The Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road (Xseed; DS; rated everyone)

You’ll have to forgive me for assuming that this title would be a throwaway because so many games based on existing literary licences are suspect. I’m glad I took some time to give this a try, though, because it’s an interesting little thing.

You play as Dorothy. After the first introductory level, where you get to practice the basics of combat and collect your three companions—the Scarecrow, the Lion, and the Tin Man—you come face to face with the Wizard himself. He explains that the four witches of the north, south, east, and west are preventing him from protecting his citizens, and only Dorothy and her team can deal with the witchy menace.

Then you’re off to confront the witches, but something doesn’t seem quite right. Along the way you’ll get the real story of what’s going on in Oz.

The actual gameplay is simple. The lower touchscreen is the only interface you use. Dorothy moves by swiping a virtual trackpad, and the turn-based combat is accomplished by tapping the screen. It’s not difficult, by any means, and the level design is uninspired and cookie-cutter, but as an introduction to turn-based adventures, you could do worse.

And because we’re getting a subverted Wizard of Oz story along the way, we’ll give this a passing grade.