Ni no Kuni 2 (Another World 2) is a sequel to the popular videogame released on Playstation 3 and Nintendo 3DS. This new title will arrive on Playstation 4 and Windows PC on March 23. It features art designs and animation from many former Studio Ghibli artists, many of the very same people who worked on the original, including a musical score by Joe Hisaishi.
The software studio is Level-5, is best known for the Professor Layton and Inazuma Eleven series of videogames, and has been extremely successful since its founding in 1998. Ni no Kuni 2 is receiving a great amount of positive buzz, and it's clearly easy to see why from these screenshots.
The character and art designs practically scream Ghibli, which is understandable given the involvement of studio alumni. Veteran director Yoshiyuki Momose is once again directing the animation scenes in this sequel, as he has done with the first Ni no Kuni. I always wondered what could have happened if he was given the chance to direct a feature film at Ghibli. His Capsule music video trilogy remains among the most exciting animation the studio has ever produced.
It is nothing short of miraculous that modern videogames can appear virtually indistinguishable from animated films and television series. The days of having to look at blocky squares and stare at the cover illustration for imagination are long gone. I can't imagine any kid looking at this videogame and scoffing in disgust. "Ugh, these graphics suck. I can't wait for Playstation 5 to finally show up." Honestly, at this point, I see no rational reason why a "Playstation 5" should even exist. We are living in the promised land. Of course, I've been saying that since the days of the Sega Dreamcast, so maybe I'm just easily impressed.
Ni no Kuni 2 will be available in just four weeks, kids. Start saving your quarters.
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