Whimsical, heartfelt, and visually comforting--these are the means in which I draw my first experience with the and so-PS3 exclusive Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch. It has the RPG sensibilities of developer Level-v, but with the deft touch of storied anime producers from Studio Ghibli, Ni no Kuni came to life in the same style many Ghibli films have. Now with a remaster, anyone with a Switch, PS4, or PC tin jump into this imaginative journeying, faults and all.

The title roughly translates to "The 2d Land," which alludes to the world beyond the 1 which our youthful protagonist Oliver lives in. Motorville is a peaceful town with friendly neighbors, but not much in the fashion of excitement. Thus, Oliver and his friend Phil (think Tombo from Kiki's Delivery Service) get into some tomfoolery, whipping around a makeshift car Phil constructed himself. However, things get dark when the looming evil, otherworldly forces attempt to impale off Oliver, who they refer to every bit the boy who'll save the globe. Tragedy strikes in this opening, but hope lies in a parallel universe. The truth virtually Oliver's mom, Allie, drives him to journey through this magical second world.

Danger lies beyond Ding Dong Dell, but Oliver and company will save the day.
Danger lies beyond Ding Dong Dell, only Oliver and company volition salve the solar day.

Oliver's exclamations "Neato!" and "Jeepers!" will make yous feel like a kid again, but it's your stumpy Fairie sidekick, Mr. Drippy, that brings peppery glee to it all. His energy, wisdom, and Welsh-isms brand him a character for the ages and he e'er has Oliver's back. Ni no Kuni is but a wholesome story of a boy who is always virtuous and always growing. Charm lies around every corner every bit it's brought to life past the wondrous stylings and blitheness of Ghibli, and uplifted by the majestic orchestral scores of composer Joe Hisaishi that effortlessly fit every moment. It's these timeless qualities that make the long take chances worth the effort.

That said, this remaster is very much the original game; there are no quality-of-life changes, resulting in what feels more similar a port than a remaster. The PC version (via Steam) comes with a few graphics options and controller support, and the PS4 version offers 4K/xxx fps on a Pro and 1080p/60 fps on either console model. Annotation that the Switch version is a straight port of the PS3 game, and not designated as "remastered." Bated from packing all the DLC, and the inherent visual improvement from higher resolution on PC and PS4, the cadre game remains untouched, for better or worse.

If you're unaware, the original Ni no Kuni uses a combat organization that has you moving and making decisions in real-time while you execute actions in a turn-based mode. Core to the game is its organisation of Familiars, which role very much like Pokemon--they level upward separately from political party members and bring unlike elemental types and movesets to the table. You'll capture many, train some of them for battle, and evolve a few to their final forms along the mode. Each party member carries three at once and carefully swapping betwixt them (and political party members themselves) in battle is the primal to overcoming the game'southward tough fights. It's an inventive organisation that brings about a surprising level of depth, but one that feels more clunky now than it did back when it kickoff launched.

Tidy! A Ghibli reference en't it?
Tidy! A Ghibli reference en't it?

Wrapping your head effectually its combat arrangement is going to take a few hours as y'all're introduced to its several layers. Even and so, much of it will feel out of your control. Since you can only command one combatant at any given moment, you accept to rely on AI to handle many aspects of fights. Telegraphing enemy attacks is a challenge, too, and the organization doesn't exactly put you in the best situation for reacting. Until you get a groove with a lineup of Familiars, you'll discover yourself frantically fumbling through menus of actions more frequently than not.

Combat isn't equally tight as you lot'd expect from an RPG, just that's not to say it'south a deal-breaker. For all the faults I see gameplay-wise, its RPG trappings deliver the satisfaction of growing stronger and smarter in combat. Other fundamentals are quite basic and inappreciably stray from RPG conventions, similar the simplistic dungeon layouts or the sometimes tedious traversal from one area to another for side quests or betwixt save points. At the very least, its foundation provides a good vehicle for taking you lot through Ni no Kuni'southward earth that bursts with dizzying charm.

Erstwhile GameSpot reviews editor Kevin VanOrd awarded the original release a ix/x back in 2013 and said, "This is a wonderful world that you volition be eager to lose countless hours in as you adventure through its enticing realms." Half-dozen years subsequently, that remains true. It speaks to the joy of unraveling Ni no Kuni, considering at that place are and so many smaller moments that are emblematic of the imagination put into the game. From the so-bad-it'due south-practiced comedy bear witness put on past the Fairies to the terrifying monsters Oliver and friends conquer, Ni no Kuni stands out in how it gives an earnest tale of whimsy and youthful determination.

Yer a wizard, Ollie-boy!
Yer a wizard, Ollie-boy!

If you're willing to overlook or account for some of its rougher spots, at that place'south a world of wonder waiting for you in Ni no Kuni. In many ways, information technology transcends those shortcomings. While this new version doesn't streamline anything, you're still getting one of last generation's standout RPGs with its DLC, zero more, null less.

Having been through the original release once, there isn't a specific incentive unless you're drawn to revisiting its spirited globe, and newcomers are at least given the opportunity to experience something by and large delightful and unique that may accept flown under their radar. Later nearly 10 hours with the remaster on PC, memories are flooding dorsum and I'm starting to hit a step where I want to see it all unfold once more. Your gateway to Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch opens on September 20 when information technology hits the PS4, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

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