The Sword of Etheria is a 2005 hack-and-slash video game that includes loose elements from the Oz series created by Konami for the Playstation 2. It was first released in Japan under the name "OZ (Over Zenith)" and in South Korea as "Chains of Power" before its 2006 release in Europe. The game has never been released in the US.
The game takes place in a universe where humans, gods, and other spiritual beings called "Katenas" coexist. Three of the Katenas chosen by the gods are referred collectively as "Oz" as they investigate the loss of the planet's energy source called Etheria. It turns out that the gods seek to destroy humanity by consuming light and cast certain parts of the world into darkness for centuries.
When one of the three disappears, they set off without him. Fifteen years later, they come upon a boy named Fiel/Feel whose village was attacked by monsters called Volo and another group of katenas. They have kidnapped his sister, Dorothy Gale, and it's up to them to rescue her while facing danger and obstacles from the gods. Fiel gets his powers from his cat named Toto who happens to be able to transform into a "Lex". The names of these characters seem to be the only Oz references at first.
However, there are some more subtle references. While Almira's parallel is the mean neighbor, despite her being on the side of good, Leon does have some lion elements, despite never showing cowardice and instead showing foolhardy bravery. Meanwhile, Fiel's name and origins as an artificial being are a shoutout to the Tin Man.
There is also a bonus parody mode, which follows the plot of the Wizard of Oz far more closely, down to having Dorothy as the main character. Everyone else there roleplays the other characters.
Trivia[]
- This is the only adaptation to have Toto as a cat instead of a dog.
- This is the only adaptation to give Dorothy a brother.
- Fiel's weapon is an axe, since he is based on the Tin Woodman.
- Elements from the game are similar to the anime and manga Marchen Awakens Romance.
- This is one of the adaptations where the Wizard himself is no fraud in Dorothy's story, as he is represented by Vitis, an elite warrior.