Whether by way of deliberate tribute or lack of originality, the visual similarities between Mega Man Battle Network and 2007's Zettai Onkan Otoda Master by Hudson Software have not escaped the keen eyes of PRC contributor Mega Rock. Otoda Master, an obscure little RPG for the Nintendo DS released only in Japan, is home to a rather familiar overworld and sprite style.
Beyond uncanny aesthetics, the game shares little in common with the tried and true Battle Network formula (and Star Force, for that matter). Actually, it's fairly unique in its own right: the game is all about training and battling "Otodamas", little creatures you discover based on the different kinds of sounds your DS picks up. The bark of a dog, the honk of a horn, and even a bloodcurdling scream all produce some kind of Otodama to be used in battle.
Pokémon seems to be the big inspiration here; however, the Battle Network inspired art direction truly sticks out like a sore thumb. But as they, "imitation is the highest form of flattery" -- perhaps more so in other cases. Nonetheless, Hudson has done an admirably job at capturing MMBN's trademark style, maybe even a little too good.
For more Zettai Onkan Otoda Master gameplay, swing on over to YouTube.
Especially when it gets to the room, it is wayyyy too similar!
ReplyDeleteI like the 'sound into monsters' idea though!
Whoa.
ReplyDeleteA baby dragon is cute.
ReplyDeleteKind of interesting...
ReplyDeleteIt's no BN though.
The sprite style looks more like Star Force to me, though maybe it's just me from playing SF3 lately.
ReplyDeleteOoooh, art style... and here I was hoping for battle system, like that ninjago game. Ah well.
ReplyDeleteThe visual style screams more "rip-off" than "homage." And Hudson is clearly doing it to make a buck, not as if it's a free tribute like the excellent Rokko-Chan which tounge in cheek KNOWS it's referencing Megaman all over the place.
ReplyDeletelol, as far as i know there are no copyrights for visual style
ReplyDeletealso... looks like a digimon ripoff to me... with SF overworlds
@ Anon #5
ReplyDeleteThe game plays nothing like BN. All it is is a similar visual style, and even then that type has been seen in countless other games as well. The only similarities are the houses and a few areas, otherwise it's completely different.
Wasn't this posted like last year? Either way, I really wish this game had come to the US.
ReplyDeleteMan, why are all the video games where you collect and catch monsters always Japan-only, while all the ones that DO get released outside of Japan are always either Pokemon or something that involves dinosaurs (Fossil Fighters anyone?)
ReplyDeleteIn fact, why are all the cool and interesting games always Japan-only, here in the US, almost every other video game released is a first-person-shooter or a waggle filled casualfest (or a licensed movie game), Occasionally, you get something good (like Rayman Origins), but other than that, it's always Call of Duty clones, Call of Duty clones, and more Call of Duty clones, or anything that has a fancy little "Rated M for Mature" at the corner of the box, which is usually a Call of Duty clone, man, how did the American video game industry get so... stereotypical?
As for this game, it's obvious they got the same graphics designer as Battle Network 4-6, still, just looking at it makes me want another Battle Network/Star Force game...
The map idea is basically a "rip-off" from Battle Network, and overworld sprites are using the same style as the sprites used in SF and in BN.
ReplyDelete