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Game
Game2020
Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey
Developer Panache Digital Games
Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is a survival game developed by Panache Digital Games and published by Private Division. It was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in August 2019. It was directed by Patrice Désilets. Set in prehistoric Africa, players control hominin species within the evolutionary lineage of modern humans, and are tasked to ensure their survival and facilitate their… From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
260 reactions from 3 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Mastodon) · newest Oct 31, 2026 · last updated Nov 5, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
76
LovedLoved
182 positive · 57 negative
95% range 70–81%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 182 | 57 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 5 | 0 | 15 |
| Mastodon * | 0 | 0 | 1 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Mostly Positive
5,274 of 6,809 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
76% recommend · 167 yes, 54 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 221 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Mostly Positive (9,557 of 12,086 positive).
Players praise the game's unique concept and immersive prehistoric setting. [1][2][3] Many find the lack of tutorials and clunky controls frustrating. [4][5][6] Some reviewers note the gameplay becomes repetitive over time. [4][7][8]
Liked
Representative posts
- [8]
Sadly Steam doesn't allow a more nuanced review that "recommend: yes or no". My opinion would be: so, so. I bought this game after being intrigued by a few minutes of gameplay. It was cheap so it was worth a try. I expected a small game I'd finish in 20h or so and was surprised to eventually play it for 50+h Sadly, at that point I was far from completing the game while the gameplay mechanics started to feel boring …
- [1]
For my 100th review, I want to talk about my favourite game of all time: Ancestors: A Humankind Odyssey. Not only is this the only game I know that uses the prehistoric era as its setting, but it also offers an extreme level of immersion unlike anything I have ever felt before. This is thanks to a game design focused entirely on making you understand our ancestors' point of view during their million-year journey …
- [9]
This game gives you almost no hand-holding, throws you into a jungle, and expects you to figure things out. Sometimes through trial and error, and sometimes by scrolling through the wiki looking for an article that might help understand how some of the items work. It can be repetitive, sure, but that's what makes every little breakthrough feel rewarding. A solid 8/10 for me. Evolved from "confused ape" to "slightly …
- [12]
9.5/10 This could be exactly the game you didn't know you needed. It's such a refreshing take on gameplay and immersive exploration, and for me personally it tickled an itch nothing else has. It takes me back to the early era of games where you were actually expected to work things out for yourself, and have real consequences when you don't. Only add to that stunning visuals, an endlessly immersive and diverse world …
- [2]
I'm an archaeology nerd and have a deep love for the human story of evolution. this game is really well researched and is very true to the knowledge we currently have for this era of our history. while it may take a little bit to understand the mechanics of some actions with timing and some of the gameplay in general, once you have the hang of it, it's a breeze. i personally had to look at the wiki quite a few …
Summarised from 34 of the 233 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 9, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
Players who liked Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey talk about unique and immersive prehistoric setting; those who didn't talk about lack of tutorials and guidance. Which matters more to you?
Critics, per Wikipedia
The game received mixed reviews from critics according to review aggregator Metacritic. Destructoid enjoyed the use of the evolution in the title, and how it prompted players to explore and use items in unique ways, "The evolution mechanic encourages you to use every type of tool in every conceivable way and leave no area of interest unexplored, which is great". While criticizing the progression as obtuse, IGN liked the visuals, writing, "Animations are a highlight, and the way they move and interact feels lifelike and authentic". PC Gamer felt that the controls were unnecessarily difficult to use, "When I want to use my senses to investigate something, I need to stop moving completely.…
From the “Reception” section of Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Critic context only — not part of the audience score.
Reactions
60 of 260 · most liked firstSome new toys in Gylwain! I had a great game with him last night and, of the adds, only drew the anthem. Not convinced it'll stay. Psemilla and Eidolon would've been sick though. The real hero of the game was Envoy of the Ancestors, which continues to be cracked. www.archidekt.com/decks/670511...
neutral · AI labelView post →This is doubly depressing as Patrice Désilets' previous game - Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey - was exactly the kind of out-of-the-box weird design that AI could never be reasonably involved in. It wasn't that appreciated at launch, but people have come round on it. AI melts your brain.
positive · AI labelView post →I recall that when it was new - and for years after - proto-human survival sim Ancestors was one of those 'this is the worst game ever, you should hate-play it for laughs on the internet!' games. Now, folks seem to have realized that it's surprisingly cool? Even in Steam reviews, which surprises me
positive · AI labelView post →I think my brother successfully just put onto another game thats truly up my alley and activated my neurons xD I'm had so much fun playing "Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey" for a bit last night. Ugh can't wait to go back home from this ceremony and play like 3 more hrs of it. 😭
positive · AI labelView post →Sadly Steam doesn't allow a more nuanced review that "recommend: yes or no". My opinion would be: so, so. I bought this game after being intrigued by a few minutes of gameplay. It was cheap so it was worth a try. I expected a small game I'd finish in 20h or so and was surprised to eventually play it for 50+h Sadly, at that point I was far from completing the game while the gameplay mechanics started to feel boring and repetitive. It appears that Patrice Désilet has fallen back into his old…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Having lots of performance issues, the UI is clunky and obtuse, transversing the environment is a pain(especially climbing) and the control scheme makes the issues even worse. I really had high hopes for this game because the idea is genuinely interesting and no other game has attempted this but in it's current state and age I don't think we're going to see any more improvement.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Honestly, I love the idea behind this game, but I wish you could go further along in human development, make proper tools, etc. It feels like there could be so much more to this game. Definitely worth playing though.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →If I could, I'd give it a middle rating rather than a yes or no. Not necessarily a bad game; it just takes a certain kind of person to enjoy it. There are also very little in the way of tutorials and guidance, so if you're dumb like me, you have no idea what you're doing unless you look up guides. It's a great and very original idea (and very unique gameplay wise), but I decided it just wasn't for me, and that's ok. Maybe you'll enjoy games without explicit guidance and tutorials, want to…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Its a very interesting game, but not a really fun one. First off, the in-game systems are barely explained due lacking tutorials and minimal HUD (even on the max setting). The drop of players between the first and second achievement (80% and 30%), show just how many players drop this game in the first few minutes. The gameplay loop is very repetitive, and eventually depends of boring tasks to progress, like repeatedly skipping to the next generation to get genetic mutations or accumulating…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →For my 100th review, I want to talk about my favourite game of all time: Ancestors: A Humankind Odyssey. Not only is this the only game I know that uses the prehistoric era as its setting, but it also offers an extreme level of immersion unlike anything I have ever felt before. This is thanks to a game design focused entirely on making you understand our ancestors' point of view during their million-year journey toward humanity. This journey isn't a "classic" gaming experience; instead, it…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I love a game that encourages me to go in the jungle and put everything I find in my mouth
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I think the game is very cool, gameplay wise and visual wise.. However.. (I updated my review a bit again after a few more hours of play, but my og points are still relevant, just more expanded on) - I don't think the game is bad, visually nor gameplay (mostly). But rather what the game itself has to offer - i'd more of rate it neutral. It's a challenging game, with huge learning curves and a lot to explore and adapt to. You can craft simple tools, and form groups to move through obstacles…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Somehow this game taught me something more about my own primal instincts than all the psychoanalytical literature on the subject I've ever encountered. I now have waking nightmares of falling from trees, at a certain point in the game I killed an eagle without even realizing it because the reactive instinct to a predatory threat became *that* reflexive, and these days I'll eat anything at least three times on the off chance that the third attempt is different from the first two. If you have a…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →With all respect to the monke. Great concept, but unfortunately gameplay is just not fun and too clunky in all the wrong ways. Grind and tedium does not pay off or reward you enough to push forward.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I absolutely LOVE this game. It is very interesting, and it is HARD at first - it really makes you use your brain to figure out how to create things in order to survive. Evolution in real life was HARD. It is a very interesting concept, and I genuinely think that this was well thought out and perfectly executed. If you don't like using your brain too much, then don't get this game. If you love evolution and don't mind a challenge, then this game is for you. The open-world is amazing, with…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game gives you almost no hand-holding, throws you into a jungle, and expects you to figure things out. Sometimes through trial and error, and sometimes by scrolling through the wiki looking for an article that might help understand how some of the items work. It can be repetitive, sure, but that's what makes every little breakthrough feel rewarding. A solid 8/10 for me. Evolved from "confused ape" to "slightly less confused ape".
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I have no problem with difficult games, I enjoy them. I shouldn't have to spoil the game by looking up what the controls are though. It isn't a well made game in this regard at all. The progress missions don't help in terms of progression, or at least, they aren't synched up to actual progression in game. It makes for a very confusing game. You will want to play with the HUD, but even that isn't even very useful because it explains very little. I wanted to like this game because I love the…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game was not for me. I found it more frustrating than fun with it's clunky controls, little guidance and repetitive gameplay make it feel like a chore and the payoff just isn’t worth the effort. It’s exhausting that I spent more time looking at tutorial guides than playing this game just to get a sense of direction. Forced myself to complete and get all the achievements which was in all honesty very stupid of me.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's just not fun. The concept and idea is so great and I want to love it but it's such a bad game. Awkward clunky ass camera controls, clunky confusing ass actual controls. I'll walk you through my first hour of gameplay. Spawn in as small monkey running back to tribe. Arrive at tribe. Get a quest from the gods apparently to craft a bed as a baby. Game does not explain that you can switch between the apes, or how to do so, even though it is a core mechanic. Game also does not explain how to…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →NEUTRAL 5/10 On one hand, the idea behind this game is truly great. On the other hand, the controls feel clunky and not well polished. On one hand, it has one of the best intros I’ve seen in years. On the other hand, the gameplay becomes repetitive quite fast. I really wanted to like this game, but I feel a deep sense of unfulfillment. There’s huge potential here but in my opinion that just wasn’t fully realized. At first, you want to keep playing because of its originality and because of…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Controls are extremely clunky for M&K, plus the missions are pretty boring. I can understand the desire for realism and an accurate attempt to represent early hominin ancestors, and I respect it, but it wasn't fun unfortunately mainly because the quests were too redundant and not as fun compared to maybe making them migrate out of Africa and maybe going into Asia so we can see more interesting evolutionary occurrences such as Denisovans.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →📝 Slowly learning to use new tools, discovering the map, and trying to survive in the wild make this game unique. ➕ Pros The evolution system is incredibly satisfying. Slowly discovering new abilities makes your progress feel meaningful. Exploration is one of the best parts of the game. The world is beautiful, dangerous, and full of things to discover. Figuring things out yourself makes every discovery feel rewarding. ❌ Cons The game can be confusing at first, especially because it doesn't…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →One thing is not explaining anything to simulate the confusion of an ape seeing things for the first time. That in my opinion is an interesting idea. But man, the controls are absolutely terrible. I get that it takes trial and error to uncover a possibility with objects and stuff, but once I do I expect it to be fluid.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →"I will, I will" - Assassin's Creed creator vows to make a sequel to Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey, the human evolution survival game www.eurogamer.net/ancestors-hu...
neutral · AI labelView post →One of a kind game. Takes a lot of patience and effort at times, but I finished it for 100% achievements and enjoyed every single moment. I can see why this game is not for everyone, but if it clicks... what a ride. Sad there are no DLCs :(
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I'm an archaeology nerd and have a deep love for the human story of evolution. this game is really well researched and is very true to the knowledge we currently have for this era of our history. while it may take a little bit to understand the mechanics of some actions with timing and some of the gameplay in general, once you have the hang of it, it's a breeze. i personally had to look at the wiki quite a few times/ have it open on my other monitor as i am very forgetful and also needed a…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game is definitely not for everyone, but if it clicks with you, it's gonna have a stranglehold on you for many many hours. The sense of adventure this game invokes as you experiment with different possabilities and learn what you need to do to evolve your monkeys is amazing. When you get into the flow of the game, you'll find there's so much you want to get done with each new generation. Would definitely reccommend.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game was surprisingly good. Yes, there is little guidance and starting out is a challenge but I do love games where you have to think a bit and figure things out (kinda like our Ancestors I guess). Really hope they make a second one with much improved mechanics and extended timeline. This game is clunky in places, e.g. why not just have "copy" and "stop copying" for the tribe members rather than have to act out every action when crafting things, just for a few of them to ignore one part.…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I love this game so much, I play it over and over and never tire of it. There's immersion, and an actual challenge and learning curve to understanding how to operate in the world and progress. The dangerous animals are terrifying and get my heart pumping, beautiful sountrack, beautiful visuals. It is my favourite game of all time and I think super underated
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is probably one of the most enjoyable games I've played in a long time. Novel in game mechanics, open world with little hand holding, beautiful art. I will say when I first bought the game I had to wait to get a better PC to run it but I honestly think it was worth it. I really hope that a sequel or follow up is intended by the developers. It's one of the few games I've played that have really impressed me.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Panache Digital Games (Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey) is probably teasing their next game on Instagram. www.instagram.com/panachedigit...
neutral · AI labelView post →9.5/10 This could be exactly the game you didn't know you needed. It's such a refreshing take on gameplay and immersive exploration, and for me personally it tickled an itch nothing else has. It takes me back to the early era of games where you were actually expected to work things out for yourself, and have real consequences when you don't. Only add to that stunning visuals, an endlessly immersive and diverse world to explore, and a soundtrack that pulls at your heartstrings when you least…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →#Quar Turn 3 #ClashofRhyfles #Nerdlings Crusader Mounted Rhyfles cut down gun crew. Alithean drops an HE round in the middle of advancing rhyflers. Victorious cavalry swoop around to attack. Cavalry Yawdryl sends his opponent to the Ancestors. Game over. Coftyrans have lost 9 POW, 5 KIA. 2KIA, 2W.
neutral · AI labelView post →In principle, I should love this game. It has all the elements I love in a game, and on top of that it has monkeys, which alone would have made me buy the game. The gameplay is purposely unclear. Very little is explained in the game instead letting you slowly figure out how things work and what can be done with various objects, locations, characters etc. This is a clear choice from the developers, and in principle I agree with it. The problem with this game comes from the fact that controls…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A good game concept really. Interesting to see the development of humankind while surviving the hars prehistoric conditions. Very fiting music as well. I liked the expereince for the 7€ on sale. But man..... the tediousness of this game to is just too much for me. Devs simulated the hardship of evolution so well that the game is all about grinding and online tutorial reading. Also my monkeys usually die because of the clunky controls which makes it so hard to flee from danger... NPC monkeys…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is one of the most unique games I’ve ever played. It doesn’t hold your hand, and that’s exactly what makes it special. You truly feel like you’re discovering the world for the first time evolving, learning, and surviving just like our earliest ancestors. Every little discovery feels rewarding, and the atmosphere keeps you curious and engaged. It’s not your usual game it’s an experience that makes you think, explore, and adapt. Once you get used to the…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Playing Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey was one of the most surprisingly enjoyable experiences I had in gaming. At first, it was disconcerting. There were no tutorials, just survival straight away. And then, of course, was what made me interested. The game lets you adapt in the way the real world does. Each new discovery has been earned. Each failure has meaning. What’s been most impressive to me is the way in which it interprets instinct into gameplay experience, learning to recognize…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey coming to PS5, Xbox Series, and Switch 2 on December 8 www.gematsu.com/2026/10/ance...
neutral · AI labelView post →This game is criminally underrated and is extremely immersive and engaging. It is difficult to learn and master, but that is part of the point - you are playing as early human ancestors (beginning with primates) trying to figure out and navigate the world around you, attempting to survive while also trying to develop and advance through a series of evolutionary stages in the direction of humans. Pretty much everything you do in the game, such as eating different things, climbing trees, walking…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's a fun game. Very unpolished, difficult and convoluted enough that the casual market would never have picked up on it, unpolished and unfinished enough that the more hardcore market wouldn't either, but there's a nice nugget of potential here. I like to think if we ever had an Ancestors 2, with a solid budget and a larger, skilled team, it would've been one of the hall of famers. If you're a fan of monke and are willing to be a bit frustrated to enjoy the fun parts of the game, grab it on…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →genuinely good game, if you consider playing dont rush through the story
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Although it could have some improvements to make life easier, this game is a masterpiece. It is scientifically accurate and gives you the experience of how our ancestors lived until you become ♥♥♥♥ Ergaster and thats the last species you will unlock because the game practically ends here. Very good game, highly recommended 👍
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Interesting survival game. But there are too many frustrating things in it. Many people complain about the lack of tutorials and the learning curve, but I find the poor AI of other primates following you to be the worse part of the game. They will just sit at the bottom of a tree waiting to get mauled by a tiger because its seems they're only capable of following you at a certain distance. The game would benefit immensely if the other primates had a little bit of self preservation in their…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →i absolutely LOVE this game! i really find the concept interesting of you just having to figure stuff out. They say they wont help much and THEY MEAN IT. There are a few bugs i wish theyd fix, but its a REALLY fun game. perhaps small spoiler: once you encounter the Miocene pelican, DONT KILL IT. If you, like me, cannot evolve any further and you kill it before completing the Dodge 2 times'' feat. it seems to never respawn again. So if you are in the same boot as me, my condolences.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →One of the best games I've played. No idea why there isn't a sequel. The gameplay might be repetitive and unpolished, but the concept is amazing and unexplored. That's what makes it so unique. There's also a feeling I had playing it, I felt that there was a lot of things that only had basic touches and could've have been turned into proper mechanics. Example: Expanding the clan was the easiest thing I had done and I never needed to do that again. It did help with the genetic mutation but…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Yes, but I warn you, its extremely hard. If you want a challenge this is the game for you. It says to get the true experience you want to know nothing as you play. But honestly, that is way too hard (lack of tutorials), so I use the Wiki. Lots of times a pop-up will happen and you don't get much time to read it. And you can't go back to read it later, so that alone is difficult. Once you get the hang of things, its a very fun game.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Put it simply, I love this game. I like history and anthropology, and part of my enjoyment of those two things is to imagine what the world would have been like during different time periods. Even better, to reenact aspects of those time periods. I like games that give you an experience, exploration, adventure, simulation, etc. I always wish I could find more games that really put you in a certain time and space, and this game really gives me the experience I'm looking for in these regards.…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →100% Complete | 47h at review If you're after something a little different, Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is certainly that. The game doesn't hold your hand, and mistakes can and will have some pretty serious consequences, including wiping out your entire bloodline. While that might frustrate some people, I think it's part of the point and fits the idea of experiencing the early stages of human development. You really do feel like you're figuring things out for yourself. The mechanics…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Bought this game back in 2020, and it took me 6 years to finally come back to play, beat and 100% it. Honestly not a terrible game and had a lot of fun exploring the world and learning new mechanics, but its very obviously not for everyone. Combat is very clunky and progression is very unclear on what to do, along with endgame getting very repetitive. Would like to see how a sequel by these guys would be like.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →mmmmMONKEY GAME (apes actually) it's fun and all, but it gets repetitive after a certain while. i hope ancestors 2 will have more gameplay loops instead of everything being a simple hold and release to survive. the controls are ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ according to many, but you can easily get used to it. Every death is preventable btw, so if you die, that's FULLY your fault. also look at ts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MKAkfKeuDM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfc8m8HsfHo…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →New Video! Introducing the Game Boy’s Great Ancestors… youtu.be/HAQR2OObW9g
neutral · AI labelView post →Ok. This game starts off being very frustrating. I had a hard time figuring things out and the game ... leaves you on your own. Almost completely. After the first hour, I was ready to throw my controller at the screen. Until I figured out that that was the point. It's all meant to mimic the step-by-agonizingly-slow-step of learning by experience that our ancestors went through. The game successfully made me feel like a stupid chimp figuring out new tools. And I love it! I've been playing for…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →You are a dumb animal and everything wants to kill you. Learn everything without the game holding your hand in the least. Sniff, listen, look. Learn to walk and swim and dodge and eventually hunt for more than just berries. Even the mushrooms try to kill you. Unlike anything I've ever played before and absolutely incredible.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I didn't know 'Ancestors 2: Co-Inhabitance', with new goose game mechanics, came out already
neutral · AI labelView post →One of the worst survivalist games I've ever played. Even with max tutorial and HUD setting, still ZERO tutorial. Start bleeding? Don't know you have to manually evolve a specific motor neuron on a special leaf bed then grab a specific plant, switch hands, and apply as bandage? Instantly dead, game over. Accidentally walk outside script area of beginning of game? Soft locked, game over. About 20 other things that are never ever explained and force you to lose almost 10 hours of…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Do NOT drop it during the intro! I almost did, but it ended up becoming one of my favorite games! However at some point I always get stuck with two apes that are related and then I can't progress. If you have any tips about this (or anything else) please let me know! :)
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It is hard to get into first, until you realize you are a monkey, so play around like one and don't worry. That is the only way to play and enjoy the game.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game really doesn't explain a lot, but its fun to figure out every thing for yourself.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →games pure real realistic and just be on any divice thats not a toaster u get no lag
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Return to Monkey, acquire brain power, sniff plants, swing between trees, and break rocks. Although it may not be the most sophisticated gameplay loop, it is enjoyable, the swinging mechanics are quite good, and the scenery is stunning.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
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