Japanese developer Level-5 has been responsible for some shining examples of quintessential JRPGs, over the years. From PS2 gems in the Dark Cloud and Rogue Galaxy franchises through to its iconic Dragon Quest series, much of Level-5’s output has been characterised by a focus on young protagonists who embark on fantastical journeys of self-discovery rendered in the studio’s distinctive cel-shaded visual style.
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is set to continue both of these traditions whilst exhibiting another of the traits that has helped stand Level-5 titles in such high regard: high-quality localisation. From voice work to choice colloquialisms and distinctive accents (most notably Drippy the fairy who speaks with a charming Welsh tang, an accent seldom heard in video games), Ni No Kuni’s localisation is being undertaken with an eye for detail to ensure that the humour, sentiment and relationships between characters are conveyed as they were initially intended by the developer in its native version.
For all of the efforts to deliver a polished product to an international audience, the game design, RPG mechanics and over-arching storyline have their roots steadfastly grounded in Japanese soil. Clearly, Ni No Kuni is a JRPG at its core but this is something that Level-5 seems unwilling to wholeheartedly embrace when it discusses the game.
“We can say that Ni No Kuni will certainly be representative of a Japanese RPG in terms of the level of quality that it provides, but we never really intended to adhere to a JRPG formula,” says Level-5 CEO Akihiro Hino.
“In terms of the game universe, it feels very Japanese and that’s what we’re keen to keep but the game systems don’t necessarily follow the formula that’s been created by past JRPGs. So, it’s fair to say that it has a Japanese feel but will be a different type of RPG.”
We won’t truly know just how different Ni No Kuni will feel until its international release early next year, but from hands-on time with early sections that feature exploration, combat and interaction with NPCs, it feels every bit the full-blooded JRPG. This impression is further enforced by Level-5 working closely with Japanese animation powerhouse, Studio Ghibli, the company responsible for the likes of animated features Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle and The Secret World of Arrietty.
Level-5’s reticence to proudly hold Ni No Kuni aloft as a shining example of what JRPGs are capable of is perhaps born of a concern that Western audiences have grown tired of the genre or, more broadly, of Japanese-developed games in general; a sentiment succinctly expressed at this year’s GDC by Fez developer Phil Fish and previously discussed by long serving ex-Capcom staffer Keiji Inafune. However, a beautifully crafted experience such as Ni No Kuni can – and should – seek to fly in the face of such opinions, and by marrying a Japanese game developer that has experienced success overseas with a native animation studio whose creations have likewise been incredibly well received in the West, the groundwork has been laid to do just that.
This collaboration between Level-5 and Studio Ghibli marks the first game project for the animation studio and so its efforts in character and environment design have to be seen in action to be fully appreciated. Both the real-time animation and rendered cut scenes are far beyond what we’re used to seeing a video game deliver and stand as both a milestone in game development and a testament to Studio Ghibli’s talent.
Such is Ni No Kuni’s visual impact that discussion around it is dominated by how important the animation studio’s involvement has been during development and how crucial it might be to the success of the game in the West. This leads to the question of whether Hino feels that the focus on Studio Ghibli’s work on the project might be to the detriment of Level-5’s creative vision and contribution to the game underneath the aesthetics.
“There is a sense that [Studio Ghibli’s work] could potentially be overshadowing what Level 5 has done for the game,” ponders Hino. That said, Level 5 had completed the entire game design, the planning and the storyline prior to Studio Ghibli’s involvement.
“I think that the most important part of this process was working with Studio Ghibli to create a game that could represent Japan. To do that, we incorporated the know-how of both companies into Ni No Kuni; I think that using its technology and abilities, Level-5 has achieved its goal of creating a Studio Ghibli-like universe within a game.”
This is a potent partnership of two companies at the top of their game that have their expertise to bear on a uniquely Japanese title. Whilst some believe the Japanese industry is still suffering a crisis of confidence and struggling to re-establish its identity, Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch looks to be an achievement that its creators can be proud to call a quintessential JRPG.
Source : http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/05/18/ni-no-kuni-leads-the-jrpg-charge
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