Odin Sphere (Sony PlayStation 2, 2007)

As soon as you start Odin Sphere it's unique art style pulls you in straight from the title screen. Even just setting up your game and loading it makes you smile at times, as it is a little girl reading different stories about the world. You have to actually go and pick up your book to read and sit on a big cozy couch to start your game. They even give you the option to play with your pet cat as well.

From the get go the action starts after a brief intro, and if your not careful will promptly kick your ass. This is not a go in slashing game as enemies can quickly overtake you, and some require unique strategies to kill. The backgrounds in the game are beautiful as well, they seem to go on forever which is quite the feat for a 2D game. Even your home bases are enthralling in their own right.

The game even incorporates a simple alchemy system for you to create needed potions and power-ups. There are also recipes to collect and a cooking side game, which is detrimental to boosting your HP. On top of all that you can grow your own fruit/ingredients too. This is done by killing enemies who release phozons. Seeds require a certain amount to grow so your best bet is to plant the ones you want/need before the baddies start coming as the phozons are also used to increase your level as well as develop weapons.

The one bad thing about the game is the repetition. Each character you start again from lvl. 1, while this fits into the story and the playing is fun, once you get that once character who you really aren't interested in (for me the fairy princess)the game tends to drag a bit. Not much like those crappy fetch quests in others. Also, while the locales are easy on the eyes; after 100 times you get it. Each of the characters have their own unique weapons and fighting styles, so this helps break the monotony. Plus the characters all have full voice acting, of the good kind, to keep you enthralled. You can even switch to the full Japanese dialog if you'd like.

All in all this game is one of the best I've played in years. I really enjoy the gameplay and am a sucker for pretty 2D games. The pace is good and the bosses are huge. When you go against a dragon you really feel like you are taking something ancient and powerful down. This is a game any PS2 or PS3 owner should have if you are a fan of RPGs or Action titles. If you don't buy it you're missing out!

I was on the fence about this game until I rented it a few months ago, then I was hooked. Hand drawn environments and characters set the stage for the artistic design and the music is brought to you by Basiscape which was a group of musicians founded by Hitoshi Sakimoto (who brought you soundtracks to Vagrant Story, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Final Fantasy XII). This is first and foremost an action rpg
with completely original character growth concepts. You plant seeds before battles and then using your staff draw the souls of dead enemies into the seeds which then grow plants which drop fruits that you eat to gain experience points. It sounds rather complicated because it is but it's the most refreshing experience in an action rpg that I've had since playing games like Actraiser or Demon's Souls. It is a side scroller 2-D game with amazing sized bosses and brilliant graphics. If you are a fan of RPG's, Action RPG's, Side-Scrollers, or just want something new and great don't hesitate to pick up this game.

Let's be honest here, the Playstation 2 was one of the greatest gaming systems of all time not due to the volume of games it had, but because of the quality ones Sony decided not to shrug off. Atlus, who are renowned for their quality RPGs, brings us another amazing game in the form of Odin Sphere.

Odin Sphere is a 2D sidescrolling RPG with an interesting method of storytelling divided among five different character viewpoints. Each of the five characters has their own storyline as well as their own unique repertoire of abilities. The game also sports its Alchemy system, which allows the user to make and brew potions of many varieties to defend yourself or assail your enemies.

Gameplay wise, Odin Sphere sort of goes back to those sidescrolling beat-em-ups you played back in the Arcade when Arcades still existed, giving you that unique feeling of gameplay while delivering unto you the nice nostalgic feel gamers just seem to adore.

Graphically, Odin Sphere looks beautiful, so beautiful in fact that there are certain portions of the game where it actually slows down! This however, is not a general problem as the slowdown is mild (and, in my opinion, sometimes appreciated) and doesn't take away from the experience.

Sound, ah, this game has an incredible soundtrack, and sports some very good voice acting as well. You might even hear some familiar voices while you play as well!

Character wise, this game has very lovable characters, each having their own stories that change them all in some way.

All in all, Odin Sphere is a fantastic RPG and if you like RPGs, this is one of those games you should own.

Pros:
The hand-drawn graphics in Odin Sphere are breathtaking. In a surreal fashion you are able to plant a seed and watch it grow into a fruit bearing tree, the art and animation behind this are simply beautiful. Also, the design of the in game characters is filled with great creativity. The gameplay is quick and dynamic and is reminiscent of a 2D fighting game. The alchemy potion creation system is both deep and easy to get used to. You are able to play as five different characters with interconnected stories. The boss battles in the game are epic in scale.

Cons:
During the heat of a boss battle; when there is a lot of action on the screen, the game slows down noticeably. This is because PS2's hardware is having trouble keeping up with all the action on screen. Also, when you start playing as a different character you are often forced to revisit the same locations that you had already played. The bosses in those areas will have to be beaten again. The gameplay can be repetitive at times.

Bottom line: Odin Sphere is a very beautiful and a very memorable game. If you buy this game you will not be disappointed.

This RPG is absolutely stunning visually. The game itself is 2D scroller with 2D-3D background. Everything from the characters to the environment is visually awesome! The story is from the beginning is hard to understanding, but thats the mystery which the player builds on to continue the game and progress through it. The controls however do need a bit of learning before the player can fully adapt and use effectively. Overall, it is definitely a game to have, ATLUS has done it again, except this time away from their previously known fighters in the Guilty Gear series.