| Ni no Kuni | |
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Japanese DS cover art of Ni no Kuni. The unusual scale is due to the case containing a booklet the size of the magic book featured in the game. |
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| Developer(s) | Level-5, Studio Ghibli[1] |
| Publisher(s) |
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| Composer(s) | Joe Hisaishi |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo DS PlayStation 3 |
| Release date(s) | Nintendo DS
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| Genre(s) | Role-playing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
| Rating(s) |
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Ni no Kuni (二ノ国, lit. Second Country, also called The Another World) is a role-playing video game co-developed by Japanese developer Level-5 and the first videogame made by anime company Studio Ghibli[1] for the Nintendo DS and later PlayStation 3.[6] The Nintendo DS version, titled Ni no Kuni: Shikkoku no Madōshi (二ノ国 漆黒の魔導士, literally "Second Country: The Jet-Black Mage"), was released on December 9, 2010, while the PlayStation 3 version, titled Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch (二ノ国 白き聖灰の女王, literally "Second Country: The Queen of White Sacred Ash"), was released in Japan on November 17, 2011, and it is also confirmed for a Western release in the first quarter of 2012.[7][8] Level-5 has confirmed that the western version of the PS3 game will be published by Namco Bandai Games.[9]
Contents |
The story of Ni no Kuni revolves around thirteen-year-old Oliver, a resident of Hotroit City, whose mother, Arie, suddenly dies after rescuing him from drowning.[10] A doll, given to Oliver by his mother, is brought to life from his tears and reveals itself to be a male fairy named Shizuku, who gives Oliver a book that allows him to use the power of magic and enter the world of "Ni no Kuni," a reality parallel to his own. In Ni no Kuni, Shizuku says, Oliver may be able to find his mother, Arie.[10] Using the newfound power of magic, Oliver and Shizuku venture into Ni no Kuni. There, he befriends Maru, Gyro, and other alternate versions of people (and animals) he knows.
As Oliver, the player takes part in battles using the magic book given to him by Shizuku. The magic book contains various spells that are activated using drawings with the stylus. During battles, players will be able to arrange their characters anywhere on the bottom screen to implement various tactics. For example, a character that can block certain attacks can be placed in front of the others to shield them.[11] The game will also include a book that is supposed to represent the magic book from the game and is required to play the game.[1] In it players can find a bestiary, short stories that offer game hints and other info that the game will refer to.
Ni no Kuni was first announced in the Japanese publication Famitsu in September 2008.[12] Level-5 president and CEO Akihiro Hino and Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki revealed in an interview with the magazine that development on the animation aspects of the game had begun in July 2008.[10] In the July 2010 edition of Famitsu, Level-5 revealed that the game was in development for the PlayStation 3.[6][13] Formerly subtitled Ni no Kuni: the Another World, Level-5 announced on June 24, 2010 that this title has been replaced with two separate subtitles for the DS and PlayStation 3 versions, with the subtitle of the DS version being Ni no Kuni: Shikkoku no Madōshi and the PlayStation 3 version titled as Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch.[8] Level-5 also revealed that both versions are being developed separately from scratch, and as such will feature different data, artwork, graphics, specifications and story developments, while only retaining the same "story axle".[8][14] The PlayStation 3 version will feature graphics and visuals replicating Ghibli's traditional animation style and its artwork for the game.[14][15]
The DS version of Ni no Kuni was scored a high 38 out of 40 by Weekly Famitsu magazine. The review stated, "The animation, music, and story all combine together at a high level to keep the player constantly excited. The way the game links up with the book is innovative, and there's a lot of backdrop that allows you to understand the story on a deep level." However, the publication felt that although the Japanese advertisements feature young children playing it, the game may be too complex for such audiences.[16]
Japanese retailers ordered an initial shipment of 600,000 copies of Ni no Kuni, more than any previous Level-5 game.[17] It was the second best-selling video game during its week of release in the region at 170,548 copies sold.[18] Hino stated in February 2011 that the game has sold over 500,000 units in Japan.[19]
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