Ni No Kuni out January 22, 2013

Eh, the casino is more like a 'me too!' version of golden saucer, except you don't have to win to buy stuff. By the end of the game I bought all the prizes by just spamming buy tokens until I had enough. Cost something like half a million, but I had over a million by then and nothing to spend the cash on lol. Talk about balance issues everywhere. . .

Definitely recommend buy all the tickets to view cutscenes since it includes a Japanese extended cut of the Surly & Smiley show. Shit was great!
 
[quote name='Vinny']Wow. Now part of me wants to play the 3DS version. Old Father Oak looks creepy as shit though.[/QUOTE]

He is creepy as shit in the PS3 version. He looks like Dolan.

Also it's super easy to get casino tokens playing Platoon. It's a shame the casino is practically worthless except for getting jumbo drops.
 
Keep in mind these aren't sure fire ways to win. It's difficult to win when you get dealt a shit hand and no special cards like Kings or Wizards. One of the main things to remember is you want to make both winning & losing piles. Trying to make every pile a winning one spreads you out too thin. Here's some tips for a decent setup:

- Pair Wizards with lowest card. Use these to go after any pile without a Bishop
- Kings should be alone. Use these to go after any number pile.
- A pile with a value of 20+ (two if you can manage). Use these to go after low valued number piles
- Bishops should be alone, use these to attack a pile you think has a King
- Put your lowest value card (like a 2 or 3) alone. If you get a shit hand maybe make two of these. These are good for flushing out Wizards

With all that in mind the computer has a pattern with it's placement. Special cards like Kings, Wizards and Bishops will tend to show up on the left side of their setup. You could see this:
(K) (K,5) (W,2) (10,9) (J,Q,3)
But never this:
(K) (10,9) (J,Q,3) (W,2) (K,5)

Anytime you see an all number card pile (Jack & Queens included) every pile to it's right is also a number pile. Bishops are always to the left of a King, never the right. This means if you see a Bishop with a pile to it's left there is a Bishop in there too. This also means if you see a King any pile to it's right will NOT contain a Bishop. Wizard are tough and a little more complicated. They will show up anywhere as long as there are no other special cards to the right. Just remember what I wrote above, if you see an all number pile there wont be a Wizard in any piles to the right.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
[quote name='Rodimus']I did some exploring after getting
Tengri
and found an even better place to level grind than the island. A forest area northwest of Hamelin has Toko's second evolved form. They drop 9,000 each with a chance of fighting 2 at the same time. I netted 17,000 EXP points off one fight.
[/QUOTE]
Here is the trick to that. Go into
Perdida. Just walk in and walk out to get the travel point.
Go down the path looking for TokoToko. If you find nothing by the end of the path, use your travel spell to
Perdida
. You don't even have to go inside, just travel and walk down the path again, it automatically resets. Yeah I am a little more than halfway through the game or maybe halfway but I can probably beat the game with the levels I got doing that today :lol:.
 
You can use Tengri to speed that up even more since you can see what four mobs spawn on the ramp path just from the ledge up there.

Also, PSA this is $50 on Amazon right now.
 
[quote name='Sir_Fragalot']Here is the trick to that. Go into
Perdida. Just walk in and walk out to get the travel point.
Go down the path looking for TokoToko. If you find nothing by the end of the path, use your travel spell to
Perdida
. You don't even have to go inside, just travel and walk down the path again, it automatically resets. Yeah I am a little more than halfway through the game or maybe halfway but I can probably beat the game with the levels I got doing that today :lol:.[/QUOTE]

I'll try that, thanks.
 
So I finished The Conductor quest and I gotta say, the reward is damn fun. Too bad I have no use for it now. This would have been so much more useful at the beginning of the game.:whistle2:/
 
[quote name='Vinny']So I finished The Conductor quest and I gotta say, the reward is damn fun. Too bad I have no use for it now. This would have been so much more useful at the beginning of the game.:whistle2:/[/QUOTE]
IKR?! I was overjoyed for like 5 minutes. . .and then quit the game never to play again rofl.
 
[quote name='finsfan0210']What are your guys thoughts on the Griffy, Golden Hurly, and the Feb 12th free DLC familiars? Should any of the 3 be used in combat.[/QUOTE]

I have heard Griffy is overpowered almost to the point of being broken. Golden Hurly is basically the same as the one Swaine starts with. I am not sure about Draggle but I know you can get a golden one post-game in regular battles. I have not used any of them (got the free DLC familiar after I beat the game), but this is what I have heard.
 
[quote name='Jodou']IKR?! I was overjoyed for like 5 minutes. . .and then quit the game never to play again rofl.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I think I'm done too. I finished the S rank Colosseum matches and spent 375K to get enough chips to buy all of the movie tickets. I put in 64 hours into this game so I definitely got my money's worth.

Apparently, Level 5 said they'd consider a sequel if western sales were good. Given that the game sold out at many retailers, I wonder if we'll see one.

[quote name='Rodimus']During a victory I always hear Esther say "Nice Butt" Am I the only one?[/QUOTE]

Yes, you are. Pervert.:lol:
 
[quote name='finsfan0210']What are your guys thoughts on the Griffy, Golden Hurly, and the Feb 12th free DLC familiars? Should any of the 3 be used in combat.[/QUOTE]


Griffy is ridiculously strong. You won't use anyone else.

Gold hurly is a waste IMO, pointless.

My draggle is form 2 level 30 and useless. Weak and has no decent attack.
 
[quote name='Kay_Faraday']are the girlfiend and shonky honker line worth using?[/QUOTE]

Yes, the Shonky Honker would be worth investing time to level up. It has the highest or one of the highest Magic stats in the game. Just make sure it's a double star. Not sure about Girlfiend.
 
[quote name='Romeo']Griffy is ridiculously strong. You won't use anyone else.

Gold hurly is a waste IMO, pointless.

My draggle is form 2 level 30 and useless. Weak and has no decent attack.[/QUOTE]

Your saying that the Golden Hurly and draggle are not worth using correct?
 
[quote name='finsfan0210']Your saying that the Golden Hurly and draggle are not worth using correct?[/QUOTE]


So far, and compared to other familiars, yes.
 
I have a quick question to those who beat the game.
I just got Marcassain in my party. Do I need to keep him leveled, or doesn't it matter. Kinda don't want to even bother with him if I don't have to because my other 3 are pretty over leveled, at the moment.
 
[quote name='Jodou']Don't bother, he's not required at any point in the game and is pretty terrible to boot.[/QUOTE]

He is way more useful than
his brother.
 
[quote name='Sir_Fragalot']I have a quick question to those who beat the game.
I just got Marcassain in my party. Do I need to keep him leveled, or doesn't it matter. Kinda don't want to even bother with him if I don't have to because my other 3 are pretty over leveled, at the moment.
[/QUOTE]

I'd like to add,
You can't remove Oliver and he has the almost same spells (cures and thunderstorm which you get from Ghost kid eventually), never remove Esther or you cannot charm/capture familiars, and Swaine has Mugshot. If you want to do Alchemy, you will be using Mugshot a lot.

I leveled him up to 99 anyway since Toko's make it easy, and he didn't learn anything new. His wand has more attack than magic so Oliver is better anyway. I too was conflicted when I first got him, but there really is no reason to put him in unless you want him healing instead of a familiar healing.

One funny note, check special items, I think he gets a pig suit along with bathing/snow suits. But I'm not sure how you can see him in it, heh.
 
[quote name='Dead of Knight']He is way more useful than
his brother.
[/QUOTE]
From what I recall he's more glass cannon with lower HP and has synergy with familiars that are less desirable at endgame. That and he would be a pain to level that late in the game when you're almost done.
 
[quote name='Vinny']So I finished The Conductor quest and I gotta say, the reward is damn fun. Too bad I have no use for it now. This would have been so much more useful at the beginning of the game.:whistle2:/[/QUOTE]

Someone remind me - what was the reward for that? Oh wait,
is it the motorcycle thing? Yeah, I made use of that like one time - would have been much more useful earlier!

I finally got my guide book from Amazon a few days before I finished the game. I was so close to the end I never bothered opening it. So the question is, keep it sealed for later or open it and sell the DLC code?
 
[quote name='Jodou']From what I recall he's more glass cannon with lower HP and has synergy with familiars that are less desirable at endgame. That and he would be a pain to level that late in the game when you're almost done.[/QUOTE]

I do like that he has his own magic to use though. Honestly found him way more useful. Swaine has synergy with tanks, which helps earlier but not so much in the endgame. At least with the tanks I had. Monolith was basically useless near the end.
 
[quote name='Dead of Knight']I do like that he has his own magic to use though. Honestly found him way more useful. Swaine has synergy with tanks, which helps earlier but not so much in the endgame. At least with the tanks I had. Monolith was basically useless near the end.[/QUOTE]
Eh, I just gave him a maxed Bone Baron to soak damage and debuff mobs while I'd rape everything. I also didn't want to give up steal in case I needed rare mats from encounters.
 
Took me almost an hour but I finally caught a Dinoceres. I wasn't getting lucky. But I did reach 800,000 chips in the casino. I'm kinda addicted to Platoon.
 
[quote name='Rodimus']Took me almost an hour but I finally caught a Dinoceres. I wasn't getting lucky. But I did reach 800,000 chips in the casino. I'm kinda addicted to Platoon.[/QUOTE]
Once you get the hang of Platoon the game becomes a joke for getting money, but then again I haven't really had money problems without Platoon.

Just beat the game. I have to admit, I really loved this game despite it's flaws in the end of it.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I haven't been able to play this much lately and I want to finish this by March 5 if I can. I just got the last party member and am back in Ding Dong Dell right now about ready for a boss fight. Estimates on how long I may have left?
 
[quote name='cgarb84']I haven't been able to play this much lately and I want to finish this by March 5 if I can. I just got the last party member and am back in Ding Dong Dell right now about ready for a boss fight. Estimates on how long I may have left?[/QUOTE]

I'm about at the same spot. I would also like to know.
 
[quote name='cgarb84']I haven't been able to play this much lately and I want to finish this by March 5 if I can. I just got the last party member and am back in Ding Dong Dell right now about ready for a boss fight. Estimates on how long I may have left?[/QUOTE]
It depends on how leveled you are and if you do the errands/bounty hunts. If you don't do them and are overleveled I would suspect maybe 2-5 hours roughly for a straight rush through the end. Anything else such as leveling, errands, etc will add to that amount. 2 hours if you skip cutscenes. Your not right at the end but at the same time your getting close.
 
Is there any point in
using Marcassin?
When I got him all my characters were around level 90. Yeah I know, way overleveled.
 
[quote name='Rodimus']Is there any point in
using Marcassin?
When I got him all my characters were around level 90. Yeah I know, way overleveled.[/QUOTE]
Nope. You don't need to worry about it, just use what you have already and you will be fine.
I beat the game without even using him once. To me he is just extra familiar storage.
 
I'm about level 50 right now. I'm not planning on doing any grinding unless I have to but I will probably do the majority of any errands/bounty hunts that show up. The only active side quest I have right now is the capturing familiars for Derwin one.
 
[quote name='cgarb84']I'm about level 50 right now. I'm not planning on doing any grinding unless I have to but I will probably do the majority of any errands/bounty hunts that show up. The only active side quest I have right now is the capturing familiars for Derwin one.[/QUOTE]

You probably need to move the story a bit more to get more quests. I thought the end was going to be when I had to deal with the "hidden" continent (the one you can see but can't fly to) but that is not the end. There is still more after that. So you are safe doing that part and then doing more quests afterwards.
 
So i finally unlocked the last tier in merit stamps. What do guys recommend i should get 1st and last? I overleveled already lvl 65 char and max 2nd forms of initial familiars. Im at the point where
i got all the 3 stones for the wand
 
I forget what's there exactly, but if there's one to increase the familiar catching rate I would recommend that if you plan to go for the platinum. The one that costs 8 stamps and gives Oliver an extra 100 health and MP is useful, though you are leveled up pretty good already. More just makes it easier (or rather that you don't have to mess with MP items as much during boss battles - which is nice). I'm pretty sure the one I put off till last was the one that regenerates health while walking. That just seems pointless since there are so many health regen stones and spells you can use (not to mention food).
 
Anyone have general party tactics advice? I've had 3 party members for a bit and just finished off the first boss in Hamelin, but had to do it solo as my 2 party members were killed within the first few seconds. They also seem to run out of magic fairly often. I'm at level 28 if that makes a difference. Thanks!
 
[quote name='coolz481']Anyone have general party tactics advice? I've had 3 party members for a bit and just finished off the first boss in Hamelin, but had to do it solo as my 2 party members were killed within the first few seconds. They also seem to run out of magic fairly often. I'm at level 28 if that makes a difference. Thanks![/QUOTE]

Yeah, both of those things will happen quite frequently. I didn't really mess around with the tactics too much. It did seem that mid-game they would die all the time. It happens less often later (especially if you level up on sidequests and such). You can feed them magic-replenishing items during battle so they don't run out. Once Esther, in particular, runs out, she doesn't heal any more and dies quickly.
 
[quote name='io']I forget what's there exactly, but if there's one to increase the familiar catching rate I would recommend that if you plan to go for the platinum. The one that costs 8 stamps and gives Oliver an extra 100 health and MP is useful, though you are leveled up pretty good already. More just makes it easier (or rather that you don't have to mess with MP items as much during boss battles - which is nice). I'm pretty sure the one I put off till last was the one that regenerates health while walking. That just seems pointless since there are so many health regen stones and spells you can use (not to mention food).[/QUOTE]

The way I understood it, is the +% to catch familiar wasn't a set 12% or 15% increase, but more of a 15% of the original. So a 10% catch rate is bumped up to 12%, for example. Really doesn't help that some are as low as 4% to begin with. I went for 1st form, and leveled them up (fast) with Toko's.

For stamp progression, in the 3rd row I'd recommend, last stamp option 1st or 2nd, his potential with more MP is nice for spamming spells/tricks. Next scare enemies to drop items. Walk to increase HP is worthless (as it's 2/3mp per heal spell, cheaper than full heal one) so get that last. Trick/Spell MP cost down is fairly good, it's a toss up to get that one 3rd/4th before or after Familiar catch rate. The sucky thing is, you'll be missing quite a few stamp rewards until post game content. At least for me since I picked 8 stamp option 1st, costs a lot.

+HP/MP > Item drop+ > Familiar catch+ > MP cost for all- > Walk heals HP, is what I did.
 
I am done with this game. The problem this game has for me is that while the events started out fun, it just got really repetitive and I don't wanna bother going for plat. My other problem is they needed to balance out familiars because some familiars if you have them in your party you auto win and some just are kinda meh.

Then again I put 50 hours in, plenty of time and well worth the $60.
 
The balance is pretty terrible but they went the pokemon route of quantity over quality. The problem really stems from the lack of rock, paper, scissors and no the elements don't count because they still feed into the defense roll. Just because something is 50% vulnerable to an element doesn't mean you're forced to swap if the defense/HP is high enough. Like a hit for 25 would only be 37.5 afterward and to someone with a deep well of 500 HP is a joke.
 
[quote name='Jodou']The balance is pretty terrible but they went the pokemon route of quantity over quality. The problem really stems from the lack of rock, paper, scissors and no the elements don't count because they still feed into the defense roll. Just because something is 50% vulnerable to an element doesn't mean you're forced to swap if the defense/HP is high enough. Like a hit for 25 would only be 37.5 afterward and to someone with a deep well of 500 HP is a joke.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I rarely, if ever, even swapped out familiars if they were using the wrong kind of attack - they still usually did enough damage (and likewise on defense). I think there were a few exceptions on boss fights where I had to change it up a little, especially earlier in the game.
 
Just finished this on Tuesday. I really liked it overall, it has a few issues but I got over 50 hrs out of it without thinking twice so that must mean I liked it a whole lot. I did just a few post completion quests but it looks like to do everything would take another 20-30 hrs which I am not going to commit to. I think I will boot it up one more time to say a fond farewell and then move on to the next thing. I don't play very many jrpg's, average about 1 a year so after this I don't know what my next one will be. I have always wanted to play through Chrono Trigger....maybe I will get around to that one of these days.
 
What are some Studio Ghibli references you've noticed? I found a few. Most obvious is the fellow named My Neighbor Tomtoro at Solomon's arena. The pig tank boss named Porco Grooso (In references to Porco Rooso) Also the island in the southwestern part of the map similar to the one in Porco Rooso.

The forest dweller girl needed for a quest late in the game looks like a young Princess Mononoke.

I'm sure there's more.
 
Lol, was watching streams and adult swim just now and they reviewed this game, just like they used to with Toonami back in the day. Just another reason why I love Cartoon Network.
 
[quote name='Rodimus']Is there any point in doing the post side missions? it's pointless.

Give me substance not substitute.[/QUOTE]

Unlike most games, which require nearly impossible or horribly repetitious tasks to get all the trophies, the ones in Ni No Kuni are a bit of work but not overwhelming. That would be the only reason, really. If you liked the game it is more of that, but with at least some different things to do - and the platinum to work towards to give it a "point". And before anyone says trophies are pointless, I'd just say that all video games are pointless in the grand scheme of things. But at least they made being a completionist somewhat obtainable and fun in this game.
 
For me it's not about the trophies. Why not give me these missions before the end of the game? Once I beat a game I just feel exhausted with it, especially one that took me over 50+ hours to beat. I've completed the ultimate goal, defeated the hardest enemy. I see little point in getting the best weapons, familiars, or finding new treasures.

Don't get me wrong I loved the game. Best JRPG I played in a while. It's just after I loaded up the after game save file I just didn't care anymore.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
bread's done
Back
Top