Players are tearing up new anime-set MMORPG – “Really warn people about the game”
On May 25, the MMORPG Ni No Kuni: Cross Worlds (PC, Android, iOS) was released on the western market and has had to endure a violent shitstorm ever since. This mainly revolves around the controversial business model of the title. We at MeinMMO summarize.
What kind of game is this? Ni No Kuni: Cross Worlds is an MMORPG that you can play both on your smartphone and on your PC. It uses the setting of the popular “Ni No Kuni” IP and immerses you in an anime fantasy world.
The game was released on the Asian market in 2019 and was actually quite well received by the players there. The website SensorTower even reports earnings of over $100 million in the first 11 days of the anime MMORPG (via sensortower.com).
Game features include:
- An open world set in the popular Ni No Kuni universe
- A story in which you have to save the world again
- Housing, where you can also plant your own plants
- PvE and PvP content
- An auto-play and auto-walk feature, but not used on bosses
- The opportunity to earn money from the game thanks to Play2Earn
- 5 different classes with a comparatively static action-combat system
Here you can see gameplay from the MMORPG
In the west, however, the game does not do well at all. Among other things, this is due to the fact that two different cryptocurrencies are in use, Pay2Win aspects also play a major role in PvP and NFTs are expected to be included in the MMORPG this year.
Publisher Promises “Endless Possibilities” – Enraging Fanbase
What’s the problem with the game? The game is now on the market with us and is also receiving comparatively positive reviews, at least in the PlayStore and AppStore. But if you look at the communities on reddit and other reports, it quickly becomes clear that appearances are deceptive.
The main thing that bothers people is the massive use of Pay2Win and cryptocurrencies in Ni No Kuni: Cross Worlds. This goes so far that you can easily buy one of the best armor in the shop with one of the two currencies, without a loot box or similar. Since there is no normalized PvP, even in this area it will get you ahead.
This gets even worse when you realize that the second of the cryptocurrencies in Ni No Kuni: Cross Worlds cannot be earned through quests like the first, but only in PvP. That makes a lot of fans angry. Also because these mechanics were not previously advertised. Some people therefore accuse the game of deliberately concealing these crypto mechanics.
The community is angry: But not only the use of cryptocurrencies meets with resistance from the community. In a press conference in April, the publisher NetMarble already announced that it would also integrate NFTs into the MMORPG later this year (via netmarble.com).
A NetMarble-wide currency called MBX is to come, which you can then earn and spend in several of the publisher’s games. So far, the currency is only present in the game A3: Still Alive, but it is planned to come to Ni No Kuni: Cross Worlds and Monsters Arena later this year.
While it’s not entirely clear what the NFT integration into the game will look like, it’s already not making a good impression on fans. They warn about the game on reddit and are mostly angry, but also sad about the way the publisher is going with the MMORPG.
“Why are they doing this to the brand?”
What are the fans saying? Especially in the threads on reddit, the fans of the franchise are very disappointed. Many had been looking forward to another great Ni No Kuni game. The previous titles of the IP were really well received by the people. An MMORPG implementation had raised great hopes, which are now drying up for many.
There are a few people who are having fun with the game and saying that you can ignore all of these factors if you only focus on PvE. But these voices are clearly in the minority.
Many are also angering publisher NetMarble. One fan even wrote “Wow, this time NetMarble is early. They usually wait a few months before revealing their games are Pay2Win.” The Post gets on reddit 347 upvotes and a lot of encouragement and reflects the general mood well.
The comments are overwhelming: Some more comments in two reddit threads, which are related to the game, we don’t want to withhold from you. They show the current mood:
- PommeCitron writes: “I really enjoyed the first 24 hours of the game before I realized what I was getting into. While it was to be expected, I uninstalled it immediately anyway.”
- RobinMorgaN writes: “Please don’t play the game and really warn everyone not to touch it.”
- Kaarpiv says: “Great. Is there another way we can bring down this franchise? How about a live-action adaptation? Man, why are they doing this to the brand?”
- Nerankori keeps it short: “Then it’s probably ni NO kuni”
What do you think of the game? Did you get around to checking it out or are you staying far away from such titles? Write it to us in the comments here at MeinMMO.
Until then, we have compiled the 9 best mobile MMORPGs of 2022 for iOS and Android for you.
Reference-mein-mmo.de