Opoona is quirky and charming but, hardly innovative. Although shallow it provides a round about good time.

User Rating: 7 | Opoona WII
Opoona is one of those games you see in the store and just dismiss and really why not? The box art doesn't scream at you to buy it..in fact the all too cutesy art may turn you away. However, if you get passed the cutesy graphics this is a surprisingly decent RPG. So lets get into my review based on a simple 5 part grading system: Controls, Story & Characters, The Battle System, Music & Art Design, and finally the Job System. First, I'll get into the story & characters. The story is pretty straight forward and its nothing special. Some errors in translation and the fact its a bit too stretched are just some of my gripes but the fact its just bland and generic is really a let down. Of course with a bland story comes bland characters that don't come off very strong however, they still manage to maintain a quirky charm about them. For what it is Opoona is nothing special but its sense of charm makes it has its moments. Story & Characters: 5/10. Next, is the control system. Unlike many Wii games Opoona is controlled simply by the Nunchuk. Thats right the control is simple, intuitive, and very responsive. I really can't knock the set up...I mean sure it doesn't use the actual remote but it doesn't need to. Controls: 10/10. Now the battle system, its actually quite good..but in that sense its also not great. Everything takes place in real time. This can really be disassociating especially to new players but, really it doesn't ever make it out to be. In fact its very easy to use and to get into. The only problem is if you need to heal its often frustrating as you need to constantly watch your HP. It can also cause problems when you need to attack. Your weapon is something called a Bonbon...no not that kind. This is the weapon your characters have in which you use to fling at your enemies. This means you can undershoot or even miss the enemy. I strongly suggest to equip your Bonbon as soon as possible. To equip your Bonbon you need to use your OMP. Its sort of your menu and it does everything...literally. You can buy items, bank, check your status, etc. Enough about that, the worst thing about the battle system is the time limit. Thats right you have a time limit in which you need to beat the enemy. While this really isn't a problem...it can create a sense of rush in new players which is also bad because there is no flee option. While it is a good battle system and easy to use its also flawed. Battle System: 8/10. Now the music and art. I've already stated the art is cutesy but, its beautiful as well. Every backround, every area, even the monsters are are artistically beautiful or well done. The music is charming and even melancholy. From epic to quirky the music is beautifully well orchestrated. Art & music: 10/10. Now finally the Job System. Its pretty well...not needed..and yet needed. For instance having whatever job can update your status such as your fame which can help you make friends, which can help you in to the end. However, it also isn't needed. For instance some jobs are completely mundane...Ukelele Trainee and Fortune Teller I'm looking at you. Also your forced to do the jobs...and while they are easy its a bit bland and being forced to cater to customers is incredibly boring. Job system: 4/10. Overall Opoona isn't a bad game...Its not a great game and its certainly not going to make you think differently. Its just a round about game for round about players who have nothing better to do. So if your a wii owner and you're really starving for an RPG its pretty decnt fun and cheap too. I give Opoona a C- 7/10