Orphen: Scion of Sorcery
Orphen: Scion of Sorcery, known in Japan as , is an action role-playing video game for the PlayStation 2. The game was developed by SHADE Inc. co-published by Kadokawa Shoten and ESP in Japan, and released abroad by Activision. Its lore is based on the light novel series "Sorcerous Stabber Orphen" by Yoshinobu Akita. The game was a launch title for the PlayStation 2 in North America and Europe. Gameplay. Gameplay consists of a mix between platform/puzzle solving and battles. Outside of battles, the player usually controls Orphen or another member of their party  and must explore each area one at a time, solving puzzles and jumping across platforms. Treasure chests are spread out throughout areas which contain either items that can be used outside of battle or equipment which is used during battle. Although enemies can sometimes be found throughout areas, there are many scripted battle sequences that occur throughout the game. In battles, the player controls one character throughout the whole battle and can use three different pieces of equipment: melee weapons, spells, and elemental shields. Though battles are set up like turn-based battles, the battles occur in real time so  that the player, allies and enemies can all attack at any time. If the controlled character dies during battle, the game ends and the player is returned to the title screen. However, the player can pause the battle and change equipment at any time, restarting the battle in the process and avoiding a restart. Plot. Tricked by Volcan into sailing to the merchant city of Arvanrama on the premise of "easy money," Orphen and his friends quickly find themselves in trouble when monsters attack their ship. Somehow, they all make it off the sinking ship safely, only to find themselves  stranded on Chaos Island, together with three other travelers: Sephy, Zeus and Mar. They set off to explore the island and learn of a time traveling object. Upon beating the game you are given the choice to go back in time and replay the story and help out a different person. After helping all three fellow travelers, the final battle initiates, in which you learn the whole thing has been a simulation created by a machine in the center of the island known as Gaia, and the fellow travelers were all chosen by Gaia to be actors in its stories . After defeating Gaia, the three travelers are freed and everyone is able to return home. Reception. "Orphen: Scion of Sorcery" received mixed reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. "GamePro" said, "While some who prefer more traditional gameplay might not like Orphen's action adventure twist, it still has a compelling storyline, interesting characters, and a good dose of fun." David Smith of "IGN" said, "The fun of the occasional epic battle is crippled by the dozen mind-meltingly dull conversations you have to sit through to get to it." Jeff Lundrigan of "NextGen" said that the game was  both frustrating and not very challenging at the same time. In Japan, "Famitsu" gave it a score of 22 out of 40. The game was a runner-up for "Role-Playing Game of 2000" in Readers' Choice at "IGN"s Best of 2000 Awards.