On March 25th 2008, KOEI released Opoona for the Nintendo Wii. Besides the Virtual Console RPG’s, there really were not many in that genre save for Baroque and Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess but those are mostly Action RPG’s anyway. Opoona is a classic turn based RPG, but one that instills the use of your Wiimote nunchuck to attack at certain angles.
Most review sites are not being kind to this game, generally because of the poor translation and some other qualms like no 16:9 widescreen. Also because the graphics are too colorful and that the poor guy Opoona and his race. But really, the graphics are quite nice in Opoona’s unique world and go well with the fantastic soundtrack. Very soothing and ambient, it will entrance you. There is no voice actor but in general voice acting is awful in RPG’s so it was nice to see it not put in.
One interesting twistis that there is a clock at the top of each battle, and if it runs out of time you will lose. It gives you a sense of urgency and you will likely lose because of this often.
The translation is definitely interesting. But there is a real life feel to the game with all the jobs you are allowed to get, like a miner or fisherman.