Ragnarok Odyssey

I do think that, in the end, Ragnarok Odyssey should appeal to a wide range of gamers. With the relative drought of great Vita games lately it's probably a safe bet for anyone looking to expand their library.

A Vita game that you need to pick up and enjoy, because it is one of the best experiences on Sony's handheld yet. Sure the game has some frustrating moments and can become a bit repetitive, but it delivers intense action, smooth visuals, and an online experience that will have you coming back for more.

While it may appear to be a simple carbon-copy of Capcom's Monster Hunter, Ragnarok Odyssey goes to great lengths to develop an identity of its own. Action packed quests, an expansive and beautiful world, and a simple-yet-addictive approach to combat makes this game more enjoyable than Capcom's series in the long run. This is an excellent mobile RPG in my book.

I enjoyed my time with Ragnarok Odyssey and thought it to be a great fit for the Vita. The "pick up and play" nature of the contract system makes it the perfect game to play while sitting on a train, plane or bus. Those who have already tackled Monster Hunter for the PSP and are looking for more would do well to give this one a gander.

It appears that Game Arts made this to appeal to more than just a niche audience, and the game is much better for it.

It's fun and entertaining, but there are some issues that we would like to see fixed. We can't deny, though, it has the potential to keep us killing monsters for a long while, no matter if alone or online, which is more than what many games can offer.

Never bad. [Apr 2013, p.111]

It’s a different style of hunting – an experience that is based on fast speed rather than methodical strategy – so if that sounds like your cup of tea, then Ragnarok Odyssey will offer hours of fun. Just don’t go in expecting a deep experience, as this is the Dynasty Warriors of the monster hunting genre.

Though Ragnarok Odyssey is a dumbed-down RPG that won't please stat-fiends, it's still pretty great at what it does.

Game Art seeks to create a title that'll give Monster Hunter a run for its money. Though it's not quite there, it's a very solid first attempt to an exclusive title that should continue to grace the PlayStation Vita.

Ragnarok Odyssey falls short in a few areas, but there is still enough quality gameplay to encourage you to persevere through the repetitive missions and slow character progression system. Fans of the RPG genre in particular should check out this title, while everyone else might want to adopt a more cautious attitude before approaching.

Despite its issues in just about every department, the core of Ragnarok Odyssey is a competent Monster Hunter-style adventure. For the right audience, the fast-paced combat counterbalances any issues with repetition and awkwardness.

Simply put, Ragnarok Odyssey is more accessible than a traditional RPG. While this is great for a more casual player, the hardcore RPG gamer might be underwhelmed with the games lack of depth.

Missions become repetitive. [May 2013, p.84]

All of the problems listed here are clearly something to take into consideration when looking at Ragnarok Odyssey, but this game is not a typical start-to-finish RPG. It's best played in chunks with occasional bouts of co-op thrown in for good measure.

Ragnarok Odyssey doesn't deliver, and your money is better spent elsewhere.

When all's said and done, Ragnarok Odyssey takes almost all of its major cues from the leader of its genre, and then flatly fails to deliver a commensurate level of depth in combat, quest design, and equipment tinkering.

Painfully mediocre and flawed at its very core.

In the end though, I found Ragnarok Odyssey to be a bit of a bore. I was looking forward to my first Monster Hunter clone on the Vita, but came away from this one with a pretty sour taste in my mouth.