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| The Entertainment Review |
| Genre: RPG Developer: Square Enix Publisher: Square Enix |
Many gamers today would have to agree that Role-Playing Games (RPGs) have been stuck in a rut for some time, not allowing games
RPGs that try to break off on their own and be something great, but usually fall short. The biggest downfall of the RPG genre is the fact
that most developers think that an RPG must take place in the past and involve swords and magic, storming castles and fighting vast
amounts of monsters. An RPG game that will succeed is one that takes these preconceived notions about RPGs and throws them to
the wind, and then karate kicks them out of existence. One such game that does this is Square Enix’s “The World Ends With You.” The
game could possibly be one of the best portable games to surface in a long time, and surely one of the best DS games available.
This game offers more features than can be explained in a single review, so it is already recommended, before the review, that gamers
pick up a copy of this game to see the full potential that “The World Ends With You” offers to the DS.
As mentioned before, this game is nothing like previous RPG releases, especially a release on the Nintendo DS. The story takes place
in the Shibuya district of Tokyo in Japan, following a story of an introverted teenager named Neku who mysteriously wakes up in the
middle of the city streets. Within minutes Neku receives a text message on his phone informing him that he has only a couple of
minutes to complete the first stages of “The Game” or else he will be erased. Unable to remember his past, and unable to
communicate with anyone on the busy streets of Shibuya, Neku is thrown into a world where he and his partner must complete daily
challenges, defeat evil creatures know as “Noise” and attempt to regain his life a single day at a time. Throughout “The Game” the
referees and designers, The Reapers, give Neku and his partner new missions to accomplish.
Because the story is a little hard to follow, it will take players a little while to gain a hold on the story, the characters and the design of the
game. “The World Ends With You” has a very specific art style that players will either love or hate. Everything from the battle system, the
unique world interface, the music, story and interactive elements make this a must play game with the visuals being just the beginning.
The battle system offers a new experience to players by allowing them to use the D-pad and touch screen to control both Neku and his
partner. Since “The Game” requires having teams of two in order to compete, Neku is instantly introduced to his partner Shiki. Players
need to use Neku’s advanced psychic powers to harness “pins” which can be found throughout the world to perform specific actions
with the stylus while also including D-pad combos for Shiki on the top screen. The battle system may prove to be quick difficult at first,
but for those that are really struggling, an auto-battle system is available for the partner on the top screen if needed. This system proves
that the games overall difficulty is hard and was designed for the hardcore gamer.
Another aspect of the game that sets “The World Ends With You” apart from other RPGs is the use of the DS internal clock and local
wireless. When the system is turned off, players continue to earn experience for each day that the player doesn’t play. At first players
receive a lot of experience and it slowly drops of over seven days, making the game one that players will want to return to frequently.
Also, when players eat food in the game to gain attributes, time is needed in order to digest the food and for the attributes to take effect.
Players will also notice that the little things in the game can make a big difference in the game play as a whole. The clothing that the
player is wearing and the pin attacks that are used in different districts will make a difference on Neku’s effectiveness in battle. This
makes it very important for players to pay attention to the districts that they are in to make sure that battles go more smoothly. Also,
players will notice the shop vendors will reward those that buy at their shop by dropping prices, allowing players to get special items
and giving tips to players. There is also an “imprinting” system that is used throughout the game, allowing players to learn phrases
and ideas and imprint them into the minds of the people in Shibuya.
The game also features mingle mode, which allows players to swap cards and data with other players, allowing players to see what
their friends have done in the game. Also, players can create shops that can be visited so when players connect, they are importing
new shops, purchase items and exchange cash with friends.
Overall, “The World Ends With You” is a genre breaking game, adding a lot of new features that will boggle the mind of any RPG pro.
This game breaks down the walls that have been created by the preconceptions of the typical RPG game and offers a deeper and more
versatile experience. Whether games are looking for a new art style within a game, amazing use of dual screen combat, wireless
capabilities that actually add to the overall game, or tiny details that make a difference in the way that the game is played, “The World
Ends With You” is the game to get. Let’s just hope that this series doesn’t end with this game alone.
RPGs that try to break off on their own and be something great, but usually fall short. The biggest downfall of the RPG genre is the fact
that most developers think that an RPG must take place in the past and involve swords and magic, storming castles and fighting vast
amounts of monsters. An RPG game that will succeed is one that takes these preconceived notions about RPGs and throws them to
the wind, and then karate kicks them out of existence. One such game that does this is Square Enix’s “The World Ends With You.” The
game could possibly be one of the best portable games to surface in a long time, and surely one of the best DS games available.
This game offers more features than can be explained in a single review, so it is already recommended, before the review, that gamers
pick up a copy of this game to see the full potential that “The World Ends With You” offers to the DS.
As mentioned before, this game is nothing like previous RPG releases, especially a release on the Nintendo DS. The story takes place
in the Shibuya district of Tokyo in Japan, following a story of an introverted teenager named Neku who mysteriously wakes up in the
middle of the city streets. Within minutes Neku receives a text message on his phone informing him that he has only a couple of
minutes to complete the first stages of “The Game” or else he will be erased. Unable to remember his past, and unable to
communicate with anyone on the busy streets of Shibuya, Neku is thrown into a world where he and his partner must complete daily
challenges, defeat evil creatures know as “Noise” and attempt to regain his life a single day at a time. Throughout “The Game” the
referees and designers, The Reapers, give Neku and his partner new missions to accomplish.
Because the story is a little hard to follow, it will take players a little while to gain a hold on the story, the characters and the design of the
game. “The World Ends With You” has a very specific art style that players will either love or hate. Everything from the battle system, the
unique world interface, the music, story and interactive elements make this a must play game with the visuals being just the beginning.
The battle system offers a new experience to players by allowing them to use the D-pad and touch screen to control both Neku and his
partner. Since “The Game” requires having teams of two in order to compete, Neku is instantly introduced to his partner Shiki. Players
need to use Neku’s advanced psychic powers to harness “pins” which can be found throughout the world to perform specific actions
with the stylus while also including D-pad combos for Shiki on the top screen. The battle system may prove to be quick difficult at first,
but for those that are really struggling, an auto-battle system is available for the partner on the top screen if needed. This system proves
that the games overall difficulty is hard and was designed for the hardcore gamer.
Another aspect of the game that sets “The World Ends With You” apart from other RPGs is the use of the DS internal clock and local
wireless. When the system is turned off, players continue to earn experience for each day that the player doesn’t play. At first players
receive a lot of experience and it slowly drops of over seven days, making the game one that players will want to return to frequently.
Also, when players eat food in the game to gain attributes, time is needed in order to digest the food and for the attributes to take effect.
Players will also notice that the little things in the game can make a big difference in the game play as a whole. The clothing that the
player is wearing and the pin attacks that are used in different districts will make a difference on Neku’s effectiveness in battle. This
makes it very important for players to pay attention to the districts that they are in to make sure that battles go more smoothly. Also,
players will notice the shop vendors will reward those that buy at their shop by dropping prices, allowing players to get special items
and giving tips to players. There is also an “imprinting” system that is used throughout the game, allowing players to learn phrases
and ideas and imprint them into the minds of the people in Shibuya.
The game also features mingle mode, which allows players to swap cards and data with other players, allowing players to see what
their friends have done in the game. Also, players can create shops that can be visited so when players connect, they are importing
new shops, purchase items and exchange cash with friends.
Overall, “The World Ends With You” is a genre breaking game, adding a lot of new features that will boggle the mind of any RPG pro.
This game breaks down the walls that have been created by the preconceptions of the typical RPG game and offers a deeper and more
versatile experience. Whether games are looking for a new art style within a game, amazing use of dual screen combat, wireless
capabilities that actually add to the overall game, or tiny details that make a difference in the way that the game is played, “The World
Ends With You” is the game to get. Let’s just hope that this series doesn’t end with this game alone.
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