If you’re into Studio Ghibli films, take this chance to feel like you’re IN a Studio Ghibli film, with Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom.
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom. The first game I played since starting this blog couldn’t have been a better choice! As a self-proclaimed n00b, I wouldn’t expect any fancy gaming terminology from me, but I can provide The Very Valuable n00b’s Perspective! Short and spoiler-free!
As a n00b, I had never even heard about the first in the series: Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch. I expect I missed out on a whole lot, and I’d been looking for it but couldn’t find it 🙁
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom. I played it in May 2018 and only finished it about a month ago. When I say finished, I mean to 100% completion. I know a lot of the non-n00b gamers out there will say I took too long, but I had anime to watch too, okay!
So this is my short, spoiler-free n00by review of Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom!
Art Style and Animation
Naturally, the first thing that stood out to me was their art style. I know nothing about art, but it definitely reminded me of Studio Ghibli’s art, and lo-and-behold, that’s when I found out that the animators were of Studio Ghibli origin!
I think it should be noted that while the main characters Evan, Roland, and the others (who shall be unnamed to remain spoiler-free) were all designed so well, the side characters had quite distinctive designs as well. Even a lot of the NPCs in the towns were distinguishable from each other. I appreciate the time spent on that!
The animation was done so wonderfully, in classic Ghibli standard. I have nothing bad to say about it, except that I wish there were more animated cut scenes. A lot of the time, conversation scenes I felt were essential to the main quest were not animated like some other scenes were. But maybe I’m just being greedy! I can’t help my addictive personality…
Plot Perspective and Gaming Experience
Without going into detail, for a n00b such as myself, the plot was by far the best feature of this game. The combat was enjoyable for sure, and I had a lot of fun, but the story was where I really got my soul satisfied.
If it wasn’t for the storyline and the side quests complementing the main quest plot, I don’t think I would’ve been interested in playing to completion. If you’re familiar with Ghibli films, you know that its the combination of art and plot that makes its stories great. Ni no Kuni II sticks to its legacy and does not do things by halves.
The story was compelling, emotional at times, and multi-dimensional.
With regards to combat gameplay, Ni no Kuni II allows for three party members to be in combat at once. You can switch between the chosen three during fights, while the two other party members you’re not controlling can perform light attacks, heavy attacks, ranged attacks, magical moves, blocks and dodge rolls on their own. All in all, combat gameplay was pretty easy most of time. (I say most of the time because there was one particular monster that really got on my nerves… but hey, what’s a little frustration and rage-quit experiences in gaming?)
Bonus! Let me throw in this gif of these cuties so you have something else to look forward to. Disappointed you will not be!
Special mentions to the Ni no Kuni II soundtrack! I’m a soundtrack lover, so you can bet I noticed who composed the soundtrack: the legend Joe Hisaishi himself! The music was so good I got Stuck in Head Syndrome. Also, it wasn’t just me. The people around me who didn’t even play the game started humming it around the house and at work. While having no idea where the tune came from. Joe Hisaishi you friggin’ genius! Messing with people’s minds! I love it! Love! It!
Worth it?
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom was such an enjoyable game. Definitely up there in my n00b career fo sho.
Is Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom a valuable purchase?
I’ve already been googling ‘Ni no Kuni III when come out’, so I think you can expect what I’m going to say next.
worth it.
Wanna have a n00by squee over Ni no Kuni II and/or Studio Ghibli films? Feel like recommending similar games you think I’ll like? I need the help; I’m just a n00b after all! Leave me a comment below, or you can use my submissions box here!
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kek.