Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Good morning! Here's a bunch of gorgeous Ni no Kuni screens]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/good-morning-heres-a-bunch-of-gorgeous-ni-no-kuni-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/good-morning-heres-a-bunch-of-gorgeous-ni-no-kuni-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/good-morning-heres-a-bunch-of-gorgeous-ni-no-kuni-screens/#comments ImageIt's still pretty early, and perhaps you've yet to drink that first cup of life-bringing java - believe us, we understand. Why not treat your eyes to these beautiful, vibrant screens of Level 5's Studio Ghibli RPG, Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch.

Continue reading Good morning! Here's a bunch of gorgeous Ni no Kuni screens

JoystiqGood morning! Here's a bunch of gorgeous Ni no Kuni screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gameplaylevel-5ni-no-kuniplaystationps3studio-ghibliThu, 19 Apr 2012 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Ni no Kuni trailer bums us out, but not because of the English voices]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/ni-no-kuni-trailer-bums-us-out-but-not-because-of-the-english-v/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/ni-no-kuni-trailer-bums-us-out-but-not-because-of-the-english-v/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/ni-no-kuni-trailer-bums-us-out-but-not-because-of-the-english-v/#comments Image
Not even a really goofy accent can diminish the spectacular beauty of Ni no Kuni. That's good news! The bad news is that this first English-language trailer for Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is all about a little boy being sad because his mother dies.

There's other stuff, like a magical companion and a potentially imaginary fantasy world opening up before his eyes, but you are going to see a little anime boy crying, and it's going to be kind of devastating. Be prepared.

JoystiqNi no Kuni trailer bums us out, but not because of the English voices originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>namco-bandaini-no-kuniplaystationps3Thu, 12 Apr 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ni no Kuni delayed until Q1 2013]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/ni-no-kuni-delayed-until-q1-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/ni-no-kuni-delayed-until-q1-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/ni-no-kuni-delayed-until-q1-2013/#comments Good news: Namco Bandai is still planning to localize Level-5 and Studio Ghibli's beautiful PS3 RPG, Ni no Kuni. The bad news: the release date is already slipping. Originally announced for winter of 2012, Namco announced a new "Q1 2013" release date for both North America and Europe at a press event today.

Namco also reportedly showed off its localization progress, in the form of a trailer with English dialogue. Protagonist Oliver speaks with an American accent, while everyone else is British for some reason.

JoystiqNi no Kuni delayed until Q1 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>delayslevel-5namco-bandaini-no-kuniplaystationps3Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch launches Winter 2012]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/ni-no-kuni-wrath-of-the-white-witch-launches-winter-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/ni-no-kuni-wrath-of-the-white-witch-launches-winter-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/ni-no-kuni-wrath-of-the-white-witch-launches-winter-2012/#comments You know how back in September Level-5 said Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch would launch in early 2012? Yeah, throw that out the window -- the developer must have meant to say it'll launch in the other winter of 2012.

Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, a collaboration between Level-5 and legendary animation outfit Studio Ghibli, will launch later this year in the unspecified Winter 2012 time frame. It'll be released exclusively on the PS3 with both English and Japanese voiceovers.

Continue reading Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch launches Winter 2012

JoystiqNi No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch launches Winter 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>level-5namco-bandaini-no-kunini-no-kuni-wrath-of-the-white-witchplaystationps3release-datestudio-ghibliWed, 15 Feb 2012 14:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Ni no Kuni commercials offer a more realistic look at another world]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/ni-no-kuni-commercials-offer-a-more-realistic-look-at-another-wo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/ni-no-kuni-commercials-offer-a-more-realistic-look-at-another-wo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/ni-no-kuni-commercials-offer-a-more-realistic-look-at-another-wo/#comments
Ever thought "Ni no Kuni looks nice, but I wonder what it would look like without all that Studio Ghibli art?" Neither have we, but you should watch these Japanese live-action ads for Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch anyway.

In the brief clip above, and one more after the break, voice actress Mana Ashida explores realistic CG interpretations of locations from the game. She's almost certainly looking at green screens, but she looks suitably impressed! We're also impressed, but we have the benefit of actually seeing the impressive vistas.

Continue reading Ni no Kuni commercials offer a more realistic look at another world

JoystiqNi no Kuni commercials offer a more realistic look at another world originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commercialjapanlevel-5ni-no-kunini-no-kuni-wrath-of-the-white-witchplaystationps3studio-ghibliThu, 17 Nov 2011 13:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Have brunch with a bunch of Ni No Kuni cutscenes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/have-brunch-with-a-bunch-of-ni-no-kuni-cutscenes/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/have-brunch-with-a-bunch-of-ni-no-kuni-cutscenes/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/have-brunch-with-a-bunch-of-ni-no-kuni-cutscenes/#comments
Red capes, regal cats and illuminating rhinoplasty. Good luck with that Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch localization, Namco Bandai. (Seriously, don't screw this up!)

Continue reading Have brunch with a bunch of Ni No Kuni cutscenes

JoystiqHave brunch with a bunch of Ni No Kuni cutscenes originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>level-5namco-bandaini-no-kunini-no-kuni-wrath-of-the-white-witchplaystationps3studio-ghibliMon, 07 Nov 2011 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Namco Bandai to publish Ni no Kuni in the US and EU]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/17/namco-bandai-to-publish-ni-no-kuni-in-the-us-and-eu/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/17/namco-bandai-to-publish-ni-no-kuni-in-the-us-and-eu/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/17/namco-bandai-to-publish-ni-no-kuni-in-the-us-and-eu/#comments During TGS, Level-5 sneaked out the news that Ni no Kuni would bring its magical, imaginary (imagical?) world to North American PS3s in early 2012. Now, in a post rounding up the Level-5 World events, the company's international office has revealed a European release as well, along with a publisher: Namco Bandai.

Namco Bandai also issued its own press release today, in which VP of Marketing Carlson Choi called Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch "one of our premier titles for 2012." Hopefully that means Namco will treat it better than its own Tales series.

Continue reading Namco Bandai to publish Ni no Kuni in the US and EU

JoystiqNamco Bandai to publish Ni no Kuni in the US and EU originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012level-5namco-bandaini-no-kuniplaystationps3release-dateMon, 17 Oct 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Level-5's 'Vision' event, in trailers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/17/level-5s-vision-event-in-trailers/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/17/level-5s-vision-event-in-trailers/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/17/level-5s-vision-event-in-trailers/#comments
We'll forgive you if you weren't up late this past Friday evening watching the livestream of Level-5's "Vision" event with us -- it was kind of in the middle of the night. The Japanese publisher showed off several of its upcoming titles, and revealed a few neat surprises (Ghost Watch, anyone?). Luckily for you, Level-5 has now released all the trailers from Vision and we've compiled them below the break for your viewing pleasure.

Continue reading Level-5's 'Vision' event, in trailers

JoystiqLevel-5's 'Vision' event, in trailers originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsghost-watchinazuma-elevenlevel-5level-5-visionlevel-5-vision-2011microsoftni-no-kunini-no-kuni-wrath-of-the-white-witchnintendoplaystationplaystation-vitaprofessor-layton-vs-phoenix-wrightps3pspsonyvitaxboxyokai-watchMon, 17 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ni no Kuni's 'Magic Master' goes digital on PlayStation 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/ni-no-kunis-magic-master-goes-digital-on-playstation-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/ni-no-kunis-magic-master-goes-digital-on-playstation-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/ni-no-kunis-magic-master-goes-digital-on-playstation-3/#comments
Level-5 must have come under the impression that some people might not want an enormous book to accompany the upcoming PlayStation 3 version of Ni no Kuni. A new trailer reveals that the game's "Magic Master" will go digital on Sony's home console. You'll likely recall that when Ni no Kuni: The Jet Black Sorcerer launched for the Nintendo DS in Japan, it came packed with the 358-page behemoth to accompany your journey.

Instead, the "Magic Master" will be reproduced digitally for Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, giving players access to its data at the touch of a button.

Oh, you'd rather have two ridiculously cute characters from the upcoming game explain all of this to you? That option is also available to you, albeit in Japanese, just above.

JoystiqNi no Kuni's 'Magic Master' goes digital on PlayStation 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>level-5magic-masterni-no-kunini-no-kuni-the-jet-black-sorcererni-no-kuni-wrath-of-the-white-witchplaystationps3studio-ghibliWed, 05 Oct 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Trademark suggests Ni no Kuni PS3 to be called 'Wrath of the White Witch']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/03/trademark-suggests-ni-no-kuni-ps3-to-be-called-wrath-of-the-whi/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/03/trademark-suggests-ni-no-kuni-ps3-to-be-called-wrath-of-the-whi/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/03/trademark-suggests-ni-no-kuni-ps3-to-be-called-wrath-of-the-whi/#comments We don't necessarily need more evidence than an official announcement, but we feel reassured to see steps being taken toward a localization of Ni no Kuni on PS3. And now any plans to extort Level-5 by sniping the trademark of its game have been foiled.

Last week, Level-5 filed a US trademark for "Ni no Kuni Wrath of the White Witch." The Japanese title of the PS3 game translates to "The Queen of Sacred White Ash." The trademark more closely resembles the PS3 game than the DS game, "The Jet-Black Mage."

Ni no Kuni is due for release in North America in "early 2012."

JoystiqTrademark suggests Ni no Kuni PS3 to be called 'Wrath of the White Witch' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>level-5ni-no-kuniplaystationps3trademarkMon, 03 Oct 2011 10:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Ni no Kuni (PS3) preview: In the Pig City]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/23/ni-no-kuni-ps3-preview-in-the-pig-city/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/23/ni-no-kuni-ps3-preview-in-the-pig-city/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/23/ni-no-kuni-ps3-preview-in-the-pig-city/#comments
Not that I expected it to, but a year after my first demo, I'm delighted to report that Ni no Kuni still looks completely gorgeous. The graphics don't seem incredibly impressive from a technical perspective -- they're actually pretty simple -- but effective use of cel-shading and good old-fashioned art design have combined to convincingly deliver the experience of wandering around in a Studio Ghibli world.

Continue reading Ni no Kuni (PS3) preview: In the Pig City

JoystiqNi no Kuni (PS3) preview: In the Pig City originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>level-5ni-no-kuniplaystationps3tgs-2011Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:01:00 EST<![CDATA[PS3's Ni no Kuni coming to North America early next year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/ni-no-kuni-coming-to-north-america-early-next-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/ni-no-kuni-coming-to-north-america-early-next-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/ni-no-kuni-coming-to-north-america-early-next-year/#comments During a Sony Computer Entertainment Asia press conference adjacent to TGS, Level-5 CEO Akihiro Hino announced some very welcome news: the beautiful Studio Ghibli and Level-5 crossover for PS3, Ni no Kuni, will be released in North America.

And now we know what Level-5 International America has been up to. The game is due in early 2012, so that studio must have been busy translating the adventures of Oliver and the lantern-nosed Shizuku in the magical, probably imaginary world of Ni no Kuni.

JoystiqPS3's Ni no Kuni coming to North America early next year originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>level-5ni-no-kuniplaystationps3release-datestudio-ghiblitgs-2011Fri, 16 Sep 2011 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Tour the 'Another World' of Ni no Kuni in a new trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/05/tour-the-another-world-of-ni-no-kuni-in-a-new-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/05/tour-the-another-world-of-ni-no-kuni-in-a-new-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/05/tour-the-another-world-of-ni-no-kuni-in-a-new-trailer/#comments Not to be outdone by another series it previously worked on, Level-5 released a new trailer for the PS3 Ni no Kuni game, showing off a variety of locations in the Studio Ghibli-designed world. There's an old-world castle town, a dark graveyard, a ... volcano, an open sea, and some kind of sea creature village in a forest.

Even if most of the locations sound like RPG standards, the trailer is worth watching. It's our best look at the game since it was announced, and the Ghibli-ized takes on those common locales are predictably lovely. Ni no Kuni comes out November 17 in Japan, and still hasn't been announced for release elsewhere.

JoystiqTour the 'Another World' of Ni no Kuni in a new trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Sep 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>level-5ni-no-kuniplaystationps3studio-ghibliMon, 05 Sep 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Here's the 'Magical Gold' Ni no Kuni PS3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/01/heres-the-magical-gold-ni-no-kuni-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/01/heres-the-magical-gold-ni-no-kuni-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/01/heres-the-magical-gold-ni-no-kuni-ps3/#comments We expected the Japan-exclusive Ni no Kuni PS3 to be white with some gold art on it. But it turns out that it is gold with gold art, featuring the lamp-nosed sidekick character Shizuku. If that fits your idea of "magical", you'll be able to import the 160GB system starting November 17.

JoystiqHere's the 'Magical Gold' Ni no Kuni PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japanlevel-5ni-no-kuniplaystationps3studio-ghibliThu, 01 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ni no Kuni bundled with 'magical' PS3 in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/ni-no-kuni-bundled-with-magical-ps3-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/ni-no-kuni-bundled-with-magical-ps3-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/ni-no-kuni-bundled-with-magical-ps3-in-japan/#comments Level-5/Studio Ghibli tie-up RPG Ni no Kuni ("The Another World") comes with a deluxe spellbook on DS. Its PS3 counterpart one-ups the DS version when it hits Japan on November 17, by optionally bundling a whole PS3.

The Ni no Kuni "Magical Edition" bundle will include the game and a special white and gold PS3, according to leaks from this week's Famitsu. It'll sell for ¥33,780 ($440). PS3 games are region free, so if you decide to import this from The Another World of Japan, you'll at least be able to play your local PS3 games on it. There's still no word on a localization for either Ni no Kuni game.

[Image: Andriasang]

JoystiqNi no Kuni bundled with 'magical' PS3 in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japanlevel-5ni-no-kuniplaystationps3special-editionstudio-ghibliWed, 31 Aug 2011 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ni No Kuni PS3 finally dated in Japan, still not announced anywhere else]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/ni-no-kuni-ps3-finally-dated-in-japan-still-not-announced-anywh/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/ni-no-kuni-ps3-finally-dated-in-japan-still-not-announced-anywh/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/ni-no-kuni-ps3-finally-dated-in-japan-still-not-announced-anywh/#comments Ni no Kuni, the RPG made through a collaboration between Level-5 and Studio Ghibli, came out on DS in Japan late last year. The PS3 version was shown at TGS, but still has yet to be released. Andriasang reports that the latest issue of Famitsu features a date for the Japanese PS3 release: November 17.

Even if you've imported the DS game and its giant book, this one will be of interest. In addition to fancy HD graphics, the PS3 game has a new story about young boy Oliver in the magical "Another World," and a completely different battle system that is closer to real-time than turn-based. If you're just waiting on details of a western release ... well, there's still no word from Level-5.

JoystiqNi No Kuni PS3 finally dated in Japan, still not announced anywhere else originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japanlevel-5ni-no-kuniplaystationps3release-datestudio-ghibliWed, 24 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Level-5 to announce 4 new projects at 'Vision' event later this month]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/05/level-5-to-announce-4-new-projects-at-vision-event-later-this/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/05/level-5-to-announce-4-new-projects-at-vision-event-later-this/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/05/level-5-to-announce-4-new-projects-at-vision-event-later-this/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Level-5 plans to reveal four unannounced games at its annual "Vision" event on October 19. The Japanese publisher teased as much on its official Vision 2010 website (pictured), which features four question-marked spots. Could one (or more) of these mystery projects be related to the "truly interesting things" the publisher is working on with Capcom? Oh the suspense!

Tempering the teaser, the site also confirms a number of Level-5 games that will definitely be showcased -- from Ni no Kuni on both PS3 and DS to Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle for 3DS.

JoystiqLevel-5 to announce 4 new projects at 'Vision' event later this month originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 18:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dscapcomdsjapanlevel-5ni-no-kuninintendoplaystationprofessor-layton-and-the-mask-of-miracleps3vision-2010Tue, 05 Oct 2010 18:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Ni no Kuni (DS) preview: Turn the page]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/ni-no-kuni-ds-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/ni-no-kuni-ds-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/ni-no-kuni-ds-preview/#commentsNi no Kuni: The Jet-Black Mage on DS hasn't changed much since I saw it at last year's TGS, but a new demo allowed me a chance to (attempt to) use the game's spellbook accessory. It also offered me a shot at my first boss battle, which subsequently forced me to learn a bit more about the battle system. Read on for my impressions.

Gallery: Ni no Kuni book (DS spellbook accessory)

Continue reading Ni no Kuni (DS) preview: Turn the page

JoystiqNi no Kuni (DS) preview: Turn the page originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dslevel-5ni-no-kuninintendostudio-ghiblitgs-2010Thu, 16 Sep 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ni no Kuni (PS3) preview: Another Another World]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/ni-no-kuni-ps3-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/ni-no-kuni-ps3-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/ni-no-kuni-ps3-preview/#commentsMy personal goal at TGS this year was to play Ni no Kuni on PS3, no matter how ridiculous a line I'd have to face at Level-5 to do so. As it turned out, the line wasn't ridiculous at all (yet), and I got an opportunity to discover if Level-5 has managed to transfer the look and feel of the legendary Studio Ghibli animation company into a PS3 game.

Two demos were available, and I played a bit of both within my 15-minute window. One demo is town-based, and has Oliver and his weird lantern-nosed pal Shizuku talking to people in town (in Japanese, of course) to find their way into the "Colonel's" castle. After being rebuffed at the door, I realized that I wasn't going to figure out what I needed to do, and I'd spend my whole demo period trying to figure out enough Japanese to perform the task, so ... on to the next demo.

Gallery: Ni no Kuni (PS3)

Continue reading Ni no Kuni (PS3) preview: Another Another World

JoystiqNi no Kuni (PS3) preview: Another Another World originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>level-5ni-no-kuniplaystationps3studio-ghiblitgs-2010Thu, 16 Sep 2010 09:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Ni no Kuni: take a look, it's in a book]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/ni-no-kuni-take-a-look-its-in-a-book/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/ni-no-kuni-take-a-look-its-in-a-book/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/ni-no-kuni-take-a-look-its-in-a-book/#commentsWhen we went into Level-5's TGS booth to play the DS version of Ni no Kuni, we were greeted with an ornate surprise: the spellbook accessory that comes with the Studio Ghibli/Level-5 role-playing game. We took a moment out of our strict 15-minute demo session to snap some quick pictures of the book, so you can see the kind of information inside.

Not only does it include information about the items and creatures found in The Another World, it interacts with the game in puzzles -- our demo tasked us with finding a certain hinted word in the text on a certain page.

Gallery: Ni no Kuni book (DS spellbook accessory)

JoystiqNi no Kuni: take a look, it's in a book originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dslevel-5ni-no-kuninintendorpgspellbookstudio-ghiblitgs-2010Thu, 16 Sep 2010 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sega, Konami, Level-5 and Tecmo-Koei share TGS lineups]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/31/sega-konami-level-5-and-tecmo-koei-share-tgs-lineups/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/31/sega-konami-level-5-and-tecmo-koei-share-tgs-lineups/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/31/sega-konami-level-5-and-tecmo-koei-share-tgs-lineups/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Heading to Tokyo for the annual game show later this month, but your handmade convention center itinerary is sadly lacking ideas for how to divvy up time? No worries -- Sega, Konami, Level-5, and Tecmo-Koei have announced their showings for TGS 2010!

The highlight of, well, all of the listings is Level-5's news of a playable Ni no Kuni for both Nintendo DS and PlayStation 3. Sure, Konami bringing Metal Gear Solid: Rising is kind of exciting -- we guess -- but we've got a mighty large soft spot for Studio Ghibli animation. Perhaps yours was cut out by Raiden's urge to slice, slice, slice? Head past the break for the complete list of games, broken down by publisher.

Continue reading Sega, Konami, Level-5 and Tecmo-Koei share TGS lineups

JoystiqSega, Konami, Level-5 and Tecmo-Koei share TGS lineups originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dskoeikonamilevel-5microsoftmobileni-no-kuninintendopcplaystationps3pspsegasonytecmotecmo-koeitgstgs-2010wiixboxTue, 31 Aug 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Level-5 CEO hints at North American releases for Ni no Kuni, Inazuma Eleven]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/07/level-5-ceo-hints-at-north-american-releases-for-ni-no-kuni-ina/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/07/level-5-ceo-hints-at-north-american-releases-for-ni-no-kuni-ina/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/07/level-5-ceo-hints-at-north-american-releases-for-ni-no-kuni-ina/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Level-5 fans have a lot to look forward to. Akihiro Hino, president of Level-5, confirmed to Nintendo Power that some of its original non-Layton games would be coming Stateside, specifically Inazuma Eleven and Ni no Kuni: The Another World. It appears the company is already making good on its promise to promote its "overseas business."

The soccer-themed Inazuma Eleven franchise has been a surprise hit in Japan, having already spawned two sequels on the DS (with a new console version in the works). And while Ni no Kuni isn't a proven franchise yet, it has already generated quite a bit of buzz -- particularly the graphically-intense PS3 version. Although Hino doesn't offer specifics about a release date for either project, he does say that "I don't think it will that be long before you're able to play these games." Unfortunately, we don't think he means they'll be here "tomorrow."

The full interview with Akihiro Hino can be found in Nintendo Power #157, available now.

[Thanks, Paul!]

JoystiqLevel-5 CEO hints at North American releases for Ni no Kuni, Inazuma Eleven originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>akihiro-hinodsinazuma-elevenlevel-5ni-no-kuninintendonintendo-powerplaystationps3Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Ni no Kuni for PS3 revealed, beautiful]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/24/ni-no-kuni-for-ps3-revealed-beautiful/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/24/ni-no-kuni-for-ps3-revealed-beautiful/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/24/ni-no-kuni-for-ps3-revealed-beautiful/#commentsAs promised, Level-5 announced a PS3 Ni no Kuni game during a press conference today. Rather than being simply a PS3 version of the DS game, Ni no Kuni for PS3 bears a new subtitle: "Queen of the Holy White Ash," as Siliconera translates it. And it looks, well, like a Studio Ghibli movie in polygons. A comparison image on the game's website places a scene done in the game's engine alongside a scene from the animation, and they look shockingly similar! See the trailer after the break.

Queen of the Holy White Ash won't be out until 2011, but the DS game will precede it. Level-5 also announced a Japanese release date for Ni no Kuni on DS: December 9, 2010. That version still comes with a hardcover book full of magic spells and information about the various creatures inhabiting the world.

Gallery: Ni no Kuni (PS3)

Continue reading Ni no Kuni for PS3 revealed, beautiful

JoystiqNi no Kuni for PS3 revealed, beautiful originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsJapanLevel-5ni-no-kuninintendoplaystationps3Release-DateRPGStudio-GhibliThu, 24 Jun 2010 10:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Studio Ghibli's Ni no Kuni also coming to PS3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/23/studio-ghiblis-ni-no-kuni-also-coming-to-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/23/studio-ghiblis-ni-no-kuni-also-coming-to-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/23/studio-ghiblis-ni-no-kuni-also-coming-to-ps3/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ni no Kuni: The Another World, the DS RPG made as a collaboration between Level-5 and animation company Studio Ghibli, is expanding beyond the handheld. The latest issue of Famitsu (via Andriasang) reveals that the game is being made for PS3 in addition to DS. This must be the "another platform" mentioned in the TGS 2008 trailer! Well, that and the mobile spinoff announced last year.

According to Andriasang's report from the magazine, the new PS3 version will use cel-shaded visuals for the in-game imagery, combined with art and animation from Studio Ghibli in cutscenes. Level-5 is holding a press event this week, so hopefully we'll hear more about the release plans for both the PS3 release and the recently delayed DS game. In the meantime, you can read our impressions of last year's DS demo here.

JoystiqStudio Ghibli's Ni no Kuni also coming to PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsLevel-5Ni-no-Kuninintendoplaystationps3RPGWed, 23 Jun 2010 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Level-5 and Studio Ghibli's Ni no Kuni delayed again]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/29/level-5-and-studio-ghiblis-ni-no-kuni-delayed-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/29/level-5-and-studio-ghiblis-ni-no-kuni-delayed-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/29/level-5-and-studio-ghiblis-ni-no-kuni-delayed-again/#commentsThose of us looking to recreate the Studio Ghibli movie experience of a young child being drawn into a magical hidden world will just have to be patient. Ni no Kuni, the DS RPG co-created by Level-5 and the legendary animation studio, has been delayed until this fall. (It had previously been delayed from last year to this spring.)

Not much of an announcement of the delay was made -- just quiet indication from various Japanese gaming news sources that Ni no Kuni's scheduled release window had been changed to the fall. Perhaps as some consolation some new screenshots were released, depicting Oliver and a friend working on a car (seen above). If you'd like to know if this is a game worth waiting for (even if a localized version has not been announced), please direct your attention to our impressions of the TGS demo.

[Via Andriasang]

JoystiqLevel-5 and Studio Ghibli's Ni no Kuni delayed again originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Apr 2010 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>delaysDSfall-2010japanjrpglevel-5ni-no-kunini-no-kuni-the-another-worldninokuniNintendoq3-2010release-daterpgstudio-ghibliThu, 29 Apr 2010 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Level-5 opens new Tokyo office for 'overseas business']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/14/level-5-opens-new-tokyo-office-for-overseas-business/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/14/level-5-opens-new-tokyo-office-for-overseas-business/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/14/level-5-opens-new-tokyo-office-for-overseas-business/#commentsProfessor Layton, White Knight Chronicles, and Dragon Quest IX developer Level-5 is expanding from its Fukuoka, Japan base, founding a new office in Tokyo focused on its ROID mobile gaming platform, overseas business, and "new enterprises." The move could portend worldwide release of the developer's mobile games, or even expansion of its publishing business.

In Japan, Level-5 publishes the Layton series, Inazuma Eleven, and other titles independently. If a localized Inazuma Eleven is indeed on the way, Level-5 could be looking to start up its publishing business outside of Japan with that title. Or, less spectacularly, we suppose the new office could be tasked with localization of games and dealing with Western publishers.

[Via Siliconera]

JoystiqLevel-5 opens new Tokyo office for 'overseas business' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSinazuma-elevenlevel-5localizationni-no-kuniNintendoprofessor-laytonpublishingThu, 14 Jan 2010 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[TGS 2009: The Recap Post]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/02/tgs-2009-the-recap-post/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/02/tgs-2009-the-recap-post/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/02/tgs-2009-the-recap-post/#comments
Last week, the Tokyo Game Show brought in over 100 posts worth of news, previews, interviews, galleries, and videos. Clearly, a lot happened. If you're looking for a comprehensive list of all the goings-on during TGS 2009, Joystiq has you covered -- and organized!

Click on a platform below to scan the highlights:

(On the far right: that's "News" and "Culture" on the top and bottom, respectively)

Continue reading TGS 2009: The Recap Post

JoystiqTGS 2009: The Recap Post originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>0-day-attack-on-earthace-attorney-investigations-miles-edgeworthace-combat-xialienwarearmy-of-two-2army-of-two-the-40th-dayassassins-creed-2badman-2bayonettacapcomcrackdown-2dantes-infernodead-rising-2DSdynasty-warriors-onlineeaechoshiftelectronic-artsend-of-eternityepic-gamesfablefinal-fantasty-crystal-chroniclesfinal-fantasty-crystal-chronicles-the-crystal-bearersfinal-fantasy-versus-xiiifinal-fantasy-xiiifinal-fantasy-xivforza-motorsport-3four-warriors-of-lightfour-warriors-of-light-final-fantasy-gaidengears-of-war-2ghost-trickGhost-Trick-Phantom-Detectiveghosts-n-goblinsghouls-n-ghostsgran-turismo-5gundamgyromancerinafunejoy-ridekojimakonamilast-guardianleft-4-dead-2little-king-storylittlebigplanetlost-planet-2metal-gear-solid-peace-walkerMicrosoftminna-no-sukkirini-no-kunini-no-kuni-the-another-worldNintendonis-americaokamidenphil-spencerplaystation-roomproject-natalpsp-gorecapresident-evil-5resident-evil-5-directors-cutresident-evil-the-darkside-chroniclesresonance-of-fatesands-of-destructionsegasilent-hill-shattered-memoriessnoopysonyspace-invaders-extremesplinter-cell-convictionsquare-enixsuda51super-monkey-ball-step-and-rolltgs-2009the-last-guardiantokyo-game-showtoy-soldierstsumujiubisoftvalkyria-chronicles-2valvewii-hulaxblaXbox-360xbox-live-arcadeyoshiro-kimuraFri, 02 Oct 2009 22:10:00 EST<![CDATA[TGS 2009: Hands-on: Ni no Kuni]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/25/tgs-2009-hands-on-ni-no-kuni/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/25/tgs-2009-hands-on-ni-no-kuni/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/25/tgs-2009-hands-on-ni-no-kuni/#commentsLevel-5's Ni no Kuni: The Another World is, in general, a pretty standard JRPG. However, it's a pretty standard RPG that takes place in a Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away, Ponyo, Princess Mononoke) world, and is thus magical. It really feels like you're inhabiting a Ghibli movie, from the appearance of swarms of cute little spherical characters to the lush forest environments. The frequent animated cutscenes and the persistent voice acting (every line of text in the demo, whether in a cutscene or spoken in a pop-up text window) is fully voiced, which helps the cinematic feel.

Continue reading TGS 2009: Hands-on: Ni no Kuni

JoystiqTGS 2009: Hands-on: Ni no Kuni originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSlevel-5ni-no-kuniNintendorpgstudio-ghiblitgs-2009Fri, 25 Sep 2009 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[TGS 2009: Unboxing the Level-5 Premium Gift]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/24/tgs-2009-unboxing-the-level-5-premium-gift/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/24/tgs-2009-unboxing-the-level-5-premium-gift/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/24/tgs-2009-unboxing-the-level-5-premium-gift/#commentsLevel-5's booth is one of the most popular attractions at Tokyo Game Show. It was our first stop this morning when the expo floor opened, and still we waited in line for at least 30 minutes -- a line that completely surrounded the ginormous booth. The line ended at a small theater lounge, in which we sat down to watch the Ni no Kuni, Professor Layton and the Devil's Flute, and ROID trailers we had just seen from the line.

Finally, we were ushered into a game demo area, and then handed the requisite swag bag. Having been told that the swag bag contained this year's version of the vaunted Level-5 "Premium Gift," with either a DVD or a DS demo cartridge, we decided to share the excitement of opening the sealed envelope with the internet. Enjoy the exciting conclusion in the video above!

JoystiqTGS 2009: Unboxing the Level-5 Premium Gift originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSinazuma-eleven-2level-5ni-no-kuniNintendopremium-giftprofessor-layton-and-the-devils-flutetgs-2008unboxingvideoThu, 24 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Level-5 and Studio Ghibli's Another World delayed until another year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/25/level-5-and-studio-ghiblis-another-world-delayed-until-another/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/25/level-5-and-studio-ghiblis-another-world-delayed-until-another/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/25/level-5-and-studio-ghiblis-another-world-delayed-until-another/#commentsNi no Kuni (The Another World), the Level-5/Studio Ghibli RPG for DS that includes the huge spellbook, will no longer be considered Level-5's 10th anniversary game -- because it won't be out in 2009. The game has been bumped to spring 2010.

A playable demo was available at the LEVEL-5 VISION conference, and the same demo will be playable at Tokyo Game Show, where it will also be handed out to lucky attendees as part of the Level-5 Platinum demo cartridge, which also houses Professor Layton and the Devil's Box and Inazuma Eleven 2 demos. Check out Andriasang for predictably lush new screens and artwork.

JoystiqLevel-5 and Studio Ghibli's Another World delayed until another year originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>delaysjapanlevel-5ni-no-kunirpgstudio-ghiblithe-another-worldTue, 25 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[TGS08: First footage of The Another World [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/tgs08-first-footage-of-the-another-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/tgs08-first-footage-of-the-another-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/tgs08-first-footage-of-the-another-world/#commentsFiled under:


Update: First images of the book and the package it all comes in have made their way online! Head past the break to catch a glimpse.

Level-5 and Studio Ghibli's upcoming DS RPG, Ni no Kuni: The Another World is sure to be a big success. Why? Uh, have you watched the video above yet? The game looks awesome. With the visual presence that Studio Ghibli provides with its great animation and wonderful character design, along with Level-5's RPG experience, this is going to be a game you want to keep your eyes on.

Know what else is cool? The game is going to come with a custom spellbook specific to that copy of the game. What's inside? Spells, of course (among other things, such as a bestiary)! You can see a bit of it in the video above, where the weird symbols are drawn. After the video, hit up this link to read the Level-5 president's interview with Famitsu about the game.

Continue reading TGS08: First footage of The Another World [update]

JoystiqTGS08: First footage of The Another World [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>level-5ni-no-kunirpgstudio-ghiblitgs-2008tgs08the-another-worldThu, 09 Oct 2008 14:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Take a closer look at Ni no Kuni: The Another World]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/26/take-a-closer-look-at-ni-no-kuni-the-another-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/26/take-a-closer-look-at-ni-no-kuni-the-another-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/26/take-a-closer-look-at-ni-no-kuni-the-another-world/#commentsFiled under: ,


Well, it's Friday, and as promised, Level-5 has sent out some juicy screens for their upcoming game with Studio Ghibli, Ni no Kuni: The Another World. As you can see above, Studio Ghibli's amazing animation is present and the their wonderful imagination means the game will have some incredibly inspired characters. Head past the break for some more screens, courtesy of Famitsu.

Continue reading Take a closer look at Ni no Kuni: The Another World

JoystiqTake a closer look at Ni no Kuni: The Another World originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Sep 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>another-worldghiblijapanlevel-5ni-no-kunininokunirpgstudio-ghiblithe-another-worldFri, 26 Sep 2008 19:00:00 EST