Review: Squids Odyssey 3DS

Squids Odyssey is a unique mix of action strategy and RPG: build your team of Squid heroes for epic turn-based battles against corrupted crabs and shrimps. Steev, Vahine and the rest of the Squids are in danger. An infectious black ooze is corrupting their world. 

Pros:

• Cartoon graphics.
• Happy bouncy soundtrack that has a slight Disney feel to it all.
• Turn based strategy game with RPG elements.
• Two control methods, Drag and release option using the bottom screen with the stylus. Other option is the traditional use the left stick and a button.
• The control layout is the same as the Wii U version so you can easily jump between versions.
• Full 3D implementation is actually quite good.
• Opening tutorial section with a really detailed, clear help section.
• Auto saves regularly.
• Players move around the map in any direction, Dragging and releasing a player will shoot them across the area and the idea is to hit the enemy with your head to damage them.
• Buy new helmets to increase your base stats and change your players appearances.
• Find and earn new helmets by playing the game or by finding clam shells in the level.
• Earn pearls to buy items and upgrade your players.
• Find pearls  in clams or by killing enemies. Pearls if you haven’t guessed already, Is the currency in the game.
• The game is extremely easy to learn and play.
• Story mode is broken up into chapters with each chapter boasting a mighty 20+ levels in each.
• Story cut-scenes are well drawn images with big bright colors.
• Unlock new characters as you play through the story, Some levels will have you playing as new players with out actually unlocking them.
• Every level has a three star rank, Stars are awarded for finding the secret star in the level, the speed in which you finish the level and lastly, having your whole team survive the level.
• When you have more characters you can then make up your own team, The order you have them in determines there turn order.
• Players have different categories that they fall under which dictate their play style. Shooters will have guns so are good for long range, Healers can heal other players by hitting them for example.
• As you attack enemies you can hit multiple enemies at once and get special bonuses and combo scores.
• Ambient obstacles are littered through each level and come in many shapes and sizes. Spiked urchins, water currents and even the ability to fall off the level are just a few of the hazards you will encounter.
• Find bonus items in bottles that can either be used instantly or get put in your inventory and you can use them as you wish.
• Player turns can be skipped with a simple button press.
• Can zoom the camera in and pan the camera around to see the level using the d pad.
• Loads of varied enemies all with different attacks and methods.
• Has hours of content and additional content from the whole series.
• Cross buy, First time on a Nintendo console. Buy the 3DS version and get the Wii U version free. Only available in Europe and you must use the same NNID for it to work.

Cons:

• No voice acting in cut-scenes, even just a stupid noise would do to help keep the atmosphere.
• Aiming is tricky only in the way of it is hard to see where your player is actually going at times.
• No hard save thus leaving you to rely on the autosave.
• The menu and game screen can feel cramped at time.
• Camera could do with moving a bit faster instead of relying on you moving it manually.
• Menu music that whilst cool at first is the only track used and keeps repeating on loop.

Iin Summary, I got hooked on the Wii U version and all this does now is allow me to play it all over again on the go. And in no way is that a bad thing! Its really good to see cross buy finally coming to Nintendo eshop but I feel bad for people who bought the game on Wii U. They dont get the 3DS version and in the end land up paying twice.  But that aside the game is excellent and yes the file size is large for a 3DS game but you do get a lot of bang for your buck. Cloud save should come next then its all good but anyway its really solid title with hours upon hours of fun. Its a worthy purchase and the cross buy is just a nice cherry on top.