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23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fun RPG with a bum rap!, March 28, 2008
Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars
I was excited to learn that the Wii was at last getting a turn-based, old-school style RPG to add to the library. I had been reading up on Opoona online, searching different sites to get the buzz, what came up was rather lackluster. In spite of that, I went out to my nearest GameStop and purchased Opoona on the 1st day it was available (being the old-school RPG fan and all). I have been playing and I must say that it has really gotten a bum rap. Sure it's not Final Fantasy VII BUT for a first venture into the new system, it's not bad!
The graphics are good, the production company really paid attention to detail. It's impressive doing the turn-based battles and seeing the environment come alive: i.e. the clouds are moving, the water's in motion, heck even leaves falling from the trees - all these details add up quite nicely. It's a very big, detailed world too as far as I've seen which is great (more to explore) and though I have read about people getting confused because of it, I could tell they were judging from the first Dome, which can be confusing but subsequent domes are simpler!
Another qualm I have read about is the cutesy graphics, it's true that they are but that is just a matter of the style in which they decided to take the game (at least it's consistent).
The music is definitely a super-plus for the game, the composer did a wonderful job of making it come alive in that respect and at least that aspect has been lauded in reviews.
Having to take on Jobs and get licenses can be a lot of fun, it gives the game a real-life feeling and a sense of accomplishment once you've gotten your license. You can definitely see why this was dubbed a "lifestyle rpg" as you're trying to earn money, stash some away to help your parents, buy modifications for your bonbon, make friends, etc.,.
The last gripe I disagree with is the control scheme since you use the nunchuk to control most things. First of all, in battle depending on the angle you throw you and thus where you hit them, you can either cause little or HUGE damage to your enemy, it's rather strategic in that respect. Something I found very ENGAGING about the game is that in battle you have to constantly be aware of your HP and whatnot since using items or Force does not pause the game, it's all Real-Time so you have to do it fast before you pass out (not as easy as some may think it is!!).
All in all, I found this to be a good game, with an awesome old-school feeling with new innovations. If you can get past the "confusion" that some had directionally, put the dialogue on Fastest Text Speed, enjoy completing tasks to get new licenses and remember to upgrade your bonbon trying new modification combos and see what happens (I have a fire/ice bonbon that is WAY freakin' cool, it adds fire THEN ice damage to enemies after I hit them), then I think you'll really get into the game.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not very popular, but extremely fun, November 24, 2008
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
This is an example of a game that has garnered little attention, yet deserves some serious accolades. Due to the mediocre attention and reviews I had seen regarding it, I hesitated purchasing Opoona. The name sounds funny, the graphics looked quirky, and there was no hype to be guided by. However, I like other games made by Koei, so I took the risk of buying the game.
I am so glad that I did! Granted, the game is not for everybody. Although a turn-based RPG, fans of the genre may not appreciate it like I did.
Cons: The exploration is overly complicated in the first dome (i.e. city). There were so many rooms and such that I got lost almost immediately. Only by the time I beat the game was I finally getting a strong grasp of how to navigate it! However, when in the field (where random battles take place), the exploration is mostly linear. Lots of time is spent wandering around the domes, trying to figure out what to do. Although, in some ways that can be a pro if you like that type of exploration.
Pros: The two aspects of the gameplay that make this game really fun are the battle system and the different licenses/jobs you can aquire. The jobs are interesting. Some of them are used to progress the storyline, while others are side events that you can play for fun or to gain rewards. Licenses include jobs such as fisherman, janitor, and psychic. Although the jobs aren't deep and fleshed out, they can add a nice distraction from the rest of the game.
The battle system is what really makes the game shine. You will eventually have three characters at your disposal in the real-time combat of Opoona. Although you can't move around, time constantly flows leaving you with little time to plan your next move. You can use Force (magic), items, or use your bonbon to deal damage. Using only the nunchuck control stick to attack, you lean it and release it (the length you hold it determines the power/speed/angle your bonbon will travel) to fire your projectile at the enemies. You can curve it overhanded, underhanded, or to the left and right. The arc gets more bent the longer you hold down (or up) the control stick. You can use this feature to target enemies in the back that are difficult to target, or to find the weak point of the particular foe you are fighting. Some are weak in the sides, while others are weak underneath (such as flying enemies). Discovering the weaknesses is part of the fun. Not to mention that you can add different coats and cores to your bonbon to give it a variety of different qualities, such as fire attack or the ability to travel through enemies.
This is an excellent turn-based RPG for the Wii, so for those starving for Wii RPG goodness this is an excellent place to turn your attention. The exploring might get a little old, but the fighting and job system are more than enough to keep you coming back for more. I like to play my completed file just to enjoy the battles again. The concept is unique and executed very well.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Bonbon's aren't Just for Eating, April 27, 2009
Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars
Opoona, as far as RPG's are concerned, is a great mix of the traditional and the unique. You'll do plenty of battling in random enemy encounters and boss battles, but you'll do at least as much in terms of completing different jobs; many of which don't involve fighting at all.
Battles themselves are unusual in that they are fought with spherical objects called "bonbons" that hover just above the characters' heads. Opoona, the chief character, has a single orange one. The bonbon is propelled at the target enemy by holding the analog stick in a certain direction before releasing it, and the speed or curve of the projectile can be altered depending on how long the stick is held. You can equip "coats" and other enhancements to each character's bonbon to alter them in various ways. Characters will also develop "force" techniques that work basically like a conventional RPG spell and require Force Points(FP) to use. Many jobs will involve battling and are often the ones most necessary for progressing the game.
As for jobs that don't require battling (at least in the sense described above), Opoona can do everything from working in a fast food restaurant to divining fortunes. When the "quota" is met for a specific job Opoona can have the corresponding "license" upgraded to the next level. Not all jobs or licenses are required to progress further in the game, but I personally feel that most jobs are enjoyable to complete and offer a nice break from battling.
Gameplay is varied, indoor locations are incredibly large and require much exploration, and play control is simple and can even be accomplished with use of the nunchuk alone (though I prefer the combined use of nunchuk and Wii-mote). Opoona's soundtrack is one of the best and richest of any video game that I have ever played, and the graphics range from the cute and quirky to the artistic and beautiful; I especially enjoy the character and enemy designs. Considering everything I've accomplished in my many hours of play I'd say the challenge level is fairly high overall but not unreasonable. The only parts of the game I had issue with were the sometimes sloppy translation-work and the difficulty I had finding my way around at first.
I believe that I've progressed very near to the end of the game; though there's surely much that I haven't done in terms of jobs and collecting harder-to-find items. I would recommend Opoona to anyone who enjoys a traditional RPG but appreciates the unusual or unexpected; not to mention a quirky character design like that of the squatty, round-faced Opoona and his damage-dealing bonbon.
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