Bandai Namco has weaponized the rainbow for its next big PS4 role-playing game, washing away memories of decrepit, post-apocalyptic cities for a dazzling return to the world(s) of Ni no Kuni. Developed by Japanese developer Level-5, Ni no Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom is the tale of an ousted boy king with cheeks you’d just love to pinch, if that didn’t mean triggering a protracted JRPG battle sequence.
Judging by the initial trailer, Ni no Kuni 2 sees King Evan Pettywhisker kicked out of his castle by usurpers, possibly because they refused to bow to someone with such an adorable name, and forced to reclaim his kingdom. Evan is aided by Roland, a man in a bespoke suit from another world. A visitor landing in a fantasy world is a common theme in the Ni No Kuni series, which has seen a couple of entries across handhelds and mobile, but is most known in the US for a PlayStation 3 game in 2013, Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch.
Like that game, Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom captures the vibrancy and whimsy of a Studio Ghibli film - and indeed the last game had animated sequences provided by the studio famous for animated movies like Princess Mononoke and Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. It’s not clear if this sequel is being produced in similar collaboration, but the music (by Joe Hisaishi) and character design boast clear ties to Ghibli.
Bandai Namco has not announced a release date yet, or how many sad bits there’ll be. There’s always a sad bit.
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