E3 Impressions: Dokapon Kingdom (Wii)

Even Nintendo seems to be getting tired of the Mario Party formula. You create a 3D board game layout, throw in some dice, and then whack the buttons until someone wins and three people lose. It seems no amount of classic cameo appearance can turn things around. Leave it to Atlus to find a cute Japanese game that’s trying to revitalize the Mario Party formula.

Dokapon Kingdom, coming to Wii and PlayStation 2 in October, retains the 3D play board but tries to mix in a multiplayer RPG. The ultimate goal is to rid the land of invading monsters in order to win the King’s throne… and his princess. Players take turns at a spinner, moving around the board, collecting items, battling monsters,playing mini-games, and leveling up. Invariably, your paths will cross with one another and you’ll throw down in what Atlus is calling “friendship-destroying battles”.

These aren’t chivalrous warriors and you’re encouraged to cheat, steal, and deface your opponents via a combat system that allows each player to covertly plan their moves. Just how it works is a mystery. It’s cute and silly (with characters named Amazon Mayor and Robo Sassin), looks like lightweight RPG fun, and suddenly has me interested in a Mario Party style party game. Atlus must be doing something right. Check out a few more screens in the omg-we-have-galleries gallery after the cut.