Good solid Japanese RPG KOST

After, at least for me, boundless disappointment with the Final Fantasy parts 13 and 13-2 on the PS3, I had a long time no more desire a Nippon-RPG to throw in the PS3 console, especially since I am the unofficial successor to Final Fantasy 12 again took on the XBOX360 with Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey. These were the former chief developer Hironobu Sakaguchi and the sound designer Nobou Uematsu, originally to part 12 appeared responsible for the Final Fantasy series, exclusively developed for the XBOX360, after from Squaresoft, Square Enix, and you then went to part 12 separate ways ,

However, what was provided here by the studio Level-5 with the characters Studio Ghibli on its feet, reminded me very much of Dark Chronicle on the PS2. What is not surprising, Level-5 was responsible even for this game. Everything you story-wise, combative experience in Ni No Kuni, and the many tasks that we must deny is not very innovative, give together but a very coherent picture from because we all somehow, in one form or another, already at has had other games, and I do not mean negative. But on the contrary. Each of Dark Chronicle and Dragon Quest, or has even played Pokemon is here in "the other world", which as Ni No Kuni's Japanese feel so much at home immediately.

Even if you have only seen the animated series Heidi, you will immediately see a connection, as screenwriter and director of the series, later founded Studio Ghibli showing here in charge of the wonderful hand-drawn scenarios.

You can play Ni No Kuni with English or Japanese voice. Nippon fans will probably prefer the Japanese original. For all other which are undecided, try both versions once and then decide. I for myself have chosen the English language edition, because they are not so overexcited struck me and I possessing despite German subtitle, but at least on an English basic knowledge, me in cutscenes longer had to concentrate on the image, as the subtitle. But everybody has to decide for himself. Language can also be changed at any time on the title screen.

About the story only this: There is a boy named Oliver, who loses his mother. By crying to the painful loss, dropping a tear on his stuffed animal, which is then brought to life. It leads him to "another world" of fantasy in which it is of every man in his real world a soul mate. No doppelganger in the strict sense, but a spiritual, mental Gemini, in esoteric or religious sense "soul mate". In this unreal world he hopes his mother recover to save them before entgültigem loss, and must then go through on the way many adventures, culminating to liberate individual kingdoms from the possession of "evil". Nothing is as it seems and looks can be deceiving sometimes. Good and evil are not just black / white represented, but also by the many shades of gray in between.

The Cell Shading graphics is fantastic and makes the hand drawing the studio Ghibli recognize. Lots of different venues, locations and dungeons offer a lot of variety and an infinite attention to detail, which I held for a game which in the Cell Shading graphical style, would not have thought possible. Every step you make on the world map, this can be bigger and discover new secrets and places from which can be accessed right at the beginning but not all.

Oliver does not have to undertake alone his journey. In the beginning it still accompanies his stuffed animal, which has been transformed by the elapsed tear, in an elf whose striking character probably the male figure Enge Bung, a big mouth, as well as a striking big nose, which was pierced with a lantern is. He gives tips (like it or not) and sometimes helps in fighting when the situation appears hopeless just once again. He will not be the only accompaniment. Throughout history more and more fellow journeymen which will have all their skills, as well as special quirks.

In the ongoing story Oliver learned a lot of useful spells, such as the magic portal, allowing it to switch between the fantasy world and the real world. This is also necessary because some tasks must be performed in only one, or others, in both worlds.

With one of the most interesting aspects of the game, as well as the fighting is that you can not deny myself the most disputes, but it can be run by converted opponents. There are hundreds of types of enemies that you defeat and can take for themselves (with a special magic). These so-called confidante (and here we are now at the Pokemon`s) are farmed.

Depending on what you give them to eat, or how often they are involved in struggles, these confidants can go through 2 stages of development, of which the Level 3 is the highest. In the first development stage, you can decide in 2 directions, whereas the confidante to develop. Each of these little guys has a basic ability, such as healing or elemental spells like fire, as well as the cause of status / state changes. One can each Party member, take three confidants in his campaign team, and should have, put from the outset, on a balanced mix of these fellows. For example, when 3 party members, so have a total of 9 confidante, it of course makes no sense if they have mastered all the element of ice, and an example a polar bear faces at once, which is immune to ice.

So it will be well thought out, you do what enemy to his confidant, and wants to develop accordingly. This, however, reads everything harder than it is, because you can supernumerary, or "useless" has become familiar in a kind of home under a "manhole cover" who calls himself a loophole cover service deposit, (total 400). It would therefore be to the 200 different types of monsters, which you can transform once (1-th transformation) in two different ways (considering the number of 400 monsters to landfills, taking a completion basis). Alone with the farms of 200 different Monster / enemy types, hundreds of hours could be spent. Except, of course, the bosses, but which can be after the first play of the game all again fight, but this time in a stronger form. With what I have already expressed myself about the repeated and further play value of the Games.

Must deny the struggles the Oliver during his adventure take place in real time, which, however, after each action, it was physical (battle bat), as well as a spiritual nature (magic) again must fill a loading bar to perform the next action can , This gameplay, which is already in other RPGs (eg Final Fantasy 8) with the ATB: describing Active Time Battle system, which unlike the CTB: lets Combat Time Battle, a no time to rest between the individual actions, as well as the all opponents are clearly visible and thus it can not be random battles, let a certain amount of strategy. Red, as blue light beads loses the enemy in combat can be collected, and thus fill the life and mana supply. Rarely can the enemy fall a golden beads, which you collect when desselbigen, can launch a special attack. Even the start of the fight, if you, for example, an enemy attacking from the rear, offers the advantage of a first strike. It can also run the other way around, because the opponents are not blind and run a happy times afterward, where they occasionally the worst of it. The magic learned Oliver mostly by fulfilling special tasks, or special end or intermediate opponent defeated and their magic takes over. Here the concept of action, but round-based role-playing game is a complete success. The possibility later in the game to be able to buy magic, I leave time on the sidelines.

Shortcomings:

- A sometimes suboptimal set camera angle and you can hardly influence the actions of his colleagues. So it may be that, wasted a fellow his mana at the beginning of the fight, where it is not needed by senseless combat or healing attacks, then the end of the fight back, to heal the companion, or fight the enemy is missing , Here help only two things: a good attitude of the Companions, with the assignment of the right 3 confidant and driving lots of healing and mana items. While you can change the struggle between the combatants, and thus determine who you want to lead themselves, although you then still his AI partner act that alone, and that is not just smart, but often counterproductive. Fighters go to the bottom, are left after the battle alive again, but with the life bar 1. At least you would need only healing potions and not precious lives Revival items consume.

- Lack of basic innovations. All you need to complete major and minor tasks, as well as in the various mini-games here, you sat through, or in similar form in other games. It sometimes seems that one has to rausgepickt some content appropriate concepts in other games in order to then in this game back together into a larger whole. This is almost without exception, well done, but makes its own line and also lack of courage to be creative miss.

This is, however, complain at very high levels, but does not remain hidden to the attentive observer.

Furthermore, as well as shields, chains, rings and talismans can the main protagonist, as well as his companions in arms, are fitted, the vebessern the status values, make immune to status changes, as well as to reduce hazards, or those inflicting the enemy. These can be found either, capture in battle, and if you want, for example, have a very high-quality weapon or armor item, be enhanced by alchemy. Ingredients for alchemical processes are found, purchased, or conquered by enemies or stolen. Formulas for implementation (recipes) can be randomly try myself together, but which is rarely successful. Better to find, or get them as a reward for the performance of certain contracts. In order to use certain formulas, a certain level is usually necessary. It's the same with the spells. One can have a magic, but that is far from that you can also use it.

The towns and villages are the setting forth all fundamentally different, as are the different regions or kingdoms in the world. With the population can communicate what one often brings a side job. Shops for weapons, spells, items and orders, as well as the hostel, which invites you to refresh the life and mana bar by night and for storage, let a frequently visit these food items in the world map. Weapons and armor you need seldom shopping, as opposed to life-sustaining items for yourself, and the treats to farms which one of his confidants needs and help you reach a higher stage of development.

There are job shops where besides the main missions, lots of side quests on the billboard waiting for a. In particular, the Monster hunts are mentioned. It is believed one or more jobs, receive the necessary information about it, only to embark on the hunt. Depending on progress, jobs and hunts are supplemented and take course on difficulty. Simply, it makes a world map, which can also display a map a field section, where you can then find an example to jagendes Monster red ON, and paths and obstacles appear. The field map section can a find treasures also later in the Games, when one has the right magic. These can occasionally discover randomly.

A special side quest, which also the only really new innovation, or shall we say rather new idea (as it on basic game or even martial principle does not change) in this game is, in particular showing the emotional depth that wants to develop the game, and this also achieved in some respects. The collection of emotions in residents who have those too eg enthusiasm, joy, love, etc. (total of 6), then to distribute them to people, which one of these emotions has been lost, makes a change. However, these side task seems a little put on, but integrated into the overall event with a, and so brings some nice reward with it.

The menu is kept simple and uncluttered. They have insight into the magical companion, a cauldron for Alchemy, a diary, which can look again a past experiences and important conversations, as well as the information on the order situation. Furthermore there is the speaking stone, which holds about dangerous places, as well as a progress report and a few other things ready, like the viewable tutorial, if you do see one difficulty with the operation and game mechanics. The never full bag of items, weapons and equipment held as of course the pharming and settings menu you will also find. Here also can be put together the party members, with their corresponding three confidants. All this may now happen a lot, but kept relatively intuitive, so that you need only a fairly short period of familiarization, and then cope with it as a matter of course.

The control of the main protagonists goes smoothly by hand. However, the members of the Party Group members appear only in battle mode on the screen. Weapons, as well as special equipment will be visually represented.

Here, as in other RPGs, there are spells that are effective dauersam (eg physical recovery while hiking), or that can be eingsetzt in combat (eg wind), and can be distinguished mainly in offensive and defensive spells. There are hardly any differences to the similarly mounted games, except that one has some spells that have not yet occurred in other games with me, such as the bridge spell that can cross a well insurmountable canyons.

Saving is possible not only in the hostels of the city, but also on the world map at any time, and in the dungeons of certain stones. Here the stones are set never unfair. Whenever it is necessary to defeat a boss enemy, a storage block which does not leave a lot of unnecessary trips run repeatedly is previously also mostly in the vicinity.

This can be improved with alchemy weapons and armor items I mentioned. However, one can produce a lot more such as special treats for our intimates that allow them to collect more quickly experience. Since the whole thing is very extensive, but I'm not going react to this, because we now come to an elementary part of the game.

The most important and most useful means in the whole game is the magic companion. It is an extensive book where all the monsters listed, the areas with their dangers, alchemy formulas, everything about Monster farms and much more information. If you no longer really comes once in this game, this book is very helpful, and will make you good service often. It also includes maps, descriptions of cities, hazards, items, orders, side missions, information about monsters, etc. Imgrunde it is taken the strategy guide of Ni no Kuni, which leaves no questions unanswered, just as a virtual output. Frequent use makes the handling of it easier, as well as the whole game.

I would like to briefly on the many side games that are not now directly to the principal or secondary tasks. You can visit a casino where slot machines, blackjack and invite you to a short-wave game and raise up with a little luck even rare items. There is also a specific game card game, which one can deny. However, the rules are complex, so that you here in order to win, but a little exercise or training period required. Also there is a battle arena where you can compete with opponents to win some rare prizes. Here, of course, also increase the enemy types, or it can be imposed on a certain handicap's. Accordingly, the rewards are even more valuable. A theater where you feel later in the game that can view already made cutscenes, of course not missing. This seems to me also, from any of the Final Fantasy parts, sound familiar?

As with most Japanese RPGs, are one after some time different locomotion options (ship, kites, etc.) available.

a.) to make the way much shorter and faster

b.) can reach a places that you could not enter before

The possibility to be beamed in certain places, to another location, was not wasted.

The replayability or further play value of this game after seeing the guy is extremely high as some places, as well as secrets, only after the first play through is available. For Trophy hunters who bring a little patience, the platinum trophy is not impossible, and can also be reached by "normal gamers".

Conclusion:

All in all, a great Japanese role-playing game, which is able with a well thought out story that keeps some twists and surprises to convince. A deep emotional diversity, as well as the unique multi-faceted character drawings can touch a heart. The Cell Shading artwork is for the scope of the game more than adequate and the soundscape, as well as the picturesque Orchestral Symphony background music know all the games staged to emphasize so that, at least for me, this game has become a unique, but also zwiespältigem experience.

I can not really compare with Dark Chronicle, to which I at the comments link for a review of this game have set down, which unlike Dragon Quest, also was able to produce this playful and emotional variety. The old PS1 Final Fantasy parts I refer to the comparison with an as playful, graphically, as well as storytelling made some significant differences. At other times one falls some Paralell to Final Fantasy, immediately to mind. Of course, only if you should have these also played.

Nevertheless, whoever Dragon Quest, Dark Chronicle (Dark Cloud 2), the Tales of series, but also the old Final Fantasy is one part to his favorites, is the place to be. You get a action / turn-based role-playing game Nippon, which on the PS3 is at least unique in terms of the scope and variety. Even if one focuses only on the main quests 70 hours of play time are at least required. However, I am also the gamers group, which can be the gaming time and sometimes in between, while the game clock ticks on what food or other activity that is at the moment of higher priority to pursue. Therefore, these 70 hours not determined by me net worth.

It will, however, have it in some boss enemies difficult, you should really only follow the main story, so that a degree of level up of individual combatants is also needed here. At least if you do not want to often bite the dust.

With this review, I do not claim to be exhaustive. Because this game is so extensive, and the story very complex, and I would have otherwise could write many, many pages. Even the story content I did not want to reveal too much, since one finds him under the product description, as well as in individual reviews. But did not want to run the risk of spoiling too much.

At the current ex-factory price, for every Japanese-roleplayers and for gamers who want to have more than 100 hours of gameplay, compulsory purchase. But even those who previously faced this genre skeptical can access, because, although the game is very Japanese, but not the anime / manga style a'la Dragon Ball Z (Akira Toryama) etc. mimics or resembles. Furthermore, it is also not too childish, like Blue Dragon (XBOX360), or pathetic as Eternal Sonata failed. In his own way, it is unique, although one can draw many RPGs from Japan parallels playful, as well as the staging ago.

Unfortunately, it does not reach the technical and historical maturity of a role-playing game of the quality of Lost Odyssey (XBOX360), which significantly more aimed at the adult gamer. However, since the rating is not a criterion for the assessment, I give the game the full number of points, at least in the area of ​​gameplay.

Since there throughout gameplay such as deficiencies in Kamfsystem, and basic rights like innovations missing, it remains in the overall standings with 4 points with a big plus. 5 points would have provided a degree of perfection and innovation. Everyone who now would like to raise an objection, I ask it again very objectively consider whether there is not still a little room for improvement was in some areas of the gameplay,! As a comparison, I pulled up Dark Chronicle, which came through a number of innovations, such as the construction of cities and villages, what was new in the RPG genre, and even there the very idea of ​​multiple worlds in the form of leaps in time to contribute. Furthermore, the inventor issue of Dark Chronicle has been only slightly modified, in which one is moved into the alchemical sector. And this game was released on the PS2, and with a still very respectable graphics.

During gameplay, it definitely remains at 5 points also because the PS3 is not just blessed with good turn-based (albeit with Action percentage) RPGs, it remains in this vote.

Most likely is still the Tales of series in question, and after that it is already thin. The studio, Hyperdimension and Final Fantasy series (at least on the PS3), unfortunately, play one or two leagues from this game. Especially in Final Fantasy I'm the really hurt, as only the good name is a mess in the end, and you try to dazzle the player with a super graphics.

We hope that there is still game developers like Level-5, who can work independently, and will continue to provide us with such games as beads Ni no Kuni. That is the demand there is indeed confirmed by the fact that there are now a Essential Edition.

But the recovery or further play value of this game, makes all the little flaws that you could complain at extremely high levels, with a mop wet again.

Therefore I so a very strong buy recommendation !!!

PS

Looking forward to your feedback, and everyone who has taken the time to read this rather detailed review. So if I could achieve no gain in knowledge with you, I hope you still have at least entertained.

Images or Screenshoots to the product reviewed here by myself, are looking at the published customer images!

Otherwise GOOD GAMING !!!