
I could probably go as far as to say that the first Ni No Kuni is one of the best games released on the PlayStation 3 during the last generation with its accurate gameplay and outstanding production values. The sequel, Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom is almost as good. A milestone in what the art form and a high point in the genre.
No animated cut scenes from Studio Ghibli
Before we get to know exactly what this is about; and why all the different components is as good as they are, I want to focus on one of the (extremely few) points that I like the least. with Ni No Kuni 2. In the first game, Level 5 was assisted by the famous Studio Ghibli to design a gaming world that completely deprived the vast majority of the ability to control their own salivation. These were the totally animated assets that were as highlights for me and helped me to cement Ni no Kuni in my heart.
An amazing game with one minor flaw
Revenant Kingdom maintains the same cheeky style, but for some reason, the full-featured cartoons from Studio Ghibli are missing, now everything is done through the game engine instead. This is no big deal, really as the design is still superb – totally magical – but, that’s why Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom does not feel as fabulous as its predecessor to me, despite obvious qualities.
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom takes place hundreds of years after the events of the first game. In the town of Ding Dong Dell.
A story to remember
The story (although it doesn’t sound terrific), impresses from the very beginning and then holds me in a strong grip throughout the adventure. It is perfectly stuffed with colorful characters, exciting themes and a unique sens-moral. It is multifaceted in a way that we do not see too often today, and cover things like personal development and maturity, internal and external politics and that there is always hope – no matter how dark something seems.
Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom is a wonderful game
It’s the simple fact that everything is so well-composed with credible characters and motives that create a world that feels thorough and genuine. Sure, logic and explanation can sometimes be like a Disney movie, but those events are far and few apart, and do not take away from the real magic that’s still there.
Like its predecessor, but different
At first glance, it’s easy to believe that Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom is a rather traditional Japanese role playing game. Here you find a classic RPG world filled with enemies, cities that act as hubs, and a lot of sidetracks in the form of caves and other secrets. On the surface it reminds of the predecessor in several different ways, but it is actually markedly different. Ni No Kuni 2 is actually one of the best RPG:s i have ever played.