It would perhaps be atypical for a review of Level-5’s latest hit game that fails to mention the cultural phenomenon that Yokai Wach has become and whilst the gameplay is of utmost importance in a videogame review the two are perhaps inseparable, for the reasons that make the franchise so popular in the first place also aid the game into becoming as colourful (I mean more in regards to characters than actual palette) as it is. I digress. Fast-forwarding into Yokai Watch 2 and after the amazing anime song intro and a much more streamlined menu screen (the options from the first game such as the photo app are now selectable on the in-game screen) and things start familiarly, very familiar indeed.

However unlike countless Legend of Zelda sequels, fast-forwarding is perhaps the most appropriate term as you find yourself reunited with Jibanyan (the ghost cat) and Whisper (the ghost, er ghost), rediscover the gacha machine and locate the actual yokai watch in seemingly record time with the first few minutes of the game not only fast paced but intuitive and super super charming. It’s here where my inseparable comment becomes apparent due to not only the amazing character design but the characteristics of these designs (Jibanyan is an absolute comedic delight, for example early in the game during a story scene where Jibanyan isn’t integral to the particular scene you see him climbing up then sliding down the slide!).

It’s not just Jibanyan’s antics that delight the player but the simple exploration which again to use a Legend of Zelda reference the game often seems like something Shigeru Miyamoto intimated from his childhood to use in the early adventures of Link. Other than the above which is implicit in the design of Yokai Watch, what is explicit is often equally as delightful. The battle system is much the same as the first game and is a joy to implement (equally so for a non Japanese speaker) where you have six party members and rotate three in (and out) of battle. Special moves are executed via the stylus where you either sketch a symbol, rotate clockwise, tap the coins or point a clock dial. The requisite JRPG simple attack, item or run are of-course all present.

Navigating around Yokai Watch 2 is rather simple as the player mostly follows arrows in order to complete certain quests. This is however both of benefit and a problem to the non-Japanese speaker as while navigation is often made much simpler, the mandatory nature of some of the quests require a knowledge of Japanese language for instance an answer to an early question (ひもじい) is required and a few hours later a priest requires you to purchase a たけのこ (bamboo shoot) in order to progress. Obviously this can become problematic where only language knowledge, a Japanese friend, Miiverse, YouTube user GameEmpireHD or even luck is your friend.

Other than these occasional language barrier issues, Yokai Watch 2 is mostly as pick up and playable for English speakers as the original game is. Many improvements are made over the first game including traveling between areas via Japan rail (I absolutely love the service!) plus several mini-games such as the already talked about (elsewhere) bike riding and pole climbing games but also a couple of rhythm games (both short but excellent) and the fun Yokai Watch Busters (which is also a separate online multiplayer game). The other online (and local) multiplayer mode is a simple battle mode similar to the in-game battles except (obviously) against another human player.

Graphically Yokai Watch 2 is absolutely excellent. Whilst far less assuming than say Monster Hunter 4 in screenshots, in-person it is astounding with excellent 3D effects and soundtrack on top. Not all is ideal as the player can run through lamp posts and the sound occasionally glitches (I expect the latter to be patched) but other than the aforementioned language issue; Yokai Watch 2 is an incredibly fun JRPG that not only feels fresher to play than Pokémon X/Y, it doesn’t feel as padded out. The character designs are also arguably more consistent than recent Pokémon games with Jibanyan capturing the imagination of this generation like Pikachu had past. Yokai Watch is the real deal.

8.5/10

Review by Bri Bri. For more information on Yokai Watch 2 go to http://www.youkai-watch.jp/yw2/