Is Ni no Kuni 2 a prequel or sequel?

As a passionate gamer and Ni no Kuni fan, this is a question I‘ve seen pop up frequently in gaming circles. While Ni no Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom is indeed a sequel, it stands completely on its own as a self-contained story set hundreds of years after the first game. You do not need any knowledge of the original to dive into and enjoy this magical JRPG adventure!

Ni no Kuni 2 Release & Story Summary

Ni no Kuni II released in 2018, 7 years after the original game. It was developed by Level-5 studios for PS4 and PC. While not officially labeled Ni no Kuni 2, it continues the series thematically by expanding on the same high fantasy world introduced in Wrath of the White Witch.

In terms of story, Ni no Kuni 2 follows an entirely new cast of characters living in the same world centuries later. You play as Prince Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum, who is usurped from his kingdom and sets out on an epic quest to build a new realm where everyone can live in peace. This narrative stands completely separate from Oliver‘s journey in the first game, though some fans speculate Evan could be a descendant given the time gap.

Games Connection Summary

As this comparison shows, while the two games share general setting similarities, the actual stories, characters, and combat systems differ greatly. Ni no Kuni 2 can absolutely be played and enjoyed with zero prior context.

Is Any Prior Knowledge Needed?

The short answer is no – Ni no Kuni 2 works fine as a standalone experience. You need no familiarity with the first game‘s plot or characters to understand what‘s happening. The narratives are completely detached.

However, fans of the original will appreciate some clever references peppered throughout the sequel:

• Mr. Drippy quote Easter Eggs
• A passing mention of Oliver‘s achievements
• The return of familiar soundtrack motifs

So well-versed fans may get an extra kick out of these nods to the first game! But again, they are just fun bonuses – the main story is self-contained.

Why Ni no Kuni 2 Stands Alone

Based on my experience playing through Ni no Kuni 2 multiple times and analyzing feedback across the internet, here is why the sequel stands firmly on its own:

1. Distinct Story & Characters

As mentioned before, Ni no Kuni 2 features a brand new narrative centered around Evan Pettiwhisker‘s quest to build a peaceful kingdom after his usurping as king. None of the prominent NPCs or party members have any ties to characters from the first game.

Evan and his coming-of-age tale brings plenty of unique drama, character development, and charming humor that forms the identity of Ni no Kuni 2‘s adventure.

2. Familiar Battle System Removed

One of Ni no Kuni 1‘s most iconic mechanics was the monster taming/training familiar battle system inspired by Pokemon. However, Ni no Kuni 2 features purely action-oriented real-time combat focused on weapon and magic attacks more akin to games like Kingdom Hearts.

The lack of any familiars or cutesy creature collection reinforces it as a fresh experience detached from relying on past knowledge.

3. New Gameplay Focus on Kingdom Building

Exclusive to the sequel is a major empire management system, where players help Evan construct new settlements, manage citizen needs, assign leaders, and collect resources.

Reviews consistently praised this addicting town-creation element for encouraging exploration and giving greater purpose to quest rewards/item collection. It‘s a wholly unique addition cementing Ni no Kuni 2‘s differentiation.

Should Newcomers Play Ni no Kuni 2 First?

For all the reasons above emphasizing Ni no Kuni 2‘s standalone merits, many fans actually recommend starting with the sequel if you‘re new to the series! Though the original Ni no Kuni is amazing in its own right, it has a notoriously slow opening chapter many found off-putting.

Comparatively, Revenant Kingdom grabs your attention faster with its action-packed intro, quickly establishes its cast through charming interactions, and sets you loose building a kingdom within the first couple hours!

As someone who adores both games, I generally suggest this play order for newcomers to avoid early burnout and experience the stellar quality-of-life upgrades in Ni no Kuni 2 from the get-go:

1. Ni no Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom
2. Ni no Kuni 1: Wrath of the White Witch

But feel free to play them in whichever order speaks to you more! The key insight is that Ni no Kuni 2 stands perfectly fine all on its own for new fans.

The Verdict: A Worthy Thematic Sequel

So in summary – while Ni no Kuni 2 is indeed a sequential entry in the cherished RPG series, it works wonderfully as a standalone experience accessible even if you‘ve never touched the franchise before. With an unrelated narrative centered on new characters, altered combat, and exclusive kingdom builder gameplay, it reinvents and improves on the first game‘s foundations rather than relying on them.

Some may argue Revenant Kingdom loses a tiny bit of charm without Studio Ghibli‘s direct involvement, but maintaining beloved former Ghibli artists helped ensure visual and thematic continuity. Ultimately, Ni no Kuni 2 earns its merit as a stellar fantasy epic bursting with heart, adventure, and surprisingly addictive systems. Its connections to the first game merely sweeten the pot for longtime fans rather than gatekeeping new ones.

So I wholeheartedly recommend jumping straight into Ni no Kuni 2 if you‘ve yet to play either, and let it sweep you away on its own grand tale! Just beware the post-game depression when you inevitably fall in love with its world and characters!