First video of RIZ-ZOAWD (Wizard of Oz RPG on DS)

[granville]

http://www.gamekyo.com/video12618_riz-zoawd-first-video.html

The first video and gameplay footage of the GORGEOUS Wizard of Oz RPG for the Nintendo DS. The game looks spectacular with vivid, detailed, and colorful 3D graphics. The game is in full 3D and is one of the best looking DS game I've ever seen.

You play as Dorothy (unless they changed her name in this game) and you control the game using just the stylus. You move by spinning a track-ball on the touch screen. It works similarly to Pac n Roll. The faster you spin it, the faster Dorothy runs. It works like any RPG except enemy encounters aren't random. You can see them on screen and choose to enter battle. Battle is like Dragon Quest with a first-person perspective. You don't seem to see your characters as they conduct the battle. You use the touch screen to select commands.

You seem to be able to employ the help of the Scarecrow, Tinman, Cowardly Lion, and possibly Toto.

There's said to be a seasonal change system in the game. We've had screenshots where the game shows Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter sections of the game. I don't know how it works. It would be awesome if the game detects your system's date to show the current seasons! But probably not. We'll see.

RIZ-ZOAWD is being developed by Media Vision and published by D3. It's set for a Winter release date in Japan. That could mean either late 2008 or early 2009 (the Gamefaqs profile has it Q4 2008).

 

[dib]

That's a great idea for a game, although the running mechanic has me concerned. That could grow _very_ tedious after five minutes, I hope they don't expect us to keep it up for the duration of the game.

As for the seasonal mechanic, gimmicks like what you're saying are absurd. Video games typically last for maybe twenty hours, not the eight months over which you could actually detect an observable difference within the game. Look at The Sims for DS and how badly their attempt to incorporate real time failed. The only thing it would promote is people constantly changing their DS clocks, and that would be a nuisance factor on par with The Sims' blunder.

It looks promising otherwise. I recall Alice in Wonderland garnering favorable reviews for the Gameboy Color so there is potential in these licenses when they're given to the right people.

 

[xcalibur]

As for the seasonal mechanic, gimmicks like what you're saying are absurd. Video games typically last for maybe twenty hours, not the eight months over which you could actually detect an observable difference within the game. Look at The Sims for DS and how badly their attempt to incorporate real time failed. The only thing it would promote is people constantly changing their DS clocks, and that would be a nuisance factor on par with The Sims' blunder.

umm.... This isn't animal crossing. I'm pretty sure it uses a sped up clock or the seasons change depending on your progress through the game.
The game looks weird but I'll have to give it a go.

 

[Gab]

You play as Dorothy (unless they changed her name in this game)

Her name is still Dorothy in the trailer.

 

[dib]

As for the seasonal mechanic, gimmicks like what you're saying are absurd. Video games typically last for maybe twenty hours, not the eight months over which you could actually detect an observable difference within the game. Look at The Sims for DS and how badly their attempt to incorporate real time failed. The only thing it would promote is people constantly changing their DS clocks, and that would be a nuisance factor on par with The Sims' blunder.

umm.... This isn't animal crossing. I'm pretty sure it uses a sped up clock or the seasons change depending on your progress through the game.
The game looks weird but I'll have to give it a go.

That would be my assumption, but that was all in response to granville's statement that they hope the seasons change with your actual calendar.

 

[callmebob]

Damn!, when I read this I was expecting the look and feel of the original movie. Way off!

I do have to admit though, it does look really good!

 

[Killermech]

I hope you can use the D-pad for movement, or you'll have to spend a few months in the gym before the release..

 

[Toni Plutonij]

Looks great, very interesting game mechanics..

you'll have to spend a few months in the gym before the release..

I'm starting next week..

Game looks too good to be missed!

 

[Ace Gunman]

I was watching a trailer on the official site a short while before this topic was created. It's an interesting concept, Wizard of OZ lends itself well to the RPG genre.

 

[Salamantis]

Why the fuck is it called "RIZ-ZOAWD"? The title lacks interest lol

 

[Master Mo]

Now we need Segasonic from the arcade... would be sweet....

the gfxs are amazing and rpg is always good

 

[Ace Gunman]

It's simply an anagram of "Wizard Oz". I thought it to be both clever and intriguing, myself.