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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not for the faint-hearted gamer, 14 April 2006
Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars
I'd categorise myself as an occasional gamer. While I still follow gaming developments regularly it takes something a bit special to lift this 30-something from his middle-age slumber!
In Odama I thought I'd found just that.
A game that combined my penchant for pinball with my love of Japanese warfare while employing a highly innovative gaming-style using voice commands? Wow!
Already I was thinking of this as a taster for the forthcoming Revolution. New ways to play - count me in!
The first few hours of play have proved a pretty punishing experience. The first hurdle is to master the commands.
The 'pinball' aspects of the game are managed in the traditional way (shoulder buttons work satisfyingly well to activate the flippers, while the left d-stick tilts the field of play) and give the game a good 3D feel. Troop movements are made via the included microphone while holding the x-button.
The trick is to combine these these two controlling techniques.
I found it all too easy to indulge myself in a bit of pinball while my men took a battering from their bushido opponents, and conversely on occasion I'd throw all my efforts into organising my batallions (these guys really don't like to think for themselves you know) while my Odama ball trickled down the gutter!
Master that though (as I did eventually) and you're all set to focus on your objectives.
Invariably these require the player to hit a particular battlefield object with the ball before issuing a rallying cry to troops to then seize the item and put it to good use.
This is not a game of chance. Your terrain should be surveyed, and only through a process of trial and error will you learn how to best conquer any one battlefield. To the game's credit however many times you play a field you always feel as though progress is being made, (to this extent it's very much like 'learning' a table in pinball) and when a field is finally conquered and your troops are ushered through the gates the sense of achievement is fantastic.
Unfortunately I found that Odama puts weaker gamers at a distinct advantage.
The game has quite a pure (and noble) ethic: Perfect your technique before you progress.
As you jump to the next field after gaininig victory you carry with you the remaining troops from the last battle. Hence a particularly bloody fight may leave you with too few troops to stand a realistic chance on the next level. So it's best to return to the scene of the previous (hard-fought) battle.
Lose this again, and you lose the right that you already earned to progress. Harrummph.
While I applaud the ethos, it doesn't half make things hard and for me puts the game beyond the reach of casual gamers.
Notable mention to the Japanese dialogue that has remained in place throughout the game which really does lend it an immersive quality - I've no doubt that the programmers were happy to take the cheap option though!
In summary I do think this is a great game - but it's steadfast philosophy of self-improvement through practice limit its appeal to the more dedicated gamers out there.
Innovative shouldn't mean complex, but here it does. I just hope that come the Revolution imaginative titles like this will be designed with users of all abilities in mind.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Odama, 3 April 2006
By A Customer
These days video games have gotten all serious and realistic. Fortunately, Odama is neither of these. Its best described as a total war / pinball hybrid. And its suprisingly rewarding. The objective is simple. Get a mystical bell (plus bell crew - strange guys wearing only nappies) from one side to the other using troops and a pinball (or Odama). Achieving that is less simple. Indeed, for the first time in probably 10 yrs i actually had to read the instuction booklet - a sure sign that this isn't a game you'll have played before in another disguise. It is this uniqueness of gameplay which on one side is a fairly simple pinball and the other a fairly simple strategy game that makes this such a joy. Although the two concepts behind Odama are simple it is by no means easy. This game is hard, but because of an uncomplicated control system your free to spend your time thinking tactics. And even though the game will beat you again and again (and in my case - again!) you'll want to come back to it, because its so interesting and, well, weird. This is a game that has clearly been thought about, indeed loved by its creators and this is shown in its highly polished finish. From beautifully drawn dragons in the instruction booklet to blades of grass blowing in the wind on the battlefield. It looks like the game was painted by an artist. Perhaps the biggest concern is the use of a mic to issue orders on the battlefield. Again, like the rest of the controls its simple and it works. It even adds atmosphere and again keeps the controls simple so you can focus all your attention on the weirdness. There really isnt another type of game to compare Odama to. Its probably going to be a bit like Marmite - you'll either love it or hate it. I for one hate Marmite but love Odama. If your not looking for an 80 hr epic, but a game that you can play for 10 min or 10 hr and fancy experiencing some Japanese madness thats wonderfully crafted both artistically and technically then you should definitely check this one out.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A bold experiment, 1 April 2006
Welcome to a review of Odama, the new pinball-RTS published by Nintendo. I won't go into too much detail, and you'll have to look elsewhere for a breakdown of the controls, but if you just want a general overview then read on.
The first thing to be noted about this game is that it is absolutely a product of Japan. All speech is delivered in Japanese (with English subtitles), and cutscenes mainly consist of woodcut-style stills. If that alone turns you off, this may not be for you. However, for those intrepid and willing enough to leap the cultural hurdle, this game offers many rewards.
The action takes place in 16th Century Japan, and whilst there is a servicable story, it's largely present to provide a justification for bombing a giant ball around a medieval battlefield, so on to the action. The strategy and pinball elements are well balanced for the most part, and the ability to give microphone commands is well integrated - on which note, the voice recognition seems to work very well. Strategic options include the ability to reinforce with infantry or cavalry, launch rice balls to sustain your troops or distract the enemy, and discover alternate routes to victory. Victory is acheived by guiding your "Ninten Bell" (don't ask) to the enemy's gate. Whilst on its way there the Bell acts as a sort of mobile bumper (pinball, remember?). Pickups are collected, enemies are crushed by your ball, and it's all very exciting.
As I say though, this is an experimental game, which means that you have to take the bad with the good. The various gameplay elements can become overwhelming at times, and there is an factor of randomness in some victories and defeats. Pinball-haters especially should maybe steer clear, as despite the unusual setting and other bells and whistles, one wayward ball can still end your game.
Despite the shortcomings, however, I think that for sheer force of originality - coupled with an occasionally inspired game experience - Odama deserves these four stars. Not great, but definitely good.
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