Odin Sphere

Platform: PlayStation 2
Genre: Action
Developer: Vanillaware
Publisher: Atlus
Release: 22 May 2007
Rating: Teen
Price: $15

Sometimes I miss the days of 2D video games. I mean, there are a lot of things you can do in 2D that just don't work as well in 3D. With most console developers having jumped into 3D for the most part, the only place to really get a good selection of 2D games is on the portable systems.
Odin Sphere on the PlayStation 2 is one of the exceptions. Developed by Vanillaware, who have more recently made Grim Grimoire and Muramasa: The Demon Blade, Odin Sphere features overwhelmingly beautiful hand-drawn artwork. It's lovingly-rendered, and looks one hundred times better than any given 3D game on the system. The drawback to this is, of course, loading times. But really, it's an even tradeoff, given how damn good the gameplay is.
It's a typical side-scrolling action game, but with some features that set it apart from the crowd:
*Five playable characters, each with a very different play style.
*An interesting leveling system that increases your maximum health as you use healing items and improves your special powers as you absorb the 'ammunition' for them (It may sound like Final Fantasy II, but it works so much better).
*A gripping plot based loosely on the Norse myths of Ragnarok.
*And a unique crafting system with 26 potions to create, one for each letter of the alphabet.
If you own a PS2 and haven't already played Odin Sphere, you're really missing out. Despite its monumental and sometimes frustrating level of difficulty, the game is charming and unique, a shining example of just what cane be done with games.
Plus, GameStop offers used copies at a price point of $15, so you have even less excuse to pass it up.
Play, save, and enjoy. See you next week.

--Kotaro