An Open-World One Piece Game Must Include One Overlooked Character

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An Open-World One Piece Game Must Include One Overlooked Character

As a seasoned One Piece gamer, having sailed through countless islands and battles with the Straw Hat pirates, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia when I think about the potential of an open-world One Piece game. The promise of exploring the Grand Line at my own pace, interacting with a plethora of characters from the series, and engaging in epic sea battles – it’s a dream that’s been tantalizingly close yet elusive for far too long.

Throughout the span of its lengthy franchise, One Piece has seen numerous games, but only one among them can undeniably boast an open-world setting. The action-packed third-person game, One Piece: World Seeker, offers players the opportunity to traverse a unique island exclusive to the game, not found within its canonical narrative. Although it is set in the vast expanse of One Piece‘s New World, it brings together an ensemble cast from various story arcs, including the Vinsmoke Brothers, Crocodile, and Trafalgar D. Law. Characters like Sabo and Charlotte Katakuri are available as additional content in the game’s downloadable content (DLC).

In contrast, the initial release of the game was met with criticism for featuring only Luffy as a playable character, having a limited combat system, repetitive tasks, an unremarkable island, and splitting up the Straw Hat pirates. A future open-world One Piece game should not just learn from World Seeker’s successes but also draw inspiration from One Piece Odyssey, which enabled players to control various Straw Hats while navigating a JRPG environment. While Odyssey didn’t offer an open world, many believe its setting is more intriguing than that of World Seeker.

In the world of One Piece gaming, one common challenge lies in crafting a unique narrative with fresh faces and exotic locales. A game that delves deeper into the saga’s established lore offers an abundance of characters and islands to explore, yet there’s one often-overlooked figure who could inject a fresh dose of excitement into the gameplay experience.

Spoilers for Fish-Man Island arc ahead

Mermaid Princess Shirahoshi Fits Right Into an Open-World One Piece Game

As a gamer, I find myself embodying Shirahoshi, the youngest princess of King Neptune, hailing from the underwater kingdom of Ryugu. For most of my life, I’ve been confined, yearning for adventure, all while facing the persistent threats posed by Vander Decken IX and Hody Jones to my beloved realm. During the Fish-Man Island arc, I became an essential ally to the Straw Hat crew. It was then unveiled that I am none other than the current embodiment of the Ancient Weapon Poseidon, granting me the incredible power to summon and command Sea Kings at my whim. Over the course of this epic arc, I transformed from a hidden princess, struggling to harness my powers, into a valuable and benevolent comrade.

Despite Shirahoshi appearing in several games previously, many of these versions are primarily mobile or arcade titles where she doesn’t play a significant part. It’s a pity because her immense power as one of the reincarnations of the Ancient Weapons could be utilized more fully in gameplay. In an imaginative open-world scenario, players might seek Shirahoshi’s help during their oceanic journeys across the vast Grand Line. Players who choose poorly could encounter the anger of her Sea Kings, which would impact the game’s progression.

In a One Piece game, it seems Shirahoshi is more likely to be a supportive character rather than one you can play directly. This is because the Fish-Man Island arc, where she first appeared, came out in 2011. While her current role in the franchise’s narrative isn’t central at present, theories propose that she could be crucial for the Final Saga of One Piece. Given this significance in the storyline, it makes sense for her to play a significant role in the game series as well.

A fascinating approach for incorporating Shirahoshi into future episodes might involve transforming her into a recruitable Non-Player Character (NPC). Initially, she may seem indifferent towards the player, but as they complete side missions tailored to win Shirahoshi’s affection, they could potentially enlist her as a formidable ally in the game’s climactic confrontation. As one of many One Piece‘s supporting characters with immense potential, it’s hoped that Shirahoshi will be leveraged more significantly within games moving forward.

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2024-10-07 22:33