Finally, an RPG for the Wii-- and it's Nunchuk-only?
by JC Fletcher 
{ Mar 14th 2007 at 11:00AM }
Opoona is a new game from Koei that casts players in the title role, as a visitor to planet Landroll who must earn job licenses to gain access to areas of the planet and investigate the incident that injured his parents. These licenses correspond to jobs, which the player is free to choose.
Opoona is also a game that is controlled entirely with the Nunchuk. The game uses an "Active Bombom" combat system wherein players whip projectiles with the nunchuk. Movement outside of battle is also controlled by the Nunchuk, leaving your poor, neglected Wiimote dangling lamely from its tether.
The control system has us intrigued. There must be more to it. There has to be a reason for using the Nunchuk over the Wiimote, other than gimmickry, and we look forward to finding out. Please, have a look at the two regrettably small screens after the break and ponder the issue!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Charles @ Mar 14th 2007 11:43AM
The art style is a wee-bit too much like that of Tales of Synphonia, don't you think?
theLoneYoshi @ Mar 14th 2007 12:27PM
I know Nintendo's Wii Philosophy is for games to be "simple enough for the non-gamer to understand," but having the Nunchuck as the only controller is almost... TOO simple. You get an analog stick, two buttons, and an accelerometer. I guess it's possible to play an RPG with that... We'll see how this game turns out.
Grey Acumen @ Mar 14th 2007 12:44PM
Actually, I don't mind at all if it only uses the Nunchuk, if it's that simple, more the better. Just as long as they didn't dumb down the game to do it, I'm fine.
ramuji @ Mar 14th 2007 1:01PM
There are more (and larger) screenshots and character images at www.thewiire.com.
ryan @ Mar 14th 2007 1:37PM
a planet of poon? count me in:)
ryan @ Mar 14th 2007 1:19PM
a planet of poon? count me in:)
James @ Mar 14th 2007 2:44PM
Remember, most RPGs just need "Yes" and "No" buttons for 90+% of gameplay. Several games (including one of the PS Dragon Quest games, IIRC) have done this before, sort of -- the L1 and L2 buttons are your actions and the left analog stick moves you, allowing for one-handed play most of the time. I'm guessing that the Wiimote will be used for something (opening menus, pausing, etc.) but you'll only have to pick it up very rarely. I love this idea -- I always wanted to buy that rare one-handed SNES controller (can't find a link for it, looked kind of like an oval TV remote) back in the day, so I'm looking forward to playing something one-handed. Now, I just hope the game is good.
Zan @ Mar 14th 2007 4:28PM
Well, at least it's a RPG for Wii... =/
Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Mar 15th 2007 10:01AM
Nunchuck as controller? Haven't the people got enough of Rayman?? The stupid controls of Wii's version of Rayman render it totally unplayable.