Though it often gets overlooked as Persona and Final Fantasy seem to be the leaders of the JRPG genre today, Ni No Kuni is a franchise that has a place in many fans' hearts thanks to gorgeous visuals, fun gameplay, and stellar storytelling. Taking players to a Ghibli-inspired world to tell tales of heroic deeds and conquering evil its developer, Level-5, has forged two exceptional offerings on home consoles, alongside some mobile titles. The series returns to mobile in the form of Ni No Kuni: Cross Worlds , and will look to recapture the audience in the West that both Wrath of the White Witch and Revenant Kingdom garnered when they launched in 2013 and 2018 respectively.

Ni No Kuni: Cross Worlds released in Japan in Summer 2021, and will make its way to other territories on May 25 of this year. It's a title that many have been aware of for a while, as it comes four years after the release of the second mainline game. Thankfully, finding a place on mobile storefronts globally means those familiar with the series can dive into an all-new entry while waiting for the new single player experience. Being an MMO, it's unlikely that it will have many connections to the games that came before it, but that's not to say they can or should be skipped.

Oliver and Evan's Essential Journeys

boy and girl in forest with creature

Players in the West were introduced to Ni No Kuni in 2013, when the first game released to much critical acclaim. Oliver is trying to accept the untimely death of someone close to him before he's transported to another world in search of answers. The resulting adventure was simply superb, as the friends he meets and enemies he overcomes became some of the finest in the JRPG genre for years. It's an isolated experience, though, and while it leaves a lasting impression, the sequel is set so far in the future that there isn't too much of a connection between what Oliver achieved and what comes next. However, any game as good as Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is worth experiencing regardless.

Ni No Kuni: Revenant Kingdom upped the ante in many ways, with more side activities and a far more ambitious story. Evan is the king of Ding Dong Dell, and was criminally usurped in the game's opening. The quest throughout is to restore peace in the world, while also forging his own nation in the process. Evermore is an essential location in Ni No Kuni lore as it features heavily in Revenant Kingdom, as well as the 2019 film, and Cross Worlds.

The Impressive World of Ni No Kuni

ni no kuni 2 revenant kingdom town view

Though the stories of the first two games always take center stage, world building sets Ni No Kuni above the rest. From the Arabian-inspired walls of Al Mamoon in the first game to the glitzy, unpredictable nature of Goldclaw in Revenant Kingdom, the series knows how to establish inviting locations that make it perfect for the mobile MMORPG genre. Ni No Kuni: Cross Worlds will look to take advantage of this, as it will feature elements from the second game to make it feel in-keeping with the franchise. As with the film, the Kingdom of Evermore is a prominent place in Cross Worlds, and as Evan's construction of the city makes for the biggest plot point of the 2018 release, knowledge of its events will go a long way to help the land feel familiar.

MMOs don't typically have heavy narratives, but games like Final Fantasy 14 prove this doesn't have to be the case. The lore in Ni No Kuni is strong, and Cross Worlds can utilize it to stand out amongst other games in the genre. Knowing how Evermore was founded and Evan's place in the world after Revenant Kingdom may very well be valuable, especially with the possibility of future story expansions.

While Oliver's journey during the events of Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is the more engaging and emotional of the two games, it's Revenant Kingdom that is the more critical game to experience before Cross Worlds arrives on May 25. Evan and Roland's quest did more to shape the world around them, and with the story trailer showing off how Cross Worlds will use the IP, the second mainline game will be one that could flesh out Cross Worlds beautifully, and make the upcoming mobile MMO one worthy of investing in.

Ni No Kuni: Cross Worlds launches May 25 for Android and iOS devices.

MORE: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Could Learn From Ni No Kuni