After nearly a whole year since the DS release of Ni no Kuni: Shikkoku no Madoushi (Second Country: The Jet-Black Mage), the PS3 counterpart's release date has finally been announced. Ni no Kuni: Shiroki Seihai no Joou (Second Country: The Queen of White Sacred Ash) will come out on November 17, along with a special white-and-gold Magical Edition PS3 bundle as well. The game is not a port of the DS version, developed separately with different story developments, graphics, and artwork, which will now better showcase the world-renowned Ghibli animation style.
Unfortunately, Josh's article from back in January no longer has the video interview with Level-5 CEO Akihiro Hino, where he discussed his aims and beliefs with the game and gaming in general. Luckily, I myself translated the video, so at least you can read what he had to say after the jump.
Hino highlighted the key difference between the two versions: "Though you can gain an understanding of the big world in the DS version, for the purposes of creating a movie-like experience, the advantages of the PS3 version are clear to see, by making the cutscene camera angle changeable in real time for your pleasure. It's a small effect, but it's very satisfying -- changing a normal 2D anime to a 3D anime movie with you controlling the camera."
Regarding potential messages in games, Hino stated, "Messages through games as a media, usually invoke some sense of emotion. In movies the time given to them to invoke some emotion is around two hours. But this game has around 40 hours worth of content. At the end of the game, when looking at it, the feelings that are left behind in my heart are that, as I thought, games have the potential to leave stronger feelings with a person than a movie. Games allow you to act through your own thinking, the results of that will be reciprocated in the game -- that's a big thing. Therefore, the emotions you feel when playing a game compared to other media are not odd or stupid, and that it can have a permanent effect on people is interesting, and being able to achieve that I think would be nice."
In absence of the interview, I've provided trailers from each version (PS3 in the header, DS below) for you to compare for yourself. Before you get excited and scramble to your favorite import site, beware! In typical Ghibli pricing fashion, it's not at all cheap, costing a whopping ¥8,800 (or $115) for the game alone and ¥33,780 (or $441) for the bundle! At least there's no indication so far that you'll need a book as you did with the DS game to play.
Judging from Jon's reactions, it seems Hino and Level-5 have done it again, this time with the help of the wondrous Studio Ghibli. What do you think? Has Hino been able to leave a permanent effect on you through his games thus far?
I also thought this was a US release. Bummer. Something tells me by the time this gets here I'll either have lost interest or find something better to play the same week its released.
Unfortunately no US release date so far, and despite the worldwide love affair with Ghibli & Level 5, I have a feeling this one may be staying at home, much like the DS game seems to be.
And even if Sony does pick it up, it's technically only half the story, as the DS game and this one are connected in some way.
Still I guess it's better to have something rather than nothing, am I right?
Why don't more people rip Level 5 for their complete failure this generation when it comes to console role playing games? These are the same guys who were KILLING IT on the Playstation 2, with Dark Cloud 2, Rogue Galaxy, and arguably the best Dragon Quest game of all time. What have they done in the West since those games? White Knight frickin' Chronicles, which was a joke of a game in which enemies could inflict damage on your without ever actually touching you. That is it. The game was such a failure, they couldn't even get Sony to publish the sequel in North America.
It's obvious that Level 5 is more concerned about their DS soccer role playing games, and absolutely milking the hell out of the Professor Layton franchise, than they are giving people what they REALLY want. Level 5 made the money they are using to build swank new office buildings off people who supported their big name console games, and they've completely turned their back on those gamers in the last 5 years. White Knight Chronicles looks, plays, and feels like something Level 5's C-Team put together to just "throw a bone" to their biggest fans.
Level-5 has an international studio/head office now right? And now that the ps3 game is releasing there is no doubt in my mind these games are here. I'm sure they were waiting for the ps3 release, and will then release both simultaneously (or close together). I'm 100 percent sure on this. ;P
I imported this for DS about a year ago. Now I kinda wish I had waited for the PS3 version. But did you people see the DS version? Every copy comes with a 350 pages hardcover book that you actually need to play the game. So that's basically the most awesome copy protection I've ever seen.
Wow, I'm stupid. Note to self: Read the entire article before saying stuff! If it's more or less a different game, I might actually think about getting it.
@CRIMExTHINK & Batthink - Here here. I downloaded a Joe Hisaishi discography a while back, and it was basically all of Ghibli's music.
Utterly magical. But don't forget his work with Takeshi Kitano. Check out the album "Joe Hisaishi meets Kitano films" if you haven't done so already, which gives an idea of the stuff he's done for him.
A shame they fell out by the time Zatoichi came out. Was a great partnership.
@mix - No worries dude. Yeah it does look great doesn't it. Here's some more footage for you to enjoy from TGS 2010 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ysGqsLf2oA
@Hermes - I hear you bro. I loved that game, though I couldn't be arsed to keep going back to get the alternate endings nor do I know how to. Do you?
As for other JRPGs, I know there's a team working on a fansub for Tales of Vesperia - http://talesofvesperia.net/
And there's also Tales of Graces F to look forward to, so it's not all doom and gloom.
From the voting on their Facebook page, Level-5 HAS to know that Ni No Kuni (DS & PS3) are the most sought-after of their games in the US right after the winner which was Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright I think - also which I don't really care about). So my hopes are HIGH for a US version of both next year, esp. now that they have an American office. *crosses fingers*
Miyazaki + Level-5 = WIN...for me anyways. I would love to see this be translated for either Europe or NA or both. I think Level-5 should focus on this IP more than White Knight Chronicles....or work on (dare I say it) Dark Cloud 3?
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Contest:
3:15 PM on 08.31.2011
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Unfortunately no US release date so far, and despite the worldwide love affair with Ghibli & Level 5, I have a feeling this one may be staying at home, much like the DS game seems to be.
And even if Sony does pick it up, it's technically only half the story, as the DS game and this one are connected in some way.
Still I guess it's better to have something rather than nothing, am I right?
It's obvious that Level 5 is more concerned about their DS soccer role playing games, and absolutely milking the hell out of the Professor Layton franchise, than they are giving people what they REALLY want. Level 5 made the money they are using to build swank new office buildings off people who supported their big name console games, and they've completely turned their back on those gamers in the last 5 years. White Knight Chronicles looks, plays, and feels like something Level 5's C-Team put together to just "throw a bone" to their biggest fans.
We have very few good JRPG on the PS3. The last one I remember is Eternal Sonata, and that was years ago...
Agreed. Joe Hisaishi's work is a treat for the ears.
I'm counting on this being a very good game, especially if the quality is close to that of Dark Cloud 2. :O)
Saved me from asking a question! That answer is saddening to hear but we can only hope.
This game looks gorgeous.
Please come to NA, in any form.
Utterly magical. But don't forget his work with Takeshi Kitano. Check out the album "Joe Hisaishi meets Kitano films" if you haven't done so already, which gives an idea of the stuff he's done for him.
A shame they fell out by the time Zatoichi came out. Was a great partnership.
@mix - No worries dude. Yeah it does look great doesn't it. Here's some more footage for you to enjoy from TGS 2010 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ysGqsLf2oA
@Hermes - I hear you bro. I loved that game, though I couldn't be arsed to keep going back to get the alternate endings nor do I know how to. Do you?
As for other JRPGs, I know there's a team working on a fansub for Tales of Vesperia - http://talesofvesperia.net/
And there's also Tales of Graces F to look forward to, so it's not all doom and gloom.
I hope your right because we need a proper Level 5 HD game for once.