One Piece: Odyssey

One Piece: Odyssey is a role-playing game that immerses players in the One Piece universe as they guide the Straw Hat Pirates on a perilous journey across mysterious islands. Developed by ILCA and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, the game features both real-time and turn-based combat, an original storyline, and the authentic anime art style, allowing fans to explore new adventures with their favorite characters in a fantasy setting.

One Piece: Odyssey: Review

Introduction

In the vast, ever-expanding ocean of licensed video games, One Piece: Odyssey emerges as a landmark achievement—a turn-based JRPG that dares to reimagine Eiichiro Oda’s pirate saga through the lens of classic role-playing mechanics. Released in January 2023 to commemorate the One Piece franchise’s 25th anniversary, this ambitious title arrives with a pedigree that promises both authenticity and innovation. While previous One Piece games often prioritized action or musou-style gameplay, Odyssey stakes its claim on a more contemplative, character-driven journey. Yet, does it navigate the treacherous waters of adaptation and design unscathed, or does it founder under the weight of its own ambition? This review argues that Odyssey succeeds as a heartfelt, faithful tribute to Oda’s world, excelling in its narrative ambition and presentation while faltering under repetitive gameplay and a lack of challenge. It stands as a flawed but essential entry in the franchise’s history—a treasure map for fans, albeit one with a few too many detours.

Development History & Context

Developed by ILCA, Inc. (whose credits include NieR: Automata and Dragon Quest series) and published by Bandai Namco, Odyssey represents a significant departure from the studio’s previous work. Its inception dates back five years before its 2023 reveal, placing its origins around 2018—a period when the One Piece manga was nearing its final saga, and the gaming industry was seeing a resurgence of JRPGs on modern consoles. The project was born from a desire to create a “new epic adventure” that could capture the essence of Oda’s sprawling world in a way no prior One Piece game had. Crucially, Eiichiro Oda was deeply involved from the outset, contributing original character designs for newcomers Lim and Adio, as well as new creatures like the Leviathan, three years before the game’s announcement. This level of creator oversight ensured the game’s narrative and aesthetic integrity, positioning it as a “celebration” of the franchise rather than a cynical cash-in.

Technologically, Odyssey leverages Unreal Engine 4 to render Oda’s vibrant art style in 3D, a choice that presented both opportunities and challenges. The engine allowed for cel-shaded visuals that mirror the anime’s dynamic expressions, but it also required meticulous optimization to run across platforms ranging from the aging PS4 to the modern PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The gaming landscape in 2023 was competitive, with Odyssey launching alongside high-profile titles like Hogwarts Legacy and Wild Hearts. Yet, its niche as a licensed JRPG filled a void, appealing to both One Piece devotees and RPG enthusiasts hungry for a more thoughtful, story-driven experience than the franchise’s typical action offerings.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Odyssey weaves a dual-threaded narrative that masterfully balances originality with nostalgia. The story begins with the Straw Hats’ ship, the Going Merry, caught in a cataclysmic storm that strands them on the enigmatic island of Waford. Here, they encounter Lim, a young woman with the power to “steal” Devil Fruit abilities and seal them within cubes, and Adio, a vengeful explorer with ties to the World Government. Lim’s actions scatter the crew’s powers across Waford and a parallel realm called Memoria—a world constructed from the Straw Hats’ memories. This premise serves as both a narrative device to level the playing field and a thematic exploration of how memories and experiences define identity.

The Memoria arcs form the emotional core of the game, as the Straw Hats relive pivotal moments from the series’ history—Alabasta, Water 7/Enies Lobby, Marineford, and Dressrosa—through a “what if” lens. These sequences are not mere retellings; they introduce subtle alterations that heighten emotional stakes, such as the crew revisiting Alabasta to witness the Going Merry docked in port, a moment that long-time fans find profoundly moving. The original characters, Lim and Adio, are equally compelling. Lim’s arc—from distrustful observer to steadfast friend—embodies the series’ central theme of nakama (bonds), while Adio’s tragic quest for revenge forces the crew to confront the cost of holding onto hatred. The dialogue, penned with Oda’s input, brims with the franchise’s signature humor and camaraderie, from Sanji’s chivalrous antics to Zoro’s deadpan wit. Yet, the narrative’s pacing is uneven; the Alabasta chapter drags with excessive backtracking and fetch quests, while later arcs like Marineford deliver cinematic, emotionally resonant payoff.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

At its core, Odyssey is a traditional turn-based RPG, but it distinguishes itself with its “Scramble Area Battles” system. Combat unfolds on a divided battlefield where players must defeat all enemies in a zone to move between areas. This introduces a layer of strategy, as positioning characters with complementary attributes (Power, Speed, Technique) can exploit enemy weaknesses. The rock-paper-scissors dynamic—Power beats Speed, Speed beats Technique, Technique beats Power—adds a layer of tactical depth, though it’s rarely utilized due to the game’s forgiving difficulty. Random “Dramatic Scenes” (e.g., “defeat the enemy before Nami takes damage”) offer bonus EXP and loot, but these feel more like padding than meaningful challenges.

Character progression follows a standard RPG template: characters gain EXP and level up, but abilities are unlocked in bulk at the end of chapters, creating uneven power spikes. The equipment system revolves around accessories that can be slotted into a grid, allowing for deep customization as players fuse items to add effects. However, the game’s greatest flaw is its lack of challenge. For 95% of battles, players can auto-attack through encounters, with difficulty spiking only in late-game boss fights. There’s no option to adjust difficulty, leaving veteran RPGs yearning for more tension. Exploration, meanwhile, relies on character-specific abilities (e.g., Luffy’s stretching arms, Chopper’s small size), but these are underutilized in simplistic puzzles. The result is a gameplay loop that feels serviceable but repetitive, with excessive backtracking through already-explored areas in the Alabasta chapter acting as a notable low point.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Odyssey excels in its world-building, transforming Oda’s universe into a living, breathing space. The island of Waford is a lush, storm-ravaged paradise teeming with original fauna designed by Oda, from the Dry Penguin to the towering Leviathan. Its dungeons—such as the Thunderhead Ruins—blend environmental puzzles with platforming, though the latter is hampered by clunky controls. The real triumph, however, is Memoria. Each realm is a loving recreation of iconic One Piece locales: Water 7’s canals, Dressrosa’s vibrant streets, and Marineford’s war-torn grounds. These areas are not just backdrops but active participants in the story, with dynamic weather and interactive elements that deepen immersion.

Artistically, Odyssey is a triumph. The Unreal Engine 4-powered cel-shading captures Oda’s exaggerated expressions and vibrant color palette, making the Straw Hats feel truly “alive” in 3D. Cutscenes are animated with the same flair as the anime, turning signature moves like Luffy’s Gear Fourth into spectacular set pieces. Sound design is equally stellar, with Motoi Sakuraba’s soundtrack blending orchestral grandeur with series staples like “We Are!” The Japanese voice acting, featuring the original anime cast, brings unparalleled authenticity to character interactions, though the lack of an English dub may alienate some players.

Reception & Legacy

Odyssey launched to a generally favorable reception, with a MobyGames score of 7.4 and a Metacritic rating of 73 (mixed/average for PS5). Critics praised its faithfulness to One Piece—IGN lauded it for “nailing the heart, humor, and soul of One Piece,” while Push Square hailed it as an “utter joy of a JRPG.” Common compliments included the authentic character writing, emotional Memoria arcs, and stunning visuals. However, the game’s repetitive design and low difficulty drew consistent criticism, with GameSpot calling it a “very generic” experience and CGMagazine lamenting its “glacial pace.” Commercially, Odyssey found success, with the PS4 version ranking as Japan’s second-best-selling physical game in its debut week, selling 35,123 copies.

In the years since its release, Odyssey’s reputation has solidified as a “flawed masterpiece” for One Piece fans. Its success has revitalized interest in licensed JRPGs, proving that a slower, narrative-driven approach can resonate with audiences more accustomed to action games. The game’s influence is already evident in discussions about potential sequels, with fans and outlets like Game Rant arguing for a follow-up that could explore newer arcs and characters. While it hasn’t revolutionized the JRPG genre, it has set a new standard for One Piece adaptations, emphasizing authenticity and heart over mindless action.

Conclusion

One Piece: Odyssey is a testament to the power of passion projects. With Oda’s direct involvement and ILCA’s meticulous attention to detail, the game delivers an experience that feels like a genuine One Piece adventure—replete with laughter, tears, and the unbreakable bonds of friendship. Its Memoria arcs are a masterclass in fan service, offering emotional payoffs that long-time devotees will cherish, while its vibrant world and faithful characterizations make it accessible to newcomers. Yet, the game is anchored by its gameplay shortcomings: repetitive quests, a lack of challenge, and a UI that often feels cluttered. These flaws prevent Odyssey from achieving greatness, but they don’t diminish its achievement as a love letter to one of manga and anime’s most enduring franchises.

In the grand tapestry of One Piece video games, Odyssey occupies a unique space—it is not the most mechanically ambitious entry, but it is arguably the most soulful. It captures the spirit of Oda’s work in a way that transcends mere adaptation, making it an essential voyage for any fan. While it may not steer the course for the entire JRPG genre, its legacy as a heartfelt, high-quality celebration of One Piece is assured. For those willing to overlook its rough patches, Odyssey offers a treasure worth discovering—a pirate’s booty of nostalgia, emotion, and unbridled adventure.