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Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch |OT|

Thanks guys. Some probably dumb questions but here goes:

- Are there a lot of grinding throughout the game or a lot of passages with tons of monsters to fight? I have never been such a fan of these type of encounters but it helps that I can at least see the monsters like in Final Fantasy XII. And how come, some of the monsters run away from me? Is that because I'm too strong (high level) compared to them? Also, how can I see what level the monsters I fight are at?

Do you want to platinum this game? If so, grinding will be required as you will need to serenade a lot of monsters. This is often the case with jrpgs.
 

Pachimari

Member
defend when hes about to do one of his special attacks bro

and as for the pic, uploaded it somewhere else:

ni_no_kuni_telling_stone.jpg


bosses don't have signs IIRC
Thanks for this. I'll try remember which are stronger and weaker against each other in my mind. :)

Do you want to platinum this game? If so, grinding will be required as you will need to serenade a lot of monsters. This is often the case with jrpgs.
I generally hate grinding and fighting many monsters, but I still love some JRPGs like Final Fantasy, Persona 4 and Ni No Kuni. It's not a total deal-breaker though, so I'll be fine - after all I did manage to run through the desert my first time with only running into one monster, with a bunch of monsters in the sands heh.
 
I haven't finished the game yet and so far I'm enjoying it a lot. The battle becomes very easy once you know when to defend/attack/exploit enemy weaknesses. It may change in the future though as I read here that battle tactics changes on the higher levels.

I have played Whit Knight Chronicles 1 and 2 and it seems this game borrows a lot of its elements from that. However, WKC battle is boring as well as the art style.
 

Pachimari

Member
Talking about battles, how do I exploit their weaknesses? I can only seem to counter their attacks when the attack command turns blue.
 
During boss fights, Drippy will oftentimes comment on the weakness of the bosses.
Here are what I know so far. Keep in mind im also a noob :p

Fire : strong against plant
Burden : strong against agile enemies
Light Arrow : storng against ghostly enemies
Blind : strong agains physical attackers

When the damage number you deal is :

colored Orange - your attack is strong against that enemy
colored Blue - your attack is weak against that enemy
colored White - normal damage

Sometimes, it is more effective to attack from behind too.
I'm sure there's more. I don't mind the monsters' signs yet, I'm just basing it in the color of damage number as stated above.
 

WorldStar

Banned
I have a question about taming familiars:

If I have my party member's 3 familiar slots filled but the reserve slot open, I should still be able to tame familiars right?

I've been running around for an hour fighting Boneheads trying to tame one with no luck. I'm getting none of the hearts over their head or whatever.

Do I have to clear up some of my party's slots? Or is it fine as long as I have some reserve slots open?

I think drippy said they go directly to the retreat even if my reserves are filled. Is there any way to increase the frequency of taming shit? Or is it supposed to be super fucking uncommon?
 
I have a question about taming familiars:

If I have my party member's 3 familiar slots filled but the reserve slot open, I should still be able to tame familiars right?

I've been running around for an hour fighting Boneheads trying to tame one with no luck. I'm getting none of the hearts over their head or whatever.

Do I have to clear up some of my party's slots? Or is it fine as long as I have some reserve slots open?

No. You don't need to free space to tame familiars. You can acquire one even if your reserve space is filled up. The familiar will be sent directly to your Familiar Retreat. Some of the monsters have very low chance of having those yucky hearts so you just have to keep trying.

Sidequest tip:
Get those green Babana Monster and Turbandit familiars early to satisfy a sidequest. :)
 

WorldStar

Banned
No. You don't need to free space to tame familiars. You can acquire one even if your reserve space is filled up. The familiar will be sent directly to your Familiar Retreat. Some of the monsters have very low chance of having those yucky hearts so you just have to keep trying.

Sidequest tip:
Get those green Babana Monster and Turbandit familiars early to satisfy a sidequest. :)

finally just got a bonehead, fuck yes.
also got a turbandit and working on the babana monster for the dude who looks like a hipster backpacker
 

Pachimari

Member
Yeah, that's exactly what I did. Just fired fire balls and frozen spells with Oliver and sometimes I used Mitey and ran around like crazy while eating a lot of bread to recover my health.
 
Sidequest tip:
Get those green Babana Monster and Turbandit familiars early to satisfy a sidequest. :)

Also, for a different sidequest:
there's a sidequest much later in the game that asks you for an unevolved Sunshine, so if you catch one of those, leave it in its first form. (or catch two and leave one unevolved)
 

Evolved1

make sure the pudding isn't too soggy but that just ruins everything
I don't understand counterattacking. Explanation made no sense. The one time I actually wanted a tutorial/HUD explanation, I didn't get one. Tutorial for how to walk... text burp for a really important, unintuitive combat mechanic. lol

I'm in the desert area... not sure how I feel about the game. I'm mostly positive on it, I think.


Can it be done in one, without staring at a guide/wiki the entire time?
 
I don't understand counterattacking. Explanation made no sense. The one time I actually wanted a tutorial/HUD explanation, I didn't get one. Tutorial for how to walk... text burp for a really important, unintuitive combat mechanic. lol

I'm in the desert area... not sure how I feel about the game. I'm mostly positive on it, I think.



Can it be done in one, without staring at a guide/wiki the entire time?

I don't understand how counterattacing orks too haha.
Pretty sure there are no missable trophies so you can enjoy the game first and mop up the trophies after.

There are some trophies to watch out for so you progress on it along the way like
- catching almost all if not all familiars
- creating all possible items in alchemy
- maxing your familiatiry with 1 familiar
 

Evolved1

make sure the pudding isn't too soggy but that just ruins everything
I don't understand how counterattacing orks too haha.
Pretty sure there are no missable trophies so you can enjoy the game first and mop up the trophies after.

There are some trophies to watch out for so you progress on it along the way like
- catching almost all if not all familiars
- creating all possible items in alchemy
- maxing your familiatiry with 1 familiar

Hmmm... thanks. These are the kinds that I like.
 

Shadow780

Member
Is it just me or the AI is worthless in this game?

i.e., they never pick the right counter-sign familiar against enemies (90% of the time just the first familiar in their setup), always uses up MP way too quickly if I don't choose "don't use abilities" or "don't do anything", terrible at circumvent ally familiars so they're just stuck in-between the enemy, and can't buff/debuff the most obvious ailments/enhancements

Tips?
 

Evolved1

make sure the pudding isn't too soggy but that just ruins everything
Is it just me or the AI is worthless in this game?

i.e., they never pick the right counter-sign familiar against enemies (90% of the time just the first familiar in their setup), always uses up MP way too quickly if I don't choose "don't use abilities" or "don't do anything", terrible at circumvent ally familiars so they're just stuck in-between the enemy, and can't buff/debuff the most obvious ailments/enhancements

Tips?

They are retarded. Pretty much always, as far as I can tell. I've been doing all the side quests, so I'm generally over-leveled which takes a little of the sting out of their stupidity, since the game is easy. But then the game is too easy.

Idk man... I'm feeling kinda mixed on this game. Not really a fan of the combat system at this point. I'd rather micromanage traditional turn-based jrpg over this semi-active combat system, in most cases.
 

Shadow780

Member
They are retarded. Pretty much always, as far as I can tell. I've been doing all the side quests, so I'm generally over-leveled which takes a little of the sting out of their stupidity, since the game is easy. But then the game is too easy.

Idk man... I'm feeling kinda mixed on this game. Not really a fan of the combat system at this point. I'd rather micromanage traditional turn-based jrpg over this semi-active combat system, in most cases.

Yeah I pretty much brute forced everything and micro a lot during boss battles.
 
About 6 hours in, the game is exceeding all of my expectations.

The presentation is off the chain. Ghibli's influence is visible in every single facet of the design. The music is god tier, particularly the intro theme, overworld theme and Drippy's theme (and wtf was Kotaku smoking when they said the battle theme sucked? It grows on you and then introduces the faster, amazing version after DDD). The storybook and menus are incredibly slick and intuitive to manipulate. All of the drawings and cut-scenes are perfection, which is to be expected as that's what Ghibli are known for. My only gripe is that the graphics are sub-HD, but not offensively so.

Combat is a lot more fun than I thought it would be. I was expecting really really basic stuff based on how much people have said that this is like an old school RPG, and while it's true that it does adhere to some old turn based conventions, it's also very fast and keeps you on your toes by being semi-real time. It's kind of like Kingdom Hearts x Pokemon on crack.

Where the game really shines though, and which is the much more obviously old school element, is the exploration. The overworld just looks beautiful and evokes all of the same feelings of adventure that any older Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest does. Towns are brimming with personality. It's a joy in itself to simply be in the game world, and you end up doing all the mundane fetch quests and FF12-like hunts just to give you an excuse to keep playing in it.

Story is basic stuff but kept afloat by the charm of the characters. At first I stuck to English voice acting purely because the Engish subs moved too fast with the Japanese voice acting, but the English voice actors grew on me quickly. The welsh accent of Mr Drippy is refreshing for a game and very endearing when coupled with the localisation. None of the kids are annoying, which is a shocker. I love how much Oliver says "jeepers!" - a pleasant nod to Scooby Doo.

NNK is an amazingly successful marriage of a Ghibli movie with a classic RPG. I'm very surprised - maybe even shocked - at how well it's been pulled off. I now hope that it can keep up the momentum for the 90% of the game that's remaining.
 
So I have been chipping away at this-I'm encountering a strange issue. Occasionally when walking around in a non-overworld area, none of the buttons other than movement will work. Can't toggle the mini map, open inventory, open spells. It's weird and irritating. Anyone know of this?

Also the timer that there is true animation in the game-man. I wish there was a real Ni No Kuni film.
 

Diablos

Member
Hey guys and gals, trying to get back into this game. It's not that I hate it -- it's quite a lovely JRPG but I built a new PC and that distracted me for a couple months. Plus other things.

Anyway, I just got to
Perdida
. I don't think my levels are high enough for the
Nightmare battle there
. How many hours am I from beating the game? This isn't taking into account extra stuff, obviously that is up to me, but if anyone has something to suggest that I do feel free to advise.

So I have been chipping away at this-I'm encountering a strange issue. Occasionally when walking around in a non-overworld area, none of the buttons other than movement will work. Can't toggle the mini map, open inventory, open spells. It's weird and irritating. Anyone know of this?
I've never encountered this. Perhaps there is something wrong with your Blu-Ray drive. That is my best guess.
 

Guffen

Neo Member
So I have been chipping away at this-I'm encountering a strange issue. Occasionally when walking around in a non-overworld area, none of the buttons other than movement will work. Can't toggle the mini map, open inventory, open spells. It's weird and irritating. Anyone know of this?

Also the timer that there is true animation in the game-man. I wish there was a real Ni No Kuni film.

It happend to me one time to. But there was only one button that didn't work. Can't remember witch one. I think it happens with this game sometimes
 
I'm in the final dungeon (I think). I wish there were more creatures to collect. I really enjoy taming those monsters. :p

I'm using a boring roster though (just Dynamite, Gogo and AyeAye Sir). I'm using the other slots for leveling other creatures that will help me get to tame 250 creatures more quickly. During boss battles, it is refreshing to see Esther or Swaine swap for the weaker creatures.
 

Kjellson

Member
I have a question for someone who has played the DS version.

If I understood right, the White Witch isn't in the DS version at all and the game ends after you beat Shadar. But how is Pea's role explained then? It was a while since I played it, but she's actually the White Witch in a younger version or something right?
 

Diablos

Member
He's only level 14... I let some of my guys get to max levels before evolving them. Can't remember if some of the stats carry over or not, but I think they might.
That wasn't mine, just a screenshot I found.

Mine was like lv 39 or something before final form.

edit:
Just how rare are double planets? Not only did I get my favourite familiar yesterday, but it was a double planet sign!

DSCF3797_Cropped_zpsf34e8a9d.jpg


I wish this guy didn't turn up so darn late.
Whoa, where can I find this guy?!
 

WorldStar

Banned
just beat the game, my dudes were around 85 so the final boss was pretty easy

random thoughts: Catastroceros is OP as fuck

228px-Catastroceros.jpeg


how is the post-game?
 
There are tons to do post game. More if you are wanting to platinum the game.

- Bounty Hunts
- Sidequests
- Tame 250 familiars
- Create all alchemy items
- Solloseum
- Casino

I'm using Catastroceros too. His Stone Throw and Ear Splitter are too OP.
 

Yuterald

Member
Just got back into this game after months of hiatus. I picked it up at launch, but couldn't really get into it and shelved it for awhile. I've felt compelled for some reason to pick it back up again. I'm enjoying it more than I initially did, but there's still certain things that bother me so much about this game, mainly its battle system.

-I know it's been said countless times, but the AI truly is awful. I can't find a sweet spot between the piss poor options available in the "Tactics" menu. I just fought a mid/late-game nightmare boss and he had this moved that left poison shit all over the floor. Of course, other than the character/familiar I was controlling, the AI controlled goons would run right into the poison. Since every command/attack while poison causes damage, it was a pretty frustrating battle. There was no point in curing the poison because the idiots would just run right back into it. Honestly, I completed the fight solo and it was easier not having to micro-manage the other characters. Awful.

-This game REALLY needs a MP regeneration reward/option/accessory, something! I just gained access to the final quest guild reward/perk/whatever tier and I'm now saving up for the reduced MP cost. Hopefully, that makes the battles a bit more enjoyable. Again, no mater what "tactics" I choose, I always feel like I'm running out of MP. It's not like money is very common in this game either. Between the high cost of equipment and restorative items, I'm not too keen on sending money on MP restore coffees. Plus, a good battle system shouldn't rely on popping items left and right. The resource management in this game is really unbalanced.

-Is it just my imagination or is there no way to control who your AI controlled allies call out in battle? I find it infuriating when I bring new/low leveled Familiars into a fight/boss battle for EXP and I find my allies dying so quickly because they've mistakenly called out an incapable creature. Terrible.

-Is it me or is like EVERY enemy resistant to status debuffs? I swear, every time I try and weaken an enemies defense/attack/agility/whatever, it misses. What's the fucking point of these spells if their accuracy/hit rate is so fucking low? I've only ever seen it work, really, on bosses that were specifically designed to be debuffed in a way (like burden on the giant snake).

Ugh...god, I really do hate the combat in this game. It's like, not only does it just have a poor Pokemon-like evolution system, but the other, basic battle elements suck shit. It's really a shame too because I love the visuals and the soundtrack's fairly good.
 

Labadal

Member
I want to catch familiars. When do they let me? I've gotten my second party member and reached the trails. I hope I can catch them after this?
 
I want to catch familiars. When do they let me? I've gotten my second party member and reached the trails. I hope I can catch them after this?

Yeah you're pretty close.

I just finished the Master Alchemist sidequest.

It took me less than an hour to get all 5 scrolls of truth from the golden honkytonkers. I dont know why so many are raging at this particular grinding. They say they take 5 hours just getting these items.
 

Watch Da Birdie

I buy cakes for myself on my birthday it's not weird lots of people do it I bet
Man, I'm having a blast with this game...most addictive game since Xenoblade.

But, I have a problem...I've mostly been using the same monsters through the whole game, but now I'm at the Glittering Grotto, and a lot of my guys seems...unable to keep up? High-leveled and fully evolved, but they keep dying easily or do no damage whatsoever. My lemur dude, who I've used the whole game, is like useless now.

Should I regularly be rotating my team with late-game Familiars I'm getting now?
 

Yuterald

Member
Wow, the final dungeon was one of the most disappointing areas, ever. Hallways and corridors galore with NO objects or puzzles to make use of your spells. This should have been prime real estate for a dungeon that made use of everything you learned over the course of the game. What the fuck are those LONG ASS shimmy-walls too? I swear, one of them led to NOTHING. Holy shit, what an awful way to end an RPG/game.

Got to the final form of the final boss and died because I forgot to guard during its big move. I thought I was liking the story, but after seeing all the events played out, I don't care for this world or characters anymore. So fucking disappointed by this game. Ugh. =/
 

Owensboro

Member
Thanks to the most recent Best Buy $20 sale I picked this up and started it last night while watching the US qualify for the world cup (dos a cero!). I've been looking for a game to play on Sundays while watching Red Zone and figured this thing would be perfect for it.

So far, it's incredibly charming and very pretty, but I'm not sold on the whole game part yet. I've somehow avoided all spoilers for this thing up to now and am slightly terrified to go through the thread, but I'm thinking I'm going to have to at some point. Combat seems... ok... so far and I'm doing a decent job of dodging enemy attacks, but I'm confused as to how useful dodging actually is when all of my auto-attacks are too slow to get in a hit before the enemies reset and attack again.

Any first time advice (that's not spoilery!) other then what's on this page? (1.Get the Little Bighorn, Tin Man and Skeleton familiars as soon as you can, 2) Your AI partners will be useless, 3) Learn to use the Guard command properly.)
 
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