Yoot Saito's Odama (GameCube) Preview

By Adam Riley 21.06.2005

The pinball genre has come into its own in the past year, with Fuse leading the way on Super Mario Ball, mixing in platform elements and now bringing the world Metroid Pinball, which brings a dark adventure feel to the genre. But now Yoot Saito of Vivarium has devised an even stranger twist, dabbling in the world of strategy-pinball. But how could something like an RTS be successfully tied together with pinball? Surely this is one crazy idea too far...?

Many people scoffed at the initial idea of this game. Thinking about it, mixing real-time strategy with the world of pinball must come across as a completely ridiculous idea to many gamers. But, as usual, being attracted to games that are not exactly deemed as normal I quickly snapped this up for my list of games to check out at the Post E3 Tour in London last week. What perplexed me on the journey down to Soho from Manchester was just how they were going to get everything set up, what with the second player being able to rally the troops using the bongos and the microphone also being used to issue commands to your men in order to ensure they protect your base, whilst keeping their lives in tact.

Screenshot for Yoot Saito's Odama on GameCube

The answer was quite a simple was in the end

Screenshot for Yoot Saito's Odama on GameCube

Talking of the landscapes available to you, they are indeed just that, rather than the tables found in normal pinball games, but this works just as well. Rocky inclines are similar to metal ramps, wooden huts work like springs and there are lots of other features that whilst odd to the eye at first, will become more and more recognisable as you play through this gorgeous looking title. But thankfully, as there is a time restriction enforced, nothing becomes too much of a hindrance, like when your ball sometimes gets stuck at the top of a table in a run-of-the-mill 'ball game. Each of the three locations played on

Screenshot for Yoot Saito's Odama on GameCube

Although there was some frustration to found in that the microphone was either not working, or expecting Japanese voice commands. To guide yourself to an easier victory, you see, the GameCube microphone is now used to throw orders at your men as you attempt to defend yourself. Commands such as 'Charge', 'More Men', 'Move Left / Right' and 'Kill the B*stards!' are meant to be followed as you press in the little mic button and scream into the top of it (okay, maybe that last command was one hurled out in anger, but you would feel that way after the embarrassment of shouting randomly in public to no avail!). If your little guys do not get their behinds into gear sharpish, then enemy soldiers will rain down on you and start attacking your flippers, rendering them useless if hit enough, leaving the Odama to just roll away into nothingness, which happened all too often thanks to the damn mic not working!

Screenshot for Yoot Saito's Odama on GameCube

Final Thoughts

However, this feudal Japan real-time strategy pinball fest sure does have massive potential to be a corking niche title. The injection into the pinball genre is much appreciated, and whilst many may be put off by the heavy Japanese war overtones, along with the corny 'Way of Ninten' philosophy created by your main character Amanouchi Kagetora, this should not be completely overlooked when it makes its Western d

Odama (GameCube)

Developer

Vivarium

Publisher

Nintendo

Genre

Table Games

Players

C3 Score

7/10

Reader Score

10/10 (2 Votes)

Out now

Out now

Out now

Out now

Comments

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JoSheeMitzu 23.06.2005#26

Im pumped!

Raz, I know it sounds crazy, but your obsession with fire emblem in general to me, only adds to your credibility and makes the good things you say MORE trustworthy.

I've heard people who've played it say it looks average, but they tend to not be crazy for the older fire emblem games either. So if their judgement is so poor they didn't get obsessed with the fire emblem games I'ved already played and know are brilliant, no need to take their criticism of the cube version seriously.

Finally, andawesome strat-rpg for the cube. What did it take, like four years?

I only wish nintendo had told intelligent to make the ultimate Fire Emblem game, one so massive it rivalled final fantasy in sheer epic scope.

Oh well. Maybe when the revolution comes.

howzy22 23.06.2005#27

I want this game a lot :-D
Im hoping it comes with some bonuses like it did in japan(i think it did....didnt it?? Damn self doubt :-()

Smilie

howzy22 23.06.2005#28

This game interests me a lot....i think i might actually buy a pinball game for my Gamecube :-o
And yes im referring to this one :roll:

jesusraz 23.06.2005#29

Hylian, I hear you loud and clear!! : Smilie

Galv, true it's not proper 3D FMV, but there is such charisma on-screen brought the cel-animation used. I just wish Nintendo would give the whole Final Fantasy deal a real go. Show Squaresoft how it's done...hehe Smilie

JoShee, thanks guy - your support is always appreciated, one of our most valued members for sure Smilie If Nintendo churn out crap (like Pok

Adam Riley [ Director :: Cubed3 ]

UNITE714: Weekly Prayers | Bible Verses

jesusraz 23.06.2005#30

w00t!!11!!!1 :eek:

Hehe Smilie :tongue:

This has to definitely come out over here before the Christmas rush or else it will definitely get overlooked. It'll be interesting to see how it performs in Japan as well, actually...

Adam Riley [ Director :: Cubed3 ]

UNITE714: Weekly Prayers | Bible Verses

Galvanizer 23.06.2005#31

IGN stated in their Japanese version preview that there is link-up connectivity with all 2 GBA versions of Fire Emblem.

Check it out in the third paragraph of this article link: IGN Fire Emblem Preview

jesusraz 23.06.2005#32

All three GBA games...! Smilie Remember that the first GBA FE never made it to the West :alien: That's brilliant news - a secret GC mode that can be unlocked via link-up. Shame it only seems to be when you've completed the GC game, though.

Adam Riley [ Director :: Cubed3 ]

UNITE714: Weekly Prayers | Bible Verses

Xcore 23.06.2005#33

There better be support conversations some just makes me laugh.
Especially when I got Hector and Farina to marry each other. :lol:
On fire emblem. Smilie

[ Edited by Cap On 2005/6/23 16:23 ]

You found the word nipple! And you love touching them!

Cheesing It Up 23.06.2005#34

RPG? I thought this game was similar to Advance Wars? Anyway, looks like it's coming alone nicely so far. : Smilie

JoSheeMitzu 24.06.2005#35

Still excited!

Yeah Fenno, it is similar to advance wars, the best term to describe it would be 'turn-based strategy game.' But you level up characters in a fantasy setting where you can change classes and theres a thin storyline to complement the great battles... So a lotta guys like me like to call it a strat-rpg.