Though it often gets overlooked asPersonaandFinal Fantasyseem to be the leaders of the JRPG genre today,Ni No Kuniis a franchise that has a place in many fans' hearts thanks to gorgeous visuals, fun gameplay, and stellar storytelling.Taking players to a Ghibli-inspired worldto tell tales of heroic deeds and conquering evil its developer, Level-5, has forged two exceptional offerings on home consoles, alongside some mobile titles. The series returns to mobile in the form ofNi No Kuni: Cross Worlds, and will look to recapture the audience in the West that bothWrath of the White WitchandRevenant Kingdomgarnered when they launched in 2013 and 2018 respectively.
Ni No Kuni: Cross Worldsreleased in Japan in Summer 2021, and will make its way to other territories on May 25 of this year. It’s a title that many have been aware of for a while, as it comes four years after the release of the second mainline game. Thankfully, finding a place on mobile storefronts globally means those familiar with the series can dive into an all-new entry while waiting for the new single player experience. Being an MMO, it’s unlikely that it will have many connections to the games that came before it, but that’s not to say they can or should be skipped.
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Oliver and Evan’s Essential Journeys
Players in the West wereintroduced toNi No Kuniin 2013, when the first game released to much critical acclaim. Oliver is trying to accept the untimely death of someone close to him before he’s transported to another world in search of answers. The resulting adventure was simply superb, as the friends he meets and enemies he overcomes became some of the finest in the JRPG genre for years. It’s an isolated experience, though, and while it leaves a lasting impression, the sequel is set so far in the future that there isn’t too much of a connection between what Oliver achieved and what comes next. However, any game as good asNi No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witchis worth experiencing regardless.
Ni No Kuni: Revenant Kingdomupped the antein many ways, with more side activities and a far more ambitious story. Evan is the king of Ding Dong Dell, and was criminally usurped in the game’s opening. The quest throughout is to restore peace in the world, while also forging his own nation in the process. Evermore is an essential location inNi No Kunilore as it features heavily inRevenant Kingdom, as well as the 2019 film, andCross Worlds.
The Impressive World of Ni No Kuni
Though the stories of the first two games always take center stage, world building setsNi No Kuniabove the rest. From the Arabian-inspired walls of Al Mamoon in the first game to the glitzy, unpredictable nature of Goldclaw inRevenant Kingdom, the series knows how to establish inviting locations that make itperfect for the mobile MMORPG genre.Ni No Kuni: Cross Worldswill look to take advantage of this, as it will feature elements from the second game to make it feel in-keeping with the franchise. As with the film, the Kingdom of Evermore is a prominent place inCross Worlds, and as Evan’s construction of the city makes for the biggest plot point of the 2018 release, knowledge of its events will go a long way to help the land feel familiar.
MMOs don’t typically have heavy narratives, butgames likeFinal Fantasy 14prove this doesn’t have to be the case. The lore inNi No Kuniis strong, andCross Worldscan utilize it to stand out amongst other games in the genre. Knowing how Evermore was founded and Evan’s place in the world afterRevenant Kingdommay very well be valuable, especially with the possibility of future story expansions.
While Oliver’s journey during the events ofNi No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witchis the more engaging and emotional of the two games, it’sRevenant Kingdomthat is the more critical game to experience beforeCross Worldsarrives on May 25. Evan and Roland’s quest did more to shape the world around them, and with the story trailer showing offhowCross Worldswill use the IP, the second mainline game will be one that could flesh outCross Worldsbeautifully, and make the upcoming mobile MMO one worthy of investing in.
Ni No Kuni: Cross Worldslaunches May 25 for Android and iOS devices.
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