Game: Prinny Presents NIS Classics Volume 2
Genre: RPG
System: Nintendo Switch (Also on Steam (Windows & macOS) and PS4)
Developer|Publisher: Nippon Ichi Software | NIS America
Age Rating: EU 12+ | US Teen
Price: US $39.99 | UK £35.99 | EU € 39,99
Release Date: May 13th, 2022
Review code provided with many thanks to NIS America.
The Winner of Longest Video Game Name Ever
Prinny Presents NIS Classics Volume 2 is a collection of two RPGs from the NIS back catalogue. Included are Mankai Kingdom: Reclaimed (previously on PS2) and Rebond / ZHP: Unlosing Ranger vs. Darkdeath Evilman (Previously on PSP). The latter possibly winning the award for longest and most exhausting video game title ever. This is a great opportunity to jump onto these two isometric RPGs, particularly, if you’re a fan of the published works of NIS.
Makai Kingdom: Reclaimed
First up, we have Makai Kingdom: Reclaimed. This game’s plot revolves around the powerful overlord Zetta, who ends up destroying his Netherworld thanks to his own stupidity. He then turns into a book and asks for the assistance of other netherworld Overlords to write his world back into existence. It’s set in the same universe as the Disgaea series. So those familiar will appreciate the nods to the lore these two games share, silly humour very much included.
Turn-based Battles
In Zetta’s quest to rebuild his netherworld, the player can create characters out of random items found in the main hub area, such as rocks or weeds. Choosing a specific item will alter a character’s stats like attack, defence and movement range. You can create multiple characters of various classes but can only take a set amount into battle. You can then equip them with weapons and armour pieces, with some weapons working better for specific classes than others.
The more a character uses a weapon, the more moves they will unlock over time. Once ready, you jump into missions which play out as turn-based battles from an isometric view. To complete a mission, you simply have to accumulate a certain score which is achieved by defeating enemies and completing objectives like finding secrets. Watch your attacks, though, as you are also able to harm your own allies if you get too close. You don’t have to defeat all the enemies to finish a battle which feels different from the norm.
For me, this title had quite a steep learning curve. While the game does offer a small tutorial, I found all the character customization and battle system quite overwhelming to begin with. But after experimenting, things did begin to fall into place, although it was often through trial and error by experimenting with the mechanics. Be sure to save between missions because you are dumped right back into the main menu with no checkpoints if you lose. Some form of saving state feature would have really helped in this updated version of the game.
ZHP
Rebond / ZHP: Unlosing Ranger vs Darkdeath Evilman (which will now just be called ZHP) begins with Darkdeath Evil Man kidnapping Super Baby and calling on the Unlosing Ranger to challenge him. Unfortunately, on the way to the battle, the Unlosing Ranger dies after being hit by a car and passes his powers onto an innocent civilian, who you, the player, now control. Being new to the hero game, you’re a bit underprepared, so the game revolves around your training in isometric dungeons in order to hone your hero skills and take on Darkdeath Evil Man.
This plot is just as silly and fun as it sounds, with the game having an old fashioned superhero cartoon feel to it. I particularly liked how the Prinnys turn up in this game, the famous demons from the Disgaea series.
Isometric View
ZHPs gameplay is more akin to a traditional dungeon crawler. The game still plays from an isometric view, but things flow a lot quicker. You only control your hero character, and each time you move, other enemies in the dungeon will make a move also. The enemy’s area of attack is clearly displayed so you can try to get the jump on them and, in some instances, even lure them into a trap. You don’t have to take out all the enemies to complete a dungeon, but doing so will increase your stats. You can equip your character with several weapons and armour pieces found within the dungeons. Some armour pieces will grant you special perks, such as immunity to traps.
Weapons also come in long and short-range varieties, and you can even dual wield. You can’t rely on them forever as they will degrade and even break unless you repair them via the blacksmith. Keeping track of your stamina bar is also required; if it depletes, you need to chomp down on some food to avoid running into further trouble. An interesting feature in this title is if you die, you will lose any items you hold onto; however, you will retain any stats you accumulate.
You still revert back to level 1 even if you finish a dungeon, but you maintain all the skills. Basically, this means if you keep dying in a dungeon each time you replay it you will be just that little bit stronger with each attempt. It can come across as a bit grinding, but I really enjoyed it as a fan of the rogue-lite games.
Porting Over
ZHP was probably my favourite game in the collection. The mechanics just clicked a lot quicker with me, but that’s not to dismiss Makai Kingdom. Both games feel similar with their isometric views yet play very differently. I will say that you probably want to only focus on one game at a time as each requires a lot of focus to get your head around, which for me felt very confusing at times when bouncing between the two. Each game will keep you busy for hundreds of hours so make sure you clear plenty of space in your gaming calendar before you take these on.
Controls are a touch awkward for both games. Makai Kingdom has the player use a cursor to manoeuvre troops around the map. It feels quite floaty and sometimes hard to place people exactly where you want them. This is helped a bit by allowing you to totally rotate the camera, but it’s just not as precise as the grid system in the Disgaea games. ZHP gives you direct control of your character, but the isometric view is a bit confusing when using the D-pad due to the viewpoint. A straight overhead view would have helped with this, alas, I just had to slow down a bit and make sure I pushed the right button.
Pixel Art
Both games feature some detailed pixel art that has aged very well on Switch. Each feature full English voice acting with some excellent performances from the cast, bringing humour to life in each title. There was rarely a moment I wasn’t laughing at something in each of the games. The soundtrack is also excellent and memorable for both titles. It’s worth pointing out that both games feature several cutscenes, probably a little too frequently for my liking, but this is kinda par for the course for these titles. You are able to skip them, though if you want to get to the gameplay. Not a lot appears to be done to update the appearance from either game’s console of origin.
Occasionally you’ll see a slightly foggy image here and there. But it never harms the experience. Both games perform well in TV and handheld versions. Both games essentially feel like straight ports with no enhancements. It is worth mentioning Makai Kingdom includes an extra DLC which wasn’t included in the original Western release. But other than that, these are just the same games. Autosaving does feature in both but I highly recommend saving manually just in case.
Conclusion – Two for the Road
Prinny Presents NIS Classics Volume 2 is a great collection of two classic RPGs which will keep you busy for a horrific amount of hours. The main niggle here is these games feel like straight ports with no real quality of life improvements added to the Switch version, which is a missed opportunity. If you have enjoyed these games before, there may be no need to double-dip unless you want to enjoy them again on a modern system and in portable mode. Both may be isometric, but each feels distinctly unique and different. You’ll also likely laugh at each game’s silly humour, which is always appreciated. If you’re looking for a long gaming project with a retro feel, then be sure to pick this up.
Final Verdict: I Like it a Lot
