The PS3 version of Ni no Kuni will come to the West in 2013, but there was also a very impressive DS game released in Japan in 2010. RPG Land gives it a "Great" rating, saying:
"Ni no Kuni is what happens when ordinary and simple pieces are put together by skilled people in wonderful ways. Ni no Kuni doesn’t dazzle with arcane mechanics, complicated story twists, tortured characters, or highly detailed polygons; it sticks to simplicity, and does that better than almost any other game on the market right now. It has a few flaws, and doesn’t stretch its wings and capitalize on some of its unique potential, but those flaws do not add up to anything that could drive people away from the game altogether."
Dear Ni No Kuni, please be good.
I’ve watched gameplay videos and mumbled my way through development diaries. I’ve poured over previews and whistled your theme tune. I’ve looked at scans of your reviews in Japanese magazines and marked your release date on my calendar. I’ve got one of your screenshots set as my wallpaper. I’ve done my part, now it’s up to you. All you have to do is be good. Really good.
[Richard Murphy, Thunderbolt]
I seriously hope gamers go out and buy this game, they have no idea how much supporting Ni No Kuni would mean for the industry. Level 5 hardly makes console games anymore and the Japanese are shying away from JRPGs on consoles like Ni No Kuni, so buying this game would help keep Level 5 making console games and show other developers that JRPGs can still be successful in today's market
This guy will be disappointed. No game can live up to your expectations when you to set the bar that high. Well, very few atleast.
Gematsu: "Level-5 has put out two all-new, 15-second commercials for Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch. It’s being prepared for a November 23 release on PlayStation 3 in Japan."
So according to this advert, you have to be a 6yr old girl to play this game.
Not really a good start to an advertising campaign.
Gematsu: "2-minute cutscene clips? Ha! Try 8-minute gameplay videos. Level-5 released four new videos of Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch tonight, showcasing a total of 22-minutes’ worth of direct-feed footage."
We missed out on a gem here. :(
Thank goodness we're getting the PS3 game in English, at least.