Let's Play: 'Which Box Art is Better?' (Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch edition)

I've said this before, I'm sure, but I'll repeat it now just in case my memory is failing me (again): If I owned a PS3, the game that would top my lengthy buy-as-soon-as-it's-available list would be Level-5's Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch.

Until the day I buy a PS3 arrives, I'll content myself by comparing and contrasting the different cover illustrations that have been produced for this beautiful, co-developed-by-anime-company-Studio-Ghibli RPG.

To kick things off, here's the imagery that appeared on the original Japanese release's packaging:

And here's the art that will grace the cover of the upcoming (it'll hit the streets on July 19) "All-in-One Edition" of the game:

Finally, here's the rather sparse illustration that may or may not be used as the North American version's box art when it's released here in 2013:

Will it shock anyone if I say I prefer the colorful re-release's box art over the other two options? I doubt it. It could be considered a bit garish, I guess, but at least there's some life to it--something that can't be said of the original Japanese version's box art.

As for the North American cover: I have a feeling it isn't final, so I'm hesitant to say much about it. What I will say is that, even in this likely-unfinished state, I think it's classy and elegant. Should it end up appearing on store shelves, though, I wouldn't expect your average Canadian, Mexican or US gamer to pick it up--or even notice its existence.

See also: Previous 'Which Box Art is Better?' posts

My prayers have been answered: Ni no Kuni (PS3) coming to North America in early 2012

It seems like it was just yesterday that I was bemoaning the fact that the PS3 version of Level-5's Ni no Kuni may never see the light of day in North America. Oh, wait, it was just yesterday!

Anyway, it seems all of that bemoaning was for naught, as, according to gamespot.com, Level-5 president Akihiro Hino mentioned during a Tokyo Game Show 2011 interview panel held last night that an English version of Ni no Kuni will be brought stateside early next year.



A few of the questions bouncing around inside my befuddled brain as a result of Hino's announcement: How much will the English version cost (the Japanese version will cost ¥8,800, or about $115)? Who is going to publish it? Will Sony release the golden "Magical Edition" PS3 system here as well as in Japan?

See also: Previous Ni no Kuni posts

A few glimpses of Dragon Quest X (Wii) and Ni no Kuni (PS3) gameplay

I'm looking forward to getting my grubby hands on a good number of games at the moment, but only two of them are RPGs: Dragon Quest X for Wii and Ni no Kuni for PS3. (Oh, I just thought of another one: Paper Mario for 3DS. Still, my point stands.)

Since neither will hit store shelves in North America for some time (if ever, in the case of Ni no Kuni), I've decided to busy myself with searching for gameplay videos of both of the above-mentioned titles.

Well, I hit the jackpot earlier today. Here, for instance, is a smattering of gameplay footage of the Level 5-Studio Ghibli collaboration, shot on the floor of the Tokyo Game Show 2011:



Sure, the game's battle scenes look a bit boring, but its world map is a stunner.

As for Dragon Quest X, well, I can't share any YouTube videos of that much-anticipated title's first official trailer (included in the just-released-in-Japan Dragon Quest Collection) here, but I can direct you to a site where you can download an FLV version of said trailer.

If you can't be bothered with downloading and figuring out how to view an FLV file, you can always check out this post over at tinycartridge.com.

Wow

That's the first word that came to mind this morning when I saw the following trailer, for the PS3 version of Ni no Kuni:



Unfortunately, this ravishing RPG, a collaboration between Level-5 and Studio Ghibli, won't be released until sometime next year (in Japan). Actually, scratch that "unfortunately"--as the delay should give me plenty of time to save up my pennies (and dollars) for PS3.

(Via andriasang.com)

See also: 'Reason #10.5 to buy a PS3'

Reason #10.5 to buy a PS3

If memory serves, there are 9.5 reasons for me to buy a PS3. Until yesterday, that is.

Before I go on, here are my 9.5 reasons: Afrika, Aquanaut's Holiday, Demon's Souls, Disgaea 3, Heavy Rain, LittleBigPlanet, LocoRoco Cocoreccho (this one accounts for that pesky .5), Katamari Forever, Siren: Blood Curse and Valkyria Chronicles.

The 10th reason, which popped onto my radar yesterday, is Ni no Kuni: The Another World.

Feast your eyes on the first (blurry) images of the PS3 version of Ni no Kuni.

For those of you who have never heard of Ni no Kuni, it's an RPG that's being produced by Level-5 (of Professor Layton fame) and Studio Ghibli, the Japanese animation studio responsible for Ponyo, Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away.

When the folks at Level-5 announced the DS version of Ni no Kuni all the way back in 2008, they also suggested--vaguely--that they were working on a console version of the game. Although most gamers assumed the console version would appear on the Wii, it was revealed yesterday (in the latest issue of Famitsu magazine) that it will appear on the PS3.

Unfortunately, little else is known about the PS3 version of Ni no Kuni at this point--other than it will allow gamers to "adventure in a world that has the feel of a Studio Ghibli anime."

(Via andriasang.com)