Ni No Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch

Pushtrak

Newaglish wrote: »

What's the best strategy for evolving the familiars? Should I evolve them as soon as possible or is there a benefit to getting them to the level cap of each form first and then evolving them?

I've seen people recommend to get them to the level cap. I didn't do that, what I did was get them to the point where they learn the last skill and then use metamorphosis. I'm not saying it's the best, but in my estimation, that would be the least you'd want to do.

Xenji

Pushtrak wrote: »

I've seen people recommend to get them to the level cap. I didn't do that, what I did was get them to the point where they learn the last skill and then use metamorphosis. I'm not saying it's the best, but in my estimation, that would be the least you'd want to do.

Yeah that is the best way to do it, your familiars will get less points in their first phase the further they level up, its better to get the tricks then level and repeat, when you get to the third phase they will get more stats the higher you level unlike the previous levels.

Notorioux

What are some of the largest familiars? I'm around 20+ hours in and they all seem to be pretty small. Are any around the size of some of the bosses, for example the size of the Gladiataur?

Xenji

Notorioux wrote: »

What are some of the largest familiars? I'm around 20+ hours in and they all seem to be pretty small. Are any around the size of some of the bosses, for example the size of the Gladiataur?

Nope, the biggest would be Tin-Man or Popa Sasquatch.

ShaneU

Is there a trick to catching the familiars or do i just have to keep fighting them and hope the hearts appear?

cloud493

ShaneU wrote: »

Is there a trick to catching the familiars or do i just have to keep fighting them and hope the hearts appear?

One of the things you can exchange merit stamp cards for is an increased chance to catch familiars.

Xenji

ShaneU wrote: »

Is there a trick to catching the familiars or do i just have to keep fighting them and hope the hearts appear?

It's all random, and the percentage chance you have goes down further with how rare the familiar is.

Xyo

can't seem to find this game anywhere, typical when I have the money it's sold out everywhere

Pushtrak

Xyo wrote: »

can't seem to find this game anywhere, typical when I have the money it's sold out everywhere

Apparently, Gamesnash are expecting to get it back in stock.
http://gamesnash.ie/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=58_28&products_id=2609

Amazon.co.uk say it'll be available Feb 19th.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Namco-Bandai-Ni-Kuni-PS3/dp/B008LTGEGQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360772046&sr=8-1

cloud493

I just did

the tank boss battle, underneath the palace in Hamlin. Was a right pain

danthefan

About 2 hours in so far, just in the first town doing a few sidequests. Jaysus it's great to be playing a game of this style again. Loving it so far.

cloud493

Finally got the travel spell, so much easier now.

Pushtrak

How are the DLC familiars? I have them set up through the site to download, but because I can't get my PS3 online I haven't had the chance to actually download them to see what they are like. Did they take up a regular roster ye used? Did ye get them? Were they crap?

Xenji

Pushtrak wrote: »

How are the DLC familiars? I have them set up through the site to download, but because I can't get my PS3 online I haven't had the chance to actually download them to see what they are like. Did they take up a regular roster ye used? Did ye get them? Were they crap?

Both are far to slow, the Hurly can be one of the top 10 strongest familiars attack wise, the Draggle is fairly useless, stopped using him about half way through

sin0city

I don't know lads, I was loving this game for the first while but now I'm finding it a bit hard going. I've always loved JRPGs and Ghibli have done a masterful job with the art but the battle system is not the best. You don't really need to get into the planet signs and weaknesses to win battles and it could really have done with a Dragon Age style tactics screen. The way it is your options are limited and you spend a lot of time running around avoiding attacks.

This review kind of sums it up how I feel about it. Out on my own here?

cloud493

Not at all actually. The pokemon comparison is certainly apt, but it just doesn't feel as good as pokemon does. I stopped playing this for like, a week? And I came back to it a few days ago, and it just feels like a slog, can't be bothered with it at all right now.

johnny_ultimate

I ended up taking a break of longer because I didn't have any time to put into it, but back into it and now and still loving it. I was just at

the Fairyground

the other day which is one of the most beautifully presented settings I've ever come across in a game. The combat system isn't without its flaws - I hate the way by default your allies basically waste all their MP within a battle or two - but at the same time I'm finding it consistently involving and demanding in its own way. It comes into its own during boss battles when you're maybe down a character and have to tensely balance attack, defense and healing. It's not the greatest JRPG battle system of all time, but it works extremely well at times.

sin0city

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

I ended up taking a break of longer because I didn't have any time to put into it, but back into it and now and still loving it. I was just at

the Fairyground

the other day which is one of the most beautifully presented settings I've ever come across in a game. The combat system isn't without its flaws - I hate the way by default your allies basically waste all their MP within a battle or two - but at the same time I'm finding it consistently involving and demanding in its own way. It comes into its own during boss battles when you're maybe down a character and have to tensely balance attack, defense and healing. It's not the greatest JRPG battle system of all time, but it works extremely well at times.

Yeah, it's annoying that your options for controlling the other party members are so limited. I like the boss battles alright but on the world map I tend to avoid rather than engage because I don't really enjoy the normal battles. I'll keep going until I get to the place you mentioned anyway

cloud493

I'm

looking for the pirate ship

and I just can't be bothered at all. It just doesn't have the same flow a pokemon game does. I have no attachment to my familiars, I'm finding I can just brute force my way through every fight(although I have done every errand, bounty hunt, and a fair bit of grinding)

fjon

I just finished it up last week (got Platinum). The game itself was fun - as long as you kept your levels decently high it was all fairly easy.
There was a fair bit of grinding for materials post-game for some of the trophies which took a bit of the sheen off the game for me. Anyone wanting to get the "alchemy" trophy be prepared to put many boring hours into the game.

sin0city

cloud493 wrote: »

I'm

looking for the pirate ship

and I just can't be bothered at all. It just doesn't have the same flow a pokemon game does. I have no attachment to my familiars, I'm finding I can just brute force my way through every fight(although I have done every errand, bounty hunt, and a fair bit of grinding)

Yeah, I did everything at first too but I think I'll just stick to the main quest now and any bounty hunts I run into. I don't like how you have to level up the familiars either. I get a cool new one and then think, ah, couldn't be bothered levelling him up because I want to level the one I'm using up more so I can learn new tricks and morph him. If it's supposed to be a strategy layer it fails for me. At least they could have made it so that your reserve familiars level with your party.

fjon wrote: »

I just finished it up last week (got Platinum). The game itself was fun - as long as you kept your levels decently high it was all fairly easy.
There was a fair bit of grinding for materials post-game for some of the trophies which took a bit of the sheen off the game for me. Anyone wanting to get the "alchemy" trophy be prepared to put many boring hours into the game.

That's why I never go for Platinums. That's time I could be playing a new game. Tried it once on AC2. Most trophies were fun but the last one was "collect all the feathers". For me that's work, not fun.

Pushtrak

A brilliant YouTuber who has done a brilliant review of Farcry 3 (check that out too if so inclined) just did one on Ni No Kuni. NSFW, both of them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CefMym5ay5w

jenno86

Just finished the main quest today after 52 hours. Best game I've played since Final Fantasy X.

noodler

Im about 20 hours in

Just got beaten by

Shadar

The characters in the game bar Drippy seem really meh so far in terms of personality.

And in battle? I mean every boss fight I have had since Esther showed up, I have had to admit defeat and just let her die (seems useless and the phoenix downs are 500g each!) and just take the boss on my own.

The familars so far seem pretty crap, I have metamorphed a few but there seems to be almost no incentive to not just have Mitey attack again and again and ignore the rest who seem to die uber fast.

Sticking with it but the battle system seems a bit flawed (having the other characters maintain a decent contribution in battle for example seems to be an absolute chore) and the story.characters are a little sugary even for my open minded tastes!

cloud493

I still haven't finished this, oops

Tubbs4

noodler wrote: »

Im about 20 hours in

Just got beaten by

Shadar

The characters in the game bar Drippy seem really meh so far in terms of personality.

And in battle? I mean every boss fight I have had since Esther showed up, I have had to admit defeat and just let her die (seems useless and the phoenix downs are 500g each!) and just take the boss on my own.

The familars so far seem pretty crap, I have metamorphed a few but there seems to be almost no incentive to not just have Mitey attack again and again and ignore the rest who seem to die uber fast.

Sticking with it but the battle system seems a bit flawed (having the other characters maintain a decent contribution in battle for example seems to be an absolute chore) and the story.characters are a little sugary even for my open minded tastes!

Set esther up to heal and see should her alive a bit longer. Also the familar once upgraded are useless until there levels go up.
Look up a guide for familar and the order to out them in for a boost in fights

Sephiroth_dude

cloud493 wrote: »

I still haven't finished this, oops

Hahaha neither have I

DesperateDan

I dropped this for Bioshock Infinite, then The Last of Us, sure I'll get back into it sooner or later! The special edition is just mocking me on the shelf.

Polar101

€17.99 on PSN so finally picked this up. Did you people have the Japanese or English voices on in this? I went with the English but the dialogue seems a bit off.

Xenji

Polar101 wrote: »

€17.99 on PSN so finally picked this up. Did you people have the Japanese or English voices on in this? I went with the English but the dialogue seems a bit off.

The Japanese, the English one was far to cutesy and Drippy will get on your nerves very quickly

diograis

Xenji wrote: »

The Japanese, the English one was far to cutesy and Drippy will get on your nerves very quickly

Played this for about 30 minutes, already annoying. Who decided a "lord fairy lord" should sound like he's straight out of a cumbrian mine?

Retr0gamer

It isn't great in fairness. Couldn't bring myself to play much. It's crushingly mediocre. Such hype over such a poor game while more deserving games went unnoticed.

Saviour of jrpgs my arse, it's nearly everything that people find wrong with the genre.

jenno86

I really enjoyed it!

Randomfriend

I'm downloading it now, so many conflicting reports here. Now I know to expect to love it at the start and then get sick of it after 10 hours

I'll report back in a few days ^^

brady12

Randomfriend wrote: »

I'm downloading it now, so many conflicting reports here. Now I know to expect to love it at the start and then get sick of it after 10 hours

I'll report back in a few days ^^

Was thinking about buying it but I've back log clear at mo

Bought it a few months back when it was cheap and after downloading it I've yet to start it. Really must make the time over the coming weeks to get into it

Xenji

It is the type of game were you either hate it or enjoy it, not much middle ground really, you should know what camp your in after a few hours.

Danonino.

I enjoyed it a lot, battle system took a long time to get used to and the fact capturing creatures was down to luck instead of something like Pokemons damage/status system annoyed me. Also I would have preferred having only Oliver battle with familiars and his spells doing no damage just buffs, that would have been interesting, instead you end up controlling too much at once and Olivers damage dealing spells mean hes almost always on the field.

The ending

felt a little tacked on, I found out after completing the game it originally ended at Shadar and it felt that way.

Also some parts bordered on sickly sweet but there were enough great moments to make up for them.

That read more negative that I wanted, I enjoyed the silly amount of hours I put into the game and its rare for a game to hold my attention that long.

Oh and Drippy was a fantastic character, his overall welshness made the game for me proper tidy like.

Fawk Nin

Xenji wrote: »

It is the type of game were you either hate it or enjoy it, not much middle ground really, you should know what camp your in after a few hours.

I bought it in the Winter sale for cheap and have had it sitting there since. Will dive in soon but I also have Okami HD downloaded (played about an hour only) and should probably finish one long game before starting another.

jenno86

I really enjoyed this game! Didnt play an RPG in years and really want to play another now.

Cant wait for some good ones on the PS4!

danthefan

jenno86 wrote: »

I really enjoyed this game! Didnt play an RPG in years and really want to play another now.

Cant wait for some good ones on the PS4!

Try Tales of Xillia next.

jenno86

danthefan wrote: »

Try Tales of Xillia next.

Don't have the PS3 anymore! Sold it shortly after I finished Kuni!

Retr0gamer

If you have a DS, 3DS, PSP or PS Vita then there's loads of RPGs out there on those systems that are way better than Ni No Kuni which I found really poor. If you have any of them we can give you recommendations.

Randomfriend

Randomfriend wrote: »

I'm downloading it now, so many conflicting reports here. Now I know to expect to love it at the start and then get sick of it after 10 hours

I'll report back in a few days ^^

Right so, I'm as far as the part where you get the ship. The story isn't growing on me at all, I must confess I enjoy drippy's Welshness, the artwork is nice as is the soundtrack. However that's about where the positives end for me. The story isn't all that gripping, and is overly childish imo, I appreciate the protagonist is a child, and at least there has been a slight character development in this regard, Oliver isn't quite as annoying as he was in the beginning..

The dialogue is just dire, really, they spell absolutely everything out and after an hour or two the conversation got very tedious..

The fights are alright, and there is a lot of side quests going on. So as a 15 euro game goes, you'll get your moneys worth, but I'm finding it hard to will myself to continue playing. Does it get better??

Xenji

Randomfriend wrote: »

Right so, I'm as far as the part where you get the ship. The story isn't growing on me at all, I must confess I enjoy drippy's Welshness, the artwork is nice as is the soundtrack. However that's about where the positives end for me. The story isn't all that gripping, and is overly childish imo, I appreciate the protagonist is a child, and at least there has been a slight character development in this regard, Oliver isn't quite as annoying as he was in the beginning..

The dialogue is just dire, really, they spell absolutely everything out and after an hour or two the conversation got very tedious..

The fights are alright, and there is a lot of side quests going on. So as a 15 euro game goes, you'll get your moneys worth, but I'm finding it hard to will myself to continue playing. Does it get better??

Nope, if you do not like it by now it is not gonna get any better for you, the game is too long for its own good as well, it turned into a chore to finish in the end for me.

Pushtrak

I guess I'm just easily amused/entertained maybe? I checked back through some of my posts on this thread and while I was playing early on I was a fan of the combat, but at some point while playing, that became the weak point of it, but aside from that I enjoyed the game a lot. And even though I came to be unimpressed with the combat, it wasn't like it was objectionably bad... just I came to find it kinda dull. Though whereas with lots of other games I'd be eager to go back and replay, I haven't really had the motivation to replay this so that might be telling in itself.

Xenji

Pushtrak wrote: »

I guess I'm just easily amused/entertained maybe? I checked back through some of my posts on this thread and while I was playing early on I was a fan of the combat, but at some point while playing, that became the weak point of it, but aside from that I enjoyed the game a lot. And even though I came to be unimpressed with the combat, it wasn't like it was objectionably bad... just I came to find it kinda dull. Though whereas with lots of other games I'd be eager to go back and replay, I haven't really had the motivation to replay this so that might be telling in itself.

Sums up mostly how I feel about the game as well.

Retr0gamer

Yep game doesn't get any better. The only thing it has going for it are the graphics and music. The combat is really dull and battles take far too long and the story is the typical drivel from level 5's Hino whenever he writes the story.

Randomfriend

Haven't picked it up since, feel no guilt.

Katie1289

I finished it today. Is there much to do after completion? Does anything open up or is it just side quest after side quest?

Spoilers alert!!!!

I thought it was very ghibli-esque the way that every single bad character got redeemed.


The theory that the whole alternate universe was a coping mechanism by Oliver to deal with the loss of his mother makes a lot of sense to me on completion. http://www.newgamernation.com/was-ni-no-kuni-all-in-olivers-head-a-cynical-theory/
That article details the idea.

Overall enjoyed the atmosphere and style of the game. Mr Drippy was the best mun! The gameplay was lacking for me but I never play JRPGs so it was all new.

Also! ALL HAIL DINOCEROUS! My guy just made me fly through the second half of the game! Him and fighting tokotokos!!!! Level 74 at the end and I felt it was just a bit too simple! Oh well