Albert Odyssey: Legend of Eldean

So after my playthrough of the game, I honestly don't see what's not to like about Albert Odyssey. Sure, the combat can be sluggish the endgame pacing too, and the story uninspired--wait.. this doesn't sound like the praise I'm assigning it with my headline.

Let me start over.

As someone who particularly enjoys the JRPG genre of games, (almost exclusively), I've seen my fair share of "OK games". Oftentimes, Albert Odyssey falls to the wayside of many RPG fans, simply because its only western port was on the doomed Sega Saturn, that, and often people are too fixated on Panzer Dragoon, Magic Knight Rayearth, and Shining Force III; not to discredit or undersell these amazing games.

However, among circles of particularly Saturn fans, Albert Odyssey has never really had any time in the limelight, or really anything other than a lukewarm comment in passing. After a full playthrough of the game, I am honestly confused why. Maybe I'm not as well versed in JRPG's as I thought I was (Working Design games ARE expensive).

Yes, The combat can be slow, the story - "eh", but the writing and humor in the game I found to be a rare treat that really made this game memorable to me. Story and mechanics wise, this game is no Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy III, Secret of Mana, Earthbound, etc.

However, while refreshing mechanics are indeed something to be lauded about a JRPG, while many see the writing at the expense of everything else, I think it actually comes in as a benefit. The raunchy humor, innuendos, and quick dialogue made me contract anemia with the amount of times I was exhaling in amusement, and really allows you to excavate the world for its nooks, cranny's, and throwaway characters -- almost like Earthbound.

This isn't really something seen in a lot of JRPGs, which is why I think this game is so good. I'm not saying that developers should sacrifice the game for witty dialogue, but when the barebones of a game aren't that much to work with, it can really make an effort that elevates this beyond your standard, forgettable JRPG.

Not to mention, Sunsoft (specifically Naoki Kadoka) really went out of the park on orchestrating this. The rich, wistful woodwinds that coat the OST undoubtedly sell the "grand mystical adventure", almost better than the contemporaries do. Many of the overworld themes are beautifully grand; opulent; seraphim. I found myself exploring simply to listen to the OST more, its a truly wonderful listen that [like the writing] inflates the otherwise skeletal universe of the story.

Do I think this game is a masterpeice? No. However, I think that the flaws of the game are minimized by its exceptionally strong charm, none of which any seasoned JRPG fan hasn't already been accustomed to.

Albert Odyssey certainly worth a playthrough to uncover its entrancing charisma beneath its unassuming presentation.

8/10