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How a Steam Port Could Save the Forgotten Xbox JRPG

The Xbox 360 may be remembered mostly for its fantastic exclusives like Hello, Gears of Warand Fablebut it also had some incredible JRPGs, many of which have sadly been forgotten. Lost Odyssey is arguably the best of these and, ignoring the lengthy load times and a few minor pacing issues, the game still holds up well today. It was released exclusively for Microsoft’s seventh generation console in 2007 and is available via backward compatibility on Xbox One and Series X.


sorry, Lost Odyssey is not on Game Pass and hasn’t been ported elsewhere, meaning it’s long drifted out of the mainstream consciousness. The game’s intuitive turn-based battle system, gripping story, and beautiful soundtrack make it one of its generation’s most beloved JRPGs. The current popularity of the genre, alongside the recent release of the Steam Deck, means it’s the perfect time for Lost Odyssey to get the Steam port it deserves.

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Why JRPG Fans Should Play Lost Odyssey

Lost Odyssey is a turn-based JRPG that includes a tactical twist in the form of a ringed combat system. There are many perks to a turn-based system, such as the ability to highlight cinematic attacks and emphasize battle strategy, but including a new element is important to keep it from feeling overly repetitive. Lost Odyssey‘s ring system does just that and also makes battle success more reliant on player skill. It allows players to build and equip different skill rings, the effectiveness of which are determined by how well the player can time their attacks with the release of a button.


addition, Lost Odyssey has a story that is both gripping and emotional, featuring twists and turns, as well as sections that are genuinely tear-jerking. The immersive and well-designed world, enhanced by the beautifully moving soundtrack, adds to the overall experience as players can easily get lost in the adventures of the immortal protagonist Kaim and his charming bunch of allies.

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Why Lost Odyssey Has Largely Been Forgotten

The game’s limited release on Xbox 360 meant that many JRPG fans, who were more likely to be PlayStation or Nintendo players at the time, missed out. Its current omission from Game Pass and lack of ports means that it has continued to go overlooked. Additionally, the game’s developer, Mistwalker, has recently turned its attention to mobile games, making a remake or port even less likely.


Why Lost Odyssey Deserves a Steam Port

Lost Odyssey‘s fun battle system, epic story, characters, and soundtrack make it worth playing to this day. Its brilliance deserves a wider audience, and a Steam port would be the perfect way to achieve that goal. Microsoft has already ported many of its first-party titles to Steam to help them reach a wider audience and give them a new lease of life.

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The popularity of turn-based JRPGs is at an all-time high. The success of titles such as Triangle Strategy, Fire Emblemand the remaster of Chrono Cross Demonstrates that there is a large market out there who would love Lost Odyssey. With the right backing, the game could be a cash cow for Mistwalker if it was ever tempted away from the mobile gaming space.


The Steam Deck also offers players the perfect way to experience previously console-exclusive games in handheld form. This is a platform for which Lost Odyssey would be perfect. Its turn-based nature and gorgeous graphical style are ideal for the smaller screen, as players don’t need a large TV to see and react to the game’s goings-on, making it more accessible for those on the go who want something to easily pick up and play.

Unfortunately, there is currently no sign of Lost Odyssey making the transition to Steam. Those who want to experience it, however, can play the original via backward compatibility on Xbox’s latest consoles. It still holds up well and deserves to be played and loved by many more gamers in the future, as well as by those who cherish the time they spent with it in the past.



Promotional image for Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition, depicting some of the key characters.

How Chrono Cross’ Battle System Works

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