The Ni No Kuni series is well-loved for its unique art style and simple storytelling, both of which are illustrated in the hundreds of side quests in Revenant Kingdom. The JRPG, which looks a lot like some of Studio Ghibli's best movies, was released back in 2018 and became an instant hit with gamers around the world, with an impressive 2.8 million units sold (according to Gematsu). With fans eagerly awaiting the global launch of Ni No Kuni: Cross Worlds, it's a good time to look back at some of the side quests that played a major role in making Revenant Kingdom the iconic game it is today.
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Several of the side quests in Ni No Kuni II are more interesting than they seem and often allow the player to delve deep into the game's lore. The best among these side quests are those that combine a good story, fun gameplay, and a satisfying reward.
Hipponoe the Shy Artist
Hipponoe the artist can be found in the southwest corner of Hydropolis, lamenting about her incurable creative block caused by her shyness. To help the shy artist, Evan has to find a magical egg and truffle to help inspire her.
While the actual quest is not all that exciting, following Hipponoe's journey and seeing them transform from being a shy and struggling artist to a confident and successful citizen in Evermore makes it worth it. The player is rewarded with a grateful citizen, who can make beautiful artwork in Evan's kingdom.
Mylas's Big Adventure
In the Nautes Harbor, Evan can find Mylas, a young merman with big dreams of visiting Evermore. However, his overprotective mother won't allow him to go and it is up to the player to convince her to let Mylas travel. After a brief exchange, Evan learns that he must bring back Seraphic Silk for a protective outfit she is crafting for Mylas.
It's likely that the player already has the necessary materials to complete the quest at this point in the game. If not, it's easy enough to find and collect it. The reward is a touching moment between Mylas and his mother after the garment is complete – a moment that the player will most likely always remember when seeing Mylas walking around Evermore.
Top Marks for Trying
This is one of the most crucial side quests in the game, as it grants access to hidden mazes for the player to explore. To start, Evan must speak with Mileniyah in the Grotty Grotto. She explains that she holds the Dreamer's Key, which allows whoever holds it to access the Dreamer's Mazes.
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The nine dreamer doors scattered around the world are some of the most exciting locations in the entire game. Behind these doors are challenging time-sensitive battles that require both skill and precision from the player. This quick side quest from an unassuming character in the middle of nowhere gives Evan access to a world within a world, which is what makes it such an important mission in the game.
Hau Ling’s Fall From Grace
An impostor has been spreading lies about Hau Ling in Goldpaw's glitzy casino. Evan is tasked with investigating the situation and has to talk to a few interesting personalities to uncover the truth. The player will eventually face the appropriately named impostor, Lai Ah, who has been badmouthing Hau Ling.
Hau Ling, who looks like a cute animated Ghibli creature, is someone the player immediately wants to help. Her frustration about the whole situation is infectious, and the actual quest itself has a unique hide and seek element that makes it fun. In the end, Hau Ling's recovered sense of self is the real reward, as the guilders and EXP the player receives are actually small for a casino quest.
Tabbias, The Trusting Traveler
This quest begins in Goldpaw after Evan spots Tabbias, who narrates how he was recently escorting a merchant through the mountains. The pair are attacked by a group of bandits out of nowhere, who steal all of his possessions and kidnap his boss.
With a bit of effort, the player finds the Dodgy Dealer. The entire situation is predictable but still frustrating, as the Dodgy Dealer actually ends up admitting that he planned the ambush from the start. This is why it's so satisfying to defeat him and his group of evil bandits. This side quest does not have the most original plot, but the ups and downs of the story and the reward of a new citizen make it a fun one to complete.
Unfun Fungus
Near the entrance of Capstan stands the Mushroom Lover who looks forlorn. He explains that there is an invasive species of fungi nearby that is ruining his favorite picking spot for edible mushrooms, and he asks Evan to 'nip the problem in the spore.'
When the player finally tracks down these fungi in Eert Woods, a challenging battle with the mushroom boss ensues. While the Champion's Ring that is gained from this quest is nothing too special, the gratitude and excitement of the Mushroom Lover who can now go back to eating his favorite mushrooms make the trip to the woods worth it.
The Divine Silence
Some familiar faces greet Evan in Evermore – Fai Do and Nu Bi are attempting to craft legendary equipment based on Goldpawian myth. Of course, the player needs to fetch them the right materials for the gear, but the adversary in this quest won't go quietly.
Just as intimidating as some of the biggest video game bosses ever, players might find themselves in a difficult battle against the tainted Snickersnarl in this quest – a high-level monster that can quickly dodge Evan and deliver powerful charged attacks. Players must be careful and use more of their ranged attacks to defeat the enemy. The challenging fight is worth it in the end, as Evan gains two rare items that can only be found in the Faraway Forest Maze.
A Career Cut Short
This side quest starts near Siren's Rest, where Nereus starts to blabber nonsensical words to the player. Evan slowly pieces together the clues and understands that Nereus, once a renowned musician in Hydropolis, lost his voice to an evil witch. The player then has to hunt down Scintilla the witch, who reveals that the only way to free Nereus' voice is to defeat her.
The fight is difficult and Scintilla's ranged attacks require the player to be nimble. The conclusion of the battle is heartbreaking, as Scintilla cries out for her beloved, Nereus. In the end, Evermore ends up gaining a new singer and Evan walks away with an unexpectedly moving but an unconventional love story.
Daddy Come Home
Near the entrance of Capstan, Keeley spends her days staring longingly at the sea. The young shipwright explains that she is waiting for her father to return and asks Evan to help her look for him in a cavern. Evan eventually finds the ghost of Keeley's father, who asks the player to find his necklace and give it to Keeley. In order to do this, Evan must defeat the mighty Klogg right outside the cavern.
After a grueling battle with Klogg, the player will witness a moving moment when handing over the necklace to Keeley. She closes her eyes and contemplates how she would have probably stood there waiting forever had Evan not come along. This becomes an even more satisfying story when Keeley offers to sail to Evermore and start living her life independently.
Thetis, Medicinal Merperson
The player first meets Thetis in the Emporion market, where she explains the plight of the merfolk. With merfolk now allowed to travel freely, an unforeseen problem is making them ill. She details how merfolk who are not used to spending so much time on land will often get sick and refuse to travel out of fear of this illness.
Indeed, the rich lore behind the merfolk in Ni No Kuni 2 makes them some of the most interesting characters in the game. To uncover the rest of their story, Evan must venture through the dark tunnels of Tidewash Cave. This is a challenging location to clear and the actual item the player needs is hidden in plain sight. Just as emotional as several Ghibli movies, the ending is made poignant by the conclusion of this battle as engaging battle as Thetis explains how her difficult childhood inspired her to become a doctor and offers to help Evan's citizens in Evermore.