Saturday, June 02, 2007

Odin Sphere looks sharp, but gameplay a little dull (From USA Today)

Odin Sphere is proof looks can be deceiving. Atlus' action-RPG for the Play Station 2 boasts visuals that are majestic and breathtaking. Yet the game's core falls just short of providing an ideal match.

You control Gwendolyn, a valkyrie who must unravel a prophecy forecasting the destruction of Erion. Key to this prediction is the discovery of the Cauldron, a powerful relic pushing nations to battle for its ownership.

Right away, Odin Sphere's graphics captivate with deep color and lush landscapes. The cel-shaded animations are reminiscent of a children's storybook come to life.


The graphics convey the magnitude of the task at hand, particularly in terms of characters' stature. When you line up Gwendolyn with some of the larger villains in the game, you feel a strong sense of the daunting battles.


The plot reads much like a storybook, with acts and chapters for each level. Most of the heavy exploration found in RPGs is slashed, focusing mostly on battles and item collection. Maps are represented by smaller, circular landscapes with multiple exit points. Depending on how these landscapes are joined determine how you can move throughout.


Most of your time is spent either vanquishing foes or learning the game's skills. When you complete each, you'll be rewarded with items and cash.


Item creation is Odin Sphere's strongest suit. Food and other ingredients combine for a robust array of helpful potions and weapons, from napalm to poison antidotes. As you progress, you'll acquire recipes for each concoction. Unfortunately, organizing these items in your inventory is not as smooth. Storage options are also limited.


You'll control five characters throughout, each equipped with powerful weapons called Psyphers. Gwendolyn's, for example, is fashioned into the tip of a spear. Conquered foes emit phozons which you absorb with your Psypher. The energy is used to boost your character's experience and magic abilities.


Battles are usually entertaining, although sometimes grow tiresome during simpler levels. There's only one button for melee attack, which you'll press frantically to unleash combos. Magic effects and a draining attack meter keep battles from growing monotonous.


Boss battles are exhilarating. The attack meter is not as prevalent in low-level melees, but crucial here. Bosses also pack a huge wallop, so taking advantage of the circular levels and spells is key.


Most exploration is removed, replaced by far too many loading screens. Instead of traveling a rich environment, you're hopping from one circular landscape to the next. You can backtrack after completing a chapter, but the traditional exploration in RPG is missed.


Odin Sphere is a visually mesmerizing fantasy adventure, but the game's combat and exploration systems can't match the enchanting look.
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