• ID = PS0651
• STYLE = Third-Person 3D Action RPG
• DEV. = Kadokawa
• PUB. = Activision Inc.
• R-DATE = Oct-26-2000
• ESRB = T / For Teen
• PLAYERS = 1 player
• LIST PRICE = $44.99
  

It's not often that an RPG attempts to challenge the conventions of the genre, but ORPHEN: Scion of Sorcery does just that—and succeeds with flying colors. The game puts you in the role of Orphen, a young ne'er-do-well who wields impressive magical powers. Along with two apprentices, you explore a detailed 3D world, complete with all manner of hazards. Drawing inspiration from PANZER DRAGOON SAGA, Orphen's combat is a hybrid real-time/turn-based system that console RPG gamers will find extremely refreshing.

The usual trappings of RPG combat are shed in favor of a more dynamic, liberating system. Any spell in your arsenal can be mapped to one of three face buttons on the controller, with the fourth button reserved for a standard "shield" spell. There are a number of spells available, and their effects are varied, making the assembly of your arsenal an excellent experience. ORPHEN: Scion of Sorcery has some wonderful boss fights, and is superbly scripted and immensely playable. The encounters keep you in control, and the action never stops.

• Wield impressive magical powers.
• Explore a detailed 3D world.
• Combat is a hybrid real-time/turn-based system.
• Spells can be mapped to any button.
• Superbly scripted.
• Play as Orphen, a magical character, in this RPG.
• Take along 2 apprentices.

Description 2:
As the powerful young sorcerer, Orphen, you've never been too motivated about anything. Until now. Harnessed into a risky adventure on treacherous Chaos Island, you must use your dark powers to battle monsters, overcome traps and solve a series of puzzles -- all in an attempt to help your desperate companions complete their unique quests. As you unravel each mystery , you'll discover something else as well - the reluctant hero withon you.

• Solve puzzles and battle monsters as the sorcerer with a slacker attitude, Orphen, or four of his comrades in this epic action RPG.
• Take in stunning graphics as you explore underground caverns, ice mountains, and forests.
• Vast over 60 spells, collect items and use hidden weapons as you take on three immersive storylines and 41 event-based encounters.

As Orphen--it's his name apparently, rather than Frank or even Martin--it's your job to explore the intricate in-game world, ably assisted by a couple of companions and a handful of other characters which can be picked up along the way, in a typical large-scale Japanese tale of myth, magic and huge monsters.

Eschewing the combat system so beloved of RPG-ers everywhere, Orphen has opted for a simple and very playable control system involving only the symbol buttons on the PS2 controller. These can be assigned to suit, giving the player access to a subset of the huge range of spells and weapons available throughout the game.

Picking the game is easy enough thanks to a comprehensive tutorial system, thoughtfully built in by the game producers (big thumbs up for this, as it gives far more information than the user manuals ever do).

Gameplay is interesting to say the least and provides some irritations, which may put off the less than dedicated player. The CGI movies, marvellous though they are, are a little stilted and in places totally disjointed, with no way of skipping them through judicious use of the X key.

Whilst not everyone's cup of tea, Orphen is an interesting and intriguing game which, while being far from perfect, is an enjoyable romp which will cheerfully pass a good many hours.-- James Gordon

Unlimited Health: go into the rest house and press Circle, X, Square, Triangle, R1, R2, R3, and L3 in under 4 seconds to get unlimited health