Asterix & Obelix XXL

Atari

Industry	Video games
Products	Asterix & Obelix XXL

Asterix & Obelix XXL is an action-adventure title released in 2003 by Atari. The game was created by Étranges Libellules for the PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Microsoft Windows platforms, while Velez & Dubail handled the Game Boy Advance version. It stars the iconic French comic duo, Asterix and Obelix, who confront Roman forces after their village suffers an assault. In the United States, the PlayStation 2 edition was renamed Asterix & Obelix: Kick Buttix. Although a Windows version was planned for the U.S. audience, it ultimately was not released.

The franchise continued with a follow-up titled Asterix & Obelix XXL 2: Mission Las Vegum, which debuted in 2006. A remastered version became available in 2020.

Plot

During a hunting expedition, Asterix, Obelix, and Dogmatix are caught in a storm and stumble upon their village engulfed in flames and occupied by Roman troops. They are joined by a Roman secret agent, once loyal to Caesar but now feeling betrayed, who becomes their ally. Discovering that many villagers have been abducted and are probably held on barges along the coastline, they embark on a mission to rescue them. After freeing their druid Getafix from captivity—who reveals Caesar’s scheme to scatter the villagers throughout the Roman Empire—the trio sets off to liberate their friends from Roman domination.

Gameplay

The core gameplay revolves around saving villagers, solving various puzzles, and combating Roman soldiers. Players automatically switch between Asterix and Obelix, each possessing distinct strengths and abilities—Obelix can break iron crates and move heavier platforms without needing a magic potion. Puzzle elements frequently involve a reusable torch carried exclusively by Asterix and sliding platforms controlled by ropes, features consistent across all Roman provinces.

Helmets collected from defeated Romans serve as currency to buy power-ups such as additional health or new attack combinations from traveling merchants found in each province. Standard soldier helmets yield one point, whereas golden centurion helmets—obtainable from iron crates or elite enemies—are valued at ten points. Magic potion gourds, which only Asterix can consume, temporarily enhance strength, speed, and special abilities like triple jumping and crate smashing. Using a second potion triggers a shockwave that disarms nearby foes.

Combat is primarily melee-based; weaker enemies are straightforward to defeat while tougher classes require tactical approaches. Some incapacitated foes can be grabbed and swung as weapons against others. Dogmatix provides support by biting enemies to disarm them.

Each province includes a Roman agent who offers strategic advice and updates on enemy movements. Most provinces culminate in battles against large war machines operated by multiple Romans. Defeating these machines releases captive villagers and rewards players with pieces of a marble map crucial for advancing the rescue effort. Unique local enemies populate each province, and players may revisit areas to gather additional helmets or Golden Laurels.

Golden laurel wreaths unlock cosmetic rewards such as new costumes and are earned through completing various challenges or puzzles.

Fast travel is facilitated by catapults placed throughout the game world, instantly transporting players to nearby locations.

Remaster

In October 2020, Asterix & Obelix XXL Romastered was launched for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Microsoft Windows. Developed by OSome Studio and published by Microids, this remaster arrived on macOS and PlayStation 5 in 2022. It features upgraded graphics, revamped gameplay animations, additional game modes, an improved camera system, and a new soundtrack—with an option allowing players to revert to the original visuals and music if desired.