Review: Squids Odyssey

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 game pad screen with the stylus. Other option is the traditional use the left stick and a button.
• Off screen play available.
• 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.
• Earn pearls by finding them 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.
• Loads of varied enemies all with different attacks and methods.

Cons:

• No voice acting in cut-scenes, even just a stupid noise would do to help keep the atmosphere.
• Price point is a little too high for an impulse buy.
• Aiming is tricky only in the way of it is hard to see where your player is actually going at times.
• Game pad is not used for heavy menu use, Instead you have to use the d pad or analogue stick which is clunky and slow.
• No hard save thus leaving you to rely on the autosave.
• Menu music that whilst cool at first is the only track used and keeps repeating on loop.

In Summary, I didn’t know what to expect with this game, It looked like a simple kiddy game that wants to try and play with the big boys. More fool me as the game turned out to be one of the best RPG strategy games I have played in a long time. The story is predictable but fun and fits the overall atmosphere of the game perfectly. Yes the price point is a little high even though the content is defiantly there, Players will always re examine everything a game offers when it goes over the ten pound mark. This game will appeal to all gamers, Ignore the strategy and rpg tags, The game is brilliant fun and really easy to learn. If it makes you feel better, Think of it as a slightly violent curling game on the set of Finding Nemo. Its a really good game and you should really check it out.