Able to absorb Phozons, fragments of energy left by defeated foes, she is sent by her father to seize control of the Crystallization Cauldron, a giant artifact which allegedly can generate its own supply of Phozons. Following her sisters defeat on the battlefield, the protagonist receives a formidable weapon known as the Psypher spear. Soon, players are introduced to the Valkyrie Gwendolyn, the daughter of King Odin. Functionally, the sequence is little more than a fancy menu screen, but it feels like a gateway to Odin Sphere’s mythical world. A press of the control pad situates the young girl in a comfortable chair, where she delves into a tome that half her size. A young girl named Alice moves through a massive attic teeming with books, optionally picking up her pet cat Socrates. Essentially, Leifthrasir feels like a labor of love, rather than the usual halfhearted re-release.įor those approaching Odin Sphere for the first time, the game’s opening screen hints at the magnificence to come. Rapid fans of the 2007 PlayStation 2 release might be notice small details like the addition of new voice acting or small amendments to the game’s cutscenes. And while the developer’s delivered the obligatory visual upgrade, they also thoughtfully transformed many components, renovating the game’s combat system, planting procedure and level design. Sure, Osaka-based Vanillaware could have tread the path of least resistance, offering an effortless upscaling that would have been a financial windfall, given the original game’s fervent following. Which makes the release of Odin Sphere Leifthrasir such a gratifying experience. When the game industry attempts a remaster, it’s usually wholly commercial, with publishers often porting popular titles in an effort to pad the company coffers. It’s typically an artistically-driven endeavor, removed from the imperative deadlines and studio interference that can dilute aspiration. In the home video market, the Director’s Cut is commonplace, with the film’s creator able to get a second chance at realizing their artistic ambitions.

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