Odin Sphere is 2-dimensional greatness

[Robert Paulson]

I'm surprised no one's made a thread about this yet.

So, anyone played Odin Sphere yet? I got my copy earlier today. Holy crap, I've never seen sprites this detailed, this fluid, this . . . awesome. This is easily one of the most beautiful games in history. And if that wasn't enough, it's actually fun to play, too! The game kind of plays like the Dynasty Warrior games, but in 2d, and with RPG mechanics. Some other things I noticed: The story is interesting, the voiceovers are good, it's challenging, the music is good, and the controls are easy to figure out. What more could you ask for? Chances are Odin Sphere will be the last PS2 game I ever care about.

So, has anyone here played Odin Sphere yet?

[Eltargrim]

Nope, but this means that it is time to dust off my PS2. Life is grand!

[Deathosaurus Wrecks]

it definitely sounds cool from what i've heard. but i don't have a PS2, so its gonna be a while before i check it out.

[greed]

I just got it today, looks way too awesome. Fuller impressions in 6 or 7 hours.

[mudah.swf]

I was put off buying this after reading various negative impressions of it. It looks good but the gameplay sounds so sloppy.

[The Wandering God]

I'm very interested in this title, but I heard it has bad slowdown.

And does it have voice acting, and is that any good?

The Wandering God

[greed]

OK just got back from playing, taking a break since I'm getting my arse kicked a little.

To answer some comments.

Mudah, The gameplay is by no means sloppy, it's tight and very complex. Nicely challenging too.

Wandering God.

There is noticeable slowdown, but it's not enough to be annoying, to me at least, and only occurs when you get a dozen or more enemies attacking and using projectiles. There is full English and Japanese VA, the english is very good quality so far, Odin in particular sounds awesome.


So yeah excellent so far. Great gameplay, good(though definitely background) music, good VA and incredible graphics.

[mudah.swf]

Tell me if the slowdown during the first character's final boss is as bad as I've heard since everyone seems to agree that the slowdown during that fight makes the game near unplayable. Also apparently you only get one basic combo per character and it doesn't stagger enemies which was a part in me being put off Odin Sphere. Having enemies be able to cheapshot me during a combo doesn't sound like fun.

Not only that, the reviews seem pretty undecided over this game. Looks like it's one of those love or hate games.

[Lord of Joshelplex]

Am I the only one who thinks the art in this game is horrendous?

[Coinspinner]

Am I the only one who thinks the art in this game is horrendous?
Probably not, but you are the first I've seen say so.

I love the art. The use of color especially.

[Lord of Joshelplex]

I dont mind the color, but the character designs are just...

[Bonepart]

I bought this game based on the art alone. It's a very very pretty game :)

I like the character designs quite a bit personally, and the game turned out to be a lot of fun

[42PETUNIAS]

It looks like it has nice graphics, but I'm gonna have to agree with Joshelplex that the character designs aren't that great.

[Lord of Joshelplex]

I mean, I like the way the Dark Knight guy looks, but after seeing Odin, I mean, just... wow. I would like to kinow if this game has any form of New Game + function, or if the combat is a broken as I had heard.

[Robert Paulson]

I would like to know if this game has any form of New Game + function, or if the combat is as broken as I had heard.

I completed Gwendolyn's story earlier today. If you play as a character whose story you've already completed, you start all over, BUT with the levels and items you had when you last completed the story. I believe that answers your question.

As for the combat system, I don't think it's broken. I would say it's rather basic, (Remember, very Dynasty Warriors-ish.) but it works.

I too have noticed slowdown whenever a bunch of stuff is happening on the screen, and it is a pain, but I can live with it. So far, I still think Odin Sphere was a worthy purchase.

[Coinspinner]

The combat would be improved if enemies flinched more predictably. It doesn't seem to matter what I attack with, the enemies seem to get staggered at random.

[Lord of Joshelplex]

The combat would be improved if enemies flinched more predictably. It doesn't seem to matter what I attack with, the enemies seem to get staggered at random.

That right there puts me off. I dont wanna get cheap shotted mid attack.

[Coinspinner]

That right there puts me off. I dont wanna get cheap shotted mid attack.

Don't feel bad about skipping it then.

...no wait, feel very bad. This game is the savior of 2d graphics and blah blah blah...

(kidding :p)

[ThunderousWrath]

I've noticed that my attacks get interrupted at pattern-like intervals depending on the enemies I'm attacking. Usually I can block or jump away or otherwise negate the attack (occasionally using invincibility frames granted by the magic system).

I'm completely in love with this game. What few complaints I have are really kind of nit-picky... The combat system seems kind of imprecise, to me. One reason is that you have to really mash the attack button FAST to get through the standard combo. Another reason is that, while some attacks have long startup or wind-down, you absolutely cannot cancel any animations -- it's taking me a little while to get used to this.

While it's difficult to adjust to the system for a guy like me (I play a lot of DMC3 and God Hand, where fluid use of varying cancels is very important), it's not really a bad thing. It encourages you to play more carefully and use strategy rather than raw, reflexive "twitch" action.

I actually really dig the character design. It reminds me of some of the odder picture books I had when I was a kid. The music is, IMO, fantastic, as is the voice-acting. I'm still wondering where the story will go, but as of now I'm very impressed with some of the thematic elements on display.

The thing that stands out the most to me about Odin Sphere is really the craftsmanship so evident in the game. It seems to me that everyone who worked on this game, loved this game, and took the time to ensure that they achieved what they were aiming for.

Exactly what they were aiming for, I can admit, is not going to be every gamer's cup of tea. But so far I dig it very much.

In retrospect, I do have one major complaint: I disapprove of rabbit-people. Yes, rabbit-people. Inclusion of rabbit-people is ALWAYS a mistake!

[Coinspinner]

Sorry, but no. Vierra where all that saved FFTA and responsible for approximately 43.7% of the awesome in FFXII.

[bananarama]

Sorry, but no. Vierra where all that saved FFTA and responsible for approximately 43.7% of the awesome in FFXII.

Wow. Apparently Coinspinner is a bunny girl otaku.
If you didn't understand that sentence, then YOU SUCK!
Also I wanna get this game so badly, but one thing I want to know is how does the story work out. I know that it seperated between like 5 characters, but are they all interconnected or is it chronological? Basically do you get a choice on order of the characters you play or not?

[Coinspinner]

Each character has their own chapter, you can't choose which order to play the chapters though you can replay chapters you've completed, and the chapters are not in chronological order. In fact it's rather difficult to make out the order of events at times.

[Elyk_Camroc]

Odin Sphere is one of the best games I've ever played!