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One Piece, a cornerstone of Shonen Jump and a global phenomenon, has inspired countless video game adaptations. One of the latest, One Piece: World Seeker, initially captivated fans with trailers showcasing a breathtaking pirate world, promising an open-world adventure unlike any previous One Piece game. But does World Seeker live up to the hype, or does it leave players stranded on a deserted island of disappointment?

Sailing into a New Adventure

One Piece: World Seeker offers a brand-new story overseen by Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, featuring original characters Jeanne and Isaac. The game unfolds on Prison Island, a location torn between two factions: the Pro-Navy and the Anti-Navy.

Luffy in One Piece: World Seeker

The Pro-Navy supports Isaac’s modernization of the island, prioritizing industrial progress and job creation, even at the cost of constructing prisons and naval fortresses. The Anti-Navy, led by Jeanne, yearns for the island’s former tranquility, reminiscent of its peaceful past as Joy Island.

After the Straw Hat Pirates are tricked and imprisoned in Sky Prison, they manage to escape and find themselves scattered across Prison Island. Rescued and aided by Jeanne, Luffy reunites his crew and learns about the island’s history and the complex relationship between Jeanne and Isaac. True to their nature, the Straw Hats embark on another adventure, fighting for justice and the island’s future.

A World of Visual Delights

World Seeker boasts impressive cel-shaded graphics that faithfully recreate the vibrant world of One Piece. Key characters are brought to life through expressive dialogue, animations, and excellent voice acting. Luffy’s comedic yet determined personality shines through, as do Zoro’s swordsmanship and Chopper’s compassionate nature. The game’s soundtrack, composed by Kohei Tanaka, the composer of the One Piece anime, further enhances the experience with familiar and evocative melodies.

One Piece World Seeker Scenery

Exploring a Barren Paradise

Despite its stunning visuals, World Seeker suffers from a repetitive and uninspired core gameplay loop. While the open world offers numerous locations to explore, these areas feel empty and lifeless. Beyond occasional encounters with enemy pirates or patrolling marines, there’s little to discover, pushing players back to the main storyline.

Empty environment in One Piece: World Seeker

The initially available fast travel system is later restricted, forcing players to traverse the vast map on foot, which can be tedious without upgrading Luffy’s Gum-Gum abilities. The lack of alternative transportation options further exacerbates this issue.

Shallow Combat and Uninspired Progression

The combat system is equally disappointing, relying on repetitive attack patterns. Players can switch between Observation Haki and Armament Haki, offering different combat styles. Observation Haki prioritizes speed and agility, while Armament Haki focuses on powerful attacks and defense. However, both styles lack depth, requiring little more than button mashing to execute combos. The absence of meaningful combat evolution throughout the game further contributes to the monotony.

One Piece: World Seeker Combat

The upgrade system, which allows for improvements to movement speed, health, attack power, and new skills, feels largely inconsequential. New skills offer little advantage over basic attacks, and the ease with which enemies can be defeated renders stat upgrades almost unnecessary. Side quests, primarily focused on fetch quests and enemy elimination, offer minimal rewards and lack engaging narratives, making them feel like filler content.

One Piece: World Seeker gameplay

A Disappointing Voyage

World Seeker’s captivating presentation and intriguing premise are ultimately undermined by its shallow gameplay and uninspired open world. While fans of One Piece may appreciate the new story and faithful character representations, the repetitive combat, lack of meaningful exploration, and underwhelming progression system make this pirate adventure a treasure hunt that ultimately yields little reward.

One Piece World Seeker Pro-Navy vs Anti-Navy