REVIEW : Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom (PS4/ PS4 Pro)
Level-5 is among the best JRPG developers, they have created some exceptional games in the past two decades. With the support of Studio Ghibli, Level-5 have created a beautiful anime style adventure game. Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom is exceptional in every manner.
Ni No Kuni 2 is a worthy sequel to the first Ni No Kuni. The game has refined the gameplay systems which keep you hooked to the game. The story is not as emotional as the first game but it is still gripping none the less.
You play the role of Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum, the young king of Ding Dong Dell whose only wish to create a kingdom where everyone lives happily.
Evan is soon dethroned and removed from his homeland. You form a team consisting of Roland and Tani to travel around the world to form new allies. The Revenant Kingdom does not make too many references to the previous game and has completely new tale to tell, so don’t worry if you are new to the series.
The game features a brilliant setting and lovable case of characters which will touch you emotionally. Though the narrative can sometimes fall flat, the game is very enjoyable as a whole. The combat is colorful and fast. The exploration rewards you and there are some beautiful sights to behold.
Battles involve 3 characters at any given time which are equipped with same number of weapons and variety of skills.
The game is very accessible to everyone. There are only light and heavy attacks, so you learn things very quickly. Things may seem simple the game has lot of depth in its combat and later boss battles provide a tough challenge. You will use items and skills to outsmart your opponent and easy battle look spectacular. Also, Higgledies can be defining factor in any battle. They follow you around in battle and provide offensive assistance and some buff during battle.
Kingmakers are the spiritual guardians of city and part of majority of conflicts. Every encounter with them is memorable to say the least.
Kingdom building is essential part of Ni No Kuni 2, it acts as a city builder where Evan has to create facilities and recruit citizens. Your Kingdom progresses with you as you move through the story. Building your kingdom is very addictive with you having to invest in new ventures and plus it provides various benefits to the party members over the course of the game. Your Kingdom is also scattered with NPCs which offer you side quests, most of them will lead to recruiting new citizens but each a memorable affair.
Game also offers Skirmish mode which acts as a Real Time Strategy game in which Evan controls 4 sets of troops across the battlefield. Only a few story missions involve Skirmish, so you are never seldom forced to play it if you don’t like it.
The world of Ni No Kuni 2 is mesmerizing. The city of Goldpaw is so beautiful with its neon lights and traditional architecture. Studio Ghibli influence is present throughout the world. Exploring the world is enjoyable and peaceful affair, whether you are travelling through a town filled with cat people or going through a factory based on advanced technology. You can unlock boats and Zeppelins to travel faster across the world plus they grant access to previously unseen areas.
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