{"id":1437,"date":"2016-12-21T13:47:48","date_gmt":"2016-12-21T12:47:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-odin-sphere-leifthrasir\/"},"modified":"2025-05-09T13:54:17","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T11:54:17","slug":"review-odin-sphere-leifthrasir","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-odin-sphere-leifthrasir\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Odin Sphere \u2013 Leifthrasir"},"content":{"rendered":"

A relatively obscure Japanese studio delivered one of 2016’s standout titles, providing a compelling reason to revisit the PS Vita.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Stylish, Japanese, side-scrolling action games possess a distinct appeal. They evoke a classic gaming experience, often combined with visually stunning, hand-drawn anime\/manga aesthetics. This genre, when effectively blended with role-playing elements, has proven to be a successful formula, resulting in enduring classics such as Castlevania: Symphony of the Night<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

For those familiar with Odin Sphere<\/strong>, its initial release on the PS2 in 2007 may ring a bell. While it didn’t achieve mainstream success, primarily due to the PS2’s limitations in rendering the complex parallax backgrounds and numerous sprites, it held promise. Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir<\/strong> (Leifthrasir<\/em>, derived from Norse mythology, represents the two humans destined to survive Ragnar\u00f6k) is a remake featuring a “plus” mode that allows players to experience the narrative from multiple character perspectives.<\/p>\n

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The core gameplay of Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir<\/em> is straightforward: progress through levels by defeating waves of enemies, overcoming challenging mid-bosses, and ultimately confronting formidable end-stage bosses. It shares similarities with Vanillaware’s other title, Dragon’s Crown<\/strong><\/a>, but distinguishes itself through tighter gameplay and a less overtly sexualized art style. Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir<\/em> excels due to its captivating aesthetic and accessible gameplay, coupled with a streamlined yet rewarding upgrade system that incorporates experience points, character levels, item enhancements, and the ability to synthesize potions and dishes (which grant EXP and health).<\/p>\n

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The visuals are exceptional, often demanding a pause to appreciate the meticulously crafted environments. From the aurora borealis to fairytale castles and enchanting cities, the game delivers a range of visual highlights in 1080p at a stable 60fps on the PS4. The soundtrack complements the genre effectively, offering a bombastic anime-inspired symphony enhanced by competent voice acting. While Japanese narratives can be subtle, Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir<\/em> leans toward melodrama, effectively framing the story within its context, even if the plot itself doesn’t break new ground in terms of originality or narrative depth.<\/p>\n

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The PS Vita version performs adequately, although the PS4 version offers superior smoothness and speed. Occasional frame rate dips may occur during intense on-screen action involving multiple characters and effects. Unfortunately, the game only supports cross-save functionality, not cross-play, necessitating separate purchases for home and portable play. This is a significant drawback that increases the overall cost. The optimal version depends on individual playstyle preferences; both versions offer identical content. Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir<\/em> translates well to portable play, accommodating both short bursts and extended sessions.<\/p>\n

We thoroughly enjoyed Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir<\/em> and eagerly anticipate further exploration of the game and its characters. This is a hidden gem that deserves a place in any PS4 or PS Vita library.<\/p>\n