Odin Sphere

Odin Sphere is a 2D fantasy action role-playing game developed by Vanillaware and published by Atlus for the PlayStation 2.

The game takes some inspiration from Norse mythology as well as other western legends. Square Enix later published the game in Europe and Australia in March 2008.

Why It Rocks

 * 1) The game features five different storylines with different characters.
 * 2) All five stories overlap and interconnect, and the protagonist of one story may be the antagonist of another.
 * 3) The game is viewed and played from a 2D perspective.
 * 4) Levels are connected in a bidirectional graph; these levels include regular combat levels, shop levels, and minor and major boss levels.
 * 5) The graphics feature a unique fantasy look.
 * 6) Every protagonist wields a 'Psypher', a weapon with a large crystal capable of absorbing energy sparks called "Phozons", which are use to upgrade weapons.
 * 7) It features an Alchemy System to upgrade weapons and craft new items by using Phozons.
 * 8) A Recipe System allows to create different dishes, from main courses to desserts which yield multiple benefits, such as EXP points, life upgrades and gauge enhancements, etc.
 * 9) Multiple combos can be chained to earn bigger scores by the end of an stage.
 * 10) Exciting and tough boss battles.
 * 11) The player has the ability to plant various types of seeds at any location within a level. Once fully developed, they provide fruit and other items that the player can pick up and use.

Reception
Odin Sphere received an overall positive reception with an average critic score of 82% at Game Rankings and 83% at Metacritic. Play magazine awarded it a perfect score, praising its 2D graphics, detailed storyline, and unique combat system as high points. PSM3 magazine called the title "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."