy on Amazon |
What did critics think of Ryse: Son of Rome?
At the Xbox One launch on November 22, 2013, Metacritic listed a critic average of 60/100 from 77 reviews, classified as Mixed or Average. That score reflects a recognizable tradeoff in the review excerpts: some critics responded to the spectacle and story, while others found the action shallow or repetitive. It is a synthesis of differing reviews, not a point on which every critic agreed.
The PC edition has a separate Metacritic snapshot: 61/100 from 27 critic reviews. The platform-specific scores are not interchangeable, and both are aggregate snapshots rather than timeless verdicts.
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- Fight as a Soldier, Lead as a General, Rise as a Legend, a stunning action-adventure that follows Marius Titus on a heroic quest to avenge the death of his family, and preserve the honor of Rome at all costs.
- Enter a World of Heroes and Traitors, embark on a journey of revenge, betrayal and divine intervention
- Immerse Yourself in Ancient Rome, Become Legendary
- Witness the power of CRYENGINE in full flow on Xbox One, with new features like Crytek’s Virtual Camera hardware provide more directorial power than ever before, meaning developers can make lighting, environment and effects changes on the spot to create a more immersive game world
Why were reviews divided?
Presentation and story
The strongest appeal is the game’s cinematic scale and its revenge narrative. A positive GamesBeat excerpt on Metacritic describes finishing the game and wanting more, illustrating how the experience could work for players drawn in by its presentation and story.
Combat variety and repetition
The counterpoint is that spectacle does not necessarily translate into deep or varied fighting. Metro GameCentral’s excerpt on Metacritic criticized the action for becoming repetitive. Those two excerpts illustrate the split, but they are examples rather than a substitute for all 77 Xbox One reviews.
Rank #2
- Day One Edition includes collectible box art and exclusive Gladiator Mode Unlockables
- Cinematic immersion in the Roman Empire
- Brutally realistic combat
- Command and fight with Kinect
- Full Xbox SmartGlass integration
How do player ratings compare?
Player scores differ by platform and review venue. Metacritic’s title page listed a 6.6 user score from 1,992 ratings when accessed in 2026. On the Steam listing, the captured English-language review snapshot was 85% positive from 13,910 reviews; the recent-review snapshot was 87% positive from 424 reviews. Steam counts and percentages change over time, so treat them as a point-in-time comparison, not a permanent rating.
The contrast suggests a more favorable response among the captured Steam review sample than the mixed Xbox One critic reception. These are different groups, platforms and rating systems, so the figures do not establish why players rated the PC version more highly.
Rank #3
- Cinematic immersion in the Roman Empire
- Brutally realistic combat that definitely keeps you attention for hours
- Command and fight with Kinect
- Full Xbox SmartGlass integration
What is different about the Xbox One and PC editions?
| Edition | Release | What the sources establish |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox One | November 22, 2013 | Original release, according to Metacritic. |
| PC (Steam) | October 10, 2014 | Steam says the PC edition includes DLC from the Xbox One version. Crytek says PC players can access four updates first released as Xbox One DLC: Steam listing and Crytek. |
The PC edition therefore arrived later and bundles additional content that was released as DLC on Xbox One. The sources establish that distinction, but do not provide a complete edition-by-edition technical comparison.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Ryse: Son of Rome worth playing?
Consider it if you want a short, story-led spectacle and are comfortable with combat that reviewers often described as repetitive. If varied, mechanically deep combat is your priority, the divided critic response is a reason to temper expectations. The PC Steam edition is the version to consider if you want the listed DLC included; the original Xbox One version is the 2013 release.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Cinematic immersion in the Roman Empire
- Brutally realistic combat
- Embark on a journey of revenge, betrayal and divine intervention
- Gladiatorial glory
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
