I’ve mentioned this countless times, but for the sake of those who aren’t aware: I don’t own a Vita, but I really want a reason to get one. I read Steve Baltimore’s review of Ragnarok Odyssey, and it made me jealous that I couldn’t play it. To be honest, I approached XSEED’s booth at E3 with hopes that they might sell me a Vita sometime in the not-too-distant future. I went out of my way to play Ragnarok Odyssey ACE, the “new and improved” version of the game we’ve reviewed for the site.
First of all, to avoid saying the same things that Steve has already, what’s new? The game I played was an offline mode that featured NPC allies. They were smart enough to help me out in when I was in a bind. Considering the original game had you fighting alone if you were offline, the idea of computer-controlled allies may sway people that were on the fence about the original. This game also features more story, new modes, and other things we’ve highlighted already.
And next: my experience with the game, having skimmed Steve’s review, and not having played the original game at all. I played a Japanese build, so I was having flashbacks of Soma Bringer. Navigation was easy enough thanks to signposting that can be understood in all languages. Know what else is understood? Hacking and slashing! Goodness gracious, does this game offer a good slice of that. A new feature of ACE involved me mashing the touch screen on the Vita to unleash some sort of super-move. I’m sure fans of the original and newcomers alike will appreciate the sentiment of a super-move in a hack-and-slash. I know when I’m killing stuff it kind of makes me smile to deliver a fantastic finishing move.
What can I say, really? It’s Ragnarok Odyssey, but it has all kinds of new content. If you’ve already played through the original game, but couldn’t get enough, then by all means ACE is what you’ve been waiting for. And if you missed out on the original game, this is without a doubt a definitive expansion. Ragnarok Odyssey ACE is sure to impress, and become another success story for our friends at XSEED Games.
