Ni no Kuni™ II: Revenant Kingdom
" Enchanting adventure RPG with beautiful art and fast combat but a bland story and tedious quests "
Ni no Kuni™ II: Revenant Kingdom Review
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom offers a charming JRPG experience with a beautiful art style reminiscent of a Studio Ghibli film and an engaging real-time combat system. Players appreciate the colorful world, lovable characters, and the sense of adventure and magic throughout the game. The kingdom-building mechanics add a unique layer, although opinions vary on its execution.
However, the game is not without flaws. Some players find the story bland and predictable compared to its predecessor, and the side quests often feel repetitive and tedious. Inventory management is overwhelming due to the abundance of items, and certain gameplay systems like crafting and spell enhancement can be frustrating. Technical issues such as rendering bugs and AI quirks have also been noted. Despite these criticisms, many find the game enjoyable and recommend it especially for fans of Level 5's previous titles and JRPG newcomers.
Highlights
Players praise the stunning graphics and art style that evoke a magical, storybook atmosphere. The combat system is described as fast-paced, fun, and satisfying, with engaging real-time mechanics. The world-building and exploration offer a cozy, immersive experience reminiscent of classic JRPGs. Additionally, the music and soundtrack complement the game's vibe well, enhancing the emotional and whimsical tone. The kingdom management and side activities provide additional depth and variety for those invested in the gameplay loop.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include a bland and predictable storyline that fails to captivate as strongly as the original Ni no Kuni. The side quests are often tedious fetch tasks that detract from the pacing. Inventory and crafting systems are cumbersome, with too many items causing confusion. Technical issues such as rendering bugs in dungeons and AI behavior problems during combat frustrate players. The kingdom-building mechanics can feel like a chore and sometimes disrupt the flow of the main gameplay. Lastly, some find the soundtrack repetitive and overused.
Pros
- • Beautiful, Studio Ghibli-inspired art style creates a magical atmosphere.
- • Engaging, fast-paced real-time combat system is fun and satisfying.
- • Immersive world-building and exploration evoke nostalgic JRPG feelings.
- • Lovable characters and charming storybook presentation enhance experience.
- • Kingdom management adds unique gameplay depth and variety.
- • Soundtrack complements the whimsical and emotional tone effectively.
- • Grinding and mini-games provide enjoyable side activities.
Cons
- • Storyline is bland, predictable, and less engaging than the original.
- • Side quests are repetitive fetch tasks that feel tedious and padded.
- • Inventory management is overwhelming due to excessive, confusing items.
- • Crafting and spell enhancement systems are frustrating and unintuitive.
- • Rendering bugs in dungeons can trap players with no fix options.
- • AI sometimes mismanages mana, causing issues during critical fights.
- • Kingdom-building mechanics can feel like a chore and disrupt pacing.
Rating Criteria
Join the young king Evan as he sets out on an epic quest to found a new kingdom and, with the help of some new friends, unite his world, saving its people from a terrible evil.
