Conversations Across The Globe: Is Ni No Kuni Sony’s Best Exclusive?

Ni no Kuni has been out for almost a month now and our editors have been itching to discuss the finer points about the game. We all agreed Studio Ghibli’s visuals are amazing and the score very impressive, but do we agree on everything? When does anyone agree on everything?

Today we’ll be bringing the second part of a five part series. We discuss Ni No Kuni and how it stacks up against PlayStation’s other exclusive titles. You can read our first discussion regarding the games combat, right here.

Sony’s Best Exclusive-

Anthony – In-depth columnist/American

“So Jamie, there’s been a lot of talk about Ni no Kuni being one of the best Sony exclusives – even the savior of JRPG’s. I don’t know if it’s the best JRPG to come out this generation, but it is interesting to consider how it stacks up to the other PS3 exclusives. I mean, there is some truth to how important it is simply because it’s a great JRPG for a console many thought would be rich with them – like the PlayStation and PS2 were. But does it really compare favorably to Uncharted, Metal Gear Solid 4, inFamous, Journey and the countless other exclusives in Sony’s robust PS3 library? I think, yes.”

Jamie – Managing Editor/Australian

“Even someone with a limited knowledge of JRPG’s knows their importance to the PlayStation 2. They were a pivotal point in making the PS2 as successful as it was. JRPG fans are well in-tuned with their favorite genre and will hunt down an impressive JRPG no matter what. In that sense Ni no Kuni definitely could be one of Sony’s most “important” exclusives for the PlayStation 3; yet, how does it really stack up to Sony’s HD behemoths offerings? It is for sure a great example of Sony’s dedication to acquiring amazing studies and bringing fantastic exclusives to their fans, but it’s hard to give it the throne of the “best” exclusive.Personally, narrative is one of the strongest elements a game can possess; look at games like BioShock, Heavy Rain and Red Dead Redemption. Though they are not all Sony exclusives, they all stand the test of time with their involved, memorable and enthralling tales. Ni no Kuni presents a strong case narratively, but can it stand against the all-time great Sony story driven games? Personal preference says no.”

Anthony – In-depth columnist/American

“I get what you’re saying. Had this game come out early in the PS3 lifecycle it very well could have been considered the console’s savior; but now there are 75 million PS3’s in the wild and I don’t see Ni no Kuni exactly pushing consoles out the door. Still, when I think of the PS3 lately what comes to mind is Journey, Heavy Rain and now Ni no Kuni. Why? Because they are all unique.

Maybe it’s just my love for the genre, but Ni no Kuni was really important for me. When I think about a superhero game, for instance, I think of Arkham City first – not inFamous. Sony has a lot of great shooters  (Killzone, Uncharted, Resistance) but they all kind of blur together. My point is, I don’t know that there is a single great JRPG on the console. Hell, even Microsoft has Tales of Vesparia in America at least.”

Jamie – Managing Editor/Australian

“I completely agree. I do not see Ni no Kuni being that system seller, not because it is a bad game but because it is just too late in the console’s life. The importance of strong JRPG’s is something people underestimate. When people talk about the Vita they say, “Where are the JRPG’s?” Even though there are a few on the market, I think if (this may sound crazy) Sony had put the money into Ni no Kuni also appearing on the Vita and given it cross-save compatibility then Sony would have struck a gold mine.
Sony has some top notch quality exclusives and many of them strike my tastebuds. inFamous, Uncharted and LittleBigPlanet are not only some of my favorite franchises of this generation, but of all-time. I definitely rate Ni no Kuni as one of my favorite games because of the unforgettable experience I had with it; but there are certain problems with the story’s ever predictable narrative that holds it back from being Sony’s top exclusive.”

Anthony – In-depth columnist/American

“Man, if Ni no Kuni came to the PSVita I think it might sell more than 10 a day. I kid. But really, you are right that it would be a system seller for the Vita. A couple days ago I actually saw it running on a hacked Vita, so maybe it’s possible down the road?”

Jamie – Managing Editor/Australian

“If Ni no Kuni ever came to the PlayStation Vita in any form, Sony would have to buy a new office to house the money that would be constantly flying at them from every direction. It is decisions like this that could save the Vita and possibly make it memorable, and most importantly successful.”

Anthony – In-depth columnist/American

“OK Jamie, so let’s get right down to it then. What is your favorite PS3 exclusive and which do you think is the most important? Me, if a gun were placed to a baby’s head and I had to chose or else I’d get shot (I’m not gonna joke about shooting a baby!) I’d say my favorite PS3 exclusive is Metal Gear Solid 4. Sorry Journey. As for its most important, isn’t that easy? Gran Turismo 5. I may not be a huge fan, but it’s the best selling game on the console. That’s gotta make it the most important, right?”

Jamie – Managing Editor/Australian

“I’m going to start off by saying I hate you for asking this.

Whenever people ask me what to buy when they get a PlayStation 3, one game always comes to mind first. Though it might not be the “best” game, maybe not even the most important, Heavy Rain was such a unique step for the PS3 that it’s set itself apart. Heavy Rain was not only a critical success, but for a PlayStation 3 exclusive it was a massive commercial success as well. It had its flaws, sure, but when I get told from a friend who knows nothing about PlayStation that my recommendation was worth buying the console I feel vindicated. It’s justifiable, Heavy Rain is something special.”

Anthony – In-depth columnist/American

“So both of us chose unique games. Doesn’t it stand to reason then that Ni no Kuni belongs right there with MGS4 and Heavy Rain?”

Jamie – Managing Editor/Australian

“I am not discounting the significance of Ni No Kuni; for the system itself to possess such a strong JRPG, which is important no matter how you look at it; but as we spoke about earlier, the time for lasting appeal for titles being released so close to next generation is hard to determine (Though it might have sold consoles, converted gamers and more a few years ago). The impact of Ni No Kuni just doesn’t seem as strong as it could have been.”

Anthony – In-depth columnist/American

“Too bad for Ni no Kuni. Four or five years earlier and it might be the best PS3 exclusive. Oh well, as a consolation prize it is right there with Uncharted in my book. I guess it’s not fair to try and rank games anyways. But one thing is for sure: Ni no Kuni is a damn fine game and I hope to see more in the future.”

Jamie – Managing Editor/Australian

“You are on the money Anthony, Ni No Kuni is an absolute pleasure and it is hard for me to not recommend it to anyone who might be reading this. Accessible, yet deceptively in-depth, Ni No Kuni satisfies.”

Conclusion:

After a lengthy discussion, rivaling some of the most important conversations this world has ever seen. We can both agree Ni No Kuni is a grand exclusive that all PlayStation fans should appreciate, thought it might have been too late in the PlayStation 3’s lifecycle to be as important to the console as it could have been. It definitely is still one of the premiere titles Sony has exclusively acquired on their system.

Tomorrow we will once again discuss Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, but this time we will touch on one of the most important, narrative.