Opoona - Review
[After a little more than a week of anticipation, MyWiiNews is back with our in-depth review of Opoona, the latest (and first) RPG to hit the Wii this year. After almost two weeks with the game, what's our final verdict? Read on to find out!]
As any RPG fan knows, the Wii hasn’t exactly been this generation’s leader when it comes to games of the role-playing variety. Sure, we have our action RPG’s, a few solid ports and even a tactical adventure or two, but where is the good ol’ traditional Japanese RPG goodness? Much like other third-party titles, they’ve been lacking as of late; making many a RPG enthusiast out there wonder if anything good was ever going to make its way over to the system. Out of the blue last year came Opoona for Japan, a decidedly quirky game with an even weirder art style that instantly polarized the few that found out about its existence. Even though Opoona certainly stumbles a bit in his self-titled journey, his adventure is worth looking into for anyone looking for a solid third-party RPG outing for their Nintendo Wii
Throughout Opoona, your task is to lead the game’s eponymous hero throughout his quest to reunite with his family who were seriously injured and lampooned after crash landing on planet Landroll. Opoona and his family are Tizians (from the planet Tizia); a legendary people that have fought as Cosmo Guards and protected the universe for centuries. Instead of using traditional swords and staves, Opoona and his family use their ever-present (and bouncy) Energy BonBons to help cast spells and deal damage to enemy Rogues throughout the universe. After awaking from his slumber, Opoona is chosen by higher-ups on planet Landroll to become a ranger - a protector of the many domes, caverns, and pastoral areas that make up Planet Landroll - and such begins his tireless journey.
(Click images to enlarge)
The majority of Opoona’s deeper story is kept under wraps for the bulk the adventure, with only tidbits of information leaked out or subtly hinted to you along the way. Even though its story is relatively solid with bits of humor thrown in for good measure, Opoona does adhere to a few JRPG stereotypes and plot expectations that come to fruition in the latter part of the adventure. For those looking for production values and storylines similar to the Final Fantasies and Dragon Quests, you might want to look elsewhere, as Opoona tends to focus more on exploration of Landroll’s beautiful surroundings than trying to tell an epic story.
Opoona bills itself as a “lifestyle RPG,” which is a rather curious choice of words for Koei, but makes more sense as Opoona unfolds. The majority of the game revolves around Opoona completing various side-quests and missions to advance his rank as a Ranger and make his mark on society on a whole. Along the way, Opoona can pick up optional side-jobs that can trigger storyline events, garner him new items and money, and even increase friendship levels with his fellow Landrollians (which become increasingly important towards the end of the game).
Prospective players looking for a job system similar to those found in tactical RPG’s should likely look elsewhere, as the bulk of Opoona’s jobs are merely optional side-quests that can be completed at the player’s leisure. While four or five jobs may be required for the story to progress, the majority are simply fun diversions that provide Opoona with new opportunities if you’re so inclined. Even though the game could probably be plowed through in about 20 hours, most players will find themselves spending somewhere between 25-35 leveling up, building friendships, completing missions, and otherwise exploring Landroll before the inevitable final throwdown takes place. Completists could find themselves investing almost twice as much time, as there is quite a good amount of secrets and quests to uncover towards the end of the adventure.
Uncategorized | 
Ilchymis | April 3, 2008
