Odin Sphere (PS2) Review
Posted by Chris McCarver on 06.26.2007
And now for something completely different... maybe...
Publisher: Atlus
Developer: Vanillaware
Platform: Playstation 2 (exclusive)
ESRB Rating: T
Release Date: May 22, 2007
And now for something completely different... maybe...
Review by CHRIS McCARVER
There's gonna come a day when I can pop a new Japanese RPG import into the console of my choice and it will actually be a fun game. I'm not one of these guys who automatically hate console role-players from across the pond; Xenogears and Parasite Eve 1 are a couple of my favorite all-time titles. But it seems that, short of a new gimmick, new graphic style, a new core gameplay mechanic, most recent Japanese RPGs have been kind of stale. Here's hoping that Atlus Software's newest offering, Odin Sphere, doesn't have me wishing it wasn't instead a new storyarc in Marvel Comics' new Thor series.
...and the Red Riding Hood-meets-Vivid Video outfit should help loads with that.
Graphics
The graphics are actually probably the biggest thing of note about this game. While we are treated to the same sort of 2-D animated backgrounds one might find in any random 2-D fighting game (which are to say not that impressive), the character depictions are the big draw. While the characters are also 2-D and most of the characters are mainly cel-shaded anime-style in design, many of the characters are designed in grandiose mind-bending detail in a style reminiscent of Terry Gilliam's cut-paper animations from Monty Python's Flying Circus. Given the general side-scrolling nature of the gameplay, it's a reach, but the game could be looked at as sort of an evolution of the Paper Mario franchise.
Would only that the level design was as innovative. Each of the level backgrounds are pretty enough, but are entirely lacking in interactivity and reminiscent of the bitmapped and barely-animated scenery from the old-school Street Fighter games. As much of a visual treat as the character sprites are (never thought I'd be calling sprite animation a treat in this day and age), the backgrounds are something of a letdown. Also a problem is, with all the animation on the screen and as many enemies as your character can face at once, the PS2's graphics processor can't handle the load, causing the overall framerate to drop to Warp Factor Slug.
Gameplay
In what diehard RPG fans (and the developer) are calling a spiritual successor to seminal Japanese role-player Princess Crown, the story of Odin Sphere revolves around the battle for a mystical cauldron by the various nations of the world of Erion. What's specifically notable and actually kind of cool is that the story actually plays out in five different points of view, one after the other, wherein the player gets the chance to play through the story five times, each time controlling a different playable character. And the story is deep enough that playing each scenario isn't just "now you play the story with this guy;" playing each scenario reveals more and more of the game's metaplot, enhancing the overall narrative.
"Hey, there's ham in my shield! Bonus!"
While the story is a wonder to behold, the gameplay? Not so much. Each of the levels are broken up into circular stages that players will have to hack and slash their way through a set number of enemies before proceeding to the next. Movement is of the side-scrolling bent somewhat reminiscent of Defender or the Atari 2600 Empire Strikes Back game, where you can move across the perimeter around and around, defeating enemies and the occasional cut-paper boss monster until an exit icon pops up so you can vacate the level and move forward. The bosses are fairly formidable but take very little strategy to defeat.
There are also home-base and "shop" levels of the same circular design; the former allows you to get missions and plot points, while the latter has you interact with a knockoff of the Resident Evil 4 merchant for trading coins picked up along the way for power-ups and food that replenishes your health. The shop system is rather clunky, since the game forces you to pick the correct denominations of coins for purchases, rather than simply saying "here's 30 gold, gimme the Sacred Axe of Beating." New items can also be created using a alchemic crafting system wherein items picked up along the way can be mixed together to create power-ups and other useful doodads, but overall, I found the crafting system a bit of a chore to weed through since it isn't exactly as user-friendly as the item-creation mechanics of World of Warcraft. In fact, the system is somewhat laborious and impenetrable at times. The tutorial level for the alchemy system will actually force you to reset the game if you do it wrong, since it won't let you out of the level unless you perform a correct mixture, and if you don't have the right ingredients and can't get hold of them... can we say "design flaw?"
On the plus side is a sort of fatigue meter that reduces itself with every attack and only replenishes with power-ups or resting, which acts as a nice backstop from the temptation to button-mash. Also of note is the collection of "phozons," floating energy orbs that expel themselves from every downed enemy and that can be absorbed by player characters for the purpose of powering and developing special attacks. Yeah, it's a lot like Onimusha or God of War, but it's something different in what's otherwise just a slightly above-average RPG.
Sound
The voice acting in the game is capable enough, if not hampered a bit by a script seemingly penned by the dubbers of the 4Kids Saturday morning lineup. The primary player-character cast consists of some of anime and videogames' best and brightest English VAs, including Karen Strassman (Helena in Dead or Alive Xtreme 2), Yuri Lowenthal (Sasuke in Naruto), and Michelle Ruff (Rukia in Bleach) as, respectively, Valkyrie princess Gwendolyn, shadow knight Oswald, and forest witch Velvet. Unfortunately, as aforementioned, all the credits and experience aren't enough for the cast to struggle through the B-movie levels of dialogue of which this title is rife. The dialogue can be toggled between the English dub track and the original Japanese voice track, but rough dialogue is rough dialogue on either side of the Pacific Ocean.
Manny the Gargoyle became distraught when he found Gwendolyn too busy swinging her glowy-sword thing to wave hello back.
The music is a very nice epic score that nicely underscores the story and action of the game, but the level mix is a bit uneven, and since part of the alchemy system involves catching little underground critters by listening for their telltale squeaks, not being able to hear the little fellas over the music is a slight issue, as is the fact that the options menu contains no volume control whatsoever.
Lasting Appeal
While the game is finite in terms of its story, several elements add to the title's replay value. The game can be played through at a number of different difficulty levels, and each level has branching paths that change the gameplay significantly. As laborious as I found the crafting systems, those that really get into deep customization systems in these games may find them fun to swim through as a break from the core gameplay. Each level is also open for re-entry if you didn't make it through the levels quite the way you wanted.
"No, I'm alright. Well... aside from the run in my nylons. And the nail I broke. And my hair just sucks today..."
Fun Factor
This game will largely appeal mainly to diehard RPG fans, but that isn't to say there isn't anything in Odin Sphere for the casual gamer either. The combat engine is simplistic for those who prefer old-school beat-'em-ups but nuanced enough that it won't be laughed off as overly basic. The game's round-robin approach to its narrative is also something that will attract gamers who like a deep story.
That isn't to say Odin Sphere isn't without a number of flaws that drop the title below the must-own rung of the retail ladder. While some will get a huge kick out of the crafting systems, the interface is something of a
clunky turn-off. The story is well-crafted in terms of its branching metaplot, but the cheesy dialogue masks the intent of the developer to make the game's story seem a bit hard to wade through.
The 411
Is Odin Sphere the innovative RPG that'll topple the Final Fantasy juggernaut off the top of the mountain? Is it a complete waste of your gaming dollar? Is it even an accurate interpretation of the Norse mythology from which it heavily borrows? Answers to all those questions is a resounding "no." Odin Sphere is equal parts good and bad, with pick-up-and-play mechanics and a unique visual style duking it out with brutal crafting systems and a dialogue script soaking in melodrama. The game has enough good going for it to at least give it a shot and the replay value is enough to keep gamers coming back, but the game's flaws may be too much for prospective players to sludge through.
Graphics
8.5
Excellent combo of 2D sprites and Pythonesque animation, backgrounds are nice but a little overly old-school, some framerate slowdown
Gameplay
7.0
Combat system is equal parts simple and challenging, fatigue meter quashes the temptation to button-mash your way through, item shops and crafting systems are overly complex and more a chore than an asset
Sound
7.0
Excellent voice acting in both Japanese and English, music score sometimes drowns out crucial side effects, no volume control
Lasting Appeal
7.5
Multiple levels of difficulty, narrative is branching and deep, all levels can be replayed for better scores
Fun Factor
7.0
Fun for RPG fans and casual gamers, some interface issues, bad dialogue scripting may seem a turn-off for some
