Welcome to my world of Ni no Kuni games! 😀 I have packed A Lot into this video - much discussion of features, the positives, the drawbacks etc. PLEASE 🙏🏻 do watch the video before commenting! It really helps keep the discussion on point and relevant. Thanks! 🌵
I first played Ni No Kuni back in 2020 when I was on baby leave smack dab in the middle of COVID. Playing that game really made me feel like I was a kid again in the best way. I absolutely fell in love with it, the music, the characters, the visuals, the gameplay. I played the second one not too long after and it also took me a bit to adjust to the chibi characters and the other gameplay differences but once I did, I also loved it. I especially loved the town building portions and the RTS battles. The towns and cities were also really well crafted and I ended up loving it almost just as much as the first. I'm so glad to find another person that loves these games as much as I did. I feel like Ni No Kuni doesn't get the respect it deserves from a lot of JRPG fans.
Hey Britta thanks for this excellent discussion on Ni No Kuni. I also played it back when it came out on PS3. Your video has inspired me to purchase the remaster along with part 2, of which i will admit i have yet to play it! 😅
Ni no Kuni has been on my radar for a while, and hearing you talk about it has convinced me it’s time to set some time aside for it. I really appreciate your opinions on games and I can’t wait to dive in!
Another good, relaxing video! I don't normal consume this kind of content, but i find myself coming back to your channel from time to time cause its so relaxing. Just wanted to say thanks for sharing your thoughts (and pretty funny experiences) with us
The first one is by far my fav game of all time! Drippy makes me laugh so much! Beautiful artwork, story and the game play gets you hooked! Love your channel! And your whole vibe! ❤
Im halfway in the video watching the art book, how is it possible that so many beautiful games exist!? And I didn’t know about this ones! I agree, this simply cannot be a cashback, not with that level of attention to detail
Ni no Kuni came out during a very formative time, in my 20s. Happy to hear your thoughts about the game while unboxing these editions. Thanks for uploading! 😊
Thank you for talking Ni No Kuni II with us! :) I have just finished the game for the first time this week. I was also put off at first by the chibis and higgledies which also took me a little time to get used to. But I'm glad I did, thoroughly enjoyed my experience in the end!
I’m trying to go back and finally finish NNK 1 this year sometime over the next few months so stumbling across your video now has helped solidify that! Thanks Britta! Hope you’re doing well!
Dammit, you're making me want to buy that special edition of Ni no Kuni 2 - as if I don't have enough on my wishlist!😆 But you also reminded me how good NnK1 was. Gonna have to listen to the OST again. Thanks for another wonderful video!
Hurray!! New video from Britta!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ I loved the first Kuni on my switch so im excited for this one. (Off topic) i ordered my first Vita!! Your guides were VERY helpful in choosing the model/accessories. Thank you for always making such great content for your fans!!
@@Food4Dogs I wanted the OLED screen so got the 1000 (plus an extra charging cable). It only comes with an 8G card so i also got the SD2VITA adapter. Excited to finally play Persona Golden and Ys Celceta! Game prices have been surprisingly reasonable so far. Edit: Also got Dragons Crown? Id never heard of it but found a loose cart for $11. There are some cheap gems for the Vita.
@@OzymandiasWasRight Nice! The OLED is still my favourite. Yes, prices for Vita games have been trending down and have stabilised. Dragon's Crown (Vanillaware!) is beautiful on the Vita. It was a big favourite with VitaIslanders for a long time bc you could play online co-op.
Oh my golly gosh, this is one of my most beloved favourite games in my collection, I have the exact same collectors edition! 😊 ironically enough the soundtrack is what got me into listening to records again if only that soundtrack had more songs than just a couple, and it has one of my most favourite game characters ever, Drippy! this game got me through a bleak moment in my life, needless to say some of those story moments got me a bit misty eyed, but Drippy my goodness I never had such wholesome laughter with his antics, gosh this games awesome, studio Ghibli has a beautiful sense of Style and wholesomeness I love both titles because both have different gameplay mechanics, but I forever keep wishing there's a third part to the story, thankyou for your video hope you have a great day take care till the next one
I had SUCH a similar experience as you did with this second game in the series! I never played the first for myself, having only watched someone else go through it, but after the second iteration was made available on the Xbox game pass for a short while, I thought I would try it out for myself. I had initially dropped the game not long after they introduced the little element creatures in combat, much like you did, and felt the same jarring response in seeing the contrast between these beautifully animated scenes and character models interact with the world of Ni no Kuni to the compressed, unnatural overworld view that moved sluggishly in comparison to the rest of the gameplay. It's so reassuring to know I wasn't alone in that aspect. While it was enough to turn me away from the game, I'm so glad you were able to come back to it eventually, push through some of the odd direction decisions, and thoroughly enjoy the story for yourself! I'm not sure if I'll be able to do the same, but hearing about your thoughts and experiences is everything I could have asked for!
Ni No Kuni is wonderful, the first game's story tore me to pieces, and the second game's gameplay and mechanics brought me so much joy and entertainment, I think both games can be perfectly enjoyed if you have tolerance for either the gameplay or the story (respectively), but with the 2nd game I was just in awe by how big the game was, how detailed, and how many systems were put in there (and they work well together!), they're both on my all-time favorite games, and the 2nd game doesn't get the love it deserves, so I'm glad you made this video!!
Hi, Britta! I discovered your channel through your collab video with Ircha Gaming, and I have been so happy to start going through your past videos and hear you talk about games! This video reminded me that I picked up a digital copy of Ni No Kuni I for my Nintendo Switch back in 2020 at the recommendation of my friend--and that I still hadn't played it... So I started it last week (finally!) and I'm now 20 hours deep and enjoying it very very much. It's so beautiful, even with its flaws. Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your love for games with us! You have made me excited to play games again. :)
I really loved Ni No Kuni when I played it. In the decade that has passed, and the more I’ve thought about it, I do think it’s one of my favorite JRPG’s of all time. I haven’t played the second one. I’m not sure why. Maybe it was the hearsay about the game. I really should give it a try sometime. Love your content!
Whenever I watch your videos, I immidiately have the urge to buy whatever game you present and want to play it. You are one of the very few TH-camrs I am actively looking the videos up and I also talk to friends about your content. ^-^ Gonna check if Ni no Kuni has gotten any more affordable for the Switch hopefully, haha.
The first game isn't discounted currently but regularly goes down to 10 USD (I don't know your region so YMMV). The 2nd game is currently 84% off. I track game discounts via a website (ntdeals) and mark the ones I want to keep an eye on. Once the price is reduced, I get a notification.
Ni no kuni 2 was the reason I bought a PS4 back in the day! I played both games and loved them, so was so excited when my fave gaming channel did a video about them! ;) I'd also love a Ni No Kuni 3, but I don't think it's very likely - they made a mobile game using the IP a few years ago that was an AFK auto-adventurer with a terrible UI and microtransactions galore [the true cynical cashgrab in my opinion!] - I'm not sure they have any plans to develop a sequel or port it to home consoles, which is a real shame as there's so much potential there & it's one of my fave jrpg franchises
Yes, Level-5 went downhill badly over recent years 😔, with "cash cow" mobile games and "media franchises". But .. I'm just a silly old woman who always looks for a silver lining. 😉 There's a good (very long!) blog article here about Level 5: gamingcanucksreviews.wordpress.com/2023/12/29/the-rise-and-fall-of-level-5/ Whether they will ever make a NNK 3 game .. it's unlikely, I know. But we might as well express how we feel about it. I've certainly seen stranger things happen in the game industry!
The reason you see so many mobile game mechanics in NNK2 was because Level 5 was testing the waters to see if an NNK mobile game would be successful. No studio Ghibli, no hand drawn animation, the story takes a backseat to everything else, real-world politics and terrorism sub plots... I was so disappointed. I too bought a PS4 just to play it (and Shenmue 3) but sold the game the minute I finished it.
I've played many jrpgs over recent months being new to the genre I wanted to try a little bit of everything. Final fantasy 7 Rebirth, Persona 5, Xenoblade 3, Ys 8, Atelier Ryza, Tales of Arise/Vesperia, Trials of Mana etc. Ni no kuni I was hands down the best introduction to the world across all the games that I've tried. Later on it has its problems but still it's a wonderful game (also Ghibli cinematics, omg!). Ni no kuni 2 is waiting for me too and I'm really excited to try it after I deal with FF 7 Rebirth. I'm so in love with jrpgs that on one hand I regret being so late to the party but on the other there's so many adventures awaiting me! Cheers!
You sound like a kid in a candy store - in the best way possible! 😀 That's exactly how I felt when I discovered JRPGs 10 years ago .. and I still feel the same way!
I almost feel that the title sells this video a bit short. This was a very informative and interesting critique/review/essay! I especially enjoyed your insights regarding the user interface design and mechanical nuances. It's also really cool to see how much you have advanced as a player. For me, I have just started connecting with slower games and rpgs recently after playing a few classics. When Ni No Kuni came out I was already a big Ghibli fan, but I never tried the game because it was outside my wheelhouse. Hearing your thoughts on it now though, I'm totally sold.
This was a great video, got quite nostalgic for the first Ni no Kuni (looking up on the collectors edition on my shelf). I should get the PS4 remastered version to play it again in the near future ^^
I agree that the combat in Ni No Kuni 1 was cumbersome. It got in the way of my appreciation of the game, especially when battles were getting harder and closer together. It's a game I found very charming, but was glad it was over when it was.
Yea, I hear that from a lot of people who loved the story and art and world .. but it does drag on at the end and many don't manage to finish it for that reason.
thanks for the discussion video on these games Britta. i played ni no kuni 1 and loved it but unfortunately i ended up putting the second game down and never finished it😔. I was liking it a lot until i got locked out of story progression at a certain point in the game. i might give it another go soon though its been years.
I remember spending a lot of time on ni no kuni 2. I did the 100% trophies. And the game provides more bosses after reaching that point. The time i spent to get all the characters for the kingdom was so tedious. Sometimes you had to fly over 5 places to get 1 guy. But it s awesome game and everyone should take the time to play it and do most of rhe tasks.
Wow I started playing Ni No Kuni for the 1st time a few days ago & it's such a magical game, still in Al mamoon desert but I love it so far 😁 Planning to get the 2nd game soon
These were such charming games. I remember hearing how much of a classic the first game was, enough to hunt down a brand new copy for myself on the PS3 (and later actually manage to pick up the EXTREMELY rare "Wizard's Companion" book brand new for an insane bargain), and played it for weeks blind. Yeah, it has some problems in terms of the gameplay structure, but it's presentation, story, voice acting, world, and the moment to moment gameplay kinda makes up for the shortcomings. Then, my favorite LPer decided to make an LP of the game and I watched that as well. It was such an amazing experience, and I may one day do a WCB runthrough (where I refer to the physical book for assistance rather than the in game one). The sequel, while the story wasn't AS good, perhaps had the better, more fun gameplay structure of the two (messy introductions to new mechanics aside), and I also spent a significant amount of time playing it and the subsequent DLC that later released. The Kingdom Building alone sunk so many hours until I got to the point where everything was maxed out and my coffers had peaked. The only thing I have left would be to finish the Solosseum. It was a game that stuck with me enough to revisit it from time to time and look at it with fondness any time it's mentioned. Even used the front cover of that game as a base for an art piece I made for a dumb (but sentimental) story I wrote for myself (the cover where Roland and Evan are looking over the cliffside at the Kingdom of Evermore). Incidentally, the same LPer I mentioned earlier would later decide to check this game out too right around the time of the new game's release and do a base-game playthrough just like before. Also, Evan is the BEST young king, and Roland is just amazing. I was kind of a fan of Level-5 back when I played Dark Cloud (which was also an excellent game), but after Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch and Revnant Kingdom, that appreciation solidified. I'd be super down for a NNKIII.
I have SUCH precious memories with the original. It was whimsy incarnate - and no slouch in battle to boot! I remember getting my butt handed to me much more than I expected back in the day. Ni no Kuni II has always sat in my Steam wishlist, and every year I'm like "this'll be the time that I buy it"...only for it to get waylaid yet again 😅 but I might just have to dive in soon. Could use a dose of that cozy magic.
NNK1 definitely had the Ghibli feel both aesthetically and in world design, story, etc. I loved it stylistically, with the in-game guide book and everything. It's not perfect, but I loved everything about it. NNK2 had the Ghibli look, but didn't capture the same feeling. I enjoyed elements of the gameplay and the city building, but I found the story overall to be weaker (you touched on that a bit briefly, I think) and the combat to be less interesting overall. The world design and art were still incredible, though, and the game felt packed with secrets, quests, and things to do. I definitely wouldn't call NNK2 a cash grab, but it did feel like it was lacking the heart and soul that NNK1 was overflowing with. On its own, NNK2 would have been quite a good game, but any sequel of a masterpiece always runs into the problem of being compared with its predecessor. I do hope we get a third game in the franchise. With how mechanically different the first two games were, they really could go anywhere with a sequel. Not sure if I'd want the creature collector gameplay of the first to come back, but I'd like something with that level of depth with character/party customization. I'd also love to see the kingdom building come back, but maybe this time with a bit of Dark Cloud influence.
Loved the first game I got the White witch edition which came with an amazing hardback book containing all the different monsters you could recruit. I started 2 on gamepass but didn't stick with it : (
Ni No Kuni is so good! I even bought them both again for the Steam Deck so I can play it on the go. I'd like my daughter to play them when she's old enough, it's a wonderful story
One of my favorite RPG/City Builder games was Dark Cloud 2. I enjoyed the original Dark Cloud as well, but Dark Cloud 2 was so great. Maybe this is a game I would enjoy as well!
You sound like a great match for NNK 2! Dark Cloud 2 is ofc a Level-5 game too. And if you love city building.. bingo. I'd say don't expect a fully fledged, intricate city builder. It's geared towards ease of use and efficient management, to fit in with all the other game aspects.
i was put off by the second entry at first. i powered through but still preferred ni no kuni 1. but when 2 was released on switch, i enjoyed a lot more the second playthrough. hope we get a third entry :)
Awesome video on the games Britta. I really love the stuff that comes with this box set. This box set destroys the American version. We have this 3d one you have to build that is a pain in the neck and why I do not like our version of this box set. I really need to give this game another chance. I was harsh on it for reasons looking back on it now I cannot remember. Games you sometimes put down you sometimes can go back to and have a different outcome and it ends up making it a real treat. I just know deep down going this route can venture my apatite for other games I put down and never get back to.
This is such an important point - going back to games and seeing them differently - which I try to discuss often, because people often don't give a game a second chance. Thank you, Forest!
NNK2 was a big let down for me from the original, but I know it has its fans out there and I'm glad people enjoy it. I will say the Kings Edition is a spectacular package and I am glad I imported it back then.
Playing the first one again, nearly finished it on PlayStation, but as i don't have a PlayStation now, i got it on PC. I never really got into part 2 though, remember selling it after some time. Wish i had the noce collector's addition of part 1
I got the American Collector's Edittion for $45 dollars, it was NEW but I will always envy de Europe Edition, I want that music box and that hard paste book T.T
I love both games. I got the collectors edition of the first game with the spellbook and a plush Drippy. I love NNK 2, as it's very nearly a Suikoden game in many way. I even found the DS version in Japan years ago for $10!!!!
I've bought both games on PlayStation. I bought the second game first and played it for quite a while but other games came out and distracted me and I haven't been able to get back to it yet. I haven't even started the first game yet and it must have been more than a year ago since I bought it.
@@Food4Dogs I was supposed to play it again at the beginning of this year, but then Persona 3 Reload and FFVII Rebirth came out so my hands were tied. 😂 I’m determined to get back to Ni No Kuni II this year.
I think I am experiencing JRPG burnout. :( I don't know when it began but I noticed I started to confuse memories of one game as coming from a different one or remembering the wrong plot or characters. Then it hit me, the problem I've noticed in the JRPG space is that there seems to be a weird state of wildly different game mechanics and systems that somehow all end up looking the same across different games. I don't know if I'm experienced fatigue with the J style of menus or animation cadence or chibi characters, etc... lately picking up a JRPG that I've been trying to finish feels more like a chore rather than something I look forward to. Maybe its time to take a break, but darn it the backlog keeps on growing and I'm unfortunately sensitive to FOMO.
I had a period like this too, it was strange because i normally love those type of games but i started to feel unhappy… or uninspired? For me it was as simple as taking a break from the genre and trying games I never would have engaged with prior (stuff like shooters, racing, and the dreaded online multiplayer even!), and this really helped. I know it’s sort of an obvious idea, but it really did help. No need to force it, sometimes a step back can make you find a new appreciation for those old favorites!
Yep, we can get burnout even with the best of genres. Definitely a break. 😄 I think Logan's suggestion is also a good one. I always vary my playing (that's "excuse-speak" for I'm a multi-game-hopper!) - I always have something like a visual novel or narrative/interactive adventure game on the go (Little Kitty atm on Xbox!); also dive into something very different like a Tomb Raider game or Hellblade ... it keeps me fresh and flexible.
@@Food4Dogs I've been looking forward to Hellblade 2 since I enjoyed the first one so much. Although, I must confess I'm a little worried it won't live up to the first one, keeping my fingers crossed.
Yes, there's a lot riding on that sequel. I'm hoping also for the sake of Ninja Theory that it will do well. I'm a big fan of their older games too: Heavenly Sword, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, DmC.
Someone can correct me if I am wrong. What I remember about this is that they didn't use Studio Ghibli for the second game which is the reason we got the artwork we did. The first game was done in full by studio ghibli but the second game they cut ties. If I remember correctly people were calling it a cash grab at the beginning because they basically cut ties with Ghibli and just tried to copy the artwork from the first game as best they could. I don't think it is a cash grab myself if indeed all that is true. They obviously put work into the game. IMO if they make a part 3 I really hope they go back to Studio Ghibli. They are just one of those companies you can't reproduce.
Hi Grawbad, yes, I will correct you. 😀 The first game was not "done in full by studio ghibli". Level-5 was the developer. Ghibli did design & animation work. So, very much a co-op team effort. Also, please realise that this was an extremely fortunate, 1-in-a-million conjunction of such cooperation between developer and movie maker. After that, Ghibli decided to re-focus completely on their movies; there were also management changes at the studio. Time moves on, conditions change. There was no "cutting of ties" for the second movie. That is sloppy reporting by too many people running so-called gaming news outlets. When I hear emotionally charged terms like "cash grab", I dig in and do my research. Thoroughly. The results are always fascinating and never as attention-seeking as some journos or social media mavens like to make it seem. As you say, it's obvious that a mountain of work was put into the second game, and as I see it the anime character models are excellent and in fact I'd argue that the animation is superior to the first game: it strikes me as smoother, more refined. I actually had a discussion about this topic, at length, on Twitter over the last 2 days (due to a post of mine about this video) - so I don't want to rehash everything I explained there. In brief about NNK 2: There was no "copying of artwork" from the first game for the second - yikes! In fact, Ghibli allotted key personnel to the development of the second game (Ghibli animator and character designer Yoshiyuki Momose, and composer Joe Hisaishi among them). It takes a determined 'blind eye' to overlook this fact! So, the original designer, Momose, did the character designs (I'm not sure about backgrounds, I have no clear info on that) for NNK 2. And worked on the animation! You can see how he obviously was able to refine his technique, working on a more powerful platform (PS4) now. To my eye, they achieved a 'look' for NNK 2 that was quite a bit different from the first, but still retained that core Ghibli-style anime look & feel. And to your final remark, about a possible NNK 3: I honestly don't think a co-op with Studio Ghibli is an option. I just can't see that happening. The stars are not aligned for that. I'm even doubtful we'll ever see a NNK 3 - I simply put it out there as a somewhat fanciful idea. Because we gamers do tend to dream! 😄
@@Food4Dogs Great reply. What is funny is, I also own the US collectors edition and have not played it.... I played the original on Playstation Now back before it turned into Playstation Plus which prompted me to buy the PS3 version. I preordered the PS4 collectors edition of 2 I have played it for what amounted to maybe 20 minutes and have not touched it since. Unlike you, I am not sure why I stopped playing it. Happens with me and games. I will get back around to it though for sure. I don't think we got that many goodies in our CE though. I will have to look. I think I remember a little plush and some form of magnetic device that rotates the characters around or something. EDIT: Okay, ours came in with a regular non steelbook. A chibi diorama that rotates but much different than yours. A papercraft stand up. Our artbook is softcover. A Lofty Plushie. A CD with music and a making of Ni No Kuni II disc.
@@Grawbad Oh, I don't have the CE for the first game (sadly) - I think there might be a plushy for Mr. Drippy there?? I really regret not having that. 😄 It's NNK 1 that you only played for 20 mins.? Yea, I've heard that from a few people, that they couldn't get into it, or found it unexpectedly grindy (which it is!). I tried to point out some of the things that I found not so good in the first game; and there are more than that. It's definitely not perfect. But if you can be comfortable with the combat system, I think it's a journey worth experiencing. I often get this "start a game and then suddenly quit" for no clear reason syndrome! 😁 I just give it time and go back another day/week/month/year.
@@Food4Dogs Oh actually, I played 1 all the way through. I meant to say I got the Collectors edition for 2 on PS4. I don't have the CE for 1. Just the standard one. Its part 2 I never played past 20 minutes or so.
Ni No Kuni was the reason I bought a ps3 at the time, but never got to finish it since my GF pretty much claimed it once she noticed the ghibli aesthethics… 😁
I loved Ni No Kuni 1, and I was so excited for the second came to come out. I was so disappointed with that game, I never finished. After the world map opens up and you have to do tower defense missions and the lack of familiars from the first game really put me out of it.
The NNK 2 edition is fantastic, in my country it just shipped with a CD with 4 tracks (with the Making of Blu-Ray), it was dissapointing and worst because it's difficult for us to buy the soundtrack physical in this regions. I share the feeling with the Chibi style, for me i felt like it was the Chibi Final Fantasy from 2014-2015 i think, World of Final Fantasy (?). It's weird because in NNK 1 even that the world textures were kinda blurry (for some people) it fit with the style (like watercolor's paint, beautiful) and in NNK 2 they put a lot of details on the world map that it feels outside the art style. The Higgledies are too much for me, i get it that the characters like The Minions are popular and this type of characters are like them but they are too much, they are pushing it little bit. NNK 2 feels that it has some things outside the art style and even it feels that it has thing that it just shoulnd't be there, and knowing that Ghibli didn't was in that game for me it makes sense that Ghibli in NNK 1 had more control. The Evermore Kingdom is really fun, having it portable on Switch is amazing too, and recently i had the idea because i played near the Switch screen that the problem with the Chibi maybe is because when they are Chibi they are not in cell shading style too. The best Mr Drippy comment ever :). I raise my hand for a NNK 3. Maybe after they develop Decapolice which it seems is the same team (i'm not really 100% sure), maybe the Mobile game gives them info that people wants it but we dont want a NNK like that Mobile game. The mechanic of restoring, it needed an auto pull if the player were at a certain distance and if in the last movement the enemy throw something needs to automatically give it to the player. Unfortunately in the Americas we don't have the Bandai Namco Epic (i think thats how is called), but when the game came out if you preordered they gave you a poster and a keychain of Lofty, and while supply last the Lofty keychain even if you didn't preordered the game, and the collectors was different, a plushy of Lofty (which it was obtainable via Bandai Epic), 3d paper display (of Evan with his crown, kinda like after his coronation), and in exchange of the Evan on his throne they put a Chibi diorama (more chibi). Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this games, the outro is full of truth, maybe some games are not for us in a moment in time but maybe later could be the specific moment to play it. *That little Totoro right there in the background :).
Thank you for your thoughts! Yes, I think you have a real point there: "that the problem with the Chibi maybe is because when they are Chibi they are not in cell shading style too." World of FF had chibi characters too, that's right. But I felt those were a) nicer looking and b) better integrated overall. That's a really nice game; maybe I'll be able to do a video on it one day. 😀 That little Totoro plush in the back, on top of the sofa, that's actually a purse (!) disguised as a plushie. 😁
@@Food4Dogs It was a purse?, wow, it looks like a plushie. World of FF is better integrated, the whole game is chibi, here it changes styles constantly, i would love to hear about it some day :) .
Welcome to my world of Ni no Kuni games! 😀
I have packed A Lot into this video - much discussion of features, the positives, the drawbacks etc.
PLEASE 🙏🏻 do watch the video before commenting! It really helps keep the discussion on point and relevant.
Thanks! 🌵
You're the best, thank you kindly for your videos.
Ni No Kuni is one of my favorite game series, it's lovely to see you talk about it! This video is gonna be such a treat
I first played Ni No Kuni back in 2020 when I was on baby leave smack dab in the middle of COVID. Playing that game really made me feel like I was a kid again in the best way. I absolutely fell in love with it, the music, the characters, the visuals, the gameplay. I played the second one not too long after and it also took me a bit to adjust to the chibi characters and the other gameplay differences but once I did, I also loved it. I especially loved the town building portions and the RTS battles. The towns and cities were also really well crafted and I ended up loving it almost just as much as the first. I'm so glad to find another person that loves these games as much as I did. I feel like Ni No Kuni doesn't get the respect it deserves from a lot of JRPG fans.
Thank you so much for talking about this games :). I just got the notification and im about to see it all.
Hope you enjoy! 👍🏻
Hey Britta thanks for this excellent discussion on Ni No Kuni. I also played it back when it came out on PS3. Your video has inspired me to purchase the remaster along with part 2, of which i will admit i have yet to play it! 😅
Excellent, pleased to hear it. 👍🏻
Awesome video. I will pull my copy out and play it tomorrow. Peace and blessings.
What a great in-depth review of one of my favourite JRPG series :) Thank you for for you videos, and keep on gaming
Ni no Kuni has been on my radar for a while, and hearing you talk about it has convinced me it’s time to set some time aside for it. I really appreciate your opinions on games and I can’t wait to dive in!
Another good, relaxing video! I don't normal consume this kind of content, but i find myself coming back to your channel from time to time cause its so relaxing. Just wanted to say thanks for sharing your thoughts (and pretty funny experiences) with us
I love Ni No Kuni so much! Thank you for talking about it Britta. Your videos are such a kind light
The first one is by far my fav game of all time! Drippy makes me laugh so much! Beautiful artwork, story and the game play gets you hooked! Love your channel! And your whole vibe! ❤
Im halfway in the video watching the art book, how is it possible that so many beautiful games exist!? And I didn’t know about this ones! I agree, this simply cannot be a cashback, not with that level of attention to detail
ye
Seeing you talk about my favorite game ever makes me so happy! This games ghibli charm really makes you fall in love with it ahaha
Thank you for reviewing one of my favorite games!!
Omg the intro music! I absolutely love the first game!
Also, WHATTTT how has it been 6 years since the 2nd game already!
Gamer time runs at double speed, I reckon! 😄
@@Food4Dogs Feels like triple lately!! 😂
Ni no Kuni came out during a very formative time, in my 20s. Happy to hear your thoughts about the game while unboxing these editions. Thanks for uploading! 😊
Thank you for talking Ni No Kuni II with us! :) I have just finished the game for the first time this week.
I was also put off at first by the chibis and higgledies which also took me a little time to get used to. But I'm glad I did, thoroughly enjoyed my experience in the end!
My wife and I love watching your videos. We played Ni no Kuni together and had a lot of fun.
I’m trying to go back and finally finish NNK 1 this year sometime over the next few months so stumbling across your video now has helped solidify that! Thanks Britta! Hope you’re doing well!
I love your channel so much. Don't stop making videos. I only played Ni No Kuni 1 and I really loved every minute invested.
Dammit, you're making me want to buy that special edition of Ni no Kuni 2 - as if I don't have enough on my wishlist!😆
But you also reminded me how good NnK1 was. Gonna have to listen to the OST again. Thanks for another wonderful video!
Hurray!! New video from Britta!!
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ I loved the first Kuni on my switch so im excited for this one.
(Off topic) i ordered my first Vita!! Your guides were VERY helpful in choosing the model/accessories.
Thank you for always making such great content for your fans!!
Oh, nice! Vita! ✨
Which model did you get?
I still have plans for making one or two more Vita videos.
@@Food4Dogs I wanted the OLED screen so got the 1000 (plus an extra charging cable). It only comes with an 8G card so i also got the SD2VITA adapter.
Excited to finally play Persona Golden and Ys Celceta! Game prices have been surprisingly reasonable so far.
Edit: Also got Dragons Crown? Id never heard of it but found a loose cart for $11. There are some cheap gems for the Vita.
@@OzymandiasWasRight Nice! The OLED is still my favourite.
Yes, prices for Vita games have been trending down and have stabilised.
Dragon's Crown (Vanillaware!) is beautiful on the Vita. It was a big favourite with VitaIslanders for a long time bc you could play online co-op.
Oh my golly gosh, this is one of my most beloved favourite games in my collection, I have the exact same collectors edition! 😊 ironically enough the soundtrack is what got me into listening to records again if only that soundtrack had more songs than just a couple, and it has one of my most favourite game characters ever, Drippy! this game got me through a bleak moment in my life, needless to say some of those story moments got me a bit misty eyed, but Drippy my goodness I never had such wholesome laughter with his antics, gosh this games awesome, studio Ghibli has a beautiful sense of Style and wholesomeness I love both titles because both have different gameplay mechanics, but I forever keep wishing there's a third part to the story, thankyou for your video hope you have a great day take care till the next one
I am yet to play this game. I bought my copy years ago for the PS3. I'll try & get around to playing it soon.
I had SUCH a similar experience as you did with this second game in the series! I never played the first for myself, having only watched someone else go through it, but after the second iteration was made available on the Xbox game pass for a short while, I thought I would try it out for myself. I had initially dropped the game not long after they introduced the little element creatures in combat, much like you did, and felt the same jarring response in seeing the contrast between these beautifully animated scenes and character models interact with the world of Ni no Kuni to the compressed, unnatural overworld view that moved sluggishly in comparison to the rest of the gameplay. It's so reassuring to know I wasn't alone in that aspect. While it was enough to turn me away from the game, I'm so glad you were able to come back to it eventually, push through some of the odd direction decisions, and thoroughly enjoy the story for yourself! I'm not sure if I'll be able to do the same, but hearing about your thoughts and experiences is everything I could have asked for!
Thank you!
Your content is lovely Britta! Wishing you the best, keep well ♥
Ni No Kuni is wonderful, the first game's story tore me to pieces, and the second game's gameplay and mechanics brought me so much joy and entertainment, I think both games can be perfectly enjoyed if you have tolerance for either the gameplay or the story (respectively), but with the 2nd game I was just in awe by how big the game was, how detailed, and how many systems were put in there (and they work well together!), they're both on my all-time favorite games, and the 2nd game doesn't get the love it deserves, so I'm glad you made this video!!
Thank you, xerosolar, those are very much my feelings too about both games.
Don't love that plastic dome, but the music box is very cute, a very cool idea for a collectors item. Lovely video💜
Thank you for talking about these games. They are just fantastic. Looks like I am going to need another play-through soon.
Hi, Britta! I discovered your channel through your collab video with Ircha Gaming, and I have been so happy to start going through your past videos and hear you talk about games! This video reminded me that I picked up a digital copy of Ni No Kuni I for my Nintendo Switch back in 2020 at the recommendation of my friend--and that I still hadn't played it... So I started it last week (finally!) and I'm now 20 hours deep and enjoying it very very much. It's so beautiful, even with its flaws. Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your love for games with us! You have made me excited to play games again. :)
Thank you, Izabella, and welcome. That's great to hear!
I really loved Ni No Kuni when I played it. In the decade that has passed, and the more I’ve thought about it, I do think it’s one of my favorite JRPG’s of all time.
I haven’t played the second one. I’m not sure why. Maybe it was the hearsay about the game. I really should give it a try sometime.
Love your content!
this was my favourite childhood game omgg !! also the artbook is so prettyy
Whenever I watch your videos, I immidiately have the urge to buy whatever game you present and want to play it. You are one of the very few TH-camrs I am actively looking the videos up and I also talk to friends about your content. ^-^
Gonna check if Ni no Kuni has gotten any more affordable for the Switch hopefully, haha.
The first game isn't discounted currently but regularly goes down to 10 USD (I don't know your region so YMMV).
The 2nd game is currently 84% off.
I track game discounts via a website (ntdeals) and mark the ones I want to keep an eye on. Once the price is reduced, I get a notification.
I am an 18 year old young person who who loves anime and video games and I respect you so much! Greetings from Australia 🇦🇺
Hello 🙋 and welcome!
Wow! what a great unboxing, i love your videos, you have a such a great taste in video games.
You have a beautiful mind and I love your voice so much!! I learned a lot about Ni no Kuni thanks to you!
I have been following you for years now. I love your channel so much.
I appreciate it, thank you.
Love this series, I still need finish Ni no Kuni II! Another amazing video from my favorite gamer!! 🤘
It's a shame I skipped over these when they came out, thanks for your review!
Ni no kuni 2 was the reason I bought a PS4 back in the day! I played both games and loved them, so was so excited when my fave gaming channel did a video about them! ;)
I'd also love a Ni No Kuni 3, but I don't think it's very likely - they made a mobile game using the IP a few years ago that was an AFK auto-adventurer with a terrible UI and microtransactions galore [the true cynical cashgrab in my opinion!] - I'm not sure they have any plans to develop a sequel or port it to home consoles, which is a real shame as there's so much potential there & it's one of my fave jrpg franchises
Yes, Level-5 went downhill badly over recent years 😔, with "cash cow" mobile games and "media franchises".
But .. I'm just a silly old woman who always looks for a silver lining. 😉
There's a good (very long!) blog article here about Level 5:
gamingcanucksreviews.wordpress.com/2023/12/29/the-rise-and-fall-of-level-5/
Whether they will ever make a NNK 3 game .. it's unlikely, I know. But we might as well express how we feel about it.
I've certainly seen stranger things happen in the game industry!
The reason you see so many mobile game mechanics in NNK2 was because Level 5 was testing the waters to see if an NNK mobile game would be successful. No studio Ghibli, no hand drawn animation, the story takes a backseat to everything else, real-world politics and terrorism sub plots... I was so disappointed. I too bought a PS4 just to play it (and Shenmue 3) but sold the game the minute I finished it.
Quit holding out on us Britta just kidding thankyou for your content I always enjoy it. Cheers from Las Vegas.
Your content is fantastic, please keep up the hard work!!
As someone working in print industry i can confirm that making such a book, is quite expensive.
I only play the first one and I love that game, thanks for the review, my respect
It looks like a very nice game I wouldn't have ever heard of otherwise! Thanks a lot for talking about it! :D
I was just about to order the first! This is perfect timing!
I've been thinking about trying this for a while! Thanks for the video!
Thank you for this video!! Great unboxing!!
I would like a third one. I like the town building mechanic. Still very new to JRPG's. Thank you for the video.
Dos juegos maravillosos, una experiencia inolvidable de juego
I've played many jrpgs over recent months being new to the genre I wanted to try a little bit of everything. Final fantasy 7 Rebirth, Persona 5, Xenoblade 3, Ys 8, Atelier Ryza, Tales of Arise/Vesperia, Trials of Mana etc. Ni no kuni I was hands down the best introduction to the world across all the games that I've tried. Later on it has its problems but still it's a wonderful game (also Ghibli cinematics, omg!). Ni no kuni 2 is waiting for me too and I'm really excited to try it after I deal with FF 7 Rebirth. I'm so in love with jrpgs that on one hand I regret being so late to the party but on the other there's so many adventures awaiting me! Cheers!
You sound like a kid in a candy store - in the best way possible! 😀
That's exactly how I felt when I discovered JRPGs 10 years ago .. and I still feel the same way!
Ni No Kuni is such a beautiful game. I’ve yet to play Ni No Kuni yet, but it’s one of those worlds I wished I could visit.
I almost feel that the title sells this video a bit short. This was a very informative and interesting critique/review/essay! I especially enjoyed your insights regarding the user interface design and mechanical nuances. It's also really cool to see how much you have advanced as a player.
For me, I have just started connecting with slower games and rpgs recently after playing a few classics. When Ni No Kuni came out I was already a big Ghibli fan, but I never tried the game because it was outside my wheelhouse. Hearing your thoughts on it now though, I'm totally sold.
I think the video title is just me ... I'm old-fashioned and have a horror of the click-baity titles I see a lot on TH-cam! 😄
@@Food4Dogs I respect your integrity!
I really enjoyed this! I really wish we got the kings edition in the US! I loved both games to death!
MY COMFORT TH-camR
I played Ni no Kuni on my PS3 i had so much fun. Great talk!
What a great set and i am so glad i have it for my collection ! Thanks
This was a great video, got quite nostalgic for the first Ni no Kuni (looking up on the collectors edition on my shelf). I should get the PS4 remastered version to play it again in the near future ^^
Found you from Ircha Gaming. Happy to have found your videos.
Thank you - and welcome. 🙋
I agree that the combat in Ni No Kuni 1 was cumbersome. It got in the way of my appreciation of the game, especially when battles were getting harder and closer together. It's a game I found very charming, but was glad it was over when it was.
Yea, I hear that from a lot of people who loved the story and art and world .. but it does drag on at the end and many don't manage to finish it for that reason.
thanks for the discussion video on these games Britta. i played ni no kuni 1 and loved it but unfortunately i ended up putting the second game down and never finished it😔. I was liking it a lot until i got locked out of story progression at a certain point in the game. i might give it another go soon though its been years.
Maybe check a guide to work out what caused the lock?
Sometimes stuff like that happens to me and it's just one thing I overlooked 😄
Loved the first game. Own the second on PS4 but not got around to playing it yet. Must do soon!
I remember spending a lot of time on ni no kuni 2. I did the 100% trophies. And the game provides more bosses after reaching that point. The time i spent to get all the characters for the kingdom was so tedious. Sometimes you had to fly over 5 places to get 1 guy. But it s awesome game and everyone should take the time to play it and do most of rhe tasks.
Thanks! Yea, I wondered about the amount of work involved in getting all the kingdom citizens - I'll have a crack at it! 😀
Loved this video. Thank you for your content!
not sure what this game is but glad to see more britta uploads in my recommended :)
Thank you for this video! I still have to give them a try on my Xbox (having only played the first game on DS in Japanese about ten years ago…)
I checked both on Xbox and they run very smoothly. Loading and saving times are a bit faster than on PS4.
Wow I started playing Ni No Kuni for the 1st time a few days ago & it's such a magical game, still in Al mamoon desert but I love it so far 😁
Planning to get the 2nd game soon
These were such charming games. I remember hearing how much of a classic the first game was, enough to hunt down a brand new copy for myself on the PS3 (and later actually manage to pick up the EXTREMELY rare "Wizard's Companion" book brand new for an insane bargain), and played it for weeks blind. Yeah, it has some problems in terms of the gameplay structure, but it's presentation, story, voice acting, world, and the moment to moment gameplay kinda makes up for the shortcomings. Then, my favorite LPer decided to make an LP of the game and I watched that as well. It was such an amazing experience, and I may one day do a WCB runthrough (where I refer to the physical book for assistance rather than the in game one).
The sequel, while the story wasn't AS good, perhaps had the better, more fun gameplay structure of the two (messy introductions to new mechanics aside), and I also spent a significant amount of time playing it and the subsequent DLC that later released. The Kingdom Building alone sunk so many hours until I got to the point where everything was maxed out and my coffers had peaked. The only thing I have left would be to finish the Solosseum. It was a game that stuck with me enough to revisit it from time to time and look at it with fondness any time it's mentioned. Even used the front cover of that game as a base for an art piece I made for a dumb (but sentimental) story I wrote for myself (the cover where Roland and Evan are looking over the cliffside at the Kingdom of Evermore). Incidentally, the same LPer I mentioned earlier would later decide to check this game out too right around the time of the new game's release and do a base-game playthrough just like before. Also, Evan is the BEST young king, and Roland is just amazing.
I was kind of a fan of Level-5 back when I played Dark Cloud (which was also an excellent game), but after Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch and Revnant Kingdom, that appreciation solidified. I'd be super down for a NNKIII.
OK, I won't tell you how much I envy you your copy of the Wizard's Companion! 😄😄
@@Food4Dogs I won't lie. I got really, REALLY lucky.
I have SUCH precious memories with the original. It was whimsy incarnate - and no slouch in battle to boot! I remember getting my butt handed to me much more than I expected back in the day. Ni no Kuni II has always sat in my Steam wishlist, and every year I'm like "this'll be the time that I buy it"...only for it to get waylaid yet again 😅 but I might just have to dive in soon. Could use a dose of that cozy magic.
Yep, NNK can be surprisingly tough - a lot of people look at the visuals and think "nice cozy easy game for kids" - classic mistake with JP games! 😄
NNK1 definitely had the Ghibli feel both aesthetically and in world design, story, etc. I loved it stylistically, with the in-game guide book and everything. It's not perfect, but I loved everything about it. NNK2 had the Ghibli look, but didn't capture the same feeling. I enjoyed elements of the gameplay and the city building, but I found the story overall to be weaker (you touched on that a bit briefly, I think) and the combat to be less interesting overall. The world design and art were still incredible, though, and the game felt packed with secrets, quests, and things to do.
I definitely wouldn't call NNK2 a cash grab, but it did feel like it was lacking the heart and soul that NNK1 was overflowing with. On its own, NNK2 would have been quite a good game, but any sequel of a masterpiece always runs into the problem of being compared with its predecessor. I do hope we get a third game in the franchise. With how mechanically different the first two games were, they really could go anywhere with a sequel. Not sure if I'd want the creature collector gameplay of the first to come back, but I'd like something with that level of depth with character/party customization. I'd also love to see the kingdom building come back, but maybe this time with a bit of Dark Cloud influence.
I’ve only played a few hours of the first game and oh I criiiiied sooo much. Such an amazing map theme song.
Wow, wished someone told me about the collector's edition. That music box looks so cool. Plus I have both game for my PS4.
Thanks again for your videos you always do such a great job 😀
Finished first part and second almost , after that I try ni no kuni 2 board game , those games are amazing , have a great day
Loved the first game I got the White witch edition which came with an amazing hardback book containing all the different monsters you could recruit. I started 2 on gamepass but didn't stick with it : (
I absolutely loved ni no kuni 2. What an amazing game
Ni No Kuni is so good! I even bought them both again for the Steam Deck so I can play it on the go. I'd like my daughter to play them when she's old enough, it's a wonderful story
Definitely a timeless classic, one to pass on to the next generation. 👍🏻
One of my favorite RPG/City Builder games was Dark Cloud 2. I enjoyed the original Dark Cloud as well, but Dark Cloud 2 was so great. Maybe this is a game I would enjoy as well!
You sound like a great match for NNK 2!
Dark Cloud 2 is ofc a Level-5 game too. And if you love city building.. bingo.
I'd say don't expect a fully fledged, intricate city builder.
It's geared towards ease of use and efficient management, to fit in with all the other game aspects.
Enjoy your videos. Keep up the awesome work! ❤
as someone who loved dark cloud growing up, I just had to check out ni no kuni II
i was put off by the second entry at first. i powered through but still preferred ni no kuni 1. but when 2 was released on switch, i enjoyed a lot more the second playthrough. hope we get a third entry :)
Awesome video on the games Britta. I really love the stuff that comes with this box set. This box set destroys the American version. We have this 3d one you have to build that is a pain in the neck and why I do not like our version of this box set. I really need to give this game another chance. I was harsh on it for reasons looking back on it now I cannot remember. Games you sometimes put down you sometimes can go back to and have a different outcome and it ends up making it a real treat. I just know deep down going this route can venture my apatite for other games I put down and never get back to.
This is such an important point - going back to games and seeing them differently - which I try to discuss often, because people often don't give a game a second chance.
Thank you, Forest!
NNK2 was a big let down for me from the original, but I know it has its fans out there and I'm glad people enjoy it.
I will say the Kings Edition is a spectacular package and I am glad I imported it back then.
Playing the first one again, nearly finished it on PlayStation, but as i don't have a PlayStation now, i got it on PC. I never really got into part 2 though, remember selling it after some time. Wish i had the noce collector's addition of part 1
Yea .. that CE for NNK 1 is super rare!
amazing video, thank you!
I got the American Collector's Edittion for $45 dollars, it was NEW but I will always envy de Europe Edition, I want that music box and that hard paste book T.T
I love both games. I got the collectors edition of the first game with the spellbook and a plush Drippy.
I love NNK 2, as it's very nearly a Suikoden game in many way. I even found the DS version in Japan years ago for $10!!!!
Oh 😲 that CE for NNK 1!
A plush Drippy sounds awesome too.
I adore the first game. It's truly a masterpiece.
amazing video !
15:37
Such a gamer thing to say lol
I feel the same way.
I've bought both games on PlayStation. I bought the second game first and played it for quite a while but other games came out and distracted me and I haven't been able to get back to it yet. I haven't even started the first game yet and it must have been more than a year ago since I bought it.
The problem is, since last year so many great new and remastered JRPGs keep being released - nobody can keep up with them!
@@Food4Dogs I was supposed to play it again at the beginning of this year, but then Persona 3 Reload and FFVII Rebirth came out so my hands were tied. 😂 I’m determined to get back to Ni No Kuni II this year.
I think I am experiencing JRPG burnout. :( I don't know when it began but I noticed I started to confuse memories of one game as coming from a different one or remembering the wrong plot or characters. Then it hit me, the problem I've noticed in the JRPG space is that there seems to be a weird state of wildly different game mechanics and systems that somehow all end up looking the same across different games. I don't know if I'm experienced fatigue with the J style of menus or animation cadence or chibi characters, etc... lately picking up a JRPG that I've been trying to finish feels more like a chore rather than something I look forward to. Maybe its time to take a break, but darn it the backlog keeps on growing and I'm unfortunately sensitive to FOMO.
I had a period like this too, it was strange because i normally love those type of games but i started to feel unhappy… or uninspired? For me it was as simple as taking a break from the genre and trying games I never would have engaged with prior (stuff like shooters, racing, and the dreaded online multiplayer even!), and this really helped. I know it’s sort of an obvious idea, but it really did help. No need to force it, sometimes a step back can make you find a new appreciation for those old favorites!
Yep, we can get burnout even with the best of genres. Definitely a break. 😄
I think Logan's suggestion is also a good one. I always vary my playing (that's "excuse-speak" for I'm a multi-game-hopper!) - I always have something like a visual novel or narrative/interactive adventure game on the go (Little Kitty atm on Xbox!); also dive into something very different like a Tomb Raider game or Hellblade ... it keeps me fresh and flexible.
@@Food4Dogs I've been looking forward to Hellblade 2 since I enjoyed the first one so much. Although, I must confess I'm a little worried it won't live up to the first one, keeping my fingers crossed.
Yes, there's a lot riding on that sequel. I'm hoping also for the sake of Ninja Theory that it will do well.
I'm a big fan of their older games too: Heavenly Sword, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, DmC.
@@Food4Dogs Enslaved is such an underrated gem.
Not gonna lie, been looking at that item sitting on my shelf for years and i completely forgot it was a music box 😂
Someone can correct me if I am wrong. What I remember about this is that they didn't use Studio Ghibli for the second game which is the reason we got the artwork we did.
The first game was done in full by studio ghibli but the second game they cut ties.
If I remember correctly people were calling it a cash grab at the beginning because they basically cut ties with Ghibli and just tried to copy the artwork from the first game as best they could.
I don't think it is a cash grab myself if indeed all that is true. They obviously put work into the game.
IMO if they make a part 3 I really hope they go back to Studio Ghibli. They are just one of those companies you can't reproduce.
Hi Grawbad,
yes, I will correct you. 😀
The first game was not "done in full by studio ghibli". Level-5 was the developer. Ghibli did design & animation work. So, very much a co-op team effort. Also, please realise that this was an extremely fortunate, 1-in-a-million conjunction of such cooperation between developer and movie maker.
After that, Ghibli decided to re-focus completely on their movies; there were also management changes at the studio. Time moves on, conditions change.
There was no "cutting of ties" for the second movie.
That is sloppy reporting by too many people running so-called gaming news outlets.
When I hear emotionally charged terms like "cash grab", I dig in and do my research. Thoroughly. The results are always fascinating and never as attention-seeking as some journos or social media mavens like to make it seem.
As you say, it's obvious that a mountain of work was put into the second game, and as I see it the anime character models are excellent and in fact I'd argue that the animation is superior to the first game: it strikes me as smoother, more refined.
I actually had a discussion about this topic, at length, on Twitter over the last 2 days (due to a post of mine about this video) - so I don't want to rehash everything I explained there.
In brief about NNK 2: There was no "copying of artwork" from the first game for the second - yikes!
In fact, Ghibli allotted key personnel to the development of the second game (Ghibli animator and character designer Yoshiyuki Momose, and composer Joe Hisaishi among them).
It takes a determined 'blind eye' to overlook this fact!
So, the original designer, Momose, did the character designs (I'm not sure about backgrounds, I have no clear info on that) for NNK 2. And worked on the animation! You can see how he obviously was able to refine his technique, working on a more powerful platform (PS4) now.
To my eye, they achieved a 'look' for NNK 2 that was quite a bit different from the first, but still retained that core Ghibli-style anime look & feel.
And to your final remark, about a possible NNK 3: I honestly don't think a co-op with Studio Ghibli is an option. I just can't see that happening. The stars are not aligned for that. I'm even doubtful we'll ever see a NNK 3 - I simply put it out there as a somewhat fanciful idea. Because we gamers do tend to dream! 😄
@@Food4Dogs Great reply. What is funny is, I also own the US collectors edition and have not played it....
I played the original on Playstation Now back before it turned into Playstation Plus which prompted me to buy the PS3 version. I preordered the PS4 collectors edition of 2 I have played it for what amounted to maybe 20 minutes and have not touched it since.
Unlike you, I am not sure why I stopped playing it. Happens with me and games. I will get back around to it though for sure. I don't think we got that many goodies in our CE though. I will have to look. I think I remember a little plush and some form of magnetic device that rotates the characters around or something.
EDIT: Okay, ours came in with a regular non steelbook. A chibi diorama that rotates but much different than yours. A papercraft stand up. Our artbook is softcover. A Lofty Plushie. A CD with music and a making of Ni No Kuni II disc.
@@Grawbad Oh, I don't have the CE for the first game (sadly) - I think there might be a plushy for Mr. Drippy there?? I really regret not having that. 😄
It's NNK 1 that you only played for 20 mins.?
Yea, I've heard that from a few people, that they couldn't get into it, or found it unexpectedly grindy (which it is!). I tried to point out some of the things that I found not so good in the first game; and there are more than that. It's definitely not perfect.
But if you can be comfortable with the combat system, I think it's a journey worth experiencing.
I often get this "start a game and then suddenly quit" for no clear reason syndrome! 😁
I just give it time and go back another day/week/month/year.
@@Food4Dogs Oh actually, I played 1 all the way through. I meant to say I got the Collectors edition for 2 on PS4. I don't have the CE for 1. Just the standard one. Its part 2 I never played past 20 minutes or so.
Ah, my misunderstanding.
Well, you saw my story: I waited 6 years and suddenly it was the right time for me to play 2. 😀
Ni No Kuni was the reason I bought a ps3 at the time, but never got to finish it since my GF pretty much claimed it once she noticed the ghibli aesthethics… 😁
I have the PS3 copy and I spent almost 100 hours platniuming the game
great stuff, I love this game❤
I loved Ni No Kuni 1, and I was so excited for the second came to come out.
I was so disappointed with that game, I never finished.
After the world map opens up and you have to do tower defense missions and the lack of familiars from the first game really put me out of it.
Yes, a lot of people felt like that.
oh god I want to play the original again now!!!
The NNK 2 edition is fantastic, in my country it just shipped with a CD with 4 tracks (with the Making of Blu-Ray), it was dissapointing and worst because it's difficult for us to buy the soundtrack physical in this regions.
I share the feeling with the Chibi style, for me i felt like it was the Chibi Final Fantasy from 2014-2015 i think, World of Final Fantasy (?).
It's weird because in NNK 1 even that the world textures were kinda blurry (for some people) it fit with the style (like watercolor's paint, beautiful) and in NNK 2 they put a lot of details on the world map that it feels outside the art style.
The Higgledies are too much for me, i get it that the characters like The Minions are popular and this type of characters are like them but they are too much, they are pushing it little bit.
NNK 2 feels that it has some things outside the art style and even it feels that it has thing that it just shoulnd't be there, and knowing that Ghibli didn't was in that game for me it makes sense that Ghibli in NNK 1 had more control.
The Evermore Kingdom is really fun, having it portable on Switch is amazing too, and recently i had the idea because i played near the Switch screen that the problem with the Chibi maybe is because when they are Chibi they are not in cell shading style too.
The best Mr Drippy comment ever :).
I raise my hand for a NNK 3. Maybe after they develop Decapolice which it seems is the same team (i'm not really 100% sure), maybe the Mobile game gives them info that people wants it but we dont want a NNK like that Mobile game.
The mechanic of restoring, it needed an auto pull if the player were at a certain distance and if in the last movement the enemy throw something needs to automatically give it to the player.
Unfortunately in the Americas we don't have the Bandai Namco Epic (i think thats how is called), but when the game came out if you preordered they gave you a poster and a keychain of Lofty, and while supply last the Lofty keychain even if you didn't preordered the game, and the collectors was different, a plushy of Lofty (which it was obtainable via Bandai Epic), 3d paper display (of Evan with his crown, kinda like after his coronation), and in exchange of the Evan on his throne they put a Chibi diorama (more chibi).
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this games, the outro is full of truth, maybe some games are not for us in a moment in time but maybe later could be the specific moment to play it.
*That little Totoro right there in the background :).
Thank you for your thoughts!
Yes, I think you have a real point there: "that the problem with the Chibi maybe is because when they are Chibi they are not in cell shading style too."
World of FF had chibi characters too, that's right. But I felt those were a) nicer looking and b) better integrated overall. That's a really nice game; maybe I'll be able to do a video on it one day. 😀
That little Totoro plush in the back, on top of the sofa, that's actually a purse (!) disguised as a plushie. 😁
@@Food4Dogs It was a purse?, wow, it looks like a plushie.
World of FF is better integrated, the whole game is chibi, here it changes styles constantly, i would love to hear about it some day :) .
I love the 2nd game. It would be the perfect JRPG for me if it didn't have the skirmish battles.
They are a bit tedious, eh?
I try to get through them as fast as possible, once I'm levelled up enough to do them without being wiped out!