Game Review: Lost Odyssey
Nigel Burton - The Northern Echo
Feb 26, 2008
Lost Odyssey
Publisher: Microsoft
Format: Xbox 360
Lost Odyssey is the story of Kaim, an immortal character who has lived more than 1,000 years. He doesn't remember his past and he doesn't know where his future lies.Throughout Kaim's journey, a handful of characters will join him on an odyssey to discover their destiny, leading players through a dramatic story of massive scale. Yep, Lost Odyssey is an intriguing mix of massive multi-player online role playing and traditional Tomb raider-style adventure.
Gamers have Microsoft's determination to break the Japanese market to thank for Lost Odyssey. The original Xbox wasn't a big hit in the Far East because so much of the software was Western-looking. Stung by this criticism, Microsoft has employed some of the best Japanese gaming talent available to develop role playing games for the 360 system. So, Lost Odyssey - the second 360 game from Mistwalker Studios - has an impeccable pedigree. The creative driving force behind it, Hironobu Sakaguchi, is the man credited with both the Final Fantasy series and the much-admired Blue Dragon. Award winning Japanese comic artist Takehiko Inoue also oversaw the tremendous high definition visuals.
Lost Odyssey sees you enter a world that is on the verge of a "mystical industrial revolution" where mankind has attained dark powers. As you play you will witness Kiam's life as he lives through many generations, becomes part of numerous families, falls in and out of love and confronts all the conflicts that arise. But it isn't the story that makes Lost Odyssey one of the best next-gen RPGs we've seen so far. The characterisations are compelling and beautifully realised, bringing an added human dimension to the game that marks it out as something really special. Kiam and his compatriots is no mere bland computer avatar - he's as well acted and rounded as a character from a big budget movie. Lost Odyssey is rated 16+.
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