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WiiU

North America

Squids Odyssey Review

by Bryan Rose - May 22, 2014, 1:01 pm EDT
Total comments: 3

8

The Wii U gets its first great strategy game featuring squids!

When thinking about strategy RPGs, my first thought isn’t a deep sea underwater adventure starring squids. But then again, I’m not a video game developer. The Game Bakers, however, have realized such a game with their release of Squids Odyssey for the Wii U, with a 3DS version soon to follow. It’s quite the deep RPG with a multitude of levels to play through and a number of items and characters to unlock and choose from. The learning curve is a bit high, but overall it’s a fun adventure that is worth picking up for strategy RPG enthusiasts.

The game has a similar layout to mobile games such as Angry Birds or Cut the Rope. There are a number of stories shown once the game starts up, but only one is able to be chosen from the start. Once completing all the levels in one chapter, the next one opens. The overall narrative, with squids fighting an evil presence in their once happy undersea life, is a fine and intriguing story to follow. The option to play on the gamepad with Off-TV Play capabilities is a welcome addition.

Gameplay works like many strategy role playing games. You have a set of squids that must battle their way towards victory, either by surviving, clearing all enemies, or finding the goal. Using the joystick, squids are sent smashing into enemies that either whittle away due to damage or fall off ledges to their doom. The squids have a variety of abilities; some shoot with guns, others heal other squids by colliding into them, and some have stomping abilities that push away nearby enemies. These different types of squids found in different levels do indeed provide great strategy tactics in order to clear out a level efficiently.

What is most interesting about the game is just how deep the customization is. There are a number of items and upgrades for each character to unlock in each level, and these can be bought and equipped at the squid’s base for pearls that you collect in each level. Pearls are also used to level up characters. Unlike some RPGs, this isn’t done automatically and instead it requires manually leveling up characters you use in the game individually. It does require some strategy and thought into what character to level up and what item to buy to progress in the game.

Squids Odyssey is tough after the first few levels, especially if characters aren’t leveled up properly. But that’s fine; it never reaches to a frustrating level. Overall, it’s a charming game that, at its core, is actually very deep in customization and gameplay. I wish leveling up was more automated, but these are minor qualms compared to the overall experience. In terms of Nintendo eShop titles, you won’t find many others that offer the long hours of gameplay that Squids Odyssey provides.

Summary

Pros
  • Deep & diverse gameplay mechanics
  • Fun gameplay
  • Off-TV mode works great
Cons
  • Manually leveling up isn't that fun
  • Slightly tough

Talkback

xcwarriorMay 22, 2014

Has to be a surprise quality title on WiiU.

Considering there will be 0 marketing for this game, I hope people try it out and pass the world along. Sounds like something certainly worth picking up.

PhilPhillip Stortzum, May 22, 2014

Looks insanely charming! How can I hold all of these great digital games!? Oh, wait! I don't have to because they're digital! ...Then how can my Wii U hold all of these great digital games!?  :Q

azekeMay 23, 2014

I watched Daan's first look of this game:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M5X4iEMZCE


It was pretty cool, especially the level with old squid's last stand.


Gameplay reminds me of Skulls of the Shogun only with added Fire Emblem elements like levels, inventory and abilities.

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WiiU

Game Profile

Squids Odyssey Box Art

Genre RPG
Developer The Game Bakers
Players1

Worldwide Releases

na: Squids Odyssey
Release May 22, 2014
PublisherThe Game Bakers
RatingEveryone
eu: Squids Odyssey
Release May 22, 2014
PublisherThe Game Bakers
Rating7+

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