With Harapeko Tsuki To Hoshi Atsume—also known as *Yellow Brick Road III*—Synergy revisited its unique take on the world of Oz for a 1997 fantasy adventure. The story follows the Scarecrow, who sets out for a star-collecting contest but finds himself caught up in a lunar crisis: the Moon has swallowed several of his companions, and they must be found. While the game follows in the footsteps of *Yellow Brick Road II*, it features a fresh story that stands on its own as a unique excursion through that world.
The quest blends exploration with a series of minigames spanning various styles. Rather than focusing on the RPG elements found in earlier installments, this third entry uses challenges to drive progression; overcoming them allows the player to advance the adventure and move closer to the goal of gathering stars and rescuing the characters. This structure gives the game the feel of a collection of trials—offering varied pacing and diversity—rather than that o...
With Harapeko Tsuki To Hoshi Atsume—also known as *Yellow Brick Road III*—Synergy revisited its unique take on the world of Oz for a 1997 fantasy adventure. The story follows the Scarecrow, who sets out for a star-collecting contest but finds himself caught up in a lunar crisis: the Moon has swallowed several of his companions, and they must be found. While the game follows in the footsteps of *Yellow Brick Road II*, it features a fresh story that stands on its own as a unique excursion through that world.
The quest blends exploration with a series of minigames spanning various styles. Rather than focusing on the RPG elements found in earlier installments, this third entry uses challenges to drive progression; overcoming them allows the player to advance the adventure and move closer to the goal of gathering stars and rescuing the characters. This structure gives the game the feel of a collection of trials—offering varied pacing and diversity—rather than that of a traditional RPG adventure. There is also a separate release known as the "Single Version," which focuses on just one minigame; this should not be confused with the main experience.
The tone mixes fantasy, humor, and deliberately whimsical situations, fitting the premise of a hungry Moon and a Scarecrow in a tight spot. While the game draws on familiar Oz characters, it takes them on a unique journey centered on the trip itself and the encounters along the way. Consequently, the appeal lies not just in reaching the contest, but also in discovering the trials and detours separating the protagonist from his friends.
Developed and published by the Japanese company Synergy, the title was released in 1997 for Windows and Macintosh, although some catalog listings mention only Windows. It is classified primarily as an adventure game, incorporating puzzle elements and minigames. It is a curious entry in the *Yellow Brick Road* saga: it retains the series' fantastical imagery but shifts the focus to short, varied challenges, offering a lighthearted and unconventional adventure from the CD-ROM era.
