Odin Sphere

Odin Sphere from 2007 is a 2D action RPG by Vanillaware, famous for its utterly exceptional hand-drawn art style reminiscent of an illustrated fairy-tale book full of color and delicate detail. The game tells five intertwined stories set in a fantasy world inspired by Norse mythology, where the fates of warring kingdoms intersect around the magical Cauldron and a prophecy of an apocalypse called Armageddon, toward which the characters unknowingly head.

The gameplay is built on platforming movement and real-time combat within enclosed arenas, complemented by a surprisingly deep alchemy system — the player gathers seeds, grows food on small plots, and brews potions (Psypher) that strengthen and heal the character and unlock new attacks. Each of the five playable characters has their own combat style, weapons, and narrative angle on the shared story, giving the game variety despite recurring environments and locations between chapters. The visuals, with layered 2D art and finely animated sprites, were among the most technically and artistically impressive on the entire PlayStation 2 at the time of release.

Critics received the game exceptionally warmly precisely for its artistic craftsmanship and emotional, tragic storytelling, though some minded the repeating environments and resource grinding between chapters. Odin Sphere became one of the most visually distinctive titles of its generation and later received an improved remake, Odin Sphere Leifthrasir, which only confirms how timelessly its art style and story still resonate with new players today. The soundtrack combines orchestral motifs with gentler, fairy-tale tones that heighten the fragility and tragedy of the characters' individual fates throughout the story. The game's bestiary and boss designs also draw on fairy-tale imagery, so even repeated battles still feel fresh and visually inventive thanks to the artwork.

Why play it: For an exceptionally beautiful and emotional fairy-tale tragedy with an orchestral score, whose qualities were later confirmed by the improved remake Odin Sphere Leifthrasir.