Odin Sphere

Odin Sphere Description

Remember when Princess Crown was released way back in 1997 on the Saturn. No? Don't worry, there's a reason for that. It was only released in Japan. Fortunately for fans of Japanese RPGs, its spiritual successor, Odin Sphere, has made its way to the PS2. The game's story unfolds in an offbeat manner, with a young girl picking her way through five books. Which... sounds a bit boring, actually. But fear not! You don't take on the role of the girl, you play through the intertwining stories of the five different heroes that are spread through the texts. The plot revolves around a powerful artefact - the Crystallisation Cauldron, left behind by a devastated kingdom - and the different factions (including the Fairy kingdom of Ringford and the land of Ragnanival) that seek to control it. Sound complicated? You might find it getting that way, with 40-plus hours of gameplay to go at, but fortunately developer Atlus has included a timeline to keep you up to speed. This RPG forsakes traditional turn-based combat for a more action-based side scrolling gameplay mechanic. That doesn't mean, however, that you won't find room for a bit of creativity. You'll find a cooking and alchemy system that will allow you to concoct powerful attack and recovery items. Throw in an orchestral score from Hitoshi Sakimoto, the composer behind Final Fantasy XII, and Japanese RPG fans will find they've got plenty to keep them happy.