Wonder Project J2

File:N64 Wonder Project J2 - Koruro no Mori no Jozetto.png

Wonder Project J2 is a bishōjo life simulation game similar to its predecessor, where the player communicates with Josette, a robot who is trying to become human,{{Cite web |title=Let's Play #13: Wonder Project J2 |url=http://thefado96.altervista.org/wonder-project-j2/ |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=TheFado96's Blog |language=en-GB}} through her robot, Bird.ワンダープロジェクトジェイツー: コルロの森のジョゼット 取扱説明書 (Nintendo 64, JP){{cite magazine|last1=Loe|first1=Casey|url=https://archive.org/stream/Gamefan_Vol_5_Issue_02#page/n115/mode/2up|title=Japan Now - Wonder Project J2|magazine=GameFan|volume=5|issue=2|publisher=Metropolis Media|date=February 1997|pages=112–113}} The player answers her questions on-screen by selecting "yes" or "no". Josette cannot hear or see the player, but learns about the player through successive binary questions. For example, "if I am going to a party should I wear this?", she recalls the answers later throughout the story. The player can command Josette through Bird, though she does not always listen. Player advancement through the game is dependent on how well their teachings mesh with other activities on the island. After teaching Josette a series of fundamental human interactions, the plot-driven second chapter guides Josette through a series of hardships and confrontation with the Siliconian Army.

Wonder Project J2 takes place after the events of Wonder Project J. Josette is a girl Gijin (robot) created by Dr. Geppetto, who built Pino 15 years prior. Having just completed Josette, the aged doctor had little time to raise her, so the player assists. Messala, antagonist of the previous game, receives orders from king Siliconian XIII to "find the girl who lives on the island of Corlo who is in possession of the J", an object of great power capable of giving Gijin humanity and realize their dreams. Siliconian armies are dispatched to find the girl at Corlo island. Before passing away, Geppetto tells Josette to leave Corlo for Blueland island, where she will meet someone to help her. However, Blueland is occupied by the Siliconian Army harvesting Proton, a mineral fuel source.

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Givro Corporation began talks of a sequel to Wonder Project J quickly after its December 1994 release.{{cite magazine|title=ワンダープロジェクトJ2 開発者インタビュー|magazine=Dengeki Super Famicom|volume=3|publisher=MediaWorks|date=1995|lang=ja}} ([http://shmuplations.com/wonderprojectj2/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130143845/http://shmuplations.com/wonderprojectj2/|date=2020-11-30}}).{{cite magazine|title=ワンダープロジェクトJ2 開発者インタビュー|magazine=Dengeki Super Famicom|volume=4|publisher=MediaWorks|date=1996|lang=ja}} ([http://shmuplations.com/wonderprojectj2/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130143845/http://shmuplations.com/wonderprojectj2/|date=2020-11-30}}).{{cite web|last=Yoneda|first=Takashi|url=http://www008.upp.so-net.ne.jp/yonegon/game.htm#j2|title=Hirano Bucho-Do: Cyber Games Profile|publisher=Takashi Yoneda Official Website|date=2003|access-date=2020-08-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030326074245/http://www008.upp.so-net.ne.jp/yonegon/game.htm#j2|archive-date=2003-03-26|url-status=dead}}

Wonder Project J2 was first released for the Nintendo 64 by Enix in Japan on November 22, 1996, packaged with a game-themed Controller Pak.{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:EGM_US_091.pdf&page=104|title=Special Feature: Shoshinkai - Part II|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=91|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=February 1997|page=104}}{{cite web|url=https://www.jp.square-enix.com/game/detail/wpj2/|title=ワンダープロジェクトJ2 コルロの森のジョゼット|publisher=Square Enix|date=2020|access-date=2020-08-12|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721082747/http://www.jp.square-enix.com/archive/wonder_pj_j2_n64/|archive-date=2017-07-21|url-status=live}} Interest about the game was sparked in North America by previews from western publications such as Electronic Gaming Monthly and Next Generation,{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AEGM_US_088.pdf&page=54|title=Previews - Wonder Project J2 (Nintendo 64)|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=88|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=November 1996|page=54}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/NextGeneration24Dec1996#page/n202/mode/1up|title=NG Alphas: Wonder Project J2|magazine=Next Generation|issue=24|publisher=Imagine Media|date=December 1996|page=201}} and Nintendo Power featured it in their "Epic Center" section as one of its last appearances before it was discontinued due to lack of role-playing games on Nintendo 64.{{cite magazine|title=Epic Center - Wonder Project J2|magazine=Nintendo Power|issue=96|publisher=Nintendo of America|date=May 1997|pages=52–53}}{{cite magazine|title=Pak Watch: E3 Report - The Game Masters|magazine=Nintendo Power|issue=99|publisher=Nintendo of America|date=August 1997|pages=104–105}} When asked about a possible North American release from Nintendo, Nintendo Treehouse member Jim Henrick stated he did not know when it would be published, as Enix ceased distribution of their titles in the region.{{cite magazine|last1=Loe|first1=Casey|last2=Cockburn|first2=Andrew|url=https://archive.org/stream/Gamefan_Vol_5_Issue_02#page/n113/mode/1up|title=Japan Now - Interviews|magazine=GameFan|volume=5|issue=2|publisher=Metropolis Media|date=February 1997|pages=108–111}} Though initially planned as a Nintendo 64 exclusive, Enix later announced a PlayStation port with additional animated sequences which would not fit within the memory limitations of the Nintendo 64 Game Pak in 1997,{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/nextgen-issue-26#page/n35/mode/1up|title=In the Studio|magazine=Next Generation|issue=26|publisher=Imagine Media|date=February 1997|page=34}} but this version was never released. Because Wonder Project J2 was never published outside Japan, a fan translation was released in 2007.{{cite web|last=Sahdev|first=Ishaan|url=https://www.siliconera.com/wonder-project-j2-heading-to-iphone/|title=Wonder Project J2 Heading To iPhone|work=Siliconera|publisher=Curse LLC|date=19 April 2010|access-date=2020-08-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160925111628/http://www.siliconera.com/2010/04/19/wonder-project-j2-heading-to-iphone/|archive-date=2016-09-25|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|title=Community & Home-Brew Retro - Retroscene: Translation News Round-Up - Parlez-Vous Anglais?|magazine=Retro Gamer|issue=35|publisher=Imagine Publishing|date=March 2007|page=98}} Square Enix re-released the game as a two-part download for mobile phones in Japan on April 12, 2010.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.famitsu.com/k_tai/news/1233961_1350.html|title=『ワンダープロジェクトJ2 コルロの森のジョゼット』がiモードで配信開始|magazine=Famitsu|publisher=Enterbrain|date=12 April 2010|access-date=2020-08-12|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100614205028/http://www.famitsu.com/k_tai/news/1233961_1350.html|archive-date=2010-06-14|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Nakano|first=Shinji|url=http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/360731.html|title=スクエニ、iモード「ワンダープロジェクトJ2 コルロの森のジョゼット」 - 携帯電話版オリジナルの会話シーンやイラストを収録して登場|work=GAME Watch|publisher=Impress Corporation|date=12 April 2010|access-date=2020-08-12|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806074945/http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/360731.html|archive-date=2017-08-06|url-status=live}}

{{Video game reviews

|Fam = 33/40{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=8274|title=NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: ワンダープロジェクトJ2 〜コルロの森のジョゼット〜 (N64)|magazine=Famitsu|publisher=ASCII Corporation|date=1996|access-date=2020-08-12|lang=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428053153/https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=8274|archive-date=2017-04-28|url-status=live}}

|GSpot = 5.2/10{{cite web|last=Gerstmann|first=Jeff|author-link=Jeff Gerstmann|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/wonder-project-j2-import-review/1900-2545524/|title=Wonder Project J2 (Import) Review - If nothing else, Wonder Project J2 will make you realize just how different the US and Japanese game markets truly are|work=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|date=13 March 1997|access-date=2020-08-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151109050016/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/wonder-project-j2-import-review/1900-2545524/|archive-date=2015-11-09|url-status=live}}

|N64 = 55%{{cite magazine|last=Overton|first=Wil|author-link=Wil Overton|url=https://archive.org/details/n64magazineukcollection/N64%20Magazine%201%20-%20april%201997%20%28UK%29%20%28Max-Rez%20version%29/page/89/mode/1up|title=Import Arena: Wonder Project J2 - Wanted: Father figure for naive robot girl. No experience necessary|magazine=N64 Magazine|issue=1|publisher=Future Publishing|date=April 1997|page=89}}

|JP = 80%{{cite magazine|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Joypad/joypad_numero061/Joypad%20061%20-%20page%20080%20%281997-02%29.jpg|title=Japon Zoom - Zapping - Wonder Project J2|magazine=Joypad|issue=61|publisher=Yellow Media|date=February 1997|page=80|lang=fr}}

|SGP = 4/5{{cite magazine|last=Kamikaze|first=Marcelo|url=https://archive.org/stream/SuperGamePower_Ano_03_No._035_1997-02_Nova_Cultural_BR_pt#page/n15/mode/1up|title=Nintendo 64 - Wonder Project J2|magazine=Super Game Power|issue=35|publisher=Nova Cultural|date=February 1997|page=16|lang=pt}}

|rev1 = 64 Extreme

|rev1Score = 75/100{{cite magazine|last1=Herridge|first1=Dazza|author2=Saul|url=https://archive.org/details/64-extreme-issue-4-jul-1997/page/n23/mode/2up|title=Review: Wonder Project J2 - The Japanese have gone 'Control Freak' Crazy! Fancy teaching An innocent and impetuous young girl the facts of life?|magazine=64 Extreme|issue=4|publisher=Quay Magazine Publishing|date=July 1997|pages=24–25}}

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{{Expand section|date=June 2023}}

Wonder Project J2 received largely positive reviews.{{cite magazine|last=Seddiki|first=Reyda|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Player%20One/playerone_numero071/Player%20One%20n%C2%B071%20%28Janvier%201997%29%20-%20Page%20055.jpeg|title=Over the World - Les meilleurs jeux venude l'etranger...: Wonder Project J2 (Nintendo 64)|magazine=Player One|issue=71|publisher=Média Système Édition|date=January 1997|page=55|lang=fr}} Famitsu gave it a score of 33 out of 40. GameSpot gave it a 5.2 out of 10 score. N64 Magazine gave it 55%. 64 Extreme gave it 75%. German magazine Total! praised the game.{{cite magazine|last=Yamada|first=Hirofumi|url=https://www.ninretro.de/img/scans/n64/Wonder_Project_J2_-_Koruro_no_Mori_no_Josette_TO_7-98.jpg|title=Test N64: Wonder Project J2|magazine=Total!|issue=49|publisher=X-Plain-Verlag|date=July 1997|pages=58–59|lang=de}} 1UP.com noted that the 3D sections felt awkward.{{cite web|last=Ciolek|first=Todd|url=http://www.1up.com/features/falls-grace-creative-game-companies|title=Falls from Grace: How Four Creative Game Companies Went Astray - Givro: Growing Pains|work=1UP.com|publisher=IGN|date=August 6, 2012|access-date=2020-08-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102083021/http://www.1up.com/features/falls-grace-creative-game-companies|archive-date=2012-11-02|url-status=live}} Nintendo Life strongly praised the game.{{cite web|last=Brunskill|first=Kerry|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/03/matters_of_import_wonder_project_j2_brings_masterful_2d_to_the_n64|title=Matters Of Import: Wonder Project J2 Brings Masterful 2D To The N64 - Making cute robots girls cry|work=Nintendo Life|publisher=Nlife Media|date=3 March 2014|access-date=2020-08-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906070225/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/03/matters_of_import_wonder_project_j2_brings_masterful_2d_to_the_n64|archive-date=2015-09-06|url-status=live}}

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{{reflist|30em}}

• {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20120120001936/http://www.square-enix.co.jp/mobile/sem/wpj2/}}
• [https://www.giantbomb.com/wonder-project-j2-koruro-no-mori-no-josette/3030-29874/ Wonder Project J2] at Giant Bomb
• [https://www.mobygames.com/game/wonder-project-j2 Wonder Project J2] at MobyGames

{{Givro Corporation}}

{{Portal bar|1990s|Japan|Video games}}

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Category:1996 video games

Category:Cancelled PlayStation (console) games

Category:Enix games

Category:Fiction about robots

Category:Givro Corporation games

Category:IOS games

Category:Japan-exclusive video games

Category:Manga series

Category:Nintendo 64 games

Category:Raising sims

Category:Single-player video games

Category:Video games about robots

Category:Video games developed in Japan

Category:Video games featuring female protagonists

Category:Video games featuring non-playable protagonists

Category:Video games scored by Akihiko Mori