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Lost Odyssey Review

Game Review | May 26, 2013 5:14 pm

Genre: RPG
Subgenre: Turn-based/JRPG
Players: 1
Developer: Mistwalker, Feel Plus
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Released: February 12, 2008
ESRB Rating: T for Teen (language, suggestive themes, use of alcohol, violence)

First and foremost this is a Final Fantasy game. Despite the title and lack of Chocobos this is what Final Fantasy XIII should have been. Lost Odyssey is a throw back, a dinosaur, a relic in terms of mechanics and presentation but in a time where gimmicks and flash reign supreme it's a welcome addition to the 360 library. Its loading times leave a little bit to be desired and the villains are a bit bland but these are really my only complaints. For a game that hit shelves in 2007-2008 it still looks and sounds better that many new releases.

The story is slow moving and deep and the characters fit perfectly into the chaotic landscape, from the distant immortals to the lively and upbeat mortal cast--Gongora being the only black eye in my opinion. The core characters act as great little puzzle pieces that the game exploits with its skill system. The immortals are an empty canvas for you to customize and personalize while the mortals serve as your brush. Your strongest characters must learn key skills from their weaker counterparts to find any success. It's a ingenious method of forcing the player to utilize all the assets available to win.

Apart from great fundamentals the game offers loads of content from side quests to collecting dreams that shed light on 1,000 years of pain and seclusion. Lost Odyssey has a little bit to offer everyone. The difficulty is such that you can adapt and out-think bosses with little grinding. It also offers additional "optional" bosses and areas for those hardcore gamers that crave an epic challenge. In conclusion this game is a must have for any true RPG fan.

The breaks...

Graphics: 10/10 - At the time of its release this game was the "Final Fantasy X" of the console. The graphics are so good they hold up in today's RPG market.

Sound: 9.5/10 - Two words - Nobuo Uematsu. The voice acting was superb and I fondly remember the "Pop" of a perfectly executed attack or spell.

Gameplay: 9/10 - Classic JRPG goodness. If you're old school you will be right at home. The bosses are epic and the mechanics are time-tested.

Replayability: 8/10 - With the plethora of content and loot it's reasonable to assume there is plenty of new experiences per play-through. You can skip cut-scenes and speed up the narrative if you so wish. It's worth a 2nd and 3rd time through but that's it.

Overall: - 9.5/10

Rating: 9.5 of 10

Reviewed: Lost Odyssey

Keywords: None

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Re: Lost Odyssey Review

05/26/13 7:36 pm | #2

i've always said it was a solid 9. loved me some Lost Odyssey, i still have to do the DLC i never completed.

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Re: Lost Odyssey Review

05/26/13 7:56 pm | #3

solid review.

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Re: Lost Odyssey Review

05/26/13 8:08 pm | #4

Not 10/10?

#Worstreviewever

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Re: Lost Odyssey Review

05/26/13 10:34 pm | #5

This is one of my Fav. RPG's ever!

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Re: Lost Odyssey Review

05/26/13 11:09 pm | #6

I loved this game a lot, one of my favorite pick up and plays on the 360.

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12/31/69 7:00 pm | #7

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Re: Re: Lost Odyssey Review

05/27/13 9:09 am | #8

Quote by Bitz:

This was a great game. I wish the xbox had more rpg games of this quality. This is probably one of my favorite games on the 360. Didn't get all the achievements though

This was like a swan song of an era long passed. Unless they make a sequel I doubt we will come across a game like it again.

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Re: Lost Odyssey Review

05/27/13 9:40 am | #9

Lol, was this all sparked when I posted in the recent pick ups thread that I just picked this up haha. Good review Haze.

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Re: Lost Odyssey Review

05/27/13 10:12 am | #10

The company that made this game is a bunch of people that used to work for Square Enix. I think this game was their only offering before they went their separate ways. I guess the attitude they built this game was "This is what a FF game is supposed to be."

Good review.

I should get back to this game and finish it. I think that I am half way through my second play through.

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Re: Re: Lost Odyssey Review

05/27/13 10:21 am | #11

Quote by Mo the Surfer:

Hironobu Sakaguchi produced this game. He created Final Fantasy but left Square-Enix in 2004. Which is why FF might as well change it's name since it has no soul anymore. Sakaguchi recently released the critically acclaimed RPG "The Last Story" on the Wii which is probably the best game on the entire console.

Edit: @ EBB - I'm doing a RPG marathon. Lost Odyssey was my first choice naturally.

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Re: Re: Re: Lost Odyssey Review

05/27/13 2:07 pm | #12

Quote by Vermillion Haze:

Quote by Mo the Surfer:

final fantasy will never change it's name, that's like changing from call of duty, not gonna happen. it's a well known and recognized name that sells well, no point in changing it.

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Lost Odyssey Review

05/27/13 2:15 pm | #13

Quote by The Snapple Cap:

Quote by Vermillion Haze:

final fantasy will never change it's name, that's like changing from call of duty, not gonna happen. it's a well known and recognized name that sells well, no point in changing it.

I never implied it would happen. It's just my opinion that it's a entirely different series now.

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Re: Lost Odyssey Review

05/27/13 2:42 pm | #14

Lost Odyssey has none of the recurring themes that run through final fantasy (yes even in ffxii or ffxiii). Saying it is a final fantasy game is like saying the new tomb raider game should be in the Batman Arkham xx series.

Sakaguchi had far more influence over Blue Dragon and possibly even Super Mario RPG than Lost Odyssey, and they're not Final Fantasy games either.

Pigeon holing all turn-based RPGs as "final fantasy" games because they have the same game play mechanics or sweeping plot lines (which is the only similarity I can find between LO and FF) does a disservice to both, and is the reason people who don't like FF don't try other jrpgs and the genre is dying out.

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Re: Re: Lost Odyssey Review

05/27/13 2:49 pm | #15

Quote by Kat:

Hmmmm a stoic warrior with no memory joins a ragtag group amidst a industrial-magic revolution to defeat a foe with underlining connections to himself. (FFVII?) Black Magic/White Magic spell system and air ships (Almost every FF). But yeah your right it has no recurring themes that run through FF

Oh did I mention the cantankerous air pirate inspired by Cid named Sed? Or the Nobou score blazing in the background. Oh never-mind. Probably coincidental.

All I was trying to say was this was Sakaguchi's love letter to FF fans and is more true to the series than FFXIII. If the turn based battle system is the only similarity you can find, maybe you need to play Lost Odyssey again.

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Lost Odyssey Review

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