Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Let's Play: 'Which Box Art is Better?' (Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch edition)

I've said this before, I'm sure, but I'll repeat it now just in case my memory is failing me (again): If I owned a PS3, the game that would top my lengthy buy-as-soon-as-it's-available list would be Level-5's Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch.

Until the day I buy a PS3 arrives, I'll content myself by comparing and contrasting the different cover illustrations that have been produced for this beautiful, co-developed-by-anime-company-Studio-Ghibli RPG.

To kick things off, here's the imagery that appeared on the original Japanese release's packaging:


And here's the art that will grace the cover of the upcoming (it'll hit the streets on July 19) "All-in-One Edition" of the game:


Finally, here's the rather sparse illustration that may or may not be used as the North American version's box art when it's released here in 2013:


Will it shock anyone if I say I prefer the colorful re-release's box art over the other two options? I doubt it. It could be considered a bit garish, I guess, but at least there's some life to it--something that can't be said of the original Japanese version's box art.

As for the North American cover: I have a feeling it isn't final, so I'm hesitant to say much about it. What I will say is that, even in this likely-unfinished state, I think it's classy and elegant. Should it end up appearing on store shelves, though, I wouldn't expect your average Canadian, Mexican or US gamer to pick it up--or even notice its existence.

See also: Previous 'Which Box Art is Better?' posts

11 comments:

Chalgyr said...

I kind of liked the top one best. There's some color, something to look at - I really don't like the 3rd image. The 2nd one is colorful and fun - but a bit more cluttered-looking than I care for.

Viewtiful_Justin said...

The top one, in my opinion, seems the least attractive and the most obscurely branded. The middle one is gorgeous, colorful, and a true homage to crazy box art of early RPG times. It gets my vote. That being said, the U.S. (tentative) version is definitely understated and classy--but not eyecatching like the colorful one. I'd love to see them use the second example as the U.S. box art. I'll buy it any way they brand it. to be honest.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Hey there, Chalgyr! I can understand thinking the second one is a bit too cluttered -- or a bit too colorful. As for the first image: I think I'd like it more if the illustration of the lady (the white witch?) were a bit more ... interesting. There's just something kind of odd and unfinished about her placement, etc., in my opinion.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Justin: Yeah, there's just something kind of odd/"off" about the first one, isn't there? It's like the white witch is taking a little break from her real pose or something. It's just so ... casual. And, honestly, the witch could look a little more dramatic, IMO.

Anyway, I agree with you that it would be great if the "All-in-One Edition" cover were used for the NA release, too. It certainly would catch the attention of more gamers than the current box art, that's for sure.

BTW, I'm jealous that you're going to be able to play this and I'm not. For the time being, anyway :)

Marco Grande Arbitro said...

Hello Bryan, the other day I won a prize blogger, and I decided to reassign it to you because I really like your blog! This is the post where the check: http://www.giocomagazzino.blogspot.it/2012/05/premio-almohada.html

Unfortunately you will have to translate it with Google.
I'll wait, byeee :)

Adam said...

The Japanese one easy, kinda reminds me of Dragon Quest VIII on PS2's NA boxart.

Surprised Ni No Kuni will be not translated on the title in America. I can't wait for the bad pronunciations. It will be like "Hey mom can I buy NIGH NO KUNEE please"

Bryan Ochalla said...

Well, thank you for that, Marco! I'll check it out right away -- via Google Translate of course :)

Bryan Ochalla said...

You like the colorized Japanese one, Adam, or the original one?

As for people pronouncing it incorrectly: I hate to say I agree with you. Oh, well, as long as they buy it -- and enjoy it! -- I'm OK with the NIGH NO KUNEE :)

diaglyph said...

Yea first one is a little weird.
2nd looks like a general cover.

3rd would make a great collectors/special ed cover.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Well, there you go, Igor -- you covered all of the bases :) BTW, I wonder if they will released a collectors/limited/special edition of this game in NA? Might not be a bad idea...

diaglyph said...

hahaha yes I have spoken :p

I just saw this: http://www.siliconera.com/2012/06/01/ni-no-kuni-wrath-of-the-white-witch-arrives-on-january-22-2013

English cast sound good!!
I'm still so disappointed that DS version won't get released :(