Odyssey vs. Olympia (long) From: Rob Rodgers <rrodgers@unex.ucla.edu> Date: Thu, 19 Oct 1995 00:00:00 +0000 Odyssey vs. Olympia - a comparison. Note: All this is IMHO. Category Advantage to: Set-up Options: Odyssey Odyssey is a kick to set-up. I've played around with alternate starting positions that I'll never use just because the set-up design is so much fun. It's similar to character creation in AD&D, only even more deliciously complex. Olympia has no set-up options--everyone starts the same. Also, another disadvantage of Olympia is that everyone starts in the same map location. "Logic" of playing system: Tie Both games have their advantages and disadvantages--some of which have been discussed at great length here. The things Odyssey does tend to make a little more sense, but there is so much they've left out--like flying, boats, etc. Empire-Building Aspect: Olympia For an empire builder like me, Olympia has some clear advantages over Odyssey. Building castles, garrisoning provinces, hewing timber and building inns and ships, establishing trade routes: all these and more are avalailable in Olympia. Odyssey has only the capability to conquer and control cities. Although the cities can be developed, there isn't nearly the complex and imaginative flair that Oly has in this area. Military Aspect: Odyssey No question here. The military system in Odyssey has a minatures feel to it, with a wonderful variety of troops, combat spells, terrain effects, etc. The military comabt system in Olympia is, well, silly. Roleplaying Aspect: Odyssey The designers of Odyssey built in many heroic aspects to the game. In fact, it would be possible to design a position with just two strong characters and play an important role in the game. Olympia, with it's noble based system would seem at first glance to be a great role-playing system, but the comabt system makes it necessary to have each noble trotting about with a mass of troops and/or beasts behind him. Not much chance for solo or small party adventuring. Magic: Odyssey No comparison. The richness of the system, the number of available spells, and the fact that one guy can't totally dominate all other agic users make Odyssey infinitely superior here. Game Information: Olympia Not only is the Olympia Times much more useful and entertaining than the Odyssey proclamations, but the fact that Odyssey doesn't produce player ratings in a closed end game is unforgivable. The turn reports are very similar in quality--both excellent. Support: Tie In my experience, both Shadow Island and Gamer's Den have been great. Cost: Olympia Olympia costs $2.50 a turn, Odyssey $5.00. End of story. Overall: Close, but gotta pick Odyssey These are different games--Odyssey is very complex and closed end, while Olympia is medium complex and open ended. I like them both, but the fact that the Odyssey system has a lot fewer holes and is more imaginative makes it my choice. Rob Rodgers The Trueheart Clan in Odyssey HQ2 The Caledonian Exiles in Olympia Referenced By Up