Odin Sphere Returns With an HD Makeover (Update)

Update:

Atlus has confirmed it's bringing Odin Sphere Leifthrasire to the Americas in 2016. It will be getting a digital and physical launch for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3 and PS Vita, complete with a ton of upgrades.

Here's what Atlus USA had to say about Odin Sphere:

The HD remake of Vanillaware's PlayStation 2 masterpiece, Odin Sphere, will be coming to the Americas in 2016! Titled Odin Sphere Leifthrasir, and pronounced "LAYV-thra-sheer," the game will be released both digitally and physically for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation Vita consoles. (Please note the spelling - the "d" in the logo is actually a thorn þ, and to spare people from entering difficult Nordic characters into their CMS, we've Romanized it to "Leifthrasir.")

In addition to having redrawn the art and enhanced the game's visuals, the combat and RPG systems also received upgrades! There's a lot more details down the road, but we're confirming a physical release for the Americas next year!

Original Story:

The 2007 PlayStation 2 hit RPG is getting an overhaul. That's right — Odin Sphere's watercolor-esque visuals are being redone for PS4, PS3 and PS Vita.

According to Kotaku, Atlus and Vanillaware are gearing up an HD re-release of the fan favorite JRPG from two generations ago, Odin Sphere. Vanillaware is planning on adding all kinds of new maps, enemies, animations and combat attacks to this remastered version of the game. They also plan on revamping the fighting system and adding a slew of new features to help this vibrant adventure translate to modern consoles. Mind you, a direct port of the original version of Odin Sphere is already available on the PlayStation Network, but it obviously doesn't have any of these new features or the touched-up visuals.

This upgraded version of the beloved role-playing game will be called Odin Sphere: Leifdrasir, but it has not been confirmed for any kind of Western release outside of its advertised Japanese release date of Jan. 14, 2016.  Odin Sphere has an interesting framed narrative, depicting the game's events through a series of books being read by a little girl. There are multiple books that feature a new protagonist in each one, ultimately uniting them all to face a foe that threatens the world in one of the last novels. We can't wait to wield a Psypher one more time.

Odin Sphere: Leifdrasir will launch for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3 and PS Vita next January in Japan. Stay tuned as we'll keep you updated if a Western launch gets announced for this anticipated re-release.

100 Video Game Facts You May Not Know