So very nearly a classic, but just falls short.
Firstly enslaved is a beautiful game, it's apocalyptic New York a haunting thing of beauty easily on a par with city 17 in Half life. It's stories are told through its sense of place, a ruined political advert proclaiming an end to war vandalised with the word liar, a broken cot overgrown by shrubbery, a highway falling back into the river. It is one of the most immersive and deeply troubling places ever constructed and the fact that the developers dispense with it after a few short hours is a true travesty.
Aside from this the game has, mostly, an exceptional narrative, story and cast which all lends itself to a deeply emotive gameplaying experience. The bond between Monkey and Trip feels genuine and moving, much like yorda and ico, and it draws you into the story in a very real way. The gentle unfolding of the greater narrative and a quite superb conclusion to the game all add into the pieces that should make this one of the greatest games ever.
Unfortunately the game fails itself badly in the middle section. After dispensing with New York and then moving onto a fairly interesting diversion to Trip's home the game falls apart with a badly misjudged section involving a third character and some crass and stupid diversions more in keeping with a Jak and Daxter game. Whilst in itself this isn't overly bad it doesn't fit with the serious nature of the rest of the game and shatters the illusion badly. It also drains the game of its emotional power and its only recovered in its final chapter.
There are also some issues with slightly weak controls and some poorly judged set piece moments but aside from this the game functions perfectly well in its adventure/platforming format.
Overall then the game is, for its opening and ending acts, truly a memorable and emotive experience easily up there with some of the finest. A poorly judged middle sections just pulls it away from being what it should have been.