Ni no Kuni 2 is nearly upon us and, to whet your appetite for its imminent 23 March release date, a launch trailer has dropped to give us all a crash course in the game’s story, as well as introducing us to a few of the main faces that will be accompanying us along the way.“Once upon a time the world was torn apart by endless war and peace was a distant dream,” the trailer begins. So far, so very storybook. That’s instantly wiped away, however, during our second trip to Ding Dong Dell as an unknown figure fights off would-be assassins with a pistol. Their target? King Evan Pettiwisker Tildrum. Remember that name (if you can).
What follows is a whirlwind trip through some of the game’s colorful locales as Evan looks to overcome a coup with the help of some typically quirky and adorable party members by his side.
Ni no Kuni 2, then, isn’t going to be worlds away from the first game, and even shares one of its most iconic locations. There are some differences: Your character(s) may already be a part of this world, for one thing, but there’s evil – inevitably – waiting in the wings in the form of a snake-headed, nefarious-looking ne’er-do-well. Expect to cross paths with him at some point down the line.
As for the quick snapshots of gameplay we’re treated to? They’re gorgeous. Everything works seamlessly together without ever making the screen too busy. Take a dash of that and a generous helping of what looks like already well-defined characters to love and lash out against, and Ni no Kuni 2 has got all the makings of a fantastic sequel – and a bonafide classic.
