The Another World
Encyclopedia
is a role-playing
video game co-developed by Japan
ese developer
Level-5
and the first videogame made by anime company Studio Ghibli
for the Nintendo DS
and later PlayStation 3
. The Nintendo DS version, titled , was released on December 9, 2010, while the PlayStation 3 version, titled , was released in Japan on November 17, 2011, and it is also confirmed for a Western release in 2012. Level-5
's has confirmed that the western version of the PS3 game will be published by Namco Bandai Games
.
, given to Oliver by his mother, is brought to life from his tears and reveals itself to be a male fairy
named Shizuku, who gives Oliver a book that allows him to use the power of magic and enter the world of "Ni no Kuni," a reality parallel to his own. In Ni no Kuni, Shizuku says, Oliver may be able to find his mother, Arie. Using the newfound power of magic, Oliver and Shizuku venture into Ni no Kuni. There, he befriends Maru, Gyro, and other alternate versions of people (and animals) he knows.
, short stories that offer game hints and other info that the game will refer to.
in September 2008. Level-5 president and CEO Akihiro Hino
and Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki
revealed in an interview with the magazine that development on the animation
aspects of the game had begun in July 2008. In the July 2010 edition of Famitsu
, Level-5 revealed that the game was in development for the PlayStation 3
. Formerly subtitled Ni no Kuni: the Another World, Level-5 announced on June 24, 2010 that this title has been replaced with two separate subtitles for the DS and PlayStation 3 versions, with the subtitle of the DS version being Ni no Kuni: Shikkoku no Madōshi and the PlayStation 3 version titled as Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch. Level-5 also revealed that both versions are being developed separately from scratch, and as such will feature different data, artwork, graphics, specifications and story developments, while only retaining the same "story axle". The PlayStation 3 version will feature graphics and visuals replicating Ghibli's traditional animation style and its artwork for the game.
magazine. The review stated, "The animation, music, and story all combine together at a high level to keep the player constantly excited. The way the game links up with the book is innovative, and there's a lot of backdrop that allows you to understand the story on a deep level." However, the publication felt that although the Japanese advertisements feature young children playing it, the game may be too complex for such audiences.
Japanese retailers ordered an initial shipment of 600,000 copies of Ni no Kuni, more than any previous Level-5 game. It was the second best-selling video game during its week of release in the region at 170,548 copies sold. Hino stated in February 2011 that the game has sold over 500,000 units in Japan.
Role-playing game (video games)
Role-playing video games are a video game genre with origins in pen-and-paper role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons, using much of the same terminology, settings and game mechanics. The player in RPGs controls one character, or several adventuring party members, fulfilling one or many quests...
video game co-developed by Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese developer
Video game developer
A video game developer is a software developer that creates video games. A developer may specialize in a certain video game console, such as Nintendo's Wii, Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3, or may develop for a variety of systems, including personal computers.Most developers also...
Level-5
Level-5
is an independent video game developer and publisher based in Fukuoka, Japan. The company, which currently employs about 200 individuals, was founded in October 1998 by Akihiro Hino after he departed from the now defunct Japanese developer Riverhillsoft...
and the first videogame made by anime company Studio Ghibli
Studio Ghibli
is a Japanese animation and film studio founded in June 1985. The company's logo features the character Totoro from Hayao Miyazaki's film My Neighbor Totoro...
for the Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
and later PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
. The Nintendo DS version, titled , was released on December 9, 2010, while the PlayStation 3 version, titled , was released in Japan on November 17, 2011, and it is also confirmed for a Western release in 2012. Level-5
Level-5
is an independent video game developer and publisher based in Fukuoka, Japan. The company, which currently employs about 200 individuals, was founded in October 1998 by Akihiro Hino after he departed from the now defunct Japanese developer Riverhillsoft...
's has confirmed that the western version of the PS3 game will be published by Namco Bandai Games
Namco Bandai Games
is an arcade, mobile and home video game developer and publisher based in Japan which is the product of a merger between the video game development divisions of Bandai and Namco. Namco Bandai Games is a wholly owned subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings and specializes in production and sales of...
.
Plot
The story of Ni no Kuni revolves around thirteen-year-old Oliver, a resident of Hotroit City, whose mother, Arie, suddenly dies after rescuing him from drowning. A dollDoll
A doll is a model of a human being, often used as a toy for children. Dolls have traditionally been used in magic and religious rituals throughout the world, and traditional dolls made of materials like clay and wood are found in the Americas, Asia, Africa and Europe. The earliest documented dolls...
, given to Oliver by his mother, is brought to life from his tears and reveals itself to be a male fairy
Fairy
A fairy is a type of mythical being or legendary creature, a form of spirit, often described as metaphysical, supernatural or preternatural.Fairies resemble various beings of other mythologies, though even folklore that uses the term...
named Shizuku, who gives Oliver a book that allows him to use the power of magic and enter the world of "Ni no Kuni," a reality parallel to his own. In Ni no Kuni, Shizuku says, Oliver may be able to find his mother, Arie. Using the newfound power of magic, Oliver and Shizuku venture into Ni no Kuni. There, he befriends Maru, Gyro, and other alternate versions of people (and animals) he knows.
Gameplay
As Oliver, the player takes part in battles using the magic book given to him by Shizuku. The magic book contains various spells that are activated using drawings with the stylus. During battles, players will be able to arrange their characters anywhere on the bottom screen to implement various tactics. For example, a character that can block certain attacks can be placed in front of the others to shield them. The game will also include a book that is supposed to represent the magic book from the game and is required to play the game. In it players can find a bestiaryBestiary
A bestiary, or Bestiarum vocabulum is a compendium of beasts. Bestiaries were made popular in the Middle Ages in illustrated volumes that described various animals, birds and even rocks. The natural history and illustration of each beast was usually accompanied by a moral lesson...
, short stories that offer game hints and other info that the game will refer to.
Development
Ni no Kuni was first announced in the Japanese publication FamitsuFamitsu
is a line of Japanese video game magazines published by Enterbrain, Inc. and Tokuma. Currently, there are five Famitsū magazines: Shūkan Famitsū, Famitsū PS3 + PSP, Famitsū Xbox 360, Famitsū Wii+DS, and Famitsū Wave DVD...
in September 2008. Level-5 president and CEO Akihiro Hino
Akihiro Hino
is president and CEO of Japanese video game developer Level-5.- Biography :Prior to founding Level-5 in October 1998, Hino began his career in the video game industry in the early 90's at the now defunct Japanese developer Riverhillsoft, specifically on the Overblood series for the original...
and Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki
Toshio Suzuki (producer)
is a film producer of anime and a long-time colleague of Hayao Miyazaki, as well as the current CEO of Studio Ghibli. Suzuki is renowned as one of Japan's most successful producers after the enormous box office success of many Ghibli films. According to Miyazaki, "If it were not for Mr...
revealed in an interview with the magazine that development on the animation
Animation
Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3-D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. The effect is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in several ways...
aspects of the game had begun in July 2008. In the July 2010 edition of Famitsu
Famitsu
is a line of Japanese video game magazines published by Enterbrain, Inc. and Tokuma. Currently, there are five Famitsū magazines: Shūkan Famitsū, Famitsū PS3 + PSP, Famitsū Xbox 360, Famitsū Wii+DS, and Famitsū Wave DVD...
, Level-5 revealed that the game was in development for the PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
. Formerly subtitled Ni no Kuni: the Another World, Level-5 announced on June 24, 2010 that this title has been replaced with two separate subtitles for the DS and PlayStation 3 versions, with the subtitle of the DS version being Ni no Kuni: Shikkoku no Madōshi and the PlayStation 3 version titled as Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch. Level-5 also revealed that both versions are being developed separately from scratch, and as such will feature different data, artwork, graphics, specifications and story developments, while only retaining the same "story axle". The PlayStation 3 version will feature graphics and visuals replicating Ghibli's traditional animation style and its artwork for the game.
Reception
The DS version of Ni no Kuni was scored a high 38 out of 40 by Weekly FamitsuFamitsu
is a line of Japanese video game magazines published by Enterbrain, Inc. and Tokuma. Currently, there are five Famitsū magazines: Shūkan Famitsū, Famitsū PS3 + PSP, Famitsū Xbox 360, Famitsū Wii+DS, and Famitsū Wave DVD...
magazine. The review stated, "The animation, music, and story all combine together at a high level to keep the player constantly excited. The way the game links up with the book is innovative, and there's a lot of backdrop that allows you to understand the story on a deep level." However, the publication felt that although the Japanese advertisements feature young children playing it, the game may be too complex for such audiences.
Japanese retailers ordered an initial shipment of 600,000 copies of Ni no Kuni, more than any previous Level-5 game. It was the second best-selling video game during its week of release in the region at 170,548 copies sold. Hino stated in February 2011 that the game has sold over 500,000 units in Japan.