Before you read, it must be known that I am a huge JRPG fan and have been for decades (before it was called JRPG and games like this were just referred to as RPGs).
Ni No Kuni is an experience that should not be ignored. If you like RPGs, you will love this. My first reaction to the game, way back when it was teased, was awe. Studio Ghibli and Level 5 means quality. I was reminded of the PS2 gem: Dragon Quest VIII (also of Level 5).
BATTLE SYSTEM
One of the first reviews I read (one of the few negative ones)claimed that there was a problem with the battle system. Rest assured, the battle system is excellent. It is a hybrid of Chrono Trigger, Dragon Quest, and Real Time. Level 5 is able to pull all of this together brilliantly as you are able to move around during combat. You can avoid attacks while your meter fills up so that you may attack, defend, cast spells, use items, call on your familiar, or run away.
I find the run away option useful only if I am in a terrible bind (ie no MP, no food, low HP), and even then you might be able to get healed during battle. Further, the battle system allows you to control your familiar (which is part of your soul) and have them attack through a variety of attacks.
The only annoying thing is that Oliver's Victory animation is ALWAYS the same...
STORY
The story starts off well and allows you to familiarize yourself with the controls. Luckily, you can skip parts that seem tedious. Once you enter the "Another World" you are treated to visuals only found in today's top AAA games. And what a stunning world it is! I wished to walk around and engage in combat regularly. The benefit is that you level up quickly at first (and so does your familiar.) Your sidekick/ advisor, Mr. Drippy is a hilarious character. (He calls you "cry baby bunting" then when you shout that your name is "Oliver, Ol-iv-er!" He states, "Guess the cry baby part was right." But with a Scottish accent, hysterical.
OVERALL
The presentation and all that is included will guarantee that I will be coming back to this game again and again. This is certainly one of the best games released within the past 12 months (I can hardly say "this year" as it is only January). While the story isn't as gripping as the Walking Dead, it has moments that bring you into Oliver's World. It is E 10+ so don't expect romantic sexual encounters found in other RPGs of this era, but that is okay with me, sometimes they are not needed.
Matt from We Game Daily writes: "Cross Worlds isn’t going away. It’s making a small fortune, particularly in Asian markets, so there’s no reason for Level-5 to pull the plug. That said, there’s no real reason why a full PC/console sequel can’t be developed alongside efforts to support Cross Worlds."
While Ni no Kuni 3 would be cool, if it was like the first game, where is Dark Cloud 3 and Rogue Galaxy 2?
They should've worked with Ghibli to put out a proper movie. Should've also made a Pokemon-esque spin-off rather than make Yokai Watch. If they do make a third game they gotta work with Ghibli!
Get ready to embark on a journey filled with monsters, magic, and overpowered haircuts, because this list features the best JRPGs on the PS3.
There wasn't that many. Thanks to the west's criticism. It was definitely lacking compared to every other ps system. Dont get me wrong there were a few good ones i know that.
Only gripe I have with Ar Tonelico 3 is that Saki is annoying as hell whether English or in Japanese. Then Saki's English voice actor became Ionasal on Ar Nosurge she was a little annoying but not as bad. Johnny Young Bosch voicing Tatsumi I thought he did a great job. And Akiko Shikata with her vocals and the music from the games just went hand and hand.
Twinfinite: "During the PS3’s tenure, plenty of huge games launched, but the interesting thing is, many of the system’s rarer titles are largely not amazing games. Sure, there are one or two exceptions to that rule (I’m looking at you Ni No Kuni!), but many of the more desirable and valuable games in the PS3’s library are usually rare for a reason."
Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Sold my Painkiller for around £3 years ago and my Asuras Wrath for even less. Managed to pick up Lollipop Chainsaw and Splatterhouse again but they cost me a fair bit more than I initially paid on release when I first bought them.
Wish I bought Godzilla, the number of times I saw it in the game store for the price of a coffee and didn't bother.
i own nba, lolipop and nino kuni. never heard of the rest tbf xD surprised they are worth that much, for what they actually are.
Getting a valuable game is all luck.. I had three of these. Africa is one that people might have seen coming, but otherslike Ni No Kuni wouldn't have been.
My most valuable game I remember owning was Conkers Bad Fur Day. When the game was being re-released on Xbox (remake/ upgrade if you will), the price dropped dramatically. Once the game released and the changes were seen, the value went back up. Then it was released on Rare Replay and value dropped again. 2020 hit and all collectables shot up along with Conker. Before stopping around $110 which it currently is.
Games change all the time because their digital media that can be reproduced even in weird contract bindings (GoldenEye as an example). One day it can be worth $300 and the next $150. The shrink wrapped items in mint condition cannot be reproduced.. but that takes strength to spend, not open, and hope its worth something.
As a JRPG fan, I am loving the game it is completely amazing and really is the full package you look for in a video game.
How is the plot? Good twists etc?
This game has gotten rave reviews, I'm really looking forward to playing it.
another goty contender for ps3
must buy
thanks for a spoiler free short review. . I'll give the game a go :)