One Piece Odyssey is an upcoming JRPG by Bandai Namco Entertainment, featuring the famous Straw Hat Crew on the island of Waford. After playing the game for three hours, I left impressed by the island exploration, engaging battles, and intriguing side quests, alongside interactions with various NPCs. In this preview, we’ll explore how well the beloved One Piece series transitions into an RPG.
Waford Island Adventure
One Piece Odyssey ensures even players unfamiliar with the series can enjoy the game. However, understanding the characters and their dynamics certainly adds depth to the experience. The game kicks off with the Straw Hat crew getting stranded on the mysterious Waford Island after a freak storm. The island defies the laws of physics, and strange weather effects are already apparent. As Luffy and a few others, your initial mission is to regroup with the crew, find your bearings, and adapt to the new environment. On top of that, an unknown event has drained your powers, setting your ultimate goal to uncover the island’s secrets, regain your abilities, and plan your escape.
Waford Island is bustling with characters and side quests, ensuring there’s always something to engage with in the initial hours. The crew’s frequent banter and contributions during quests and exploration felt true to the show’s spirit. The dialogues and writing were on point, making it feel like an episode of One Piece. The opening areas showcased impressive visual diversity with different terrains, piquing my curiosity about the island’s full scale and future locations.
Traversal and Exploration
One Piece Odyssey employs unique traversal mechanics. While it includes standard movement options typical of JRPGs, the ability to switch between crewmates on the fly sets it apart. Each character offers unique ways to navigate and uncover items. For instance, Luffy can stretch his arms to reach higher areas, and Zoro can slash through obstacles to access new paths or break open crates.
Additionally, Sanji’s skills as a chef allow him to find hidden ingredients for cooking, while Usopp uses his slingshot to retrieve out-of-reach items. Nami can detect money scattered in the environment, and Chopper can squeeze into small spaces. These character-specific abilities were seamlessly integrated into the gameplay, proving useful in exploration and keeping me on my toes, actively switching between characters.
Combat and Strategy
One Piece Odyssey features a turn-based combat system where typically four crew members face various enemies. Positioning plays a crucial role due to its random assignment, and each character falls into different types like Attack or Technique. It’s essential to assess whether they fit the current combat scenario. The game allows you to swap characters mid-battle, letting you leverage each crewmate’s unique abilities according to the encounter’s demands.
Overall, my time with One Piece Odyssey left me eagerly anticipating more of the island’s secrets, how its mechanics evolve, and seeing the grand adventure unfold.