Odin Sphere

 PlayStation 2
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 49 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 49
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 49
  3. Negative: 0 out of 49
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  1. AceGamez
    100
    If there is one phrase that can cover just about everything Odin Sphere is about, it would be this: Odin Sphere has 2D sensibilities. If you remove the technological aspect of the game - not that you'd want to - you have a game that could just as easily been released on the Super Nintendo and ruled the hearts and dreams of fan boys and girls around the world.
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  2. Play Magazine
    100
    In the case of Odin Sphere, however, I am confident that this is a perfect game, and that anyone who comes to it will derive the same. [May 2007, p.16]
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  3. Deeko
    100
    Odin Sphere may have flaws and you might find yourself repeating areas over and over again as you play through the five different books, but the fact of the matter is that this is as close to perfection as you're going to get on the PS2.
  5. RPG Fan
    92
    To sum up, never have I seen a game so visually pleasing. If you look past the heavy repetition, Odin Sphere is a fun game with solid concepts, along with a great musical score and interesting plot.
  6. GameShark
    91
    While some players may ultimately find the combat and inventory limitations to be more than they can bear, Odin Sphere deserves much credit for its artfully elegant approach to a genre that is too frequently weighed down by yawn-inducing cases of déjà vu.
  7. Gaming Age
    91
    As a title of epic proportions, Odin Sphere cannot be missed by anyone who owns a Playstation 2.
  8. Gaming Nexus
    90
    You can see that this game is a labor of love, which these days feels all too rare.
  9. ZTGD
    90
    With so much focus these days on polygons and lighting effects it is nice to see that some developers can still create a gorgeous experience using traditional methods.
  10. Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
    90
    Exceptional in looks, sound and story. [Apr 2008, p.78]
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  11. Gameplayer
    90
    Daring, dazzling, and different. Divine.
  12. GameTrailers
    90
    Odin Sphere is a rare gem - fans of action games, RPGs or just good artwork are in for a treat. Its mix of gameplay styles is near-perfect and the art on display here will remind you that quality 2D visuals never go out of style.
  13. GamesRadar+
    90
    Beyond its quality, its unexpectedness is what makes Odin Sphere doubly special. It came from absolutely nowhere and reminds us that people are still struggling to make the games of their dreams.
  14. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    90
    Take the time to savor Odin Sphere--they don't make too many like it anymore. [July 2007, p.92]
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  15. PSM Magazine
    90
    So, as you've gathered, Odin Sphere is an incredibly deep, incredibly detailed, spectacularly beautiful game--and it doesn't hurt that it plays like a dream, proving that gaming excellence doesn't necessarily require a third dimension. [July 2007, p.76]
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  16. TotalPlayStation
    90
    Gorgeous from top to bottom, simultaneously old-school and yet nicely updated and an absolute joy to play Odin Sphere is a monumental achievement in art design and execution. Now if we could just get it all in HD.
  17. Game Chronicles
    90
    With a unique and deep battle and level system, a good storyline, interesting characters, well balanced gameplay and plenty of eye and ear candy, Odin Sphere is an awesome game that will most likely go on any action and RPG fan's list of favorites.
  18. PSM3 Magazine UK
    89
    The sweetest eye candy around, low on strategy but alive with punchy action. First-rate. [Apr 2008, p.80]
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  19. GameZone
    89
    Odin Sphere is the ultimate non-RPG. You will be immersed. You will be awestruck. You will be inspired to play through every stage again and again.
  20. GamingTrend
    88
    The depth overwhelmed me for a bit, especially trying to remember all of the alchemy recipes, and some of the boss fights were extremely tough, but the game overall shines and is definitely one of the best, and quirkiest, games on the PS2 out this year.
  21. Games Master UK
    88
    It's different, and a true joy to see in motion. A great RPG swansong for the PS2. [Apr 2008, p.80]
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  22. Game Almighty
    88
    One of the most enjoyable, unique, and visually appealing titles the veteran PS2 has ever seen. With a brawler foundation and borrowing from several other gameplay styles, Odin Sphere should appeal old-school gamers, RPG fans, and even button-mashers alike.
  23. IGN
    88
    Simply put, this 40+ hour adventure, with multiple difficulty levels and extremely deep gameplay mechanics is one of the best RPGs to come out on the PS2 in a while.
  24. GamerNode
    87
    Gamers old and new will enjoy it, and it's truly a fun and unique gaming experience from beginning to end.
  25. Gamer's Hell
    87
    Odin sphere is a great game that I’m really enjoying and I think anyone with any interest in RPG's, action RPG's, or things from Japan in general will really enjoy this game.
  26. Digital Entertainment News
    87
    If you’re looking for a PS2 RPG with a unique personality, Odin Sphere’s the game for you.
  27. GamePro
    85
    With an involved battle system and so many different characters and stories, you're guaranteed to enjoy every second that you'll inevitably invest in Odin Sphere.
  28. 1UP
    85
    What really brings the story to life is Odin Sphere's brilliant, flowing script, which is almost Shakespearean in places. Combined with the gorgeous art, the eloquent dialogue really cements the illusion that you're playing an animated fairy tale. I can't stress enough how important this is.
  29. Game Informer
    85
    Odin Sphere’s story, systems, and combat mechanics are easy enough to describe, but the game’s biggest strength is the way it cultivates a sense of wonder.
  30. GamingExcellence
    82
    The gameplay itself is enjoyable because of its simplicity, not despite it.
  31. Play UK
    82
    A gorgeous action RPG that'll inspire passion in the hardcore, Odin Sphere is only marred by its minor unbalance in combat, and occasional repetition. [Issue#164, p.91]
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  32. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    80
    Smartly multi-layered plot. [Apr 2008, p.112]
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  33. GameDaily
    80
    Atlus plucked another gem from Japan and brought it to the U.S.
  34. Gamer 2.0
    80
    Odin Sphere does a lot to show you that with the proper attention to detail, 2D can still provide for great-looking games that can stand out amongst the myriad of 3D games that occupy the shelves today.
  35. G4 TV
    80
    One issue that only seems to get worse throughout Odin Sphere is the endless amount of inventory management.
  36. NTSC-uk
    80
    A flawed masterpiece and one which will undoubtedly be as fondly remembered as its predecessor.
  37. GameSpot
    76
    Despite serious performance issues, Odin Sphere successfully brings together gorgeous, stylized visuals and satisfying gameplay in a lengthy and engaging adventure.
  38. NZGamer
    75
    A delightful little hack n’ slash rpg despite, or maybe because of, its flaws.

Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Best PS2 Game of 2007
10
#10 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2007
11
#11 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2007

User Reviews

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User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 76 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 62 out of 76
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 76
  3. Negative: 3 out of 76
  1. PneumaticHat
    Nov 8, 2012
    5
    I see what Vanilla Ware were going for, but the game just isn't that accessible or consistently enjoyable. You will die without grinding forI see what Vanilla Ware were going for, but the game just isn't that accessible or consistently enjoyable. You will die without grinding for the right items for the right rooms. You will die without grinding for the right amount of experience points. You will die for trying to avoid stockpiling healing items to cope with the tons of unavoidable hits. Odin Sphere is a farming-intensive game, plain and simple, and if not for the gorgeous production values it would have raked in mediocre scores from every reviewer around. Even the graphics manage to hurt it, as the PS2 version suffers from terrible, unforgivable slowdown and the worst load times since Shadowman. Frequently, restarting a level (which you will do, all the time, either because you died or you're grinding), means a 30-second load screen, skipping a cutscene, then another 30-second load screen. Between each stage's 7 or 8 areas are 10 to 15-seconds of loading, and each room then takes another 15 seconds to load enemies in. Coming into a battle ill-equipped, which also happens constantly and can make some battles literally impossible, means at least 5 minutes of sitting around staring at a spinning icon while you replay the entire level. This is far too frustrating to merit the slim chance of a smooth playthrough.

    At the end of the day, Odin Sphere is fun very rarely, and only once you've mixed enough potions and slogged through enough repeats of the same dungeons to setup a perfect battle. That really disappoints me, too, because freed of all the limiting nonsense and flat terrain, the core game would revolve around solid 2D platforming goodness. I love to see experiments in game style, but originality can't hold its novelty when weak design keeps taking center stage.    … Full Review »
  2. JayK.
    Jun 4, 2007
    9
    One of the absolute best games for the PS2. Probably #1 for visuals, and right near the top for innovation and fun. One of the only action One of the absolute best games for the PS2. Probably #1 for visuals, and right near the top for innovation and fun. One of the only action games that can hold my interest, even in the face of high difficulty. The mechanics are innovative and very satisfying; the story is better than most RPGs; the atmosphere is unique and rich. I can see how some might not like the difficulty, but there is an easy mode. The little corner map with the enemies is a bit too necessary (I often have to watch this while fighting rather than the main screen, due to its wider view). Buy this game; if you don't like it, it's probably be worth serious money in a few years.… Full Review »
  3. AndreT.
    Jun 4, 2007
    6
    Odin Sphere is a beautiful game. Nice arts populate the different levels. The sound is also amazing. The soundtrack, the voice over are one Odin Sphere is a beautiful game. Nice arts populate the different levels. The sound is also amazing. The soundtrack, the voice over are one of the best. I had quite some fun at the beginning with the gameplay. The mechanics is excellent, the recipes and items management are good ideas. But after a while, there was all that dying thing and the very steep difficulty. The bosses takes constantely advantage of the fact that you don't see them coming from left or right (The small indicator at the top doesn't help that much). They take advantage of the split second you eat food. They take advantage of the overflow of ennemies crossing the screen to attack you, to a point where you don't understand anything of what is going on. All that incessant dying left me frustrated to no end. Now it a dust keeper. If you have the patience to redo the same levels over and over 6 to 7 times, in order to level up and beat one boss, this is your game. For me, I find this kind of gameplay pretty bad in itself and it ruined the experience and the game. Overall, I don't see why poeples have a buzz about that game apart the fact that it's nice to look at.… Full Review »
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