Video clip computer game based primarily on Japanese anime are generally follower solution at biggest and also a cash confiscate at worst. Till it’s a combating sporting activity or an Omega Drive musou sporting activity with personalities from Dragon Sphere, Naruto, Satanic Force Killer, or various Shonen Bounce animes (or if you desire to go in fact once more, the Initial D Gallery Phase competing sporting activity in galleries), there aren’t numerous instances of anime computer game which can be seriously lucrative. As an issue of fact, out of the handfuls of One Item video clip computer game on console and also mobile systems, not one has actually balanced above an 80 on Metacritic. One Item Odyssey looks for to differ all that, with Bandai Namco choosing to have programmer ILCA produce a full-fledged JRPG out of the long-running franchise business. And also whereas it stumbles a little bit trying to copy Sq. Enix’s Dragon Mission series, One Item Odyssey comes remarkably near real bargain.

As a guide for people that don’t know quite a bit concerning the sequence, One Piece began as a manga sequence in Weekly Shōnen Bounce journal all the way in which again in July 1997. Written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda, the manga was became an anime in 1999 that’s nonetheless operating in the present day and presently has over 1,000 episodes. Even in the present day, the sequence seems in Prime 10 lists for the most well-liked anime of the 12 months. However at this level, I assume many individuals, anime followers included, take one fast have a look at that episode depend and fairly conclude that the ship has sailed on entering into the sequence. Happily, Oda understands this, and has tailor-made a narrative that new gamers can observe and that longtime followers will admire.

Gum Gum Storm adventures

The plot of One Piece Odyssey weaves two concepts into one, combining an unique story written by Oda himself with prior arcs of the sequence. However although the narrative treads by some acquainted materials, it’s instructed from the extra fascinating perspective of the crew trying again on its previous. The sport begins like most One Piece story arcs do: Luffy and his fellow members of the Straw Hat Pirates discover a mysterious new island the place a harmful storm begins to swirl round it. Regardless of having Satan Fruit powers that give him extraordinary Gum Gum rubber-man powers, Luffy has a weak spot to the ocean (attributable to the identical Satan Fruit) and may’t swim in it, so the crew strikes quick to brace for affect. Nonetheless, the sheer power of the storm knocks their ship straight into the air, and by the point Luffy wakes up on the seaside, he discovers that a few of his buddies have been scattered concerning the island of Waford.

Then inside the first few hours of tutorials and opening exploration, the crew members quickly uncover that they’ve forgotten their abilities. Solely after they meet a number of new characters on the island do they be taught concerning the hostile colossi that defend Waford and the right way to regain their misplaced skills by getting into a world known as Memoria that’s shaped by their collective reminiscences. From there, the story alternates between the get together spelunking by dungeons on the island and revisiting their previous from their present viewpoint.

By and huge, One Piece Odyssey does an admirable job telling a brand new story whereas rehashing previous materials in a brand new mild. Odyssey provides an intriguing spin as we revisit 4 of the most well-liked arcs within the franchise and see the crew attempt to keep away from previous errors, battle towards acquainted foes, and alter sure outcomes. There are sufficient mysteries about Waford and its origins, and sufficient nostalgia and character battle in Memoria, to take care of the momentum and rigidity of the narrative. Whereas the twist involving the brand new characters close to the top of the sport isn’t too stunning since Oda knowingly telegraphs it all through the sport, their transformation is finished regularly and steadily. So when you can see the curveball coming from a mile away, it nonetheless resonates.

Higher but, the banter between the Straw Hat Pirates is snappy and genuine due to Oda. Even with out an possibility for English voice performing (nearly all of One Piece followers received’t thoughts this because the English-dubbed episodes nonetheless lag far behind), the dialogue is well-timed and suitably witty or critical when it must be. The swordsman Zoro and kick-tastic cook dinner Sanji humorously ridicule one another, whereas navigator Nami ruthlessly hunts for bargains and the sniper Usopp offers comedian aid. The robust however simpleminded Luffy generally leads the group into hassle, so the reindeer medic Chopper helps to patch the staff up and the archaeologist Robin retains them on observe as she items collectively the misplaced historical past of Waford. Each the ship carpenter Franky and skeletal musician Brook additionally make an look (for One Piece followers, meaning the sport takes place at round Quantity 82 within the manga or round Episode 783 within the anime).

On the draw back, the plot stumbles just a few occasions, significantly close to the start and across the midgame. Getting accustomed to all the crew members’ skills firstly earlier than they’re immediately taken away is disorienting, so it takes a while for the primary chapter to settle into its groove. Afterward, the sixth and seventh chapters really feel rushed too, particularly in comparison with the substantial size of the eighth chapter. In reality, it’s attainable that you simply may miss the third city altogether when you select to not return to Memoria for it.

Time for a Straw Hat Pirate get together

Correctly taking design components from different JRPGs like Dragon Quest, One Piece Odyssey options exploration and fight that may really feel acquainted however is ready to innovate in just a few key locations. Maps are divided into concrete sections with enemies pacing forwards and backwards on the sphere, permitting you to get behind them simply for a vital probability bonus. Though maps aren’t open world and lots of of them are usually linear, each the island and the environments in Memoria are expansive sufficient to really feel wealthy and grounded. Lots of graphical element has gone into bringing a number of the hottest kingdoms within the sequence to life, replete with a staggering quantity of NPCs with whom you’ll be able to communicate. The dungeons on Waford, particularly the second and third ones, are additionally designed effectively with mild puzzles all based mostly round a theme.

The place One Piece Odyssey shines essentially the most is in the way it encourages you to make use of each member of the staff. Each character and enemy is assigned a specific kind from amongst Energy, Approach, and Pace, which have a roshambo relationship for strengths and weaknesses. So swapping in the proper members on the correct time is vital in ensuring your staff offers extra harm and reduces incoming harm too. The system can be versatile with the intention to take your staff’s turns in any order you need. Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji will usually kind your predominant DPS, whereas Chopper heals from the sidelines. Although comparatively weaker in power and hit factors, Usopp, Nami, and Robin have entry to loads of AoE assaults that price a variety of TP however can remove enemies from a distance.

Extra particularly, the sport’s fight system doesn’t observe the basic JRPG trope with heroes battling on one aspect and enemies on the opposite. As a substitute, battlefields are break up into a number of sections that group collectively heroes and enemies in several areas. Characters can’t transfer between teams until their space is cleared of threats (consider this like zones of management), so in case your heroes are in a foul matchup, you’ll be able to both swap staff members round or use skills that transfer them to a different group instantly. Taken altogether, the sport makes you concentrate on staff composition and placement earlier than taking a flip.

About midway by the second chapter, your staff may also purchase Bond Arts which can be earned after finishing Frayed Recollections or Hysterias. In these particular scenes, just a few choose members of the staff undergo a aspect mission and on the finish be taught maneuvers that usually deal a variety of harm through the use of a portion of the staff’s bond meter. Constructing this meter requires your crew to assist one another by therapeutic, buffing, and in any other case defeating enemies in one another’s space. Even when you select to not be taught some non-obligatory Bond Arts, simply utilizing the low-cost Bond Transfer is an efficient software in shifting members from one group to the following.

Let’s chase that pirate bounty

Like a basic JRPG, One Piece Odyssey doesn’t have an issue setting, so the sport is as difficult as you select it to be. You can also make a beeline from one pink story marker to the following if you want and keep away from the overwhelming majority of enemies on the map, however with only a little bit of exploration, you’ll discover aspect tales, Frayed Recollections, and bounties to finish for further credit score. Discovering tablets on Waford and Yaya Cubes in Memoria also can internet you bonus rewards and loads of further berries (that’s the foreign money in One Piece) for extra components and equipment for fusion.

As long as you battle monsters persistently, you’ll run into sufficient randomized Dramatic Battle eventualities that may hold your get together sufficiently leveled. These moments usually ask you to defeat particular enemies with a selected staff member or in a low variety of turns. Both means, finishing them can earn your get together a ridiculous quantity of additional XP, generally greater than ten occasions the conventional quantity. Cash additionally isn’t an issue if you battle typically. In reality, it’s very attainable that you simply’ll find yourself having sufficient cash readily available to purchase particular equipment from Yoisa accent retailers that price thousands and thousands of berries.

On the sphere, there’s an virtually overwhelming variety of treasure chests and free objects in each space, and the opposite Straw Hat Pirates can use their abilities to seek out them. Luffy will usually be your staff chief because of his stretchy arms having the ability to climb up ladders and seize objects which can be out of attain. Along with Luffy’s Haki skill that may find hidden objects, Sanji can discover further components, Nami can spot bundles of cash, Usopp can shoot down empty nests for supplies, and Robin can discover items of lore that fill within the particulars of Waford’s previous. Zoro also can use his swordsmanship to chop iron gates and containers, whereas Chopper makes use of his smaller dimension to scamper by tight passageways. Between all of their skills, you’ll be able to spend hours selecting up further objects which can be ripe for the taking.

If that wasn’t sufficient, Usopp, Sanji, and Robin comprise your predominant crafting staff, which is accessible at camp and in choose taverns. All these further objects and components might be became highly effective dishes that may revive downed get together members and heal the complete staff, in addition to trick balls which can be the first approach to debuff enemies. Afterward, Robin can fuse equipment collectively, permitting you to stack stats and condense results into smaller packages. This makes it simpler to get essentially the most out of every staff member’s equipment board, which works by becoming easy blocks on a grid.

Combining this all altogether, I used to be in a position to stack equipment for HP and assault energy to some extent that I didn’t want to fret concerning the difficult spikes in issue within the latter half of the sport. Luffy, Nami, and Zoro be taught particular assaults that may harm all enemies on the sphere whatever the grouping system, so nearly all of enemies and managers within the closing chapter weren’t too tough. All instructed, One Piece Odyssey rewards gamers who’ve the persistence to finish aspect goals and spend money on its crafting methods.

“Folks’s goals… do not have any finish.” ~Blackbeard, One Piece

One Piece Odyssey is a superb journey down reminiscence lane for followers of the series. The sport’s unique story is earnest and the endearing bond between the Straw Hat Pirates comes by loud and clear. The partaking fight system and an honest variety of aspect quests don’t damage both. Positive, new gamers may get overwhelmed by a number of the rushed chapters within the midgame and the movement between chapters may very well be higher, but it surely’s exhausting to not discover the quantity of coronary heart and soul that was poured into the sport. Greater than only a improbable anime-based online game, One Item Odyssey is a powerful JRPG and also already probably the greatest surprises this 12 months.

This overview is predicated on a replica of the sport offered by the writer. One Piece Odyssey can be accessible for PS4, PS5, Xbox Collection S/X, and also PC on January 13, 2023. 

As soon as upon a time, Nick’s mother and also father confiscated his Tremendous Nintendo as a result of he was “taking part in it an excessive amount of.” He has actually secretly sworn revenge ever since. Nick labored with co-EIC Blake in what looks like a lifetime in the past and also is now a contract author for varied online game websites. Powered by iced inexperienced tea, he usually performs RPGs of all types like Shin Megami Tensei, Elder Scrolls, and also Fallout. In his spare time, he performs Pathfinder 2E and also adheres to the most recent period of Important Feature.