Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir Shines Anew on PS Plus

Why PS Plus Subscribers Should Care

When this landed in my PlayStation Plus library, I nearly did a double-take: Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir free on PS Plus? Vanillaware’s remaster of its 2007 cult hit earned an 18/20 review and still holds an 87 on Metacritic. As someone who lives and breathes 2D action-RPGs, offering this level of craft at no extra cost is a rare treat.

Artistry and Animation: A Gallery in Motion

Vanillaware’s hand-painted aesthetics remain the high-water mark for 2D game art. Every locale—from frostbitten tundra to molten forge—is dripping with detail. The remaster boosts resolution and frame rates without losing the studio’s signature brushstroke textures. In combat, every slash, spell effect, and character transition moves with fluid precision, rivaling many modern 3D titles.

Revamped Combat and Deep RPG Mechanics

The original was polished but notoriously grindy—Leifthrasir tackles that head-on. Combo inputs snap together, dodge and parry windows are tighter, and enemy layouts force you to adapt rather than muscle through. Skill trees now let you specialize in attack speed, elemental magic, or defensive buffs, creating meaningful build variety. While some dungeons still demand repeated runs for materials and sub-quests, the pacing rewards experimentation: chaining light and heavy attacks, unlocking new abilities, and tweaking your loadout feels genuinely satisfying.

Narrative Structure and Pacing

The story unfolds across five interlocking “books,” each following a different hero caught in Erion’s struggle over the mythical Phosphorea cauldron. This Shakespearean-meets-Norse epic—complete with star-crossed lovers, betrayals, and high-stakes wars—was ambitious in 2007 and still sets itself apart today. Chapter breaks can feel abrupt, but the shifting perspectives keep the momentum high and the stakes personal.

Pros and Cons

• Pros: Breathtaking hand-drawn visuals; tighter, more responsive combat; deeper skill trees; bold, character-driven narrative.
• Cons: Some stage repetition remains; occasional grind in later acts; linear progression may deter players seeking open-ended design.

Technical Specifications

Feature	Specification
Publisher	Atlus (NTSC), Square Enix/NIS America (PAL)
Release Date (Remaster)	June 2016
Genres	2D Action-RPG, Beat ’em Up
Platforms	PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita (via PS Plus)

Conclusion

Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir on PS Plus isn’t a half-baked nostalgia play—it’s a masterclass in 2D artistry and mechanics. For PS Plus subscribers, there’s zero risk and hours of high-caliber RPG action waiting. Even if you bump into the occasional grind, the stellar spritework, orchestral score, and story ambition make this remaster essential. This passion project reminds us why Vanillaware still commands respect.

TL;DR: Free on PS Plus and still a genre-defining 2D action-RPG—play it now.