World Neverland Plus - Orurudo Oukoku Monogatari | July 15, 1999

 

"World Neverland Plus - Orurudo Oukoku Monogatari" is a real-time simulation game released for the PlayStation by Riverhill Soft on October 23, 1997, and is the first entry in the World Neverland series. Players assume the role of a resident in the fantasy world of the Oruld Kingdom and experience various aspects of life in the kingdom, such as working, martial arts tournaments, romance, and marriage. The game allows for multi-generational play through character succession, enabling players to progress across several generations.

On July 15, 1999, a Dreamcast version titled World Neverland Plus: Oruld Kingdom Story was released, featuring network functionality.

In 2008, Interchannel Holon released a 10th Anniversary Pack containing both the original and its sequel World Neverland 2: Plut Republic Story, as well as the online game World Neverland: Zehn Continent Story with a 30-day game access ticket. Additionally, a PSP version containing the first two games, World Neverland 2in1 Portable: Oruld Kingdom Story & Plut Republic Story, was released by fonfun.

The Windows version has been available for download from DL-MARKET since 2010 and saw a physical release by Mevius in 2017.

System

In Oruld Kingdom Story, the player controls a single resident of the Oruld Kingdom, while all other residents are non-playable characters (NPCs) controlled by the AI. The game is a real-time simulation with a concept of day and night, just like in the real world. The perspective is a 2D overhead view, and the game world consists of 48 maps. Players can only interact within the kingdom and cannot venture outside.

Characters

Characters in the game have parameters like "fatigue," "stress," "personality," and martial arts skills. Fatigue and stress affect the character’s actions and can lead to illness. The personality of non-playable characters influences their behavior, such as a character with high "diligence" working hard. These traits change based on actions. The martial arts system consists of "swordsmanship" (speed), "fighting" (stamina), and "magic" (spirit), with each having levels that increase with training. Characters gain experience points and can unlock special techniques as they level up. The three martial arts styles have a balanced interaction with no one style being strictly superior.

Characters have a lifespan, typically around 30 years. They cannot die from causes other than old age, and when death approaches, they enter a "critical" state and are forced to rest at home. After one day in this state, the character dies, and the game ends if the player character dies.

Work and Combat

Work and martial arts are central to gameplay. In the Oruld Kingdom, players can engage in activities like farming, gathering, and transportation to earn income and "work points." Combat is organized in "matches," where players select one martial art style and compete in one-on-one duels using special techniques. Winning depends on accumulating more points through successful attacks.

Items

Items play an important role and can be bought in markets. Players can carry one item at a time, but carrying an item is impossible when fatigued. Items can help recover fatigue and stress, enhance training, or be used as gifts to please others.

Social Relationships and Family

The game also features complex social relationships, including friendships, romantic relationships, and family dynamics. Relationships are divided into acquaintances, friends, and lovers, with the level of intimacy affecting how characters interact. Friends can practice martial arts together to gain experience. Lovers can marry and have children. Children grow from infants to 6-year-olds who attend school and gain "school points." Upon turning 6, they mature into adults, at which point the player can pass on the gameplay control to the child, thus continuing the legacy through multiple generations.

All residents have a "home," which serves as their base of operations where they can rest and recover from fatigue and stress. There is also a shared "item storage" where families can store items.