Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
Common Sense says
- PlayStation 3
- $59.99
- 2013
Parents say
Kids say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this game.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is a fantastical role-playing game (RPG). It features one central character who bands together with a group of friends to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey. The storyline contains a major tragedy in the life of the young protagonist Oliver. Because of the well-executed story, players come to care deeply for Oliver, so this tragedy is something that will stick with them for the duration of the game. It helps explain Oliver's mindset as he travels the world and attacks creatures that block his way. Combat is slightly detached, since Oliver is not actually involved in the battles; instead, he sends out creatures called "Familiars" to fight on his behalf. It is all very colorful and fantastical in nature. There is occasional mild use of profanity and one creature who smokes a pipe. The most impactful content, though, is the emotional roller coaster that players will follow with Oliver.
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User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
Helping my son read better.
Great fun for father and son.
One of the best games of the decade.
Amazing but....
What's it about?
NI NO KUNI: WRATH OF THE WHITE WITCH is about a boy named Oliver who lived a pleasant and regimented life, until one day his world was turned upside down by an immensely tragic event. Rather than giving up on life, however, Oliver decides to embark on a journey to save his kingdom -- a journey that will end up molding not only who he is, but also everyone around him. His impact on the world ends up being much greater than if he had just stayed home, proving the very powerful message that no matter what life throws your way, you can turn it into something infinitely positive.
Is it any good?
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is the kind of game that exemplifies not only what is great about its genre, but also the video game industry as a whole. In an industry that is filled with either mindless combat and mission-solving, or games that have incredibly cheesy or boring storylines, this game is the rare gem that has a truly masterful and well-executed story, and uses the interactive nature of video games to truly pull players right into the middle of that story. The combat system is just as uniquely satisfying as the overall experience of the game, allowing players to develop their own specific strategy not because they're forced to, but because it happens naturally as they progress through the game. Each player will develop his or her own style of combat, making everyone's gameplay experience one-of-a-kind. Anyone who appreciates video games and a good storyline will enjoy this game; it is as simple as that.
Talk to your kids about ...
Parents can talk about the violence and combat in this game. Is the impact different when you're battling fantastical creatures as opposed to humans?
What is the worst tragedy you have had to cope with so far in your life? How did you overcome it?
Try to come up with an example of when you were able to turn a bad situation into a positive one.
Game details
- Platforms: PlayStation 3
- Subjects: Language & Reading: following directions, reading, reading comprehension
- Skills: Emotional Development: developing resilience, empathy, moving beyond obstacles, persevering
- Price: $59.99
- Available online? Not available online
- Developer: Namco Bandai
- Release date: January 22, 2013
- Genre: Role-Playing
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy
- ESRB rating: E10+ for Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Comic Mischief, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling
- Last updated: June 20, 2019
For kids who love role-playing and adventure
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.