Every once in a while, a game comes along that breaks the mold, and introduces a completely unique way of playing. Square-Enix has been known to do this in the past, and they have done it yet again. This time around, they’ve created an all-new game for the Nintendo DS called The World Ends With You. They’ve made another action-RPG game, but this time with a whole new twist.
In this game, you play as Neku Sakuraba, an antisocial amnesiac who wakes up in the middle of the city of Shibuya with no idea why he woke up in the middle of the road. Looking around, Neku recognizes his hometown, and the crowds he hates so much. However, he notices a strange black pin on his person that he’d never seen before. Even more strange, whenever he grasps the pin, he can suddenly read the minds of those around him. He doesn’t get much time to think before he’s attacked by strange supernatural creatures called Noise. He is saved by a girl named Shiki Misaki. Neku is then informed by her that they have been entered into the Reaper’s Game: a seven day struggle for survival against the Noise and the beings that control the game; the Reapers. Shiki and Neku then team up in order to survive the Game and win a mysterious prize.
The World Ends With You has a fairly simple structure to it. You wake up in Shibuya each day next to your partner and are sent a message from the Reapers containing the information for your mission. Each day has its own mission to complete which ranges anywhere from acquiring a certain item to defeating specific Noise. As you move around, you run into Reapers, who block your path until you can fulfill their conditions to move on. When your goal is accomplished, you progress to the next day.
The game is controlled almost entirely via the touch screen. You drag your stylus across Neku to move him around Shibuya and activate your mind reading powers. When you activate your power, you also gain the ability to see the Noise floating around in the area. If you choose, you can tap the noise to engage them in combat. In this game, most fights are completely optional. You can run through the entire game fairly quickly this way, but without fighting, your characters don’t grow, and this is extremely detrimental to you in the end. It makes the later, required fights nearly impossible to beat. However, this in-game freedom adds to the fun, letting you go at your own pace.
The truly innovative part of this game is the combat. When fighting the Noise, you control both Neku and your partner; Neku on the bottom screen, your partner on top. Neku attacks by using powers called “psyches”, which he acquires from items called pins. Each pin contains it’s own specific ability that Neku can activate in battle by performing certain motions on the touch screen. For example, one psych is activated by tapping an enemy with the stylus, which causes Neku to shoot an energy bullet at it. You collect pins by purchasing them or by defeating enemies. Each pin you acquire grows stronger with use and can even evolve into a stronger pin. The game allows you to equip whatever pins you choose, allowing you to choose your attack style and experiment with the different abilities. Your partner is controlled on the top screen with the D-Pad (or the four buttons on the DS, for lefties), but is much easier to use than Neku. Using the D-Pad, you tell your partner to attack either to their left or right, when to block and when to jump. However, you can choose to let your partner be automatically controlled by the computer. Your partner also has a special system called “fusion”, which is built up by attacking in a specific manner, allowing you to combine the two combatants into one big attack that hits all enemies. Of course, the biggest challenge of the game is that your partner and Neku share the same health bar, so when one gets hurt, they both are hurt. This forces you to pay attention to both screens at the same time. This does get difficult in certain fights. Your enemies, however, share the same weakness. Combat is a challenge, with each enemy requiring its own specific strategy to combat, but it is highly enjoyable.
While combat is a major aspect of the game to consider, it isn’t the only thing there. The World Ends With You also features a great deal of customization to your characters. Aside from the pins, there is also a huge amount of equipment to collect, each with a specific ability to unlock. You can also use the various items you collect in the game to synthesize into the more powerful items and pins. As if that weren’t enough, the game features a mini-game called “Tin Pin Slammer” that plays like a digital version of bumper cars. Between finishing the story, gathering and mastering all the pins, and collecting all the items, this game has no shortage of things to do.
The excellent gameplay is only aided by its brilliant design. The artwork and level design is truly a sight to behold. It’s manga-like style of presentation really accents a visually beautiful game. The soundtrack is no different. Featuring a combination of rap, rock and techno music, as well as great sound effects and voice acting, the game makes you want to play with your headphones on full blast. Lastly, this game features a wireless mode called “Mingle Mode”. This allows you to connect to other players, purchase items and pins they’ve collected, and play “Tin Pin Slammer” against each other. As an added bonus, mingling with other players also powers up your pins! On every front, this game impresses till the very end.
After spending so many hours playing this game, I really only have two complaints about it. The game is not what most would consider “pick up and play”. The World Ends With You has a control system that most would find awkward and difficult initially. It takes quite a bit of practice to get used to, and could potentially push a lot of people away from the game before they have time to really enjoy it. The game throws you straight into the fray, giving you little time to get fully adjusted to the system. You are forced to become skilled in almost the same amount of time you would need to get used to the game. Also, while this game is challenging, a lot of the fights are downright frustrating. This steep difficulty curve can prompt a lot of rage quits and make you put the game down entirely before its conclusion.
Overall, this game is amazing. It’s engrossing story keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time you’re playing. It looks and sounds amazing, and the gameplay is absolutely addicting. The only way I can see to make it better is to expand wireless mode to allow you to battle other players. If you own a Nintendo DS, this game should definitely be on your list for purchase. If you don’t, this game makes it worth buying one. You will not regret it.
Signed,
That Gamer Guy in Glasses
FINAL GAME SCORE: 95/100
"Outta my face! You're blocking my view! Shut up! Stop talking...just go the hell away! All the world needs is me... I got my values, so you can keep yours, alright? I don't get people. Never have, never will."
- Neku Sakuraba
