ProductWiki

Odin Sphere

Thu, 24 May 2007 16:54:51 -0400

Odin Sphere is the spiritual successor to the Japanese-only Saturn game Princess Crown. For the 30 people in the world that played the original game the Odin Sphere should be familiar, for the rest of us the game plays as a side scrolling action RPG similar to Viewtiful Joe. The main attraction to the game is through its presentation with hand drawn characters and painted backgrounds the developers aimed for the feeling of a playable cartoon. Developers Vanillaware also spent a substantial amount of effort into the game's story to try and create an epic tale that is estimated to last up to 40 hours.

The story and graphical representation are merged together as the game plays through the context of a children's story book. Each of the five chapters each with their own playable main character begins with a narration from a child reading from the book. Players then take control of the character and defeat enemies using combos, air attacks and magic spells. Each stage, as the name suggests, is a never ending sphere
that players constantly move across until all the enemies in the particular sphere are defeated.

Killed enemies release their souls which can be collected and used to purchase new items, upgrade stored items, and upgrade the character's capabilities. Items can be combined to create new potions that have different status effects and abilities.

Storyline

In the world of Erion there exist powerful nations that live in strained peace. When the most powerful nation is destroyed two nations fight out to take the top position in the world, unknowingly fulfilling a prophecy that predicts the end of the world. You control various characters that take sides among the nations and as the game progresses discover the secrets to how the nation was obliterated and how the prophecy can be stopped.

Izuna: Legend of the Unemployed Ninja

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 17:50:20 -0500

Izuna and her ninja clan have to find a new place to live after there old master decided that ninja's were obsolete. While staying at an Inn in a little out of the way village, the clans Grandboss wanders off. While looking for the Grandboss Izuna accidently offends the gods of the village, and now the villagers are acting strangely. Now Izuna must venture into the shrines of the gods and set things right.

The majority of gameplay takes place in one of the gods shrines or in the village. Each gods shrine is a randomely generated dungeon. Everything in the dungeon is random, enemies, items, floorplan, and difficulty level, and changes each time you enter it. Once inside the dungeon the game is effectively turn based, with enemies moving after Izuna moves or performs an actoin, taking turns. There are many weapons and armor for Izuna to find within these dungeons. Contrary to many games of a similar structure, once you find a superior weapon to your own you may not want to cast away your old weapon. The longer you have the weapon the more you "love" it, which increases the weapons stats. Talismans, ninja gear, and pills can be used by Izuna or thrown at enemies. If you die in a dungeon you will lose everything you are carrying at the time. There is a warehouse in the village you can use to store your more precious items.

Trauma Center Second Opinion

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 12:34:13 -0500

This robust “Wii-make” of Under the Knife features new graphics and animation; new and remixed musical themes; new surgical implements and operation types; a second playable character with all-new missions; multiple difficulty modes for gamers of all skill levels; and a revised control system that takes full advantage of the revolutionary Wii Remote.

Bomberman Land Touch!

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 23:17:12 -0500

Explore the theme park Bomber Land as Bomberman, riding the different rides and interacting with the locals. Each ride presents you with a different minigame to complete. The classic bomberman gameplay is still ever-present, improved upon since Bomberman DS.

Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga

Wed, 21 Dec 2005 15:50:05 -0500

While this PS2 RPG isn't a new entry in the Shin Megami Tensei series (editions of Digital Devil Saga were released on the NES and MSX systems), it does borrow the look and feel of that series' world, adding many unique ideas to the mix. This latest entry places you in the role of Serph as you attempt to defeat five tribes and make your way to the paradise of Nirvana. You and your group encounter a pod which gives you the ability to change into demon form and suck up enemies. Use points that you've earned in battle to power up your character and his "Mantra," creating an original demon all your own. Also included is a "break" system that has you block enemy magic attacks, quickly gaining the ability to counterattack.