5 Greatest JRPGs of All Time

Lost Odyssey (2008)

Platform: Xbox 360

Lost Odyssey is not a game that brought anything new to world of RPGs and it may not stand out among hardcore RPG fans however it is a game that is great for players who aren't the biggest fans of the genre.

What makes this game appeal to gamers who are not usually into RPGs is the way that its developers approached the combat mechanics. Most RPGs use a simple turn-based fighting system which can be slow and by simply selecting attacks from a menu it is easy to feel disconnected from the epic battle that unfolds on-screen. Lost Odyssey brings the players into the battle by having them match up two rings. The larger one shrinks in size the longer that you hold you the action button and you get the most out of your attack by matching them up in size. The closer they are, the greater your attack and if they're too far apart then you don't get any bonuses at all.

Besides the matching of rings, the player's success in battle is also reliant on how well you deploy your forces. To get the best out each battle you must have intimate knowledge of each of your characters' unique skills. Your guild is made of a combination of mortals and immortals. The mortals have basic combat techniques while the immortals have magical attacks available to them. Mixing and match the two effectively is the only way to get through some of the tougher battles.

Enjoying Lost Odyssey will require the player to overlook a few small annoyances to truly enjoy it however it can be fun. The character development really tugs on the heartstrings to make this one of the saddest games there has ever been. Combining this with its personal tweak to a classic game formula makes it a memorable experience.