TL;DR
Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom channels the beloved Studio Ghibli spirit with a charming tale of a young king, Evan, overthrown and seeking to rebuild his kingdom. Expect a gorgeous 4K, HDR experience on PS4 Pro, blending accessible action-RPG combat with surprisingly deep kingdom-building. It’s a standout JRPG offering a great balance of story and strategy, making it a must-play for fans of the genre. Discover if this fairytale adventure lives up to its lofty comparisons – read our full review to find out!
(Watch our video review with gameplay footage, click above!)
While Studio Ghibli was not directly involved in its development, the spirit and aesthetic of their work are readily apparent in Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom. The protagonist, Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum, a young cat-eared boy and rightful king of Ding Dong Dell, is overthrown in a coup led by the rodent-like General Mausinger. He is joined by Roland, a visitor from our world (implied to be the former President of the United States), and a growing party of companions. Together, they must reclaim Evan’s throne and establish a new kingdom founded on principles of unity and prosperity.
Despite its fairytale-like presentation, Ni No Kuni 2 offers a compelling and engaging experience. On the PS4 Pro, the game features 4K resolution, HDR support, and a target of 60 frames per second (with occasional dips), resulting in a visually impressive presentation. The game strikes a remarkable balance between accessible action-RPG combat, deep role-playing mechanics, and strategic kingdom-building elements. The inclusion of a SimCity-inspired kingdom management system after several hours of gameplay adds a surprising layer of depth.
Ni No Kuni 2 stands out as one of the most enjoyable JRPGs released since Final Fantasy VII, a title widely regarded as a landmark achievement in the genre for Western audiences. While the release and format of Sony’s Final Fantasy VII remake remains uncertain (perhaps even destined for the Playstation 5?), Ni No Kuni 2 currently sets the standard for JRPGs on the Playstation 4. Completionists seeking to acquire every item and complete every task should anticipate approximately 35 hours of gameplay, while those focused on the main narrative can expect a significantly shorter playtime.
A strong contender for Game of the Year 2018, even early in March!
