Giant Bomb News

56 Comments

Studio Ghibli And Level-5 Collaboration Coming To PS3

by on

The DS game from two Japanese powerhouses gets a major HD overhaul.

The partnership made in anime heaven just got a little sweeter. Earlier this week, the Japanese game publication Famitsu revealed that Ni No Kuni, the DS game developed by Dragon Quest/Professor Layton developer Level-5 and legendary animation team Studio Ghibli, is going to receive a proper HD update and release on the PlayStation 3. If the promise of Ghibli's gorgeously animated cutscenes and wildly imaginative style in 1080p didn't sell you on this game already, the newly released trailer for the PS3 version of the game just might. 
 
    
 
If you're even the least bit interested in Japanese RPGs, then you understand why fans are so excited about this partnership. Level-5 developed the last two major releases in the Dragon Quest franchise to wild critical and commercial acclaim, to say nothing of the other beloved franchises the team has under their belt. And Studio Ghibli is the animation house behind Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away, some of the most beloved films to come out of Japan over the past two decades.  
 
Oh, and to top it off, the gameplay looks like it's directly inspired by the monster-battling antics of the Pokémon franchise. It practically reads like a love letter to Japanese game design. I'm half-surprised that Level-5 isn't billing this game's development as the collaboration of a new RPG "Dream Team." 
 
I'm glad I'll have the opportunity to see Studio Ghibli's art in 1080p, but what about you guys? Do you think that a console release is better suited for the kind of game Level-5 and Ghibli are developing?

Filed under:
Ni no Kuni: Shikkoku no Madoshi
56 Comments
  • 56 results
  • 1
  • 2
Posted by MattBodega

The partnership made in anime heaven just got a little sweeter. Earlier this week, the Japanese game publication Famitsu revealed that Ni No Kuni, the DS game developed by Dragon Quest/Professor Layton developer Level-5 and legendary animation team Studio Ghibli, is going to receive a proper HD update and release on the PlayStation 3. If the promise of Ghibli's gorgeously animated cutscenes and wildly imaginative style in 1080p didn't sell you on this game already, the newly released trailer for the PS3 version of the game just might. 
 
    
 
If you're even the least bit interested in Japanese RPGs, then you understand why fans are so excited about this partnership. Level-5 developed the last two major releases in the Dragon Quest franchise to wild critical and commercial acclaim, to say nothing of the other beloved franchises the team has under their belt. And Studio Ghibli is the animation house behind Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away, some of the most beloved films to come out of Japan over the past two decades.  
 
Oh, and to top it off, the gameplay looks like it's directly inspired by the monster-battling antics of the Pokémon franchise. It practically reads like a love letter to Japanese game design. I'm half-surprised that Level-5 isn't billing this game's development as the collaboration of a new RPG "Dream Team." 
 
I'm glad I'll have the opportunity to see Studio Ghibli's art in 1080p, but what about you guys? Do you think that a console release is better suited for the kind of game Level-5 and Ghibli are developing?

Posted by Se7enthSamurai

This looks amazing

Posted by fwylo

OH MY GOD YES.

Posted by OllyOxenFree

Pretty much my dream combination!

Edited by Scrumdidlyumptious

This should be a Team ICO game =( 
 
Oh well. If this ends up to be the 3D Pokemon RPG I've always wanted, then I'll still be a happy camper.

Posted by cap123

characters and monsters look really nice, XBOX? :(

Posted by GrocersPride

This better come the the US!

Posted by OllyOxenFree
@cap123 said:
" characters and monsters look really nice, XBOX? :( "
No xbawkz for you!  
 
I don't know about the battle system, though.  Not very fond of the 'capture and train monsters to battle' aspect.  Stopped playing Pokemon games years ago.
Posted by JJOR64

I wonder if this game will come to other territories.

Posted by Damian

The visuals are as awesome as the story title suggests. 
The gameplay ain't my thing, but I hope (and am sure) it will do well so Ghibli gets more involved in games.

Posted by Seii

This is better news then anything to come out of E3 this year. Been starving for more good PS3 RPGs and loving the worldmap inclusion too. 

Posted by SparkEngineer
@OllyOxenFree: I don't think that's the part of the battle system you should worry about, I mean, It doesn't make any difference in terms of gameplay whether or not it's a captured monster or not. That has absolutely nothing to do with the battle element of the gameplay, and it allows for a (potentially) a much more diverse set of abilities and combinations of abilities for the battle system. 
 
What everyone should be concerned with is the fact that Level-5 is making this game. They have a pretty bad track record for combat systems.  
 
I'm also sure there's more depth in most pokemon games battle systems than any 90% of games released today.  Judging this based off my distant experience, but I remember them being fairly deep, with much more micro management and customization that certainly trumps any rpg released on a current gen console, except maybe demon's souls.  
 
Game looks fantastic though. Hope those new NA Level-5 offices make sure we get a good localization. Since theres no 360 version we can hope for JP voices with subtitles too maybe?
Posted by Ossi

Sold.

Posted by unclejohn0525

That looks fucking  AMAZING on PS3

Posted by RipAndTear

Beautiful. I can only hope for a western release.

Posted by dastly75

I posted this story via Giantbomb on Facebook but when you click on the link it redirects to the general videos page rather than this article and/or video.  どうして?

Posted by Onigenko

This looks amazing.

Posted by mrbasehart

I've been wanting Ghibli to write a game for ages, and now the technology has come along to do their vision justice.  It looks nigh on perfect, and I'd sell a kidney to be able to play the game right now.
 
...
 
Anybody want a kidney?

Posted by Tsukiyomi
@Scrumdidlyumptious said:
" This should be a Team ICO game =(  Oh well. If this ends up to be the 3D Pokemon RPG I've always wanted, then I'll still be a happy camper. "
No, if anyone were to develop a game in the style of Studio Ghibli, it should be Level 5. I love Team Ico, but this isn't their scene.
Posted by blaakmawf

Hot damn does that look good! Is it coming to the states?

Posted by TimedExposure

I can't wait, I LOVE LEVEL 5!!!

Posted by Dan_CiTi

Smart move. I can't wait. 

Posted by MrGetBonus

Oh hell yes. I'm sold.

Posted by MisterMouse

looks awesome, cant wait for this game to come out

Posted by get2sammyb

This does look properly incredible. Please English subtitles or, even better, Western release.

Posted by ashogo

Wow, it's pretty impressive how well the animation style carries over into realtime. This seems like a weird move to me though...the ds version isn't even out yet, is it? This seems like it would kill sales of the ds version.

Posted by Brodehouse

Level 5 did a whole lot to sour me with White Knight Chronicles.  And yeah, good combat and gameplay has never really been their forte.
 
This looks absolutely incredible, but too much reminds me of White Knight.  I don't think I can trust them.

Posted by Matiaz_Tapia

Yay!!  Studio Ghibli, Level 5, amazing visuals, monster training. Sign me the "F" up! 

Posted by Korne

This reminds me in a lot of ways of the classic Digimon World. I'm pretty psyched!

Posted by Diamond

Just hope it plays good.  We need more good JRPGs this gen.

Posted by Catolf
@Diamond said:
" Just hope it plays good.  We need more good JRPGs this gen. "
this for truth, very excited about this.
Posted by Symphony

I really hope we see a western release of this *fingers crossed*

Posted by RobertOrri

Oh man, this looks great.

Posted by WilliamRLBaker

*raises glass* heres hoping it gets localized...though its likely it wont.

Posted by Spartan14003

Studio Ghibli and Level-5!? I'm sold.

Posted by SatelliteOfLove

Monster design is nifty; reminds me of Team Symphonia X PS2 Final Fantasy critters.

Posted by Addfwyn

This is probably the title I am most excited about for TGS this year (hope it's playable there).  Gorgeous animations, world design, it has Studio Ghibli and Level 5 both working on it, plus some other really talented individual developers.  This and Last Guardian are topping my anticipated games list, and really really hope I can play both at TGS. 
 
Is there a formal release date [in Japan] for either the PS3 or DS version? The DS is in December I think, so the PS3 either alongside of in 2011?  I'll probably get both versions, frankly.

Posted by GozerTC

Holy crap seriously?!  If this gets a western release I'm going to be tempted to buy a monster raising/fighting game for the first time in years!  WTG!
Posted by Siphillis

Oh, Roger Ebert's head is going to split when he hears about this.

Posted by MiamiRedHawks

I think it looks amazing, but I'm not really into the whole "animals doing the fighting for you in battles" thing. Reminds me of Pokemon.

Posted by Addfwyn
@MiamiRedHawks: depends if it's an extension of yourself or if it's "go out and catch/train monsters".  It seems more like the former
Posted by fillmoejoe

Well it certainly looks good.

Posted by MrKlorox

I would rather have a new Mother game. Points to anybody who could connect it with this game.

Posted by Deltex

Finally a reason to dust off and use my PS3 :)

Posted by Zalasta

Sweet, never expected to see this getting reported on GB, so good job!

Posted by sihingmarcel

Holy eeefff...

Posted by Arbie

I love Studio Ghibli, this looks pretty damn sweet.

Posted by TACOBOY

am i the only one who thinks this looks like a ps2 game? not to say it looks bad,ill buy it when it comes out and all but the graphics look dated,but then again every jrpg aside from ffXiii looks last gen.
Posted by SaltyJack

Overworld? I'm in!

  • 56 results
  • 1
  • 2