There’s no purpose that I ought to get pleasure from One Piece Odyssey as a lot as I at the moment do. I’ve by no means seen an episode of the anime or learn a web page of the manga. The sport itself isn’t a very good introduction to both one, tossing a complete forged of characters at me with out telling me who they’re. Inside a couple of hours, I’m deep in a fan service plot stuffed with references to the collection I don’t perceive and in-jokes that go above my head.
And but, I discover myself drawn to the charming journey. That’s not as a result of I’m studying to like the world of One Piece (if something, it confirms that the collection simply isn’t for me). Relatively, I’m merely having fun with a user-friendly RPG that respects my time and vitality. Whereas our closing evaluate continues to be in progress, I’m personally already bought on what could possibly be 2023’s first shock.
High quality of life
Should you’re not a fan of the supply materials, One Piece Odyssey is outlined by its high quality of life selections. It’s a comparatively simple turn-based RPG that isn’t slowed down by dozens of difficult techniques. In reality, it goes out of its means to verify gamers by no means really feel misplaced. I first received that sense when exploring within the third particular person, as a sidebar on the correct aspect of the display clearly lays out what each single button does. I can press a button to shut the menu, however I can pop it again out at any time.
Little touches like which are current all through the sport, making it simple to place down for an extended time period and return to. Fight, as an example, makes use of a “rock paper scissors” system akin to Fireplace Emblem. The chart of strengths and weaknesses is all the time displayed within the backside left nook of the display throughout battles, so I’m by no means left making an attempt to recall what Energy strikes are weak in opposition to. After I select a transfer and hover over an enemy, I additionally get arrows telling me if the assault will likely be efficient or not. The visible info is all crystal clear, taking out any guesswork.
Fight itself is simply as player-friendly, taking nice care to take away plenty of frustration from battle. For example, gamers can swap characters with one other get together member as a free motion. Anytime I stroll into an encounter and discover I’ve a celebration with the fallacious assault sort outfitted, I can merely change to another person and nonetheless assault on that flip. There’s no punishment for not having the ability to learn a random quantity generator’s thoughts, which may be an annoyance in conventional RPGs.
My favourite contact, although, is a small one. When traversing the world between ranges, I can click on on the left persist with make my get together chief routinely run. I merely level the course I would like them to maneuver in with the correct stick reasonably than holding down the correct set off to spring and controlling them with two sticks. It’s an extremely easy function, however one which highlights what makes One Piece Odyssey so nice to play in comparison with a few of its extra bold friends. It’s dedicated to decreasing as a lot friction as doable for gamers, turning a style that may typically be overburdened with techniques into one thing way more approachable. That lets gamers focus their consideration on the colourful world of One Piece, from its over-the-top characters to its inventive monster designs.
I think about One Piece Odyssey could possibly be a little bit of a disappointment for hardcore gaming followers seeking to sink their enamel into a fancy RPG. It’s a brisk (for the style) 30 hours, comparatively simple due to its fight flexibility, and is proscribed in its customization. That’s precisely why I’m having fun with it, although. Thus far, I don’t really feel overwhelmed as I juggle dozens of techniques that I do know I’ll neglect if I step away for too lengthy. As a substitute, I can merely deal with the straightforward joys of basic turn-based fight, the place each battle looks like a puzzle to be solved by way of good get together juggling. Begin-and-stop targets and a few early backtracking depart me feeling like I’ll not love the entire package deal prime to backside, however exploration and fight really feel so breezy that I’m joyful to go alongside for the journey so long as it stays enjoyable.
It’ll be simple to sleep on One Piece Odyssey, writing it off as an IP mission solely meant for followers. Nevertheless, in case you’re the type of one that loves the RPG style on paper, however discover complicated behemoths like Xenoblade Chronicles 3 too exhausting to maintain up with, its pleasant design concerns make for a extra informal expertise that solely trims out the surplus fats. Embrace your interior Straw Hat and punch some monsters into oblivion.
One Piece Odyssey launches on January 13 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Collection X/S, and PC.
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