Odama
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Odama
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 North American box art |
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| Developer(s) | Vivarium |
| Publisher(s) | Nintendo |
| Designer(s) | Yoot Saito |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo GameCube |
| Release date(s) |  March 31, 2006 April 10, 2006 April 13, 2006 |
| Genre(s) | Pinball, real-time tactics |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Everyone 10+ (E10+) PEGI: 7+ |
| Media | 1 × GameCube Optical Disc |
| System requirements | Memory Card |
| Input methods | GameCube Controller, Nintendo GameCube Microphone |
Odama (大玉 Ōdama?) is a video game for the Nintendo GameCube that blends tactical wargaming with pinball gameplay, created by Japanese developer Yoot Saito. Odama is placed in a feudal Japan setting. The main character is a young general named Yamanouchi Kagetora. Kagetora is intent on avenging his father's death by reviving the most ingenious weapon ever to hit the medieval battlefield: the Odama. The Odama is a gigantic ball powerful enough to destroy whatever it strikes, friend or foe. Using giant flippers, players aim the Odama to bowl over enemies, shatter their defenses and wreak havoc on the battlefield. With the Nintendo GameCube Microphone, players direct their soldiers out of the Odama's way and into the fray by charging the enemy, defending positions and seizing the enemy gates.
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[edit] Plot
The main character in Odama is Yamanouchi Kagetora, a young general struggling to avenge his clan and preserve the Way of Ninten-do, which is a philosophy that means "The way of heavenly duty". (Note that this literally spells 'Nintendo'. The company name does mean "The way of heavenly duty" amongst other translations.[citation needed]) With this philosophy to guide him, he finds that his individual soldiers can band together to create a force strong enough to defeat even the most powerful enemy, a general named Karasuma Genshin. Genshin betrayed Lord Yamanouchi Nobutada, Kagetora's father, in a coup, leading Lord Nobutada to take his own life in order to avoid the shame of defeat. Kagetora exacts his revenge, using only limited resources against a vast army. One of these resources is a sacred object protected by his clan: a legendary weapon called the Odama.
[edit] Gameplay
The player controls flippers, which operate exactly like those in a pinball game: they strike the Odama back into the battlefield, directing it into targets and away from soldiers. Between the two flippers, the commander stands guard, hacking down any soldiers who attempt to pass. Players can tilt the battlefield, allowing them to alter the course of the Odama. The goal is to shatter the enemy gates with the Odama and direct a crew of men carrying a giant bell to pass through the opened gates. Players' soldiers will defend their crew and seize enemy positions to protect their men on the mission.
[edit] Microphone
The Nintendo GameCube Microphone included with the game is the most important addition to this title. Using the Microphone, players direct soldiers by giving voice commands. There are 11 commands, ranging from generic (moving left and right, advancing and retreating) to map-specific and special moves.
[edit] Development
Odama's debut at E3 showcased its use of the DK Bongos, which allows a second player to raise troop morale and distract enemy troops by repeatedly beating the drums.[1] However, this feature was dropped prior to the game's release.
[edit] Reception
Most critics did not like the short lifespan, poor graphics and difficulty of this game, yet generally praised the attempt at gameplay innovation. Netjak referred to it as "the third-best console game that involves rolling a giant ball over people."[2]
However, many believe the game's generally average critical response,[3] especially with regard to common criticism of the relatively high difficulty level, is unjust. For example, Spong wrote, "Show Odama the dedication that those games required back in the day, and its complicated gameplay will eventually become second nature..."[4], referring to the often more unforgiving computer and arcade games of the 1980s. Gamer7 wrote, "Odama’s difficulty level is admittedly extremely high by current standards, but by more traditional standards, it's a walk over."[5]
Odama won IGN's Most Innovative Design for a GameCube game in 2006.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ Dan Dormer (January 13, 2006). "Odama Gets Release Date". 1Up.com. Retrieved on 2008-08-17.
- ^ Odama - GameCube Review
- ^ Odama (cube: 2006): Reviews
- ^ http://spong.com/detail/editorial.jsp?eid=10109374&cid=&tid=&pid=&plid=&page=2
- ^ gamer computer gaming motherboards 360 at gamer7.com
- ^ IGN staff (2006). "GameCube: Most Innovative Design". IGN.com. Retrieved on 2008-06-10.
[edit] External links
- Odama at Game Rankings
- Odama at IGN
