Odama for GameCube Reviews by Gamers

Please note I do have a mic. If you don't have one, well you're better off not renting this game.
For those of you who do have a mic, you are in for an original game design. What it does differently is, it combines pinball with a little bit of strategy.
The pin ball part plays out as you would expect from a pinball machine.(Flippers, tilting a machine) but feels a bit clunky at times. You use the ball to destroy buildings, trees, and attack enemies. Though be careful as it is easy to run over your own guys too.
The strategy end of the game is you use voice commands(MIC REQUIRED) to order your soldiers around, the most useful one is "Rally", though it is a good idea to learn all the scrolls in the 1st 3 levels. The soldiers themselves have a morale,(If they die too much, they lose morale) if it is too low, they will ignore all orders you give them.
The levels, while simple in design, will require you to think out how to approach every puzzle both with your Odama, and your soldiers. Doing well is important too, as only the soldiers who advance the levels, will be available to you in the next level. Don't fool yourself, in thinking well the levels are simple to follow, there is ALOT going on the screen at times, the learning curve for this game is STEEP! Throw in some control problems, and you have frustration!
The game falters when your soldiers don't respond to your orders immediately. Often times you yell "press forward" at the end of the level multiples of times, and still get responses like "tell us to press forward", or "give the order".
I commend it on a bold attempt to do something different in the end most people will find this game frustrating at best. Those that do get past the steep learning curve, and fight thru some frustration are in for a bit of fun, and will find a good rental.