Odin Sphere for the PS2 is one of my favorite games ever, with its interesting story, intertwined characters, and art that can only be described as luscious. It put developer Vanillaware firmly on my watch list, and has stayed with me throughout the long years since its release. Since Muramasa, Vanillaware's other big title, got an HD release on the Vita, I've been waiting for Odin Sphere with baited breath.

Odin Sphere HD, titled Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir is finally coming, and it is so much more than just a simple HD upgrade. Vanillaware has gone back and tweaked levels, added scenarios and story, and upgraded the combat system with new combos (you can choose which 'super attack' said combos trigger as well) and faster speeds, making it feel more contemporary than the admittedly simple system was on PS2. Of course, they also upgraded the graphics and made them HD, and it is now so beautiful I literally cried when I first played it. Seeing one of my favorite games ever looking this beautiful is a joy, and hopefully being re-released will allow this little gem of a game to reach a larger audience than it did the first time around.

Despite a fairly hefty price tag of almost 9,000 yen (roughly $80) for the Japanese release, which includes an art book for pre-orders, the new story scenarios, upgraded combat, and HD graphics should be sufficient inducement for fans to buy it again. If you missed this game the first time around, and have an interest in side-scrolling action RPGs or beautiful art, you owe it to yourself to check this game out.

Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir will be released in Japan for the Vita, PS3 and PS4 on January 14th, with an American release coming for the same systems sometime in 2016.