Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom

An absolute joy, like a whippy ice-cream on a hot summer’s day, it’s sweet and fun and you will want more.

84%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, stability

83% User Score Based on 3,940 reviews

Critic Score 87%Based on 24 reviews

Platforms

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About

Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom is a single player role playing game with fantasy and anime themes. It was developed by LEVEL5 Inc. and was released on March 23, 2018. It received positive reviews from both critics and players.

In Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom, players become King Evan as they build a new kingdom, explore various lands, and fight in real-time battles with unique creatures called Higgledies. The game features a captivating story, stunning visuals, and a charming soundtrack. Players will need to strategically manage their kingdom and form alliances to strengthen their forces against the looming darkness.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom screenshot

+21

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83%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,940 reviews

story910 positive mentions

grinding346 negative mentions

The game features beautiful graphics and a charming art style reminiscent of Studio Ghibli films.
The combat system is engaging and offers a variety of gameplay mechanics, including kingdom building and skirmish battles.
The story, while simple, is heartwarming and features lovable characters that players can connect with.

The story can feel childish and lacks depth, with many characters being one-dimensional and underdeveloped.
The game is heavily grindy, requiring players to complete numerous side quests to progress in the main story.
There are technical issues, including crashes and problems with HDR settings, which can detract from the overall experience.

story
3,144 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
63%
8%
The story of "Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its charming and whimsical nature, reminiscent of Studio Ghibli films, while others criticize it for being overly simplistic and predictable. Players appreciate the engaging character interactions and the heartwarming themes of unity and friendship, but some feel the narrative lacks depth and complexity, often resorting to cliché tropes. Additionally, the reliance on fetch quests and side missions to progress the main story has been noted as a detractor, leading to a sense of grind rather than a compelling narrative experience.
- “The story is simple but engaging, and experiencing Evan growing up and gaining confidence in himself and his goals alongside the tight-knit group of his friends and teammates is lovely.”
- “I absolutely love this game; it's a beautiful world and story with such lovable characters, and it will always hold a place in my heart.”
- “The story is charming, the NPCs are fun, and the quests are nice.”
- “The story is absolutely horrible.”
- “No story at all, no background story for characters, no character development, just some narrative to keep the game going and give you 'newer' dungeons in which they only change colors on the trees to make it seem like something changed (but it didn't).”
- “The story is extremely bland as well as the characters.”
gameplay
1,116 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
59%
7%
The gameplay of "Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom" is characterized by a mix of action RPG mechanics, kingdom management, and skirmish battles, offering a variety of gameplay experiences. While many players appreciate the fluid combat and engaging visuals, some criticize the game for its repetitive mechanics, lack of depth, and grind-heavy elements, particularly in the kingdom-building aspect. Overall, the gameplay is seen as enjoyable but can become tedious due to its reliance on fetch quests and the simplicity of its combat system.
- “The gameplay is actually quite rich, between the strategy phases in 'war mode' when you control military units viewed from above, the third person phases when you're inside cities or dungeons, and the map you can explore with vehicles you'll unlock as you progress into the main story.”
- “The gameplay is smooth during normal battles, army battles, and castle building.”
- “The gameplay brings something new to the table at regular intervals, ensuring that gameplay is never repetitive or stale.”
- “While other parts of gameplay are very grinding and a lot of fetch/kill quests that are somewhat necessary in order to advance and grow stronger, it was a bit too drawn out.”
- “The mechanics are poorly explained, and the entire system feels like a chore, diverting attention away from the core adventure and undermining the sense of progression.”
- “The gameplay is a mix of half-baked mechanics which, to be fair, support and/or supplement the core kingdom-building mechanic in mostly meaningful ways, but they can get old and annoying due to poor design.”
graphics
808 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
39%
2%
The graphics of "Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom" are widely praised for their stunning, Ghibli-inspired art style, which creates an immersive and visually appealing fantasy world. While many reviewers appreciate the beautiful animations and vibrant environments, some express disappointment with the overall design consistency and character models, particularly in the open world. Despite mixed feelings about gameplay and story, the visuals remain a standout feature, often described as breathtaking and reminiscent of an animated film.
- “The graphics are stunning, I love the art style of everything.”
- “The anime-style graphics are simply beautiful and send Studio Ghibli vibes.”
- “The art style is beautiful, and I absolutely love kingdom building games, but this just isn't it for me.”
- “While the aesthetic and art style is 'duplicated' in this installment, it's certainly not matched, nor do I get the feeling the same developers worked on this one or that the ones who did, much cared about it.”
- “The graphics look very dated and the art style doesn't match at all with what you see when exploring a forest area or a city, or while in combat.”
- “Ultimately the game is bland and boring, the charm of the art style takes you only so far.”
music
517 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
42%
6%
The music in the game has received a mixed reception, with many praising the impressive orchestral score composed by Joe Hisaishi, known for his work on Studio Ghibli films. While some players find the soundtrack enchanting and immersive, others criticize it for being repetitive and not always fitting the game's atmosphere, leading to moments of annoyance. Overall, the music is often highlighted as a strong point, but its limited variety and looping nature can detract from the experience for some players.
- “The music, oh my god the music is so so good, you have me singing along with every single town soundtrack and the beautiful main soundtrack on the map is so great, I could listen to it for hours on end (and I did).”
- “The music is absolutely phenomenal, composed by the same guy who does the soundtrack for Ghibli movies.”
- “The soundtrack, by legendary composer Joe Hisaishi, wonderfully adds depth to Ni no Kuni 2's world as it engulfs you into the experience.”
- “The music in Goldpaw, which is a city I was in for a little while, has very terrible music.”
- “Music consists of the same couple of songs on repeat all the time and they are annoying as hell.”
- “The soundtrack is jarring and doesn't fit at all with what is happening.”
grinding
355 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
2%
97%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and time-consuming, particularly in the late game and post-game content. While some enjoy the grind as a core element of the JRPG experience, others criticize the repetitive fetch quests, resource management, and the need to grind for levels and materials to progress, leading to a sense of frustration and boredom. Overall, the game is seen as heavily reliant on grinding, which can detract from the enjoyment of the story and gameplay for those not fond of this mechanic.
- “Not too grindy, or really, grindy at all, for that matter.”
- “In my experience with RPGs, not grindy at all.”
- “I wouldn't argue that Ni no Kuni II does any of these things exceptionally well, but it still manages to do each of the things it tries to do in a fun and engaging way that isn't tedious or obnoxious.”
- “The game is needlessly grindy in very weird aspects.”
- “Grinding high-level enemies for equipment is tedious as hell because there are so many variations of weapons/armor that can drop, and if you manage to find a good item, you have to grind shiny spots for materials to upgrade it.”
- “I ended up quitting the game at the very end because I didn't feel like grinding this out.”
emotional
106 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
95%
5%
The emotional aspect of "Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom" receives mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the game offers a heartwarming and wholesome narrative, it lacks the depth and emotional resonance of its predecessor. Critics highlight the generic plot and underdeveloped characters, which hinder emotional investment, although some appreciate the charming visuals and uplifting themes. Overall, the game is seen as a light-hearted experience that may appeal to younger audiences but falls short for those seeking a more profound emotional connection.
- “The soundtrack, the hand-drawn beautiful animated cutscenes, the heartwarming story, it all just engulfed me into its magnificent world.”
- “The narrative is filled with memorable characters, touching moments, and an underlying message of hope and unity.”
- “In conclusion, Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom is a heartwarming and visually stunning adventure that captivates players with its charm and depth.”
- “The gameplay is good, but the story feels like a children's movie; it's predictable and boring.”
- “Every time you go into a cutscene, the dialogue is about 3-5 times slower to spam through, which is not great given the boring story.”
- “Very boring story.”
character development
100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
52%
23%
Character development in the game has received largely negative feedback, with many reviewers noting a significant lack of depth and growth for most characters, aside from the protagonist, Evan. While the character designs are often praised for their aesthetic appeal, the storytelling is criticized for being shallow and failing to engage players emotionally, resulting in a disconnect between players and the characters. Overall, the consensus is that those seeking rich character development and a compelling narrative may be disappointed.
- “The storytelling was bar none amazing to me since it delved into personal character development and how each one played their own role into the beginning, middle, and end.”
- “The character development is strong, as the game instantly makes me care about the main characters and their well-being.”
- “Character development: watching Evan grow as a character and leader throughout the game is a rewarding experience.”
- “None of the characters aside from Evan are particularly strong or easy to connect with because they don't get character development, or any growth, and most of them are very one-note.”
- “The plot is also undermined by a lack of visible character development for the main character Evan.”
- “There's also no character development at all; Evan has a little bit, but he might as well not have any; everyone remains the same.”
optimization
84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
36%
24%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its smooth performance and stability across a range of hardware configurations, particularly on higher-end systems. However, some users have reported significant stuttering issues, especially when using HDR settings or on older PCs, indicating that while the game is generally well-optimized, there are notable exceptions that affect the experience for certain players. Overall, the consensus leans towards it being one of the better-optimized Japanese titles, but with room for improvement in specific areas.
- “The game is perfectly optimized for PC as well!”
- “I can say, without a doubt, that this is one of the best optimized PC games that I've ever had the pleasure of playing.”
- “Being a Japanese-made game, I had my doubts whether it would be optimized well enough to actually function on a PC, but not only am I pleasantly surprised, I am stunned at the quality.”
- “This is shit optimization and unacceptable for a $60 4 year old game.”
- “Poorly optimized, stutter issues everywhere.”
- “The port is terrible, I have tried everything to stop the damn stuttering and still no joy.”
humor
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players noting its blend of funny dialogues, quirky character designs, and amusing side quests that enhance the overall experience. While some found the humor to be hit-or-miss, with certain elements feeling repetitive or lacking depth, many enjoyed the lighthearted moments and comedic interactions that kept them engaged. Overall, the game successfully combines humor with its RPG elements, making it a delightful experience for fans of the genre.
- “There's humor, there's romance, there's action, there's something for everyone here.”
- “So far it's been a great experience - this game has very satisfying fight mechanics and overall it's cute and has funny dialogues.”
- “The gameplay is full of little details, and you can really see in this game that it's the small things that really differentiate a masterpiece from a good title, the detailed animation of walking down the stairs, the funny dialogue and the banter between the characters (especially Lofty), the endearing aesthetic based on Ghibli, the wholesome message that the story conveys, all these hours spent on the game were a blissful experience, it was all perfect.”
atmosphere
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
36%
9%
The atmosphere of "Ni no Kuni" is widely praised for its beautiful graphics, immersive art style, and enchanting music, reminiscent of Studio Ghibli's charm. While many players find the world captivating and relaxing, some critique the game's pacing and narrative coherence, noting that the atmosphere can diminish when the story takes center stage. Overall, the game's aesthetic and sound design create a memorable and engaging experience, drawing players into its magical world.
- “The music is also amazing and helps create a very memorable atmosphere; this game keeps drawing me back into its world when I want some downtime to relax.”
- “Beautiful graphics and Joe Hisaishi's music give it the perfect atmosphere.”
- “Fantastic JRPG with the atmosphere of fan-favorite Miyazaki films.”
- “Yes, we've all expected exactly that, but still, it's hard not to mention that the signature atmosphere of Studio Ghibli works is not here anymore.”
- “Boring running around, sterile atmosphere and stupid characters, clunky movement and combat, console menus.”
- “As soon as you are out of the castle, the ridiculous story of the game gets shoved to the forefront and all the atmosphere quickly erodes.”
stability
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
8%
76%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant bugs, crashes, and freezes, particularly during late-game content, while others report a smooth experience with no technical issues. Many users noted persistent problems such as loading failures and graphical glitches, despite some praising the game's overall performance. Overall, the game's stability appears to vary widely among players, with a notable divide between those who encounter severe issues and those who find it runs flawlessly.
- “I love the story, I love everything about this game. As a glitch and bug hunter, I found 0 problems, no glitches, no bugs, no performance issues. This is a piece of art, if not a masterpiece!”
- “Runs great on PC, 144fps consistently.”
- “It runs great with no bugs to report so far.”
- “This game is incredibly buggy and as such I cannot recommend it; firstly, borderless full screen and regular full screen do not work.”
- “Beautiful game but becomes absolute trash to run on PC; constant hangs, freezes, and black screens make it virtually unplayable from chapter 8 onwards.”
- “Play all on low or max, it doesn't matter; low range or high range PC, it doesn't matter; crashes, freezes, FPS drops even when you're idle and nothing on the world/level is happening, those enjoyable 80fps+ drop to 17fps every few seconds.”
replayability
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
54%
23%
The game's replayability is mixed, with some players noting potential for achievements and city-building elements, while others criticize it for lacking substantial endgame content and story depth. Many feel that the replay value is minimal, primarily limited to speedrunning rather than meaningful exploration or narrative engagement. Overall, the consensus suggests that while there are some replayable aspects, they are not enough to sustain long-term interest.
- “It does have some replay value for achievements but also to do more with your kingdom in the city building.”
- “There is plenty of replay value here, and this game will hold up for years to come.”
- “Lastly, people have been complaining about replayability; I find this game has fun replayability in a speedrunning way, maybe not story-wise since you learn everything about the story.”
- “Sadly, there is next to no replay value.”
- “Overall, this felt like a feature they just threw into the game to try and add more playable content, without ever actually fleshing out the game itself.”
- “There is no DLC in sight and the story does not lend itself to endgame content or replayability.”
monetization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
12%
50%
The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively, as it features no microtransactions or pay-to-win mechanics, allowing for an uninterrupted gaming experience. However, some users express concerns that the game feels like a cash grab, suggesting a disconnect between its artistic merits and commercial intentions. Overall, players appreciate the absence of monetization distractions, which enhances their immersion in the game.
- “No microtransactions: Ni no Kuni II stands as a testament to the value of a complete gaming experience.”
- “It's free from the distractions of microtransactions or pay-to-win mechanics, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in the world without interruption.”
- “Don't worry if this sounds like a pay-to-win game; what I state later in the review about microtransactions still stands.”
- “It's a cash grab.”
- “I hope Studio Ghibli has more to do with the next game; this just feels like a cash grab.”
- “Don't worry if this sounds like a BS pay-to-win game; what I state later in the review about microtransactions still stands.”

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87%Critics’ scoreBased on 24 critic reviews

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Buy Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom

32h Median play time

48h Average play time

39h Main story

93h Completionist

6-60h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 47 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom is a role playing game with fantasy and anime themes.

Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 4 and others.

The main story can be completed in around 39 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 93 hours to finish. On average players spend around 48 hours playing Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom.

Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom was released on March 23, 2018.

Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom was developed by LEVEL5 Inc..

Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom has received positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom is a single player game.

Similar games include Tales of Berseria, Tales of Arise, DRAGON QUEST® XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age™, Tales of Zestiria, Battle Chasers: Nightwar and others.

Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom

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