A once peaceful kingdom inhabited by cats and mice. However, with the coup by mice minister Mausinger, the king was overthrown and Ding Dong Dell became a town where the cats are oppressed.
Mausinger
“The long reign of the Mau family will come to an end.”
Aide to Rauzeo*, the former king of Ding Dong Dell. He assassinated the king by secretly serving him poison. After, he led a coup in order to bury Evan, who ascended to the throne. After the coup, he became the king of Ding Dong Dell.
*”Rauzeo” is not an official English localization.
Valley of the Wind Snake*
A rugged valley where the wind is always blowing. It towers high as if to divide Ding Dong Dell and other countries. It is the territory of the air pirate Batu, who is known as the “Serpent of the Sky*.” One of the king’s cradles lies at the end of the valley.
*”Valley of the Wind Snake” and “Serpent of the Sky” are not official English localizations.
Goldpaw
Goldpaw is a country where everything is decided by dice. Gambling is regarded as the country’s key enterprise. It has a thriving casino industry and many tourists visit to go to the casino.
Dice are also used when it comes to trials and the country’s major decisions. When there is an especially important decision to be made, a huge bronze statue called “Lady Luck” shakes the dice before the people. The only ones who can roll the dice are astrologers, and Pugnacius is the top one among them.
Pugnacius
“This month’s taxes are for 6x, make sure you pay them!”
The king of Goldpaw. An astrologer regarded as the guardian of Lady Luck. He is originally from a poor family. He positioned gambling as the country’s key enterprise, maintains casinos, and is the driving force being the country’s considerable growth. Once a month there is a rite to determine the tax rate, but he illegally manipulates it to impose heavy taxes on the people.
■ Characters
Aranella
“Please, Lord Evan, become the true king, and save this world…”
An attendant of the kingdom who looked after Evan since he was younger. She received battle and escort training in order to protect Evan. Evan loves her like a mother, and ever since the queen herself died, she strives to serve as a substitute for his mother.
Batu
“You guys entered our territory. In our world of air pirates, invasion of sky territory is worth the death penalty.”
A man feared and known throughout the land of Ni no Kuni as the “Serpent of the Sky.” The Valley of the Wind Snake is his territory. He is lively and big-hearted, and popular among air pirates. He took in a young Tani and is raising her as his daughter.
Auntie Martha
“They can only be seen by people who have a ‘pure heart.’ These little ones.”
A user of small spirits known as Higgledies. However, she mainly uses them as housekeeping helpers. She helps out Evan and Roland in various ways, for example by teaching them how to use Higgledies, after the two saved her from the attack of a frenzied monster.
■ Battle System
Close-Range Attacks
Evan’s standard attack. Unleash various attacks by combining button presses. Make use of the jump action for a higher-positioned attack.
Ranged Attack
A ranged attack that uses Evan’s staff. This allows you to target enemies at a distance. The power of the attack changes depending on the casting time.
Skills
Pay attention to the blue gauge above the HP gauge. By consuming this gauge, you can use skills such as “Consecutive Slash.”
Higgledies Cooperation
Higgledies are reliable allies that establish an emotional bond with Evan and company, and fight alongside them. Fighting alongside them will have a big influence on the tides of battle.
Higgledies work without rest even in battle. They have various effects, such as attacking by throwing a spear and healing injured party members.
When activating a skill, by focusing your strength, you can borrow power from the Higgledies around you.
—Skill: “Spinning Slash”
Left: The skill without borrowing the power of the Higgledies.
Right: By cooperating with the Higgledies, you can unleash a cooperative attack with the Fire, Water, and Wind Higgledies. Throw together a variety of attributes to make sure to hit the enemy’s weak point.
—Skill: “Aqua Ball”
Left: The skill without borrowing the power of the Higgledies.
Right: By cooperating with the Higgledies, you can unleash a cooperative attack with the Water Higgledies. The level of magic increases and the explosion becomes powerful enough to overtake the enemy.
—Various Effects
During battle, a circle of Higgledies may surround Evan. At these times, you can issue orders to the Higgledies and gain various special effects. The Wind Higgledies can increase your defense.
The White Higgledies increase your attack power.
Master the use of weapons, magic, Higgledies, and skills to take on formidable enemies!
■ Kingmakers
Kingmakers are huge mythical beasts that protect the country. In Ni no Kuni, it is necessary to form a contract with them in order to become a king. The stronger the power of the country itself, the stronger they become. The kingmaker of a major country has great power that is beyond even the strength of large army. When the country is in danger, the kingmaker protects it.
Condition for Forging a Kingsbond with a Kingmaker—Overcome their Trial
If the above conditions are met, the king and the kingmaker will be connected like a string by an orb, and a kingsbond will be forged.
Lofty, a Kingmaker
“I’m a great kingmaker! If you say rude stuff like callin’ me fluffy or tiny, I’ll spark you to death!”
The kingmaker of the country founded by Evan. He issued Evan a challenge and recognized him as a king after it was cleared. He is somewhat unreliable, and although he has the appearance of a cute mascot character, as he says himself, “I’m amazing when I go all out.”
Longfang, a Kingmaker
The kingmaker of Goldpaw. Although it is a kind-hearted kingmaker, it is always misunderstood as angry because of its scary face. A kingmaker of considerable learning, Longfang is pleased with the source of knowledge that is Goldpaw’s archives. He keeps his eyes on the world and understands the current state of things to some extent.
“Trial of Courage” King’s Cradle
In order to become a king, it is essential forge a kingsbond with a kingmaker. Only someone who is tested at a king’s cradle where a kingmaker awaits can obtain the qualifications of a king.
In order to forge a kingsbond with a kingmaker, Evan goes to the king’s cradle. Awaiting him there is a trial of “Courage” that he must confront.
■ Longfang, a Kingmaker
The kingmaker that is supposed to protect the city has become a deity of destruction. Battle against Longfang, a kingmaker with overwhelming strength.
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom is due out for PlayStation 4 and PC on November 10.
