Bandai Namco is setting out into the wild seas of the turn-based RPG genre with One Piece Odyssey as part of the series’ 25th anniversary, and while it borrows some ideas from other JRPGs, it effectively introduces players to the Straw Hat Pirates in a game that makes a great entry to the series. While there has been a handful of One Piece games, it’s clear there’s something special here for the series’ anniversary that newcomers and veterans can enjoy.
Unlike the fast-paced action of World Seeker, One Piece Odyssey establishes itself as a JRPG very quickly into the game. Our hands-on preview begins with Luffy attempting to regroup with his missing crew mates after being shipwrecked on a mysterious island. While looking for the Straw Hat Pirates, the game teaches players how its turn-based gameplay mechanics operate. The easy-to-navigate menus allow players to switch between party members, who each have their own combat abilities and classes. In the quest to make Odyssey as appealing as possible to a larger audience, producers of Odyssey felt that turn-based gameplay would appeal to more players who don’t want to worry about consistently adjusting camera angles to see One Piece‘s stylish action.
One Piece Odyssey Revisits Alabasta & Water 7 Like No Game Before
Most of the Straw Hat Crew is reunited within the first hour of One Piece Odyssey‘s preview build. Combat explores their powerful abilities before a strange young girl’s power removes the memories and battle experience of Luffy and his crew. Starting the game with powerful stats and abilities helps familiarize and create a goal for One Piece Odyssey‘s combat to reach. To reclaim the Straw Hat’s strength and skills, players will need to explore the island of Waford and discover what sort of secrets it’s hiding.
Besides Odyssey‘s vibrant and expressive art style, players will notice the game’s excellent writing. It doesn’t take One Piece Odyssey long to successfully convey the quirky personalities of each of the Straw Hats. Players who have yet to be able to watch the anime series or read Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece manga will quickly feel acquainted with One Piece Odyssey‘s cast of playable characters and have a good understanding of the Straw Hat crew’s dynamics. It’s been revealed that the events of the game will eventually lead the crew to revisit fan-favorite locations of the series, Water 7 and Alabasta, and the preview gave the press a glimpse of what to expect from these vast areas.
During Screen Rant‘s time with the preview, the starting areas of One Piece Odyssey and parts of Alabasta were playable. To regain some of their powers, the Straw Hats must relive certain experiences, but history sometimes plays out differently than it did in the series’ past. This surprising twist creates the opportunity for newcomers to the series to experience some of its best arcs while also providing an original One Piece story fans have been waiting for.
During a brief time in the densely populated capital city of Alabasta, each NPC was unique and had a job to do that made the One Piece city feel alive and immersive. While exploring the game’s overworld, players can switch between playable characters on the fly, which can help uncover items or unlock areas other characters cannot access. The level of attention to detail seen in One Piece Odyssey‘s combat and its world is an excellent sign that the game will be a must-play for fans of polished turn-based JRPGs and a compelling introduction to those unfamiliar with Luffy and his Straw Hat crew.
Bandai Namco invited Screen Rant to a special preview One Piece Odyssey event for the purposes of this article. One Piece Odyssey releases on PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows PC on January 13, 2023.
