Arcus Odyssey
| Arcus Odyssey | |
|---|---|
| File:Aocover.jpg Box art for Arcus Odyssey | |
| Developer(s) | Wolf Team |
| Publisher(s) | Renovation Products |
| Platform(s) | Sharp X68000, Mega Drive, Super NES |
| Release | 1991 |
| Genre(s) | Action RPG |
| Mode(s) | Up to 2 players (Co-op) |
Arcus Odyssey is an action RPG video game developed by Wolf Team. The game was released in 1991 for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Sharp X68000 and Super Famicom. The game is a cross between fantasy and science-fiction themes reminiscent of the Gauntlet series. The music for the game was composed by Motoi Sakuraba, who also did the music for the Star Ocean series.
An American version for the Super NES was planned, but it was cancelled following Sega's acquisition of Renovation Products (American publisher for Wolf Team and Telenet games). The Super NES version was, however, released in Japan, with the title Arcus Spirits.
Story
Once upon a time, 1000 years ago in the lands of Arcus, an evil sorceress named Castomira sought to destroy the land and remake it a place of chaos and darkness in her own image. The only person powerful enough to stop her was Leaty, a kindly princess and the granddaughter to the legendary King of Light. The two battled. Leaty and Castomira fought for days on end, but the powers of the Light eventually overwhelmed the evil sorceress. Leaty then forged a magical sword that came to be known as "The Power of Leaty", to forever seal Castomira into the Dark World, and trusted its safekeeping with the King of Arcus.
Now, a millennia later, the evil followers of the dark sorceress have stolen the Sword, in order to resurrect their mistress. The power of Castomira grows stronger by the day. Only the powers of four brave warriors can stop the minions of the evil witch and prevent a second coming of Castomira that could spell doom for all of Arcus: Jedda the Swordsman; Diana the Archer; Erin the Warrior-Maiden; and Bead the Mage.
Gameplay
The player takes on the the role of one of four different heroes, and proceeds through each level in order. The players may move, attack, defend using a projectile-blocking shield, and use a variety of offensive, defensive, and recovery items and magic, all of which can be found in chests scattered throughout the levels. Some levels require the players to accomplish sub-quests in order to proceed, such as extinguishing a fire blocking the door to the next level. Other levels give the player an ally for some parts of the game. The game primarily has an isometric view, although the player's characters can move freely in eight directions. After defeating most bosses, players receive a power boost. This boost either gives them more health or more power.