Arcus Odyssey
Encyclopedia
Arcus Odyssey is an action role-playing game
video game developed by Wolf Team. The game was released in 1991 for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Sharp X68000
and Super Famicom
. It featured an isometric perspective and cooperative gameplay
.
The game is a cross between fantasy
and science-fiction themes, with hack and slash
gameplay reminiscent of dungeon crawl
ers such as Dragon Slayer
, The Tower of Druaga and Gauntlet
. Arcus Odyssey is part of the Arcus franchise, which also included Arcus in 1988, Arcus II: Silent Symphony
in 1989, and Arcus III in 1991. The music for the game was composed by Motoi Sakuraba
, who also did the music for the Star Ocean
series.
An American
version for the Super NES was planned, but it was cancelled following Sega's acquisition of Renovation Products
(American publisher for Wolf Team and Telenet games). The Super NES version was, however, released in Japan
, with the title Arcus Spirits.
Now, a millennium later, the evil followers of the Castomira have stolen the Sword, in order to resurrect their mistress. The power of the witch grows stronger by the day; only the powers of four brave warriors can stop her minions and prevent a second coming of Castomira that could spell doom for all of Arcus: Jedda the Swordsman; Diana the Archer; Erin the Warrior-Maiden; and Bead the Mage.
The game primarily has an isometric view
, although the player's characters can move freely in eight directions. After defeating most bosses, players receive a power boost; this boost either gives them more health or more power.
gave the SNES version 7 stars out of 10, adding: "Previously a Genesis game, this has an interesting perspective and enough characters to keep things interesting. It is basically like Gauntlet with it's arcade-style action, so fans of that game may want to check this one out." GamePro
gave it 3 stars out of 5, adding: "If you're looking for an interesting game with little to offer but average graphics and better-than-average music, then this is for you. True RPG fans, though, may want to skirt around the town of Arcus and hold out for meatier titles."
Action role-playing game
Action role-playing games form a loosely defined sub-genre of role-playing video games that incorporate elements of action or action-adventure games, emphasizing real-time action where the player has direct control over characters, instead of turn-based or menu-based combat...
video game developed by Wolf Team. The game was released in 1991 for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Sharp X68000
Sharp X68000
The Sharp X68000, often referred to as the X68k, is a home computer released only in Japan by the Sharp Corporation. The first model was released in 1987, with a 10 MHz Motorola 68000 CPU, 1 MB of RAM and no hard drive; the last model was released in 1993 with a 25 MHz Motorola 68030...
and Super Famicom
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America, Europe, Australasia , and South America between 1990 and 1993. In Japan and Southeast Asia, the system is called the , or SFC for short...
. It featured an isometric perspective and cooperative gameplay
Cooperative gameplay
Cooperative gameplay is a feature in video games that allows players to work together as teammates. It is distinct from other multiplayer modes, such as competitive multiplayer modes like player versus player or deathmatch...
.
The game is a cross between fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
and science-fiction themes, with hack and slash
Hack and slash
Hack and slash or hack and slay, abbreviated H&S or HnS, refers to a type of gameplay that emphasizes combat. "Hack and slash" was originally used to describe an aspect of pen-and-paper role-playing games , carrying over from there to MUDs, MMORPGs, and video games in general...
gameplay reminiscent of dungeon crawl
Dungeon crawl
A dungeon crawl is a type of scenario in fantasy role-playing games in which heroes navigate a labyrinthine environment, battling various monsters, and looting any treasure they may find...
ers such as Dragon Slayer
Dragon Slayer
is an early action role-playing game developed and published by Nihon Falcom in 1984 for the NEC PC-88 computer system and ported by Square for the MSX. Designed by Yoshio Kiya, the game gave rise to a series of sequels, nearly all of them created by Falcom, with the exception of Faxanadu by Hudson...
, The Tower of Druaga and Gauntlet
Gauntlet (arcade game)
Gauntlet is a fantasy-themed hack and slash 1985 arcade game by Atari Games. It is noted as the first class-based multiplayer game. Released during the emergence of popularity of other role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons, the game was a sensation, being one of the first true dungeon crawl...
. Arcus Odyssey is part of the Arcus franchise, which also included Arcus in 1988, Arcus II: Silent Symphony
Arcus II: Silent Symphony
is a computer game developed and released in Japan by Wolf Team. Narumi Kakinouchi, co-creator of Vampire Princess Miyu, was the art director for this game. The music for the game was composed by Masaaki Uno, Motoi Sakuraba, and Yasunori Shiono....
in 1989, and Arcus III in 1991. The music for the game was composed by Motoi Sakuraba
Motoi Sakuraba
is a Japanese composer of video games, anime series, and television dramas as well as independent progressive rock albums.-Biography:Motoi Sakuraba was born in Akita Prefecture, Japan...
, who also did the music for the Star Ocean
Star Ocean
is a franchise of action role-playing video games developed by tri-Ace and published and owned by Square Enix .-Creation and influence:...
series.
An American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
version for the Super NES was planned, but it was cancelled following Sega's acquisition of Renovation Products
Renovation Products
Renovation Products Inc. was the North American subsidiary for Telenet Japan. They published and localized many of the games from Telenet Japan and its subsidiaries for North America, but they never actually developed any games...
(American publisher for Wolf Team and Telenet games). The Super NES version was, however, released in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, with the title Arcus Spirits.
Story
Once upon a time, 1000 years ago in the lands of Arcus, an evil sorceress named Castomira sought to destroy the land and remake it a place of chaos and darkness in her own image. The only person powerful enough to stop her was Leaty, a kindly princess and the granddaughter to the legendary King of Light. The two battled. Leaty and Castomira fought for days on end, but the powers of the Light eventually overwhelmed the sorceress. Leaty then forged a magical sword that came to be known as "The Power of Leaty", to forever seal Castomira into the Dark World, and trusted its safekeeping with the King of Arcus.Now, a millennium later, the evil followers of the Castomira have stolen the Sword, in order to resurrect their mistress. The power of the witch grows stronger by the day; only the powers of four brave warriors can stop her minions and prevent a second coming of Castomira that could spell doom for all of Arcus: Jedda the Swordsman; Diana the Archer; Erin the Warrior-Maiden; and Bead the Mage.
Gameplay
The player takes on the role of one of four different heroes, and proceeds through each level in order. The players may move, attack, defend using a projectile-blocking shield, and use a variety of offensive, defensive, and recovery items and magic, all of which can be found in chests scattered throughout the levels. Some levels require the players to accomplish sub-quests in order to proceed, such as extinguishing a fire blocking the door to the next level. Other levels give the player an ally for some parts of the game.The game primarily has an isometric view
Isometric projection
Isometric projection is a method for visually representing three-dimensional objects in two dimensions in technical and engineering drawings...
, although the player's characters can move freely in eight directions. After defeating most bosses, players receive a power boost; this boost either gives them more health or more power.
Reception
EGMElectronic Gaming Monthly
Electronic Gaming Monthly is a bimonthly American video game magazine. It has been published by EGM Media, LLC. since relaunching in April of 2010. Its previous run, which ended in January 2009, was published by Ziff Davis...
gave the SNES version 7 stars out of 10, adding: "Previously a Genesis game, this has an interesting perspective and enough characters to keep things interesting. It is basically like Gauntlet with it's arcade-style action, so fans of that game may want to check this one out." GamePro
GamePro
GamePro Media was a United States gaming media company publishing online and print content on the video game industry, video game hardware, and video game software developed for a video game console , a computer, and/or a mobile device . GamePro Media properties include GamePro magazine and...
gave it 3 stars out of 5, adding: "If you're looking for an interesting game with little to offer but average graphics and better-than-average music, then this is for you. True RPG fans, though, may want to skirt around the town of Arcus and hold out for meatier titles."
External links
- Arcus Odyssey at GameFAQsGameFAQsGameFAQs is a website that hosts FAQs and walkthroughs for video games. It was created in November 1995 by Jeff "CJayC" Veasey and was bought by CNET Networks in May 2003. It is currently owned by CBS Interactive. The site has a database of video game information, cheat codes, reviews, game saves,...
- Arcus Odyssey at MobyGamesMobyGames-Platforms not yet included:- Further reading :* Rusel DeMaria, Johnny L. Wilson, High Score!: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games, McGraw-Hill/Osborne Media; 2 edition , ISBN 0-07-223172-6...
- Sega-16.com review