Advent Rising really surpised me, I really wish this game had the same success as Mass Effect (which it deserves imho). The play between guns and powers becomes really nice later in the game, and it has a very satisfying feeling overall.

I thought Enclave was a rather boring hack and slash and stopped playing after a few hours.

Indeed. I blame yet again the lack of marketing. It was very intelligently done and after some adjustment the controls were very good and fluent. And some of the story development was quite shocking. You make a choice, you pay for it.

Man, how would I love to see a sequel...

Does the game stand well enough on its own, or is it left on a cliffhanger ending?

Extreme cliffhanger ending, but the main story and motivation of the protagonist is finished, iirc. So it can be enjoyed on its own.

It's pretty much like The Matrix. Also extreme cliffhanger ending, but it is enjoyable on its own. (If only there were no sequels...)

Can I suggest to get something else entirely?
I recently played Enclave, it's a pretty game but after the 3rd or 4rd mission or so it became more of a grind to finish it. If GOG would only have Blade of Darkness which is a similar game but so much better.
Don't really know about Advent Rising, could be good and about the cliffhanger ending, Anachronox has that too, but that didn't stop it from being one of the most memorable games I've ever played.

Do you already have Anachronox? If not I would get that instead.

Advent Rising. Just. Buy. It. Now.

Especially if you liked Mass Effect. Those games share so much.

I would back a kickstarter for a sequel with pleasure.

Well severance blade of darkness looks decent, but its not on GOG, so obviously not an option.

I dont have Anachronox, and i've never played it either. Maybe you can fill me in on what is good about it?
I liked Mass Effect 1. It went downhill after that in my opinion.

It seems more people favour Advent Rising over Enclave so far.

And Advent Rising main character becomes so powerful at the end... You do matrix jumps, shooting with two weapons at once, you throw your enemies like a puppet dolls with your force, etc etc.

And it's epic.

Thats a good pitch. If you're anything like your title "Insurance Agent" i can see why, lol.

Apart from that it is a very good adventure it one of the funniest games I've played with very good and fleshed out characters.
Also the sci-fi is completely offbeat and unconventional from what we have become used to and all locations in this game are very interesting to visit.
Don't let the rpg-stamp lure you though, yes it has rpg gameplay and it has some epic fights but it is mostly subject to the story.

If you haven't played Anachronox yet, you should!

It's a really awesome story-driven RPG with a blade-runneresque science-fiction/fantasy setting and a LOT of new, fresh ideas, full to the brim with good humour and unique characters. Everything is underlined by a great soundtrack and good art direction (the cutscenes might cause nausea, but my are they good!). Only downside to the game is imo the combat, but thats my personal preference for action-based combat. This was a game I couldn't stop playing, also the ending is a well rounded end, even though it isn't a complete ending (the games story arc/characters inner turmoils are completed/resolved, but it's clear that the fight has just begun...)

Also can recommend Blade of Darkness, or Rune for H&S fun. Both enthralled me much more than Enclave, mainly due to their better combat systems (and Rune had Vikings, Thor and Loki!). Although I haven't played much of Enclave yet, I deemed it a "normal" H&S game.

Can't say anything to Advent Rising, except that I want o try it someday...

Ok so i decided to get Anachronox. (i have it now). Thanks to everyones feedback in this thread about Enclave and Advent Rising. I still might get one of them in the future.

Have fun, I don't think you will regret it. ^^

I do not have Enclave, but I played the demo in the past. I do have Advent Rising, and already finished it. IMHO they are of different styles, and I am not sure we can actually compare them. But overall I think Advent Rising is a better game, especially if you want something like Jedi powers outside Star Wars universe. It badly needs a sequel though.