Skip to main content

PSX 2016 offers RPG fans a glimpse at gameplay combat in 'Ni no Kuni II'

Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom - Evan's Choice (gameplay reveal PSX 2016) | PS4
Bandai Namco Entertainment offered fans a first look at Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom‘s gameplay in a new trailer at PlayStation Experience 2016, revealing the upcoming sequel will feature a real-time battle system that improves on the original game’s combat mechanics.

Developed by Professor Layton series creator Level-5, Ni no Kuni II is scheduled for a worldwide launch for the PlayStation 4 in 2017.

Ni no Kuni II continues the fantasy-themed storyline introduced in 2013’s Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch for the PlayStation 3. Taking control of the displaced boy king Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum, players seek out a new kingdom to rule after fleeing their home in the wake of a military coup.

The upcoming sequel will feature a hybrid combat system similar to the original Ni no Kuni‘s while offering players more strategic options in battle. The action takes place in real time, with cooldown meters determining your party’s turn order. Players also have access to a range of deadly magic attacks, along with character-specific combat skills.

Given that the game’s storyline focuses on the founding of a new empire, Ni no Kuni II will likely feature a town-building element similar to the Dark Cloud games. Though this week’s new trailer offers a preview of Ni no Kuni II‘s combat system, Level-5 has not announced details regarding the game’s exploration or town-building mechanics.

Developer Level-5 continues to be one of Japan’s most prolific game creators, and Ni no Kuni II will follow up on recent studio projects like Yo-kai Watch 2 and LBX: Little Battlers Experience. Level-5 boasts expertise within the realm of console-styled RPGs in particular, having previously produced well-received games like Dark Could 2, Rogue Galaxy, and Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King.

Though Level-5 is best known for its Professor Layton series, which spawned multiple sequels across the Nintendo DS and 3DS, RPGs remained a focal point for the company throughout its 18-year history. The company is also a frequent collaborator with Nintendo, which previously stepped up to publish localized versions of Inazuma Eleven and Fantasy Life in North America.

Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom will launch exclusively for the PlayStation 4 in 2017.

Editors' Recommendations

Danny Cowan
Danny’s passion for video games was ignited upon his first encounter with Nintendo’s Duck Hunt, and years later, he still…
3 Xbox Game Pass games you need to play this weekend (May 3-5)
Senua in Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice.

Another weekend is upon us, and you're probably looking for some games to kill time with over the course of it. We're in a bit of a lull right now ahead of a flurry of releases starting next week, so it's a great time to dip back into the Xbox Game Pass catalog and check out some games that you may have missed. There are three games in particular that I think you should check out this weekend if you're looking for something to play.

One is an unsettling adventure that's getting an Xbox-exclusive sequel later this month. The next is a finely animated roguelike indie that recently made its way to Microsoft's gaming subscription service. Finally, there's a relaxing adventure that gives players a lot of freedom, yet is short enough to beat in a weekend. If you're having trouble deciding what to play this weekend, give one of these games a shot.
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice

Read more
3 underrated PS Plus games you should play this weekend (May 3-5)
The main character of Tales of Kenzera: Zau stands with two elemental items.

PlayStation Plus Premium and Extra have been around for almost two years, and during that time the subscription service has established itself as an ample competitor to Xbox Game Pass. That means there is a wealth of great games for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 owners to check out if they're looking for something to play this weekend. I think PS Plus subscribers should be looking toward some of the more underrated games in the subscription service this weekend too.

I have three particular picks in mind. The first is an enjoyable Metroidvania that came to PS Plus' game catalog when it launched just a couple of weeks ago and deserves a lot more attention than it's getting. After that, there's an action-platformer that pays homage to series like Ninja Gaiden that you should check out before it leaves the catalog. Finally, there's a PS2-era Star Wars game that fills the niche a recently canceled game would have.
Tales of Kenzera: Zau

Read more
If you’re not using PlayStation Stars, you’re missing out
Three phone screens with the PlayStation Stars app.

I wouldn't blame you if you forgot PlayStation Stars existed. In fact, I would guess the majority of people out there have no idea what that even is, but PlayStation's reward program deserves more attention than it's getting.

Launched in the summer of 2022, PlayStation Stars is a program meant to reward players for engaging with the PlayStation ecosystem. You can take on challenges to earn digital collectibles and, more importantly, coins that can be redeemed for games, store credit, and some premium in-game currencies.

Read more