Ni No Kuni is a franchise that has seen success on a number of platforms, but its singleplayer focus has always been a common theme throughout. With Ni No Kuni: Cross Worlds, the franchise is incorporating other players as it makes the change to the MMO genre. With five available classes and a shared world for others to enjoy, it has the opportunity to learn from successful franchises like Guild Wars and World of Warcraft.
However, the easiest comparison for Ni No Kuni: Cross Worlds is Final Fantasy 14, a game that is also an MMO despite coming from a beloved Japanese Role-Playing franchise. In the nine years that it's been available (in its current form), Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn has ascended the genre to become one of its best. It achieves this by building a world that is packed with activities and compelling characters around every corner, social systems that rival the likes of World of Warcraft in quality, and a story that is thoroughly in-keeping with what fans expect of any Final Fantasy title. As such, the upcoming entry in the Ni No Kuni series, developed by Netmarble, would do well to seek inspiration from what Square Enix created, giving it even more of a chance at success.
Ni No Kuni Puts Storytelling First
One of the most praised elements of Final Fantasy 14 is its approach to storytelling. Typically, MMOs don't wield fantastic narratives, despite often doing well to build a world that is full of interesting lore. Final Fantasy 14 not only tells a fantastic tale in comparison to its Massive Multiplayer Online counterparts, but one that easily stands alongside the series' best. With each expansion, the game brings epic scenes and intricate character development that makes each play session feel like another chapter in the story. From the medieval-inspired Heavensward to the satisfying payoffs that happen in Shadowbringers, it takes players on an unforgettable journey.
Stellar storytelling is something that both Final Fantasy 14 and Ni No Kuni have in common. The latter is known for its emotional, weighted narratives, as Oliver's journey to accept the death of a close one and Evan's quest to bring peace to the land are remembered by many fans of the JRPG genre. They are both worth playing before Cross Worlds arrives on May 25, as they each prove that the series has the capability to tell a worthwhile story. The enticing thing about a Ni No Kuni MMO is that it takes place in such an inviting world full of great characters, so learning from Final Fantasy 14's success and putting the story at the forefront would be a wise move.
Final Fantasy 14's MMO Mechanics
However, while Final Fantasy 14 prioritized its story above most other things, it didn't forgo the things that make the MMO genre great to begin with. It's a perfect balance between the two, so it appeals to hardcore fans of the series as well as players who are migrating to its servers from other online titles. Final Fantasy 14 includes a substantial PvP mode and does well to keep players connected with social systems that still work well all these years after its release. While it is absolutely a worthy numbered Final Fantasy game, it understands that in order to succeed in the long run, it needs to keep players' attention with MMO components that are tried and tested.
With the inevitable influx of new players globally, Ni No Kuni: Cross Worlds could fall at the first hurdle by not providing stable servers or wielding sub-par MMO mechanics. It needs to understand that while many previous Ni No Kuni fans will be returning to the landscape, it could be other players' first experience with the IP. Leaning into the series' strengths while adhering to the norms of MMORPGs and optimizing it for mobile platforms is critical if it's going to be a mainstay of people's gaming habits. Final Fantasy 14 knew this, and Ni No Kuni: Cross Worlds should keep it in mind.
Ni No Kuni: Cross Worlds is following in the footsteps of a giant, as Final Fantasy 14 is one of the most revered MMO's available. The series has some glaring similarities with the Square Enix-owned titan, so naturally it would do well to understand why Final Fantasy 14 succeeded, using a similar philosophy to ensure Ni No Kuni: Cross Worlds makes as much of an impact. From the humble abodes of Gridania to the grandness of Evermore, both franchises have the capability to flourish when more players are placed in the same server, but unlike Final Fantasy, Ni No Kuni still has to prove it.
Ni No Kuni: Cross Worlds launches May 25 for Android, and iOS.