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[Exentryk]

At a Pre-TGS event, I went hands-on and saw a presentation for Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom, and it's looking promising.

Instead of a turn-based battle system akin to the original, Ni no Kuni II uses real-time combat, giving you access to both melee and long ranged attacks. You also have special abilities on cooldowns that pack a punch. The most interesting addition to combat is the Higgledies; these little creatures replace familiars and come in groups, somewhat reminiscent of Pikmin. On the battlefield, you can issue them commands, and they can do everything from attack to provide buffs for you. In certain situations, they may even provide hints for how to take down enemies. Battles are chaotic, forcing you to pay attention to enemy patterns and strike at opportune times. In addition, you want to make the best use of your Higgledies. I loved the fast-paced action, where I had to dodge, block, and use my special attacks to thwart a boss' assault. Bosses pull out all stops, such as throwing rocks, using charged attacks, and even trying to belly splash you.

Outside of recruiting familiars and experimenting with their abilities, I didn't find the first Ni no Kuni's battle system that engaging. Ni no Kuni II seems to be on the right track, with more variety, smoother controls, and better A.I. Most importantly, battles are just more fun and engaging. Building up your kingdom and then playing in more tactical battles like skirmish mode are also a nice touches. Hopefully, this helps break up any potential tedium. I'm more optimistic after my hands-on time, making me excited to see how Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom shapes when it launches on January 19 for PS4 and PC.

More at the link (Kingdom Building mode, Skirmishes mode, etc.)

 

[Danjin44]

 

[FiveSide]

I'm waffling really hard on this game. Part of the problem is that most of the impressions of it seem to be glowing re: the battle system, but then I watch actual footage and it just looks slow and not all that remarkable. Basically a watered-down Tales, which I consider (probably a bit unfairly) to already be a watered-down Ys with more combo options.

It's looking like it's going to be one of those battle systems that I 100% will need to just sit down and play for myself. So I'll probably end up picking the game up, if only for the curiosity of finally finding out if the battle system is good or bad.

 

[Stealthcobra]

Can't wait

 

[Ross61]

I know I'm in the minority but I actually like the first game's combat

 

[Exentryk]

I'm waffling really hard on this game. Part of the problem is that most of the impressions of it seem to be glowing re: the battle system, but then I watch actual footage and it just looks slow and not all that remarkable. Basically a watered-down Tales, which I consider (probably a bit unfairly) to already be a watered-down Ys with more combo options.

It's looking like it's going to be one of those battle systems that I 100% will need to just sit down and play for myself. So I'll probably end up picking the game up, if only for the curiosity of finally finding out if the battle system is good or bad.

I recently tried YS Seven, and the combat there is way too mashy. I much prefer each hit having more importance and follow through. So yeah, just different preferences, but I hope you'll end up liking this one in the end.

 

[Archtreyz]

So it plays like Flat-Out?

 

[Zolbrod]

The combat system was my main gripe with the first game, so that's good to hear.
Game looks great!

 

[Staf]

I know I'm in the minority but I actually like the first game's combat

I remember liking it as well.

 

[MadeULook]

Combat was easily my biggest issue with the first game. I don't mind the switch to real-time if it marks a significant improvement over the first. Combat was way too slow in the first.

 

[Faithless Mr.]

Sounds exciting!

 

[Danjin44]

I know I'm in the minority but I actually like the first game's combat

I also didn't have issue with combat itself but my biggest problem was the AI.

 

[AcademicSaucer]

If the combat is fun then they need a demo because fun is the last thing on my mind when I have watched the previews

 

[Samanosuke Akechi]

 

[Hoo-doo]

Fuck yes. This all sounds amazing.

 

[Officer.Sanchez]

I hated the combat in 1, I just brute forced everything with a team of Dinoceros.

 

[MetalliCabombination]

I'm waffling really hard on this game. Part of the problem is that most of the impressions of it seem to be glowing re: the battle system, but then I watch actual footage and it just looks slow and not all that remarkable. Basically a watered-down Tales, which I consider (probably a bit unfairly) to already be a watered-down Ys with more combo options.

It's looking like it's going to be one of those battle systems that I 100% will need to just sit down and play for myself. So I'll probably end up picking the game up, if only for the curiosity of finally finding out if the battle system is good or bad.

Feels nothing like tales to me.
More like a rogue galaxy thing with magic and skills that take place real time instead of through cutscenes.

Ys is super fast mashing with quick critical dodges.
Tales is just flashy combos being spammed over and over. Dont like the direction they took after xillia 2. This game doesn't even seem to have traditional combos per se

 

[Exentryk]

Flying won't save you

 

[epmode]

Instead of a turn-based battle system akin to the original, Ni no Kuni II uses real-time combat

Am I completely forgetting something here? The first game was realtime, wasn’t it? It’s a big reason I hated the combat (because of the lack of comtrol for your other two party members)

 

[MetalliCabombination]

Am I completely forgetting something here? The first game was realtime, wasn’t it? It’s a big reason I hated the combat (because of the lack of comtrol for your other two party members)

Real time with wait timers for commands.little control over ai.

 

[Exentryk]

Am I completely forgetting something here? The first game was realtime, wasn’t it? It’s a big reason I hated the combat (because of the lack of comtrol for your other two party members)

It was a hybrid (real time with command menu based moves).

 

[TimeEffect]

This is huge news for me

If they can nail it than Im on board 100%

Didnt care for NNK1 combat and really wanted to love that game.

 

[Danjin44]

If the combat is fun then they need a demo because fun is the last thing on my mind when I have watched the previews

I guess there must be something wrong with me because base on footage the combat looks god damn fun to me.

 

[Exentryk]

The only thing that I'm not sure about in this system is the change of Higgledies' control. The initial trailers showed we could control Higgledies' abilities via L1 (+face buttons), but devs have since changed that to context based (AI chooses at its whim when an ability is available for use).

I guess I'll have to try out the system myself, but I feel the initial system where we had complete control would have been better.

I guess I must be something wrong with me because base on footage the combat looks god damn fun to me.

Nope. The combat looks amazing to me as well based on the footage. If the feel and responsiveness of the combat is great too, then we'll have a winner. The previews here are encouraging, so let's see.

 

[Mr YuYu]

One of the few games I am really looking forward to! Looks magical

Also didn't have any problems with the combat of the first game. Even if it was a bit too simple.

 

[Omegabalmung9]

I know I'm in the minority but I actually like the first game's combat

Dont worry, i liked it too lol

 

[silva1991]

Always looked fun to me. Doesn't look deep, but it doesn't need to.

I know I'm in the minority but I actually like the first game's combat

You're not alone. Part of me is still salty about the new combat system. NNK1's combat just needed a quality of life improvements.

 

[Makikou]

Day 1.

 

[Falchion]

Sounds awesome, I know a lot of people thought the combat in the first game was a little dull.

 

[Aeana]

It was a hybrid (real time with command menu based moves).

I don't understand why so many people struggle conflating menu-driven with turn-based. Use some critical thinking to realize that those are two completely different things.

 

[BanjoLayleeYookaKazooie]

I liked the first game's combat a lot, disappointed they dropped it as they did but as long as the execution of the new style is good there's no problems.

Great to hear that it's shaping up well. I do agree with the few people ITT who are saying that the combat looks slow and unsatisfying based from the various demos they've done at E3 and the like. Enemies seem to have way to much health for the actiony style they're going for and don't react even to receiving massive damage.

I really hope it's great.

 

[Skulldead]

Does the game is challening, any difficulty setting like the first game ? I remember having a great time in the first game, it was just perfect.

 

[UrbanRats]

Combat in the demo, is why i never bought the first one.
This looks more immediate (and fun) though.

 

[Mercador]

I know I'm in the minority but I actually like the first game's combat

As I did.

Not sure about this change...

 

[crimzonflame]

Looks like Tales combat.

 

[Kaako]

This is great to read. Can't wait to play this myself.

 

[TheRealTalker]

get hyped

 

[NinjaCoachZ]

I played a demo at Fanexpo and the real-time action system works MUCH better than the first game's to me. The problem with the first game was that despite being realtime, the command-based waiting style meant in high-tension situations, things were never as responsive as you needed them. Cutting the middleman is the way to go here.

I'm really happy because so far this game seems to be addressing a lot of my biggest concerns about the first one. NNK1 was thiiiis close to true greatness and NNK2 looks like it'll refine things to the point I hope they can really achieve it. If they fix up the pacing and flow of the story too? (Italian chef kiss)

 

[franklyshankly]

I also didn't have issue with combat itself but my biggest problem was the AI.

I absolutely hated how my teammates would blow through all their MP in easy battles that didn't require it so they would be empty when it actually mattered.

 

[Stencil]

Kingdom Buidling Mode?! Hell yes.

I'm keeping an open mind to the combat. In theory it sounds fine, even fun, and compared to the last game (which I had no issues with) I'm sure it will be an improvement. However, there was a gameplay video I watched a month or so ago and I swear the player was in a boss battle for like 10+ minutes. That didn't seem all that compelling.

 

[Acquiescence]

I know I'm in the minority but I actually like the first game's combat

Yeah it was fine for the most part. It just got a whole lot unruly when things became particularly chaotic during boss battles. Other than that, I liked it.

 

[Baroquemantic]

I really enjoyed the first game's combat, but I think I'll end up liking NNK2's more as I prefer faster paced, action RPG-style combat more these days.

Gonna miss the familiars, though.

 

[mullet2000]

I sure hope so because the first game's combat killed it for me.

 

[tiebreaker]

I know I'm in the minority but I actually like the first game's combat

Me too. Can't say I'm too happy that they move away from familiars. The higgledies sound interesting though.

 

[Philippo]

Man that gif in the OP seen from a phone looks like an actual anime wtf

 

[Hades Hotgun]

Am I completely forgetting something here? The first game was realtime, wasn’t it? It’s a big reason I hated the combat (because of the lack of comtrol for your other two party members)

Yeah I figured every comment here would be about that statement and thought I was taking crazy pills til saw this post.

It was not turn based.

 

[autoduelist]

I loved the first games combat minus some obvious misteps like some bad AI, but in general concept. I'll probably love this as well.

 

[Cactus]

I gave up on the original because of the battle system, so these positive impressions are great to hear.

 

[AudioEppa]

I remember being so in love with the game’s art before release. The idea of high end animation cutscenes and beautiful in game graphics was overshadowing my mind. Then gameplay started... That’s $60 psn dollars down the shit lol

I can’t remember if I got past 3 lvls before quitting that bullshit. I hate with a passion that kind of combat. I’ll keep a close eye on this new game, but there’s zero hype feeling unlike last time.

 

[daninthemix]

I'm glad it's improved - frankly it couldn't possibly be any worse.