Have you ever gotten that feeling while playing a game? That feeling that connects you to the proverbial soul of the virtual world that’s been laid out before you. That required sensation which, for no readily apparent reason, tells you that this is something special. A classic in the making. It’s something I feel rarely, even though I’m always searching for it. Chrono Trigger was my first encounter with it and a select few followed afterward. Most recently, it was Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch.
I’ve played my fair share of rpgs, and I’ve experienced qualities ranging all across the board. There are plenty of great role playing games out there, but the vast majority lack true heart. It’s that passion that drives developers to go the extra mile and add the perfect amount of detail. They grimace at the thought of lazily recycled content, taking the time to painstakingly hand craft their world. Wrath of the White Witch is a labor of love.
It tells the tale of a young boy who loses his mother and sets off to a parallel world to find and rescue her spirit. The style is decidedly anime in flavor, going so far as to include many fully hand-drawn anime cut scenes. I almost felt like I was playing a great movie, something akin to My Neighbor Totoro or Spirited Away. It retains the same magical, charming qualities that can melt even the most jaded of gamer hearts.
I’ll admit I was leery at first. Ni No Kuni seemed a bit too simplistic and childish at first glance. However, over time its true depth began to reveal itself and its seemingly childish nature became wholesome. It was actually a very refreshing change of pace. So much of the gaming industry nowadays is permeated with violence, vulgarity, and melancholy. Not that I have any problem with that, but it’s easy to forget that a game doesn’t require those things to be appealing. And more than once I caught myself smiling at the corny jokes, group hug moments, and touchingly innocent speeches of Ni No.
Now, before I get too sappy, let’s get down to brass tacks. Wrath of the White Witch is a solid rpg. Its cell-shaded graphics are vibrant and visually arresting, the orchestral soundtrack is inspiring, and the gameplay is tight and addictive.
Combat is a semi turn-based affair. You choose a familiar to send out into battle and proceed to select attacks and special skills to use that each have their respective cool down timers. Positioning is equally important as it will allow you to avoid enemy attacks entirely, gaining the advantage. Ollie, the main character, can directly fight as well, but he is much more vulnerable than the creatures that can fight in his stead. Knowing when to use who in battle is key. A well placed spell from Ollie can easily turn the tide.
The familiars that fight for Ollie are a central feature of the game and the source of Ni No Kuni’s deviously addicting nature. Taking a page from the overwhelmingly successful Pokemon franchise, Wrath of the White Witch contains hundreds of creatures that can be captured, trained, and evolved so that they may join your party and vanquish the many evils in your path. You could literally spend dozens of hours collecting familiars alone.
Everything Wrath of the White Witch offers is spectacularly well crafted. The story, the sidequests, alchemy, the surprisingly in-depth wizarding tome that can be read cover to cover. It all blends together masterfully, creating a fantastic gaming experience. As the Lord High Lord of the Faeries would say: It’s a proper tidy game, mun!
