Piece of Wonder
Encyclopedia
Piece of Wonder is a hybrid tactical RPG
and visual novel
originally published in Japan in February 2002 by Studio Crossfire and released on January 21, 2007 in the United States by Hirameki International
. The storyline incorporates sci-fi
elements. A downloadable version, which doubles as a timed trial, is available through their online website. The CD version was made available at the end of February.
student Kazuya Fuwa. He, his childhood friend Amane, an android named Raki, and a young girl named Shoko have powers awakened within them that allow them to use special abilities. They use these abilities to fight other superpower
ed creatures called "Evolutions".
Most of the gameplay in Piece of Wonder follows the style of most visual novels; the majority of time spent playing the game is spent on reading through the dialogue
or story that appears on screen. Every so often, the game will pause and the player is given a chance to choose from several different options regarding how the player wishes to advance the game. The plot will then branch into paths focusing on a single heroine depending on the choices that were made by the player; a conclusive character ending will be presented at the end of any given path.
Once the story progresses to a certain point, several combat-orientated levels would appear. Played in classic RPG-style, the player takes control of the main characters and must accomplish a certain objective (usually to destroy all enemies on screen).
There are 3 different endings; one for each heroine. Once all three endings are completed, the true ending of the game can be unlocked and the truth behind the existence of the Evolutions is revealed. Unlike the three endings preceding it, the route leading to the true ending contains no combat gameplay nor selectable choices; hence this part of the game would be played like a visual novel
.
Amane Saionji (西園寺 雨音)
voiced by Ayako Kawasumi
Raki Saionji (西園寺 羅鬼)
voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro
Shoko Maioka (舞岡 翔子)
voiced by Masayo Kurata
Tactical role-playing game
A tactical role-playing game is a type of video game which incorporates elements of traditional role-playing video games and strategy games. In Japan these games are known as , a designation which might seem peculiar to native English speakers...
and visual novel
Visual novel
A is an interactive fiction game featuring mostly static graphics, usually with anime-style art, or occasionally live-action stills or video footage...
originally published in Japan in February 2002 by Studio Crossfire and released on January 21, 2007 in the United States by Hirameki International
Hirameki
Hirameki International Group Inc. was an American company founded in March 2000 which specialized in translating visual novels from Japan and releasing them to the American market. It is named after the Japanese word for the noun "flash" or "insight"...
. The storyline incorporates sci-fi
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
elements. A downloadable version, which doubles as a timed trial, is available through their online website. The CD version was made available at the end of February.
Plot
The game follows the experiences of high schoolHigh school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
student Kazuya Fuwa. He, his childhood friend Amane, an android named Raki, and a young girl named Shoko have powers awakened within them that allow them to use special abilities. They use these abilities to fight other superpower
Superpower
A superpower is a state with a dominant position in the international system which has the ability to influence events and its own interests and project power on a worldwide scale to protect those interests...
ed creatures called "Evolutions".
Gameplay
Visual NovelMost of the gameplay in Piece of Wonder follows the style of most visual novels; the majority of time spent playing the game is spent on reading through the dialogue
Dialogue
Dialogue is a literary and theatrical form consisting of a written or spoken conversational exchange between two or more people....
or story that appears on screen. Every so often, the game will pause and the player is given a chance to choose from several different options regarding how the player wishes to advance the game. The plot will then branch into paths focusing on a single heroine depending on the choices that were made by the player; a conclusive character ending will be presented at the end of any given path.
Once the story progresses to a certain point, several combat-orientated levels would appear. Played in classic RPG-style, the player takes control of the main characters and must accomplish a certain objective (usually to destroy all enemies on screen).
There are 3 different endings; one for each heroine. Once all three endings are completed, the true ending of the game can be unlocked and the truth behind the existence of the Evolutions is revealed. Unlike the three endings preceding it, the route leading to the true ending contains no combat gameplay nor selectable choices; hence this part of the game would be played like a visual novel
Visual novel
A is an interactive fiction game featuring mostly static graphics, usually with anime-style art, or occasionally live-action stills or video footage...
.
Characters
Kazuya Fuwa (不破和也)- However, when his friends are in danger, he would not hesitate to protect them at all cost. Out of the group, he was the first person to awaken his powers of "Evolution" when they were ambushed by hostile Evolutions by the riverside. He controls the power of the grim reaper.
Amane Saionji (西園寺 雨音)
voiced by Ayako Kawasumi
Ayako Kawasumi
is a Japanese voice actress and J-pop singer. She is affectionately referred to by her fellow voice actors and fans as "", "" and "". She is a skilled pianist, having practiced the piano since childhood....
- Amane is the childhood friend of Kazuya. Clumsy and a bit of an airhead, she is often clueless regarding the events that go on around her. Out of the group, she is the second person to awaken her powers of Evolution. She controls the power of the mermaid. Most of her attacks inflict water type damage, but also possess the power to heal allies as well. During combat gameplay, she is the primary healer of the group.
Raki Saionji (西園寺 羅鬼)
voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro
Miyuki Sawashiro
is a female Japanese voice actress and singer who works for Mausu Promotion.She voiced Puchiko in the English dubbed releases of Di Gi Charat the Movie and Leave it to Piyoko, making her one of the few Japanese voice actors to have reprised a role in English in addition to the original Japanese...
- Raki is an android built by Amane's grandfather. In front of outsiders, Raki pretends to be the younger sister of Amane. Instead of tapping into the powers of "Evolution" (since Raki is an android), Raki could switch into battle mode at will. In her battle mode state, Raki could equip herself with a variety of weapons such as guns, launchers and beam weapons etc.
Shoko Maioka (舞岡 翔子)
voiced by Masayo Kurata
Masayo Kurata
Masayo Kurata is a seiyū from Yokkaichi, Mie.- Shows :* Kindergarten girl, Kyoko's follower, and others in Angelic Layer* Rakshata from Code Geass* Jill from Fushigiboshi no Futagohime...
- Shoko is the last person in the group to awaken her Evolution powers. She controls the power of the phoenix and could wield the destructive powers of fire at will. In her "Evolution" form, Shoko gains a pair of flaming wings which allows her to travel over most terrain with ease and thus giving her the greatest movement range during combat levels.