The World Ends With You

The World Ends With You is a video game that consists of 4 releases

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How does Japanese fashion collide with a pin that grants psychic powers? Square and Jupiter find out in The World Ends With You.

Overview
The style of the game takes a lot from Japanese culture.
The style of the game takes a lot from Japanese culture.

The World Ends With You is a Nintendo DS game released in Japan on July 26, 2007, in North America on April 22, 2008, and in Europe on April 18, 2008. It was developed by Jupiter and Square Enix, and published by Square Enix (as well as Ubisoft in Australia). The game was well-received upon its release, receiving great critical reception for its music, graphics, unique gameplay, style, and setting. The World Ends With You was a bestseller in both Japan and North America for several weeks after release.

The team wanted the game to be based in a real-life location; they decided on Shibuya.
The team wanted the game to be based in a real-life location; they decided on Shibuya.

Development


Jupiter, the company that developed Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories (from which the World Ends With You derives several of its concepts from), assisted the development team at Square Enix that created the Kingdom Hearts franchise. Development began about two and a half years before its initial release; during the development of Kingdom Hearts II, and slightly before the release of the Nintendo DS. Square Enix had been pushing the team to create a handheld specific title. The team consisted of people such as Tatsuya Kando (director), Tomohiro Hasegawa (co-director), Takeshi Arakawa (planning director), and Tetsuya Nomura (character design). Ideas were tossed around relating to dual-screen gameplay (as the team had been able to try out the DS during the Touch DS event in 2004), until the current battle system was created.

The Japanese release, It's a Wonderful World, could not be used overseas due to issues with the copyright, so it was released as the World Ends With You in North America and Europe. The game was announced on September 13, 2006, shown at the Tokyo Game Show 2006, announced for European release on December 5, 2007, and then announced for North American release several days later on December 17, 2007. For the Japanese release of the game, a special Gloss Sliver edition of the DS Lite was made with the Reaper emblem on the DS Lite. A manga of the game's plot was also released by Shiro Amano, which lasted two issues. The manga was released online in North America.

Setting
Neku awakes in the middle of busy Shibuya.
Neku awakes in the middle of busy Shibuya.

The setting of the World Ends With You is one of the most unique aspects of the game. The entire game takes place in Shibuya, Japan--actually, just the shopping district of Shibuya. In the game, Shibuya exists on two planes; the Realground (RG) and the Underground (UG). The Realground is where all of real life takes place; normal people browsing Shibuya, going about their lives. The Underground is where the Reapers' Game takes place.

A lot of other things in the game are based of off other popular aspects of an average Japanese teenager's life. For example, missions for each day are presented via a short text message. All menus are also controlled through the cell phone. Clothing and trends play a big part in the game as well, many are even based off of actual Japanese trends. The music of the game also compliments the Japanese setting, with most of the music being popular, upbeat Japanese music, with other tunes being fast-paced American songs.

Reapers' Game
Kodai Higashizawa, the first Game Master in the World Ends With You.
Kodai Higashizawa, the first Game Master in the World Ends With You.


The Reapers' Game is a week-long Game that takes place in the Underground of an area (there are several areas that a Game can take place in, Shibuya's shopping district being one of them). Players are participants of the game, who play by completing a daily mission (with a time limit). People who have died can participate in this game by giving their most prized possession, be it physical, emotional, or spiritual. "Losing" the game prompts erasure (essentially, the loss of the right to exist), while winning simply allows the Player to regain their entry fee and their right to live. Noise is what Reapers dispatch as an obstacle in the Player's progress; Noise is essentially the monsters of the World Ends With You. Reapers and Players are also invisible for people in the Realground.

Reapers of various rank run the Reapers' Game. There are red-clothed Reapers who guard certain areas with walls, and have requirements to open the walls (defeating Noise, collecting items, etc). Field Reapers are allowed to create Noise to attack the Players, but are not allowed to attack the Players directly. The Game Master is the field Reaper who leads the rest, usually according to the whims of the Conductor. The Conductor leads the Reapers, directing them for various strategies, and following the Composer. The Composer runs the Underground as a deity. If the Composer is defeated by another person (be it a Player or a Reaper), then that person becomes the Composer. The Game is watched by Angels of the Higher Plane, one of them being the Producer, whom the Composer reports to. Fallen Angels are those who have betrayed the purpose of the Game, but still retain their power.

Gameplay

The World Ends With You makes extensive use of the stylus and dual screens, simultaneously splitting the action-gameplay between the two, and providing many different ways in which the stylus can be used on the lower screen. Players fight the Noise, who exist simultaneously on both screens, and share health between the two. The upper screen, on which Neku's partner fights, is controlled by the D-pad and buttons. The lower screen, which has Neku, is controlled by the touch-screen and microphone. In addition, battles feature a light puck that is transferred between players upon the successful completion of a combo, and gives bonuses to damage.

Complex, dual-screen gameplay; just what the DS was made for.
Complex, dual-screen gameplay; just what the DS was made for.
The game includes dozens of special powers, each making use of the stylus in a different way, and these stylus movements can be combined to attack with multiple powers simultaneously if used properly. Additionally, the game has a number of ways to earn experience points and further build your character's abilities. For example, experience is earned when the DS is turned off or when the game is set to "mingle" mode, which suspends the game and starts the DS searching for other DS Wi-Fi signals. In this manner every DS your unit encounters accrues experience for your game, whether they're playing the same game or not. 

Other than the fast paced nail-biting action, The World Ends With You also throws in a bit of RPG elements with its collective pin system. Pins are items that you obtain as loot "drops" or through just progressing through the story. These pins are essentially used by Neku to attack. Each Pin has its own special ability (such as swiping up to create a iceberg damaging all enemies it touches of slowly sliding your stylus over the screen to ignite all your foes), but once each pin is used it has a cool down time so choose wisely. Another RPG element is that you have the choice as to which pins to bring into combat since there is a limited amount of slots you can place the pins in as well as they gain levels and become more powerful, and under certain circumstances they may evolve into different pins. As you progress the amount of pins you can bring into battle increases and you gain a wide variety of moves to combine together. 

Story

Neku, discovering his Pin's abilities.
Neku, discovering his Pin's abilities.
The game takes place over the period of several weeks, each week with a new partner. The first week begins with Neku Sakuraba waking up in the scramble crossing in Shibuya. He is initially confused, with no recollection as to how he got there and confusion as to why he cannot be seen. He also notices an odd pin that he has. Seen after, he meets Shiki Misaki, who is overly excited (which is the exact opposite of Neku's personality), which Neku doesn't like, but she begins to grow on Neku through the course of the game. Only a day into the Game, Neku and Shiki meet more Players: Daisukenojo "Beat" Bito and Raimu "Rhyme" Bito. Rhyme saves Beat from erasure, but in the process gets erased herself.
Kiraya and Uzuki; two of the most prominent Reapers.
Kiraya and Uzuki; two of the most prominent Reapers.

After a couple days of clearing missions, the two meet Sanae Hanekoma (also known as Mr. H). He is incredibly knowledgeable about the Game and Reapers in general. He also explains explicitly the importance of teamwork to Neku. The two also meet two Reapers: Uzuki Yashiro and Koki Kariya. Uzuki nearly convinces Neku to shoot Shiki, but Mr. H comes in just in time to save the day. On the seventh day, the only day that the Game Master is allowed to attack, Neku and Shiki fight and defeat Yodai Higashizawa. Neku, Shiki, and Beat are the only surviving Players. In a surprising twist, Megumi Kitaniji (the Conductor) says that only one of the Players may survive. Beat quickly volunteers to be a Reaper. Neku, who has grown close to Shiki over the week, decides to play the Game again. However, Shiki has become the thing he values most, so he is now playing for her life as well as his.

Joshua
Joshua
Neku awakes again at the scramble crossing. This time around, he has more experience, so he begins to search for a new partner. As he fruitlessly escapes from Noise, Yoshiya "Joshua" Kiryu begins a pact with Neku. The second week's Game Master, Sho Minamimoto, controls the Game with much more chaos. Minamimoto is obsessed with mathematical equations and builds strange towers of trash around Shibuya. Joshua also does things more out of the box, ignoring the mission on several occasions. After defeating Minamimoto (in a setup by Kitaniji, who has Neku and Joshua destroy Minamimoto; in the process Joshua dies), the Game is declared null and void, and Neku is forced to play for a third time.

Shiki's appearance in the Realground; her entry fee was her true appearance.
Shiki's appearance in the Realground; her entry fee was her true appearance.
The third week again begins the same way. For the third week, Neku awakes in the scramble crossing. He quickly realizes that he is the only Player this game, as the other Players are decided to be his entry fee. Beat becomes a Player again (his only motivation for becoming a Reaper was to try and bring back Rhyme). The Game Master for the final week is Mitsuki Konishi, who was previously Kitaniji's assistant. Somebody has also been creating Taboo Noise, and it is revealed to be a resurrected Sho Minamimoto. When Neku and Beat finally make it to the Composer's room (with Shiki in tow), Joshua runs in, revealing himself to be the Composer. He says that all Games are actually a test about whether or not humanity should be allowed to continue to exist. Joshua decides, however, to let Shibuya continue to exist. The game ends with a reunion of Neku, Shiki, Beat, and Rhyme in the Realground.

Secret Reports


The Secret Reports are reports about each day written by Sanae Hanekoma, the Producer. They help fill in plot holes, as well as explain more about the world of the game, and the nature of the Reapers' Game. They are only available upon beating the game, and then completing certain requirements in each specific day (such as defeating certain Noise, collecting a special item, or defeating a boss Noise on a harder difficulty).

Characters

Neku Sakuraba
Neku Sakuraba
Neku Sakuraba


Neku is an unsociable fifteen year old who happens to be the main protagonist of the World Ends With You. He is a huge fan of graffiti artist CAT, whose work is all around Shibuya. Neku is one of the most skilled users of psychs in the game, as Shiki notes several times. Despite having a hard time forging lasting relationships, throughout the game he forms great friendships with Shiki, Joshua, Beat, Rhyme, and even Mr. H.

Shiki Misaki
Shiki Misaki

Shiki Misaki


Shiki loves clothing, trends, and anything else fashionable. She is fifteen, but she still carries around a stuffed animal. Mr. Mew is what she attacks the Noise with; she sewed him when she was younger, and it sparked her love for sewing. It was also her first meeting with her best friend Eri, who she is most jealous of. Because of this, her appearance is her entry fee; she takes on Eri's appearance in the game. Shiki grows close to Neku during the game, becoming his entry fee about halfway in the game and then disappearing for just about the rest.

Joshua
Joshua

Yoshiya "Joshua" Kiryu


Joshua is an incredibly intelligent fifteen year old who is obviously much older than he appears to be. He knows much about the Reapers' Game, and is close friends with Mr. H. He reveals that he can exist in both the Realground and the Underground simultaneously, thus being an illegal Player. He causes Neku quite a bit of trouble because of this, forcing him to play for a third time because of "cheating." Joshua saves Neku from sure death by jumping in the way of one of Minamimoto's attacks, but later returns as the Composer.

Beat
Beat

Daisukenojo "Beat" Bito


Beat acts tough, but he is actually kindhearted; especially towards his younger sister, Rhyme. He is a hotheaded, quick-tempered fifteen year old who isn't quite intellectually there. After the first week (and the death of Rhyme), he volunteers to become a Reaper. His motivations are eventually revealed; he became a Reaper to try and revive Rhyme, but only succeeded in turning her into a Noise. He then becomes a Player to assist Neku, and to achieve the goal of defeating the current Composer, thus becoming a Composer himself (and hopefully gaining enough power to resurrect Rhyme).

Rhyme
Rhyme

Raimu "Rhyme" Bito


Rhyme's age is unsure, but is probably somewhere around twelve to fourteen. Rhyme is a sweet young girl--Beat's younger sister--although all of her memories of Beat was Beat's entry fee, so she has no recollection of him. She is very intelligent for her age, and good at calming down and explaining things to Beat. She is erased during the first week. However, since Beat technically wins during the third week, she--and her memories of Beat--are returned, and she is seen alive at the end of the game. One of Mr. H's reports stated that since she lost the game, she cannot have her entry fee returned, which is her dreams and ambitions.

Uzuki Yashiro
Uzuki Yashiro

Uzuki Yashiro


Uzuki is a recurring Harrier Reaper. She is always hanging around Koki Kariya. Uzuki is seventeen years old. She is quick to anger, arrogant, and powerful. In the beginning of the game, she tried to convince Neku to shoot Shiki (promising that he would "win the Game"), but Mr. H showed up just in time as a rulekeeper. She is very obsessed with her job as a Reaper, always trying for a promotion (but never getting one).

Koki Kariya
Koki Kariya

Koki Kariya


Kariya is another recurring Harrier Reaper. Kariya is a more laid-back Reaper; the counterpart of Uzuki. This nineteen year old is said to be incredibly powerful, but he doesn't show this great power until a couple weeks into the Game. He takes a much more playful approach to his job as a Reaper, often playing games with Uzuki for "a bowl of ramen." Several of his statements in the game could indicate that he has been participating in the Game for a long time.

Yodai Higashizawa
Yodai Higashizawa

Yodai Higashizawa


Higashizawa is the Game Master during the first week of the World Ends With You. He refers to Players with references to food, and even taunts with things such as, "Time for a taste test," or "I'll mince you!" Notable things about him are the fact that he is the only high ranking Reaper to have visible wings and the fact that he congratulates Neku and Shiki for erasing him. His noise form is Ovis Cantus.

Sho Minamimoto
Sho Minamimoto

Sho Minamimoto


Minamimoto is a math-obsessed Game Master (in fact, the youngest Game Master to ever be in the Game). He uses high-level mathematical equations and references to taunt the Players, and any other opponents. For example, he uses the term "yoctogram," "hectopascals," "stupid 000s," or the first 156 digits of pi. During the second week, he begins creating Taboo Noise (which can attack Reapers as well). Later, when Neku and Joshua manage to erase him, he turns himself into Taboo Noise (but is later defeated easily by the Composer).

Mitsuki Konishi
Mitsuki Konishi

Mitsuki Konishi


Konishi is the Game Master during the third week of the Game. She is crafty and scheming, although at first she appears to be incredibly loyal to the Conductor and the Composer. In reality, she wants to be Composer herself. She is manipulative of her Harrier Reapers, promising them things to trick them into doing certain things. Her Noise form is Tigris Cantus.

Megumi Kitaniji
Megumi Kitaniji

Megumi Kitaniji


Kitaniji is the Conductor, and even a Player himself. The Game Masters (Yodai Higashizawa, Sho Minamimoto, and Mitsuki Konish) all report directly to him. The Composer is absent during the period of three weeks in the game, so he is the supreme authority. Later, it is revealed that Kitaniji is actually a Player, playing for the fate of Shibuya. His Noise forms are Anguis Cantus and Draco Cantus.

Sanae Hanekoma
Sanae Hanekoma

Sanae Hanekoma


Hanekoma, lovingly referred to as Mr. H is a café owner, CAT, and the Producer all in one. He is a rulekeeper of sorts; the Producer watches the Game, and can interact with Players and Reapers. He is also famed graffiti artist, CAT, whom Neku is a large fan of. He owns the coffee shop WildKat, and constantly offers Neku a cup of coffee; for a fee.





The World Ends With You Original Soundtrack

  1. It's So Wonderful (1:39)
  2. Twister (1:17)
  3. Underground (0:49)
  4. Long Dream (3:12)
  5. Calling (3:25)
  6. Despair (0:27)
  7. Hybrid (3:04)
  8. Fighting For Freedom (2:06)
  9. オーパーツ / Ooparts (3:34)
  10. Forebode (0:28)
  11. Give Me All Your Love (4:21)
  12. サムデイ / Someday (3:40)
  13. Satisfy (4:01)
  14. Someday (3:39)
  15. ツイスター / Twister (3:38)
  16. Let's Get Together (0:17)
  17. Slash and Slash / Slam Brothers (1:03)
  18. Amnesia (0:49)
  19. Rush Hour (0:34)
  20. imprinting (1:07)
  21. オワリハジマリ / Owari-Hajimari (2:17)
  22. psychedelic (2:24)
  23. Game Over (2:50)
    The World Ends With You Original Soundtrack
    The World Ends With You Original Soundtrack
  24. Dancer In The Street (0:34)
  25. ハイブリッド / Hybrid (3:05)
  26. Detonation (2:33)
  27. Black Market (0:33)
  28. Junk Garage (1:27)
  29. It Is Fashionable (0:34)
  30. Noisy Noise (2:14)
  31. Economical Shoppers (0:28)
  32. Shibuya (2:08)
  33. Make or Break (4:08)
  34. Twister-Remix (4:32)
  35. Secret Track (3:03)

Subarashiki Kono Sekai The World Ends with You (Remix Album)

  1. Twister -Original ver- (2:12)
  2. Calling -1960s- (4:02)
  3. Give Me All Your Love -All my love- (4:17)
  4. Long Dream -1980s- (3:36)
  5. Someday -Unplugged- (4:35)
  6. Make or Break -Black box- (4:09)
  7. Game Over -Busy Dizzy and Lazy- (2:52)
    Remix Album
    Remix Album
  8. Ooparts -Give me a chance- (3:57)
  9. Hybrid -New born- (4:07)
  10. Twister -That Power is Yet Unknown- (3:54)
  11. Déjà vu (4:08)
  12. Transformation (3:24)
  13. Three Minutes Clapping (3:14)
  14. Twister-Gang-Mix (3:33)
  15. The One Star (3:28)
  16. OWARI-HAJIMARI (2:26)
  17. Three Minutes Clapping -Live- (3:20)
  18. Transformation -Transformed- (3:44)
  19. Déjà vu -Discoteque- (4:50)

Game Name The World Ends With You
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Original US Release April 22, 2008
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Original US Release April

2008
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Aliases It's a Wonderful World
Subarashiki Kono Sekai
TWEWY
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