cleveridea
Member
Wow, surprised to see such good reviews - I figured this was one of those niche games that didnt get any coverage, let alone rave reviews
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Odin Sphere Leifthrasir Review Thread
- Thread starter Jimmyfenix
- Start date
FantasticMrFoxdie
Mumber
whoa I may need to get this game. Vita ftw
Jimmyfenix
Member
yeah PS4 or vita is my dilemma as well
mcz117chief
Member
I am a big fan of Dragon's Crown gameplay, music, art style and everything. Do you guys think I will enjoy this one? They do look pretty similar but at the same time something rubs me the wrong way about it.
Will post my (video) review when it's ready but here are some brief points:
-It's great that they included the original's mechanics for the sake of preserving a largely overlooked game on the PS2, even if it's more experimental than a success due to the combat being a chore and the boss battles both of the mini and main variety being even more frustrating than they are in the enhanced mode as they throw hordes of enemies your way.
-Lots of improvements. The level system is simplified, as is alchemy and psyphers, namely by way of a new skill tree for each respective character. If you had problems with the POW consumption in the original, you now only have to worry about it with Mercedes.
-This is easily Vanillaware's best looking game. Whatever else can be said about one's preference or lack thereof for Kamitani's unique interpretation of the human form (really hope I look half as good as Odin does when i'm in my eighties or older), the rendition of the characters, coupled with the magnificent multi-layered background, are a true feast for the eyes. Minor slowdown aside (I only encountered it once throughout my 40+ hour playtime on a very hectic screen), it's a silky smooth experience from beginning to end.
-It's a good thing these levels look as good as they do because, while they definitely boiled off a lot of fat off of the original, this game repeats rooms and bosses more than your best friend does their favorite jokes from Louis C.K., except this game does so over the course of roughly 40 hours. There's some minor variance with which rooms appear before which, which room has a key or skill, etc. but aside from that the levels feel largely the same. It suffers the same issue as Muramasa Rebirth did (and Genroku Legends avoided thanks to it brevity) in terms of the tedious backtracking and other mechanics that eat up more time than they should like the cooking and consuming of food i.e. why does it have to be one at a time when you have the ingredients for 2, 3, 4 of the same one/when you might unlock a new recipe upon consuming said food the third time/not having the fullness mechanic that Muramasa did?
-The portrayal of Gwendolyn as a literal prize/an object for Odin to hand over to Oswald for killing a dragon isn't exactly the stuff of romance...but at the same time a problematic depiction of a woman is standard for Vanillaware at this point. Not a good thing in of itself (by which I mean it's bad), but it's not necessarily a surprise when it's in the same game where a grandfather threatens to whip his granddaughter for being disobedient.
-On that note, the romance between Oswald the Unlucky Knight and Gwendolyn feels non-existant due to the most romantic thing the former does for the latter
, especially when the game handles the other two main romances far better than this one.
-The combat is about what you'd expect from Vanillaware, smooth, centered on combos and functional, albeit Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir boasts a pretty extensive skill tree for all five main characters
-Unlocking the seventh book makes no sense in terms of the ongoing narrative i.e. the story literally being read by a little girl. This is a bit of a nitpick, but I couldn't help but be bugged by it given how the game structured the sixth one that has specific requirements to unlock it, not unless the final book is a choose your own adventure novel.
-The five stories showing different perspectives on the same conflict is well-done for the most part (the third book in particular is spectacular in that regard while simultaneously telling a compelling coming of age story), albeit the initial intrigue doesn't see a satisfying payoff come the (rushed) conclusion of the seventh book.
I do recommend it if you've already played through Genroku Legends and Dragon's Crown, especially if you've never played the original (and especially if you loved Genroku Legends since Odin Sphere is very much a blueprint for the various characters in that game, both in terms of gameplay and certain story bits), but I also feel those two games are better overall offerings by Vanillaware on (most of) the same systems OSL is currently on. Good game, but like Journey "it goes on and on and on and on".
-It's great that they included the original's mechanics for the sake of preserving a largely overlooked game on the PS2, even if it's more experimental than a success due to the combat being a chore and the boss battles both of the mini and main variety being even more frustrating than they are in the enhanced mode as they throw hordes of enemies your way.
-Lots of improvements. The level system is simplified, as is alchemy and psyphers, namely by way of a new skill tree for each respective character. If you had problems with the POW consumption in the original, you now only have to worry about it with Mercedes.
-This is easily Vanillaware's best looking game. Whatever else can be said about one's preference or lack thereof for Kamitani's unique interpretation of the human form (really hope I look half as good as Odin does when i'm in my eighties or older), the rendition of the characters, coupled with the magnificent multi-layered background, are a true feast for the eyes. Minor slowdown aside (I only encountered it once throughout my 40+ hour playtime on a very hectic screen), it's a silky smooth experience from beginning to end.
-It's a good thing these levels look as good as they do because, while they definitely boiled off a lot of fat off of the original, this game repeats rooms and bosses more than your best friend does their favorite jokes from Louis C.K., except this game does so over the course of roughly 40 hours. There's some minor variance with which rooms appear before which, which room has a key or skill, etc. but aside from that the levels feel largely the same. It suffers the same issue as Muramasa Rebirth did (and Genroku Legends avoided thanks to it brevity) in terms of the tedious backtracking and other mechanics that eat up more time than they should like the cooking and consuming of food i.e. why does it have to be one at a time when you have the ingredients for 2, 3, 4 of the same one/when you might unlock a new recipe upon consuming said food the third time/not having the fullness mechanic that Muramasa did?
-The portrayal of Gwendolyn as a literal prize/an object for Odin to hand over to Oswald for killing a dragon isn't exactly the stuff of romance...but at the same time a problematic depiction of a woman is standard for Vanillaware at this point. Not a good thing in of itself (by which I mean it's bad), but it's not necessarily a surprise when it's in the same game where a grandfather threatens to whip his granddaughter for being disobedient.
-On that note, the romance between Oswald the Unlucky Knight and Gwendolyn feels non-existant due to the most romantic thing the former does for the latter
after killing her sister, to boot, is give her a ring when Gwen doesn't seem like the materialistic kind of person to begin with
-The combat is about what you'd expect from Vanillaware, smooth, centered on combos and functional, albeit Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir boasts a pretty extensive skill tree for all five main characters
-Unlocking the seventh book makes no sense in terms of the ongoing narrative i.e. the story literally being read by a little girl. This is a bit of a nitpick, but I couldn't help but be bugged by it given how the game structured the sixth one that has specific requirements to unlock it, not unless the final book is a choose your own adventure novel.
-The five stories showing different perspectives on the same conflict is well-done for the most part (the third book in particular is spectacular in that regard while simultaneously telling a compelling coming of age story), albeit the initial intrigue doesn't see a satisfying payoff come the (rushed) conclusion of the seventh book.
I do recommend it if you've already played through Genroku Legends and Dragon's Crown, especially if you've never played the original (and especially if you loved Genroku Legends since Odin Sphere is very much a blueprint for the various characters in that game, both in terms of gameplay and certain story bits), but I also feel those two games are better overall offerings by Vanillaware on (most of) the same systems OSL is currently on. Good game, but like Journey "it goes on and on and on and on".
mrmickfran
Member
Any major differences between the PS3 and PS4 versions besides resolution?
ShooterMcGavin
Member
Yup, adding this to the backlog.
Wasn't that partially because the channel you linked was playing the super easy mode? Anyway yeah looks like hard is the way to go if you are at all experienced with games. It's odd they didn't adjust the AI except in Hell and New game+ mode.
There's never been a third party retail game with cross-buy. Sony doesn't even do it much these days themselves.This will be my third purchase of the game (PS2, PS2 download on PS3).. The demo showed enough for this to be a purchase.
Why no cross-buy?
Scrooge McDuck
Member
Gwendolyn and her relationship with Oswald are my only problem with the game's narrative. Her character growth - which I don't even think is growing towards a good place - is sudden and contrived, and she
sleeps through pretty much all the important events and thus has no understanding of what's actually happening.
WaterAstro
Member
I disagree. Gwendolyn broke away from her role as an obedient Princess and fell in love with Oswald on her own volition despite being tricked by Odin. Gwendolyn is presented as a strong female type in this story. It's not sexist at all.
And Oswald didn't kill Griselda.
cj_iwakura
Member
GrimGrimoire next, please. Best Vanillaware game.
NinjamicWZ
Banned
It's not quite the same set up or as high fantasy cool, but I think you would, yeah. The combat is very fast and agile, so think playing as the Elf, and there's some potion magic stuff that will feel a bit like Wizard/Sorceress. Everything flows together nicely in semi-mindless air juggling combos in a way that Dragon's Crown doesn't, and for what it lacks in loot, multiplayer and new game+ grind it makes up for in having a lot of separate story trees for the characters for it's long term play value.
NormalFish
Banned
I've been wanting to play this one. Vita port seems unlikely but I'd be thrilled.
For those waiting on the Vita demo, it'll be up on the store tomorrow.
https://twitter.com/AtlusUSA/status/738161713950777344?s=09
https://twitter.com/AtlusUSA/status/738161713950777344?s=09
id rather have Grand Knights History... though i guess ill settle for the Kamitani-less Grand Kingdoms for now.
UpwindPoet24
Neo Member
Playing through it now, will have a review up on the site probably on Monday.
More like everyone but the director-less.
Spiral Insanity
Banned
Will gladly rebuy. Excited about the improvements.
The12thGripper
Member
I've had this game in the back of my mind ever since it was announced but I've been torn on whether or not I should get it.
I really liked Muramasa Rebirth but I didn't like Dragon's Crown all that much. Which game is it more like?
I really liked Muramasa Rebirth but I didn't like Dragon's Crown all that much. Which game is it more like?
Definitely more like Rebirth and Genroku Legends than Dragon's Crown due to the layout of each level and the backtracking/side objectives each includes like extra skills and recipes to unlock resembling the 2D Plat-tracker style the former two employ. If you liked that game but wished it was lengthier and had more variety in terms of play styles for characters, you'll love this game.
The12thGripper
Member
Sweet, thanks.
Mr. Smiley
Member
The original style of gameplay is there right? So if I feel the game is too easy, I can switch over to the mechanics of the original release, right?
Tricky I Shadow
Banned
Great reviews. Day 1 on Vita!
2016 continues to kick ass!
2016 continues to kick ass!
Yeah. The original version with HD graphics is on the disc as well. Just select Classic Mode from the start menu.
Mr. Smiley
Member
Cool. Will pick up.
tearsintherain
Member
I had both on preorder, tried both the GK beta and Odin Sphere demo. Haven't really played many (any) JRPGs outside Final Fantasy.
I didn't like Grand Kingdom at all, way too much clicking and didn't like the combat system at all. Cancelled that pre order.
Odin Sphere is a bit more interesting, it feels ... weird... to me, the side scrolling system feels like a throwback but I liked the chars and fighting and levels. Hopefully its a little more complicated in release, in the demo I just spammed X and got through everything without really understanding any of the moves. Love the artwork though, the backgrounds are gorgeous. Still, I think after 10-15 hours I'd probably get bored of this game, but luckily there isn't really too much else to play right now so I'm keeping my story book Odin Sphere pre order.
Anyways point is I think unless people are big fans of the originals probably a good idea to check out the demos to decide for yourself, especially if you are unfamiliar with the games or genres like myself. Definitely very different from the usual FPS/action games I play.
Vita copy is $20 cheaper. That makes it a pretty easy decision for me unless there's horrible slowdown or something.
7DollarHagane
Banned
ugh i don't want to complain about price but a remake at $60 is always a hard sell for me. especially if it's just one game in that package. I hope this will hit $20 by end of year used or on sale, going to have to wait until then.
FantasticMrFoxdie
Mumber
Yeah, I'm hopeful. I'll probably wait on gaffers impression's before pulling the trigger though.
ULTROS!
People seem to like me because I am polite and I am rarely late. I like to eat ice cream and I really enjoy a nice pair of slacks.
The PS4 version is around $60 whereas the PSVita version is around $40
Valkerionseven
Member
Think I might save the $20 and go PSvita on this for now. Loved the demo and really fine tuned the gameplay imo. Actually fun to play. Only beat Gwen's first half before I could not be bothered to keep playing despite actually liking the game.
Vanethyr
Member
I hope the Vita one sells a lot and gives them an incentive to remaster and translate Grand Knights History for it.
DevilTakoyaki
Member
Here's the UNBOXING VIDEO of my PS4 Storybook Edition.
Got the game two days ago but I'm busy with Overwatch. Lol
PS. Sorry that the video is not in English.
And here's a few pic if you guys want to see.
Got the game two days ago but I'm busy with Overwatch. Lol
PS. Sorry that the video is not in English.
And here's a few pic if you guys want to see.
sixteen-bit
Member
doesn't they have that high school apocalyptic mecha game in development?
Kowashitai
Banned
Yup. The trailer was posted somewhere in the thread too.
FWIW: Of the 40+ hours I played of the Vita version, I only encountered slowdown once, that being during a trial stage. Safe to say it runs really well on the system.
DrROBschiz
Member
Hmmm
Im gonna say longer.. I mean they are similar in length if you play both to absolute completion of all content
And like Dragons Crown there is a degree of repitition with the assets.. though it might be less so in this remake with all the new content added
tearsintherain
Member
Thanks for that unboxing video, that looks awesome!! Really glad you showed everything too, so many don't show the actual game case and I'm always curious if it includes a regular game case or just the disc in the steelbook.
I hate how all CEs now stamp "Not For Resale" on the back of their regular game case, makes it harder to trade the game in after I am done. Usually just end up trading the disc alone but then I feel bad for the person who ends up buying the used copy.
TetraGenesis
Member
I never beat it on PS2. Hmm... Maybe it's time to try again?