Odin Sphere defies all logic. Sure, we still see 2D games on the DS, but this is different. This is a full budget PS2 game with high-res graphics and flawless animation. No attention to detail was spared as every last little corner of every screen is meticulously, beautifully hand drawn. Layer upon layer of vibrant art parallactically scroll in the background of every screen. As an avid 2D gamer I’m willing to go so far as to say that this is the most visually impressive 2D game I’ve ever played.

Odin Sphere plays like your standard 2D action game with RPG elements. Combat is not unlike Tales of Destiny, but movement is far less restricted. You could think of it as a fast-paced Castlevania. The battlefield is circular, meaning you will eventually end up where you started if you keep running forward. The areas are mostly flat with no platforms, so there’s little to do but run forward until the enemy appears. However the depth of combat easily makes up for the lack of level variety. You are not overwhelmed with a plethora of moves to dispatch your enemy. Just your standard low, mid, high and aerial attacks as well as a special attack and a 4 hit chain attack that can leave you exposed. Combat is simple to learn yet hard to master, for the enemy is smart, powerful, and requires strategy and dexterity to defeat. After clearing an area of enemies you move on to the next. Each “chapter” consists of several small stages like this, strung together with branching paths. You have some freedom to pick your own route to the boss, with many optional areas, which yield rare items at the cost of difficult battles. After beating the boss you go on to the next chapter; however, previously beaten chapters may be re-entered to gain items and levels.

The RPG aspect of the game revolves around the many items you acquire. For every area of enemies you defeat, you a rewarded a chest full of items. Among the most valuable items are those called “material”. Like many Japanese RPGs today, Odin Sphere uses an alchemy system. You can combine “material” with roots you find in the ground to make potions with extremely useful properties. The process is tedious at times, but for the most part is fun and helps break up the combat. In addition to item management, consumable balls of light called Phozons are released from defeated enemies. You may absorb these yourself to increase your max attack, or you may plant seeds in the ground which will absorb the Phozons and instantly grow fruit. In addition to healing you a bit, fruit increases your max HP, so allocating your Phozons between yourself and growing fruit is essential.

I was pleased with the option to change the difficulty throughout the game. Avid gamers will find normal mode somewhat easy, so give hard mode a shot. Once you get the hang of alchemy, things become a lot easier. Should you die, you simply start that area over again. Since the areas are small, with the longest ones taking maybe five of six minutes, dying isn’t so bad. When it comes to RPGs, I much prefer this style as opposed to the more archaic system of forcing one to play a large portion of the game over again should he falter. Of course such leniency does add a bit of what I call “Solid Snake Syndrome” to the game, meaning it’s easier to die if you mess up, rather than to try and recover. Ultimately I’m happy with their choice since the closer “respawn points” allow for greater challenge.

The story borrows from Norse mythology and feels a lot like a fairly tale. The characters, of which there are many, speak earnestly and with great conviction. The simplicity of the plot combined with strong archetypal themes and truly great writing made for a story different than what I am used to and I found it very refreshing compared to the hackneyed RPG plots I’ve become as accustomed to. You progressively play as five different characters, each with their own scenario. The plot lines intertwine and you meet people you’ve previously played. It’s just like the SaGa series in that respect, each scenario taking around ten hours depending on your skill. You visit most the same places in each scenario and fight many of the same bosses. For me, the game never became repetitive; each character has their own abilities and play style. However, I’m willing to wager some will enjoy a break between scenarios to keep the game from feeling stale. Like many Atlus games, both English and the original Japanese dialog is included! As always, I have to insist the Japanese is far better, but those who like English dubbing will find no fault with this one.

Ultimately, I’m hard-pressed to find a type of gamer who would not enjoy Odin Sphere. Fanatical old- school gamers like myself will instantly fall in love with every perfectly executed aspect of this game and tout it as a gift from the 2D game Gods that long ago (around ‘95) forsook them. Admittedly, others probably won’t equate Odin Sphere to a religious experience, but the phenomenal art, tight gameplay, intriguing plot, and addicting item mechanics are enough for me to recommend this game to nearly everyone.