Orphen: Scion of Sorcery

Orphen: Scion of Sorcery
European PlayStation 2 cover art
Developer(s) Shade[1]
Publisher(s)
Composer(s) Minoru Yamada
Platform(s) PlayStation 2
Release
  • JP: August 3, 2000
  • NA: October 26, 2000[1]
  • EU: November 24, 2000
Genre(s) Action, role-playing
Mode(s) Single-player

Orphen: Scion of Sorcery (known in Japan as Sorcerous Stabber Orphen) is a role-playing video game for the PlayStation 2. The game was developed by Shade, co-published by Kadokawa Shoten and ESP in Japan, and released abroad by Activision.[1] It is based on the light novel series Sorcerous Stabber Orphen by Yoshinobu Akita. The game was a launch title for the PlayStation 2 in North America and Europe.[1]

Gameplay

Gameplay consists of a mix between platform/puzzle solving and battles. Outside of battles, the player usually controls Orphen or another member of their party, and must explore each area one at a time, solving puzzles and jumping across platforms. Treasure chests are spread out throughout areas which contain either items that can be used outside of battle or equipment which is used during battle. Although enemies can sometimes be found throughout areas, there are many scripted battle sequences that occur throughout the game. In battles, the player controls one character throughout the whole battle and can use three different pieces of equipment: melee weapons, spells, and elemental shields. Though battles are set up like turn-based battles, the battles occur in real time so that the player, allies and enemies can all attack at any time. If the controlled character dies during battle, the game ends and the player is returned to the title screen. However, the player can pause the battle and change equipment at any time, restarting the battle in the process and avoiding a restart.

Plot

Tricked by Volcan into sailing to the merchant city of Arvanrama on the premise of "easy money," Orphen and his friends quickly find themselves in trouble when monsters attack their ship. Somehow, they all make it off the sinking ship safely, only to find themselves stranded on Chaos Island, together with three other travelers: Sephy, Zeus and Mar. They set off to explore the island and learn of a time traveling object. Upon beating the game you are given the choice to go back in time and replay the story and help out a different person. After helping all three fellow travelers, the final battle initiates, in which you learn the whole thing has been a simulation created by a machine in the center of the island known as Gaia, and the fellow travelers were all chosen by Gaia to be actors in its stories. After defeating Gaia, the three travelers are freed and everyone is able to return home.

Reception

Orphen: Scion of Sorcery received "average" reviews, according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[2] GamePro praised its plot as interesting.[3] IGN was more critical, and described the in-game dialogue as "mind-meltingly dull".[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 IGN Staff (September 20, 2000). "Orphen: Scion of Sorcery Confirmed for PS2 Launch". IGN. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Orphen: Scion of Sorcery for PlayStation 2 Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved 2011-12-05.
  3. ↑ "Orphen Review from GamePro". GamePro. Archived from the original on 2008-06-13. Retrieved 2011-12-05.
  4. ↑ "Orphen: Scion of Sorcery - PS2 - IGN". IGN. Archived from the original on 2004-08-08. Retrieved 2011-12-05.
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