Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom Review (PS4)

excellent
key review info
  • Game: Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom
  • Platform: Playstation 4
  • Show system requirements
  • Gamepad support: Yes  
  • Reviewed on:
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom

The sequel to the highly-acclaimed Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch has finally hit Playstation 4 and PC after a few delays. Publisher Bandai Namco has decided that Level-5 should remain at the helm of the franchise, so we were very curious what other innovation the studio would be able to bring to keep the Ni no Kuni series relevant.

Unlike most of Bandai Namco's other franchises, Ni no Kuni isn't based on an anime/manga series, which makes the entire development process more complex and time consuming. Just like the previous title, Ni no Kuni II; Revenant Kingdom is heavy on the story and plays like a RPG from a third-person perspective.

Before telling you more about the latest Level-5 game, I should point out that you don't need to have finished the first Ni no Kuni game in order to play the sequel. Although there are some similarities story-wise, the Revenant Kingdom is set hundreds of years after the events of Wrath of the White Witch and introduces new characters and a completely new world (two in fact).

One last piece of advice before going into details, take a sabbatical week if you want to play and finish Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom since this is really a huge game.

Story

Unusual for a JRPG, Ni no Kuni II starts like an action movie where the all-powerful president of a certain country is among the survivors of a nuclear attack that targeted his country. You're then immediately transported in another world in a much younger body, but with your memories intact.

One moment you're the president of a very powerful country, and the next you're the only person who can save Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum, a boy king of the grimalkin faction, who is usurped from his castle by the other faction that inhabits the kingdom of Ding Dong Dell: the mice.

The search for a kingmaker begins!
The search for a kingmaker begins!

Landing in the middle of a coup d'etat makes things a bit erratic at first, but it's the perfect opportunity to get to know how the combat system works in Ni no Kuni II, and, of course, meet the main protagonists.

After successfully escaping the kingdom castle along with Evan, you set out to achieve the almost impossible task of creating a new country that will not know war nor strife, a country where everyone will live happily ever after.

Although you start playing as Roland, a visitor from another world helping Evan to form his own kingdom, you're not limited to taking on the role of a bodyguard. In fact, most of the conversations are led by Evan, and you can choose to control any of the four members of you party during combat.

The world of Ni no Kuni II is a dangerous place!
The world of Ni no Kuni II is a dangerous place!

Soon after leaving the Ding Dong Dell kingdom, Roland and Evan realize that they won't be able to achieve their goal unless their new country is located in a place where no other kingdom can reach it. While not impossible, that would be quite difficult to achieve, so they find the next best solution: make all the factions in the world sign a Declaration of Interdependence.

The world of Ni no Kuni II comprises of many factions but there are four kingdoms that Evan, Roland and their friends must convince to sign the document: Goldpaw, Hydropolis, Broadleaf and Ding Dong Dell. Each of these countries rulers have a bond with a kingmaker – a very powerful creature that helps protect the kingdom from outside enemies.

The first step toward achieving his goal is for Evan to win the support of a kingmaker, otherwise, Evermore would not exist. The rest of the game is a race to gain the support of all four kingdoms before occult forces put the whole world in danger.

Meet a very small part of the team
Meet a very small part of the team

I won't be telling you anything regarding the antagonist since it would mean to spoil some story bits and it's way to good to do that. The only thing I'll say is that you'll meet him throughout your adventures, but only in key moments.

It should take you around 35-40 hours to finish the main story and some of the side quests which are needed to build your kingdom, but if you're taking it slowly and explore everything the world has to offer, it will take you much more than this.

Gameplay

Level-5 introduces new gameplay mechanics with the launch of Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom. If you've played the first game, some of these mechanics will feel familiar, but they have been radically changed to offer much smoother and nicer gameplay experience.

Just like in most other JRPGs, whenever you meet an enemy, your party of up to four will enter a battle system that takes place on an open field. You'll only control one character with which you can roam freely on the battlefield. You can even flee from the fight if you think you have no chance of winning.

Roland is good with both swords & blasters
Roland is good with both swords & blasters

Aside from the standard “light” and “heavy” attacks, each character has some skills that he/she can use during battles. These special powers are devastating and usually are meant to hit more than one enemy, but they require mana so it's best to use them as an opener since mana replenishes while fighting.

On top of that, you'll control a horde of so-called “higgledies,” some sort of spirits that exist in several forms and can buff your team with various bonuses, as well as attack enemies for a lot of damage. You'll find higgledies stones throughout your adventures where you can recruit new spirits if you have the item they desire.

Recruit higgledies for the best buffs
Recruit higgledies for the best buffs

You can have up to 10 different teams of higgledies, each offering various bonuses. They extremely useful in combat, especially when you encounter bosses that you can hardly get near to attack. Whenever a team of higgledies is ready to buff you up or attack the enemy, a flashy circle will appear around them. If you're fast enough and click “X” inside the circle, they will commence with their powerful buffs or attacks.

Although it might sound complicated at first glance, I got used to the new system and I have to admit that it's much more rewarding, fun and smoother than what we had in the first game. Besides melee, ranged and magical abilities, you'll also be able to use something called “Tactic Tweaker.”

The Tactic Tweaker lets you spend battle points that you gain after your characters level up in order to improve your attacks against enemies. For example, you boost attacks against natural or reptilian foes, but you can't have do it for both, so you must choose a bonus before each important battle.

Tweak your bonuses and resistances before an important fight
Tweak your bonuses and resistances before an important fight

Also, you can improve your resistance against certain elements or ailments like fire, wind, water, poison, confusion, sleep, dark and light. You can spend a maximum of five points in improving your elemental resistance, but you can't have resistance to what Level-5 believes are “opposite elements” at the same time (i.e. dark/light, wind/sleep, water/poison).

I would also like to point out that there are tons of weapons and armors that you'll be able to loot from enemies, so advice against buying anything from merchants. Also, you'll be able to upgrade most of your weapons and armors later in the game if you really want to keep something that you like.

Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom introduces a new battle system where you can fight other armies to drive them from your land or finish a quest. Evan can have up to four troops in his retinue, which can be deployed on the battlefield. They move together at the same time, but you'll be able to change the direction they face by rotating them so that the archers remain in the back and melee troops take the front.

All puzzles are smartly implemented in the story
All puzzles are smartly implemented in the story

Also, each troop is especially good against a certain enemy, so choosing which of your regiment attacks which enemy is how you win these battles. It definitely doesn't require any strategy, but you'll definitely need quick reflexes.

Now that we've finished talking about the battle system, let's take a look at how you're going to build and manage your kingdom. Well, once you choose the location for your new country – Evermore, you'll be able to start building various structures like smithy, outfitter, bazaar, hunter lodge, explorer's guild and many more.

Do you have what it takes to build and manage Evermore?
Do you have what it takes to build and manage Evermore?

Some of these structures will allow you to research various upgrades for weapons, armors, higgledies and other stuff that will help you in your endeavors. However, you won't be able to research anything unless you recruit the right NPCs for the job. You'll be finding these specialized NPCs in your travels throughout the neighboring kingdoms, but most of them will ask something in return to follow you.

Building and managing your kingdom is one other aspect that you mustn't neglect since it can provide you with lots of bonuses for your team. Also, did I mention that it's very fun to choose which structures to build first and what to research?

When it comes to gameplay content, Ni no Kuni II seems overwhelming, but I have to give credits to the folks at Level-5, as everything is offered to the player gradually, so they have time to get used to these new mechanics.

Graphics and audio

Unlike the first game that was developed in collaboration with Sudio Ghibli, Ni no Kuni II is 100% the work of Level-5 with a few exceptions. Former Ghibli character designer Yoshiyuki Momose and music composer Joe Hisaishi, who worked on the original game, have been involved in the sequel.

Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom features improved visuals compared to the first game, which makes perfect sense since Level-5 have taken advantage of the PS4's hardware, whereas the original game was launched on the PS3.

The attention to details in depicting each faction in the game – Goldpaw, Hydropolis, Broadleaf and Ding Dong Dell is absolutely amazing. They should and are extremely different in their beliefs, costumes, language and activities they do best. Level-5 manage to build micro-worlds where the player really feels that he's just entered another country, and it's not just the visuals that contribute to the feeling.

Goldpaw pledges allegiance to Lady Luck
Goldpaw pledges allegiance to Lady Luck

Ni no Kuni II benefits from an outstanding soundtrack. I've been blown away by the traditional Japanese music featuring heavy jazz elements that you can hear while visiting Goldpaw. I felt the same way the first time I heard the nostalgic waltz tones when arriving in Hydropolis.

I would also like to highlight the dioramas that you get in between the chapters. They perfectly fit the tone of the game and add to the immersion. Also, voice acting is finally on par with what we see and hear when playing the game.


The Good

  • Deep, lengthy story
  • Solid main characters
  • Innovative, fun combat mechanics
  • Outstanding soundtrack
  • No repetitive tasks (grinding)
  • Great visuals

The Bad

  • Dull, underdeveloped secondary characters
  • Some puzzles require a bit of grinding

Conclusion

Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom improves on the original game in ways that I did not believe it would be possible. It's without doubt one of the best JRPGs released in the last couple of years and not just because it offers a lengthy story, but because the themes it tackles are so deep and current.

Behind Evan's wish to build a kingdom that knows no war there's an idealistic desire for a better world where everyone lives happily ever after, something that we, humans, are doomed to never achieve.

Unite the kingdoms, build a better world
Unite the kingdoms, build a better world

Level-5 dares players to make the world a better place in less than two days. Although you'll probably finish the game in less than 48 hours since Ni no Kuni II lacks the grind mechanics specific to many JRPGs, the feeling accomplishment will stay with you for days to come.

Ni no Kuni II is one of those games that delivers a positive vibe not just through gameplay, but deeper stories, solid characters, as well as outstanding visuals and soundtrack. Moreover, it comes with fresh ideas that make it more engaging and fun, something that we rarely get these days from major franchises.

story 9
gameplay 8
concept 9
graphics 9
audio 10
multiplayer 0
final rating 9
Editor's review
excellent
 
NEXT REVIEW: Lost Sphear

Photo Gallery (100 Images)

Ni no Kuni II: Revenant KingdomNi no Kuni II: Revenant KingdomNi no Kuni II: Revenant KingdomNi no Kuni II: Revenant KingdomNi no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom
+95more