Summary
One Pieceis one of the most massively successful manga series of all time, so it’s no wonder there’s such high demand for a proper video game tie-in. Everyone knows that anime adaptations can be extremely hit or miss, but this just places a greater importance on taking the right direction.One Piecehas had a pretty great track record with recent adaptations, and that just sweetens the deal even more.
One Piecehas its fair share of video games already, with one highlight among them being thePirate Warriorsseries. Considering how action-packed the shonen genre is, it’s no wonder that fighting games tend to rise to the top. However,One Piecehas a number of unique traitsthat make it better suited to another genre entirely.
One Piece Deserves the MMORPG Treatment
The World of One Piece is Larger Than Life
The open seas ofOne Pieceare just about as vast as a fictional setting can possibly get. The long-running series first began with a simple call to action: sail the seas and find a legendary treasure. Almost thirty years later, theStraw Hat Piratesstill haven’t accomplished their ultimate goal. However, that’s a testament to the strength ofOne Piece’s themes more than anything else.
One Pieceis about the journey, not the destination, and it’s a grand journey indeed. The series now has well over a thousand chapters, and has long been acclaimed for its consistently strong worldbuilding. With such an expansive setting, and hundreds of characters that occupy it, there’s really only one genre that could do the scope of the series justice.
One Piece Games Should Match the Anime’s Ambition
Massively multiplayer online games, more commonly known as MMOs, are a popular genre that hasn’t been explored much by most anime. The shonen genre especially tends to lean full tilt into action games. Of course, MMOs can accommodate a certain degree of combat, butOne Pieceis far more adventure than it is action.
The immense scale ofOne Piecemakes it very difficult to adapt to most genres, but makes it perfectly suited for an MMORPG. While a smaller scope would severely limit a potential title, the “massive” aspect of an MMO would take advantage ofOne Piece’s near-limitless potential. In short,One Piece’s major themeswould form a symbiotic relationship with the features common among MMOs.
A One Piece MMO Has a Lot of Potential
One Piecehas a number of characters across several conflicting factions that would serve as the perfect foundation to build upon. First and foremost, developers could allow for a custom character and ship, which would no doubt both spark a lot of joy forOne Piecefans. As much as sailing the seas as a pirate provides plenty of potential on its own, the design wouldn’t have to stop there.
The Marines are the nextmost important characters inOne Piece, and could potentially add a whole new dimension to character creation. Players could form a pirate crew with their friends, or even the pirates on the opposing side. They could potentially even play the role of a Warlord of the Sea, a pirate who sides with the Marines. Furthermore, variety wouldn’t have to end at which faction players choose.
Many shonen manga are largely defined by their power systems, andOne Pieceis no exception. Characters can employ all sorts of powers derived from multiple sources. Many characters inOne Pieceget their powers from Devil Fruits, which can accomplish nearly anything, and already come in three varieties. Likewise, there are also three types of Haki which characters can mix and match. There are many other sources of power even beyond these two main branches, such as Fish Man Karate.
There is an immense level of depth in the character creation of a potentialOne PieceMMO. Similarly, the expansive world presented withinOne Pieceextends that potential beyond the infinite. Compared to its legacy in manga and anime,One Piecehas practically just begun to dip its toes into the world of video games. When it’s ready to take the next big step, an MMO would serve as an incredible framework for giving players the most authentic experience possible.
One Piece
Cast
One Piece is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. The series follows protagonist Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirate crew as they explore the Grand Line to find the King of the Pirates' ultimate treasure, the One Piece, in order to become the next king. The manga’s popularity helped it spin off into a larger media franchise, including an anime with more than 1,000 episodes.
