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Ni no Kuni vs Ni no Kuni II

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In a world filled with magic and wonder, two epic tales unfold—one of a young boy on a quest to save his mother, and the other of a young king seeking to rebuild a kingdom torn apart by darkness. 

Ni no Kuni and Ni no Kuni II are two timeless adventures that have captured the hearts of gamers around the world, transporting them to fantastical realms filled with unforgettable characters, breathtaking landscapes, and powerful magic. But as these two beloved games collide, a new journey begins, pitting the heroes of each story against each other in a battle for the ages. Welcome to Ni no Kuni vs Ni no Kuni II—a clash of two worlds and a challenge that will test the courage, strength, and skill of all who dare to enter. The question that beckons an answer is whether the first game in the series holds water for the franchise's second mainline installment. Let's find out below.

What is Ni No Kuni?

ni no kuni vs ni no kuni II

Ni No Kuni is a series of role-playing games brought to life by Japanese developer Level 5. The first game in the series, Ni No Kuni: Dominion of the Dark Djinn, debuted in 2010. The game tells a tale of a valiant boy, Oliver, who defies the odds on a quest to save his mother. Oliver is not the conventional protagonist you're accustomed to—the brutish ones with dark pasts hell-bent on vengeance. He is a kind, pure-hearted boy who wants to reconnect with his mother. 

On his treacherous journey, he meets enemies he must defeat on the battlefield. Well, you'd think for a boy his size, this would seem like an impossible task, but with the help of magical elements, it's a walk in the park. The game is reminiscent of the beloved classic Pokémon since you can capture and tame creatures known as “imajinn”. The creatures then wage war on your behalf.

A year later, developers unleashed an enhanced version of the game, Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch. The game builds on the foundation of its predecessor, but features a few changes in graphics and gameplay elements. For instance, the Pokémon infusion returns; however, this time, the creatures are known as Familiars. You can upgrade the familiars, equip them with weapons, and have them evolve into more formidable forms. 

Ni No Kuni's combat system is the tip of the iceberg that floats in the game's magnificent seascape adventure. Your journey will primarily be on foot or by boat, giving you ample time to enjoy the serene environment. The game feels like a photograph taken in the 1940s; its charming towns and villages and the sprawling landscapes make every inch of this game a marvel. 

What is Ni No Kuni II?

ni no kuni vs ni no kuni II

Despite the lack of actual sales figures to attest to the franchise's popularity, Ni No Kuni has captured the hearts of gamers worldwide. This is especially true after versions of the game have been remastered, appealing to a whole new generation of players. 

Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom is a sequel to Wraith of the White Witch. The game was released for Windows and PlayStation 4 in 2018 and for the Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S in 2023. The Revenant Kingdom sticks to the tradition of placing a heavy burden on the shoulder of a young boy. Evan Tildrum is a young king who is dethroned and embarks on a journey to set up a new kingdom. With respect to precedent, the game lets you roam the world and control creatures using magic. The creatures known as Higgledies can cast spells and provide additional combat benefits.

Moreover, like in the prequel, the protagonist also experiences loss. Evan loses his father and mother, but you later learn these unfathomable losses set in motion events in the game. The Revenant Kingdom heavily builds on themes of bridging society's divide and improving the world's state.

What Are The Main Differences Between Ni No Kuni and Ni No Kuni II?

Now that you have a basic understanding of both games, it's time to spot the divergent elements between them. At face value, both games appeal to fans with a knack for adventure. More so, if emotional themes and victorious battles that favor the benevolent appeal to you. However, we can only have one winner. Here's how both games compare.

Graphics

Graphically speaking, both games have a retro feel. The franchise's first installment, Dominion of the Dark Djinn, didn't precisely have spectacular graphic settings, but it made a mark for a game launched a decade ago. In contrast, Ni No Kuni II raises the bar with beautiful graphics that translate into a memorable adventure. The game brings more clarity with its stylish inked outlines.

Storyline

Ni No Kuni and Ni No Kuni II's greatest strength lies in their heroic tales. The games marvel at portraying an unconventional protagonist without special skills or combat attributes. However, with magical abilities, they go above and beyond to be successful in the quests.

Ni No Kuni II goes a notch higher with its storytelling, giving a more personal perspective on the protagonist's woes. The predecessor, Ni No Kuni, paints a picture of a heartbroken boy who loses his mother. Although the sequel also touches on loss, it builds further into a narrative that sees Evan fight the vices and corruption that cripple his world. 

Gameplay

Both games feature an open world where players can freely explore an imaginative world. They also depict linear scenarios with overarching objectives that complement the storyline. During battle encounters, the games switch to battle mode. 

In No Ni Kuni, you take control of an Imajinn or Familiars to fight the battles for you. Moreover, you can also use magical abilities to conquer your foes. 

Comparatively, Ni No Kuni II uses Higgledies, tiny creatures that possess one of the five elements in the game (Earth, Fire, Light, Water, and Darkness). Players can also have up to four allies in their party. You can control one ally, and the others get to fight freely. Furthermore, melee attacks and magical abilities are up your sleeve to grant you a competitive edge in battle. 

Also, Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom sets itself apart from its predecessor by featuring fast-paced and engaging combat and topping it off with a kingdom-building system.

Verdict: Ni no Kuni vs Ni no Kuni II

Indeed, each title independently brings its charm to gaming fans. Ni No Kuni II has tremendously improved on the foundation laid by its predecessor and unleashes a highly-engaging JRPG with a captivating storyline. This doesn't mean that Ni No Kuni isn't great. It is, in fact, exceptional for marvelously running an ambitious gameplay and leaving an indelible imprint. 

That said, we still need to crown the king of the franchise, and I'm swaying with Ni No Kuni II on this one. The game has more to offer, and its broader themes make the 40+ hour journey relatable. 

So, what's your take on Ni No Kuni vs Ni No Kuni II? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.

Evans I. Karanja is a freelance writer who loves to write about anything technology. He is always on the lookout for interesting topics, and enjoys writing about video games, cryptocurrency and blockchain and more. When not writing, he can be found playing video games or watching F1.