Odin Sphere

This game had some of the best voice acting on any platform, the graphics are very good even 4 the PS2, gameplay had the right idea along with the story.
The "BIG" thing that holds this game down is the major slowdown during battles. This really irritates me along with many others that witnessed this themselves.
When you are up against many enemies at once its like the game suddenly went into slow motion. You are dragging beating all your enemies untill the screen is all clear of them.
This game would have been a 5star 4 me if it was not 4 this.
Game's like this would make a lot more money & have many more fan's if developers took the time 2 fix things like this. Even if they have a deadline 2 release their games.
"The more effort you put into it, the more you will get out of it"

This is a damn charming game. If you're looking 4 a style of animation strongly reminiscent of Yozhik v tumane's trademark animation techniques, I highly recommend this game 2 you. This game oozes with beauty.

Recommendations stop there. Simply having an inventory & interesting story doesn't make a game an "RPG". This is a hack'n'slash game. If that's your thing, cool. It's not mine, though. I find repetitive & shallow gameplay 2 be a bad thing.

That's not 2 say I didn't enjoy it. I played an hour into it & let someone else take over, so I could merely savor the sweet, sweet beauty & awe this game offers. Download some videos of it or something. It's really quite a thing 2 behold.

From the advertising & hype one would think this game had a bit more storyline.
Very (big emphasis on very) loosely based on the Norse mythology of Odin & his Valkyries, the game would have been a lot better with more storyline & a better weapons & potions system. After completing "stages" the game advances & you see flat 2d renderings of a rather brainless story.

It's not that the artwork isn't pretty enough in & of itself, it is nicely drawn & has a nice glow but as is typical of a side scrolling game it is flat & Odin & some of the creatures are a bit ridiculous.

Aesthetics aside the potion making portion is fun, however it gets frustrating very fast because of all the items & recipes needed & your item bags get too full 2 pick up what you need. As a true RPG fan I like 2 save some potions 4 later use but with this system it is nearly impossible.
The game also tells you 2 use your attacks & potions "Strategically" but when your enemies have strong attacks all you can do is jump & slash & hope you don't get hit while recharging your power. It is also difficult 2 level up or get money 2 buy things because your points do not come from defeating monsters, they come from items & how fast & how well you finish each stage (which determines the items & money you get afterward.) You also can't make potions in the middle of battle or collect more photons (attack power) after you clear a stage (until you come back) so here is where a larger inventory would be handy. Be prepared 2 loose a lot of frustrating battles!

Even Tales of Legendia had a better storyline (albeit it dragged on too long) but if you don't care about the depth of gameplay a normal RPG has or mind the flat side scroll it is an ok game 2 have in your PS2 inventory. Overall I rate it as below average.

I'm not joking, either. Odin Sphere's graphics are second 2 none, & the story line's nothing 2 laugh at, either.

This game is actually about a small girl who finds some story books in her attic. All of the stories are intertwined, but each book is about one of the 5 main characters in particular (save 4 the last, which involve all characters). The setup is unique. Unless you play through all 5 of the books, the story is filled with plot holes & time gaps.

The story follows the war between the Aesir (the Valkyries) & the Vanir (the Fairy folk), both attempting 2 control a device known as the Crystallization Cauldron & its ultimate role in the destruction of the world. The main plot follows the paths traveled by five main characters: a Valkyrie cast out of her nation, a prince turned into a beast, a fairy who would succeed her mother as queen, a knight who's soul resides in darkness, & a princess from a nation long since destroyed by the Cauldron.

To watch the game is 2 watch a masterpiece come alive. It's a 2D side-scrolling RPG, something unheard of on the PS2. It can become incredibly difficult at times, particularly so if you get caught in a mass of enemies attacking from both sides. Item space is also limited. It's a hard lesson 2 learn that items should be used, not saved 4 later. But, since dropped items are commonplace, you don't have 2 feel so bad about using that healing potion now instead of saving it 4 the boss fight. The food growing system can either kill you or save your life, depending on how you use it. You can eat food that you grow 2 regain lost HP, but you leave yourself open 2 attack. This choice can be difficult 2 make if you're near death. Finally, the alchemy system has 26 recipes 4 you 2 learn, which means Gwendolyn (the first character you play as) won't have as much of an edge as Velvet (the last one).

Some people will find this game just as frustrating as others enjoy it. If you enjoy tactical adventure/RPG games that require some quick thinking & fast reflexes, then you'll absolutely love this game. Otherwise, you may only find yourself frustrated. I highly recommend this game 2 anyone who even thinks they might enjoy it.

To start off, I'd like 2 say that I loved Odin Sphere. I searched all over my town 4 a copy of the game & I was elated when I finally got my hands on one. When I first started up my game, I instantly fell in love with it, & enjoyed every moment...until Cornelius' storyline. In his storyline, the boss fights are great & there are enemies everywhere which happens 2 be the reason this game can't get five stars. The slowdown is AGONIZING. There was one particular boss fight that involves a dragon that spits out trash & sucks it back up. This fight was the reason that I gave up on the game & traded it back in, it is THAT BAD. I recommend that if you plan 2 buy this game, either get a PS3 or a boatload of patience, because you will need it. Otherwise, the game is great. The story is very intriguing, the characters are deep, & the music is wonderful. If you can deal with the excrutiating slowdown, I recommend giving this game a chance.

In Odin Sphere, players enact the story of their world's end. A great kingdom named Valentine was brought apart by natural disaster & internal strife. As war broke out, the once-great nation became a wasteland. As a demon lord named Odin schemes 2 conquer it, a far-off sorceror plans 2 use ancient magic that will bring an apocalypse. As the nations struggle 4 control, the world steadily slips unknowingly toward its demise, ancient prophecies are ready 2 be fulfilled -- unless a young princess named Gwendolyn can stop the bloody feud between nations & fight 4 unity.