Its art style was superb, but esteemed Japanese filmmaker Studio Ghibli was not attached to this project like it was with the first. Furthermore, it saw a harsh change in the way combat unfolded, changing from a Pokemon-esque real-time system to something more action-heavy and simplistic. Despite working well, it was one of the primary sources of criticism, as the difficulty was non-existent and the lack of innovation was obvious. Should a third game come to fruition, it needs to do something different, and copying the beloved Fire Emblem by introducing a Strategy-driven combat system would be a great way to bring something new.
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Fire Emblem’s Combat Prowess
There are so many components of each new Fire Emblem game that fans love and expect from the franchise. Smart character development, complex yet intuitive menus, and stellar combat are all vital to its success. The latter is something that is synonymous with the series, and over the years has become its biggest strength. Skirmishes that are methodical and intellectually challenging but never feel slow or bereft of tension is a balance that few get right, but developer Intelligent Systems makes it look so very easy with each new entry. The class-based progression gives the Fire Emblem combat so much depth and freedom of choice, meaning repeat playthroughs are never off the table.
On the other hand, Ni No Kuni has never truly attempted to offer combat that wasn’t somewhat simple and easy to understand. Being a traditional JRPG, battles occur frequently and quickly, which is a grinder’s paradise, but to many it makes long play sessions feel repetitive. Giving players a more lengthy, sporadic combat loop would work wonders for pacing and could also bring the story closer to the combat than ever before. Fire Emblem feels like the narrative is continuing to unfold as the battle progresses, with each attack or defense being a vital moment not only of the fight, but the story also. Ni No Kuni has always placed heavy emphasis on its writing, so this could be a move that makes its already great storytelling that much better.
Ni No Kuni Needs Something New
The charm of Oliver and Evan’s respective journies is in their art, characters, music, and world-building. Fans love seeing the events unfold because each of the two home-console games are so nice to exist in, so when combat occurs it feels like it’s upsetting the peace. The land is littered with enemies ranging from towering bosses to pesky annoyances, and players spend most of the game overcoming them in pursuit of levels and experience. Ni No Kuni offers things that even Pokemon can learn from, but that’s not to say it can’t take cues from something, too. The series needs yet another change, as Revenant Kingdom only felt like a half-step.
The simple yet effective combat in the second game was enough to get by, but felt like a placeholder so Level-5 can bring the series back with something truly innovative. Battles were completed by swinging a sword in real time, dodging incoming attacks, and using the limited resources available to come out on top. It was far from one of the best JRPG combat systems available, so switching to something more strategic would be a shock, but one that would surely be welcomed if done correctly. Fire Emblem is the industry leader in this field, and Ni No Kuni would do well to follow its lead.
Fire Emblem has continued to prove that its approach to combat caters to a wide audience, and it still attracts new players to this day. Its influence is only increasing, and it’s clear that other games like The DioField Chronicle look to it for inspiration, so with an ailing approach to combat that is in need of something new, Ni No Kuni would be wise to do the same.
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Remastered is available for PC and PlayStation 4.
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