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The Wii is quickly becoming the defacto system of choice for developers looking to make unconventional, original IP's with low tech visuals. No More Heroes, Blast Works, De Blob, Zack and Wiki, and now Opoona, a turn based RPG with PS2 quality graphics, all fit the low tech/high risk paradigm. Above is a video of the game'sintro, courtesy of GameVideos.com. It's not the most exciting vid on the internet, but a nice Sunday morning read none the less.
With all these unique gaming experiences continuing to flood the console, can you still consider yourself a "hardcore" gamer and not own a Wii? Or, in your opinion, is "next-gen" still all about 1080i and games with sweaty, pocky faced protagonists crafted from literally zillions of polygons?
Hit the jump for more Opoona vids.
Thanks to Justin for the tip.
Here's a quick montage of the battles in Opoona. According to the comments of Mr Jim Sterling, the entire game is to be controlled with the Nunchuck, leaving your other hand to free do whatever. Very unconventional.
The second video is the first to show the game's dialog in English. The writing appears to be very Mother/Earthbound like in tone. That's never a bad thing. Also take note of the music and it's heavy emphasis on the cello, not the most common choice in video game soundtracks these days.
This third video is from March of last year, and shows the basics of Opoona's story and gameplay. Sadly, it's all in Japanese, but it's free of voice over and minimal on text, so regardless of your native tongue you can pretty much figure out what's going on.
Over all, I'd say Opoona has a very good chance of totally failing when it comes to the states later this year. But I know I'll be picking the game up out of sheer curiosity. So far I'm yet to regret purchasing the many low budget, high risk Wii games I picked up last year. The reason why the PS2 was my favorite console last generation was because of games like Katamari Damacy, Shadow of the Colossus, and Odin Sphere, and not GTA and Final Fantasy. That being said, Opoona may fit my tastes perfectly.
Yeah, if this game were called something more appropriate like "Lego guy RPG", it probably would have gone under my radar. But with a name like Opoona, I take notice.
Hopefully the game's US localization team is in on the funny, and works in some "scissor me timbers" jokes into the game's English translation.
I do want to try this game out, but I don't know if I'll have the money to afford it. =p
What with this game being controlled only by the nunchuck, it makes me think the Nyko wireless 'chuck will come in handy.
My only problem with the game is that the battle music is awful--there's nothing tense or exciting about it at all.
It's been on my list of games to watch out for for quite a while now. It's good to see that it's coming along nicely
Jon is right, it's going to fail and fail miserably not because it'll be a bad game, but due to the fact that nobody will know about it, but I'll still buy it.
I think that all three systems can offer something for all different tastes, but the graphical limitations of the Wii means that developers will have to take a more creative direction. I personally think that's a good thing.
This looks like it could be really fun. Like and earthbound style, pikmin influenced rpg. This:
The Wii is quickly becoming the defacto system of choice for developers looking to make unconventional, original IP's with low tech visuals.
is a super important thing for the industry. Triple a's rarely innovate because they have to be familiar and make money. When sales aren't a developers primary concern, then they can experiment and create truly unique games. I think it's great that there's a platform for this.
Guys, I have a Wii and I like my Wii and I like how (some) developers try to make unique games like Zack & Wiki, Elebits and now Opoona. But I also want traditional games like Zelda, Mario or a goddamn traditional JRPG. Up until now, I've been very pleased with the Wii-Library, and there's still some stuff I haven't bought like No More Heroes or Trauma Center but I fear that there will be less games that appeal to the traditional gamer because although I'm more like the quirky gamer I don't want to miss a good Shooter if you know what I'm trying to say.
Whaat excites me about this game is that it's sort of a bridge between hardcore and casual. I've got my family playing Wii sports now how do I get them interested in something as in depth as Final Fantasy without confusing them, is somehting I've asked myself. Well here is what looks like an RPG lite that sort of bridges the gap between those two styles of games.
Sure, and I'm awfully excited but if the game bombs (I hope it doesn't)... well I don't want to know what happens then... hopefully the Tales-crowd is reliable, I'm getting it for sure.
Dammit, more cutesey styling? Is this what the Wii is for now?
"You may not release a game on Wii unless it has cell shading, or characters with big eyes!"
I'm not against cute graphics (I loved Dewy's Adventure), but c'mon let's have a deep game drawn seriously for a change.
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21 comments + 95764 views
I'm hardcore... and I'm all about the Wii. But 360 is still played more often until Smash comes out.
Hehe, "poon".
Koei is doing this. That is why I want it.
Yeah, if this game were called something more appropriate like "Lego guy RPG", it probably would have gone under my radar. But with a name like Opoona, I take notice.
Hopefully the game's US localization team is in on the funny, and works in some "scissor me timbers" jokes into the game's English translation.
Looks pretty cool. That part about it being similar to Mother really got me excited. Any idea when it will come out.
I do want to try this game out, but I don't know if I'll have the money to afford it. =p
What with this game being controlled only by the nunchuck, it makes me think the Nyko wireless 'chuck will come in handy.
My only problem with the game is that the battle music is awful--there's nothing tense or exciting about it at all.
I want to like it, but it just seems like the wrong kind of quirky for me.
Lord knows the Wii could use a decent RPG at the moment. Matter of fact, any next gen console could use a decent RPG at the moment.
It's been on my list of games to watch out for for quite a while now. It's good to see that it's coming along nicely
Jon is right, it's going to fail and fail miserably not because it'll be a bad game, but due to the fact that nobody will know about it, but I'll still buy it.
Wikipedia has the release date as March 25.
I think that all three systems can offer something for all different tastes, but the graphical limitations of the Wii means that developers will have to take a more creative direction. I personally think that's a good thing.
Opoona Matata!
This looks like it could be really fun. Like and earthbound style, pikmin influenced rpg. This:
The Wii is quickly becoming the defacto system of choice for developers looking to make unconventional, original IP's with low tech visuals.
is a super important thing for the industry. Triple a's rarely innovate because they have to be familiar and make money. When sales aren't a developers primary concern, then they can experiment and create truly unique games. I think it's great that there's a platform for this.
The music sounds like Phantasy Star Online and the game looks like an offspring of PSO and Dark Cloud.
And why is the hero a fat pudgy autistic?
Opoona: Tastes like chicken, smells like fish.
Guys, I have a Wii and I like my Wii and I like how (some) developers try to make unique games like Zack & Wiki, Elebits and now Opoona. But I also want traditional games like Zelda, Mario or a goddamn traditional JRPG. Up until now, I've been very pleased with the Wii-Library, and there's still some stuff I haven't bought like No More Heroes or Trauma Center but I fear that there will be less games that appeal to the traditional gamer because although I'm more like the quirky gamer I don't want to miss a good Shooter if you know what I'm trying to say.
I believe the 'oo' part of the name is an elongated 'oh' sound.
@ Mr Bas, you know about Tales of Symphonia 2 coming to the Wii, right?
No need to fear a lack of traditional games for the Wii.
I don't know how I feel about this. It kind of weirds me out... I can't quite put my finger on what it is exactly.
Whaat excites me about this game is that it's sort of a bridge between hardcore and casual. I've got my family playing Wii sports now how do I get them interested in something as in depth as Final Fantasy without confusing them, is somehting I've asked myself. Well here is what looks like an RPG lite that sort of bridges the gap between those two styles of games.
That looks kind of goofy but very interesting, do want. It will be mine.
Opooner? Damn near killed her!
Is that guy on the far left a garden gnome?
Here's a vid I just randomly found of an ASCI version of Smash Bros Melee with Opoona as a playable character.
I hope this game is real.
And Zangief makes a cameo as well.
It's not "next-gen"....needs more brown
not to mention Miner 2049r - whoa
the worms REALLY remind me of the ones from the og Phantasy Star on the original Sega Masta System
this would be the engine to use for a remake - called it!
Original looking single player RPG on the Wii?
Sign me up. Twice.
I like the look, but is it possible for the story to get any more generic?
I can't wait for its sequels, Ocunta and Osnatcha.
@Jonathan Holmes
Sure, and I'm awfully excited but if the game bombs (I hope it doesn't)... well I don't want to know what happens then... hopefully the Tales-crowd is reliable, I'm getting it for sure.
Dammit, more cutesey styling? Is this what the Wii is for now?
"You may not release a game on Wii unless it has cell shading, or characters with big eyes!"
I'm not against cute graphics (I loved Dewy's Adventure), but c'mon let's have a deep game drawn seriously for a change.
The 3rd party whore in me will still buy this :(
Game looks like shit.
I never thought the game title was dirty until you pointed it out.
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