New Ni no Kuni coming to PS4 without famed animation house Studio Ghibli

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New Level-5 RPG coming to PS4

I was just thinking recently about how quiet Level-5 has been with Ni no Kuni since 2013’s Wrath of the White Witch and, well, there’s that. During the PlayStation Experience, Namco Bandai (its international publisher) announced a follow up role-playing game for PS4, Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom.

It, “features an all new cast of charming characters, an emotional storyline, and innovative gameplay design,” so gone is milquetoast Oliver, replaced with the goofy-haired Evan, the boy king. He even has the red cape. Roland, this time, is the visitor from another world — an adult (I think?) and less scruffy Swaine stand-in. And then there’s that kick ass fighting woman who dies, which is a bummer.

It all looks quite nice, but famed animation house Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away, The Cat Returns) doesn’t appear to be involved this time around, though Level-5 is using the same visual style from the last collaboration, as well as Ghibli collaborator Yoshiyuki Momose on character design. Frequent Ghibli composed Joe Hisaishi, who did the music for the last game, is also doing the music this time around (it’s great!). Level-5 CEO Akihiro Hino will serve as story and general director.

Plus, Rat King insurrection!