Yo-Kai Watch 2 (Bite Sized) | Geek Node Archive

Developer Level-5
Publisher Nintendo
Distributor Nintendo
Where we got our copy Core
Genre RPG
Game modes Single Player, Multiplayer
Players 1
Reviewed on Nintendo 3DS

MJ Khan

Published April 25, 2017

Based on the popular mixed-media franchise Yo-kai (itself based on Japanese mythology), Yo-kai Watch 2 is an open-world RPG published exclusively on Nintendo’s mobile powerhouse. There are two versions of the game, Bony Spirits and Fleshy Souls, and while they are more or less the same game, except with unique yokai, ala Pokemon. It was difficult to shake off the feeling that I was playing something that felt so similar to Pokemon, without the emotional connection or nostalgia to overlook its flaws.

I never heard of the franchise (I was sheltered) before so I had trepidation going in, but it wasn’t too difficult, even with a tutorial that overstayed its welcome. The game employs the amnesia inspired Deus ex machina (like the first Jason Bourne movie) with all memory of the first game erased. The art style is quite endearing and is quite a treat, a stark contrast to the many mobile games that have encroached on Nintendo’s mobile turf. Springdale is ambitiously large (not Ghost recon large) but large enough to get frustrating due to a lack of fast travel points (the transportation points are introduced much later, so the initial hump is quite high).

The game is mired by fetch-quests, and coupled with the repetition in the mini-game and the lack of control (I’ve won a lot of battles without doing a thing) made my time with the game more of a drudge. Unlike in Pokemon X and Y (the last Pokemon I played) where I was constantly incentivised to explore and be strategic in combat, I mostly just went through the motions while playing Yo-kai Watch 2.

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I’ve recently replayed Viva Pinata and found it easy to get into. The journal was helpful, while still allowing me to discover and experiment, and I felt accomplishment and joy. It was infinitely more difficult to get into Yokai Watch 2 as there was no guidance whatsoever. Food increases the likelihood of a Yokai turning into a friend, but it’s never clear which food works on which Yokai, so it quickly devolves into a game of trial and error. I felt cheated by this, like the first time I realised that the CPU drivers in Mario Kart 64 always catch up, regardless of your lead or driving skill. I wish a patch addresses this, although I’m not optimistic.

As with all my reviews, you should only consider my score if you are also ignorant of the franchise, while at the same time, familiar with Pokemon. I can see how fans would enjoy it (in spite of the issues I outline above – no one likes repetitive fetch quests) so if you like the franchise, you should get the game.

Based on the popular mixed-media franchise Yo-kai (itself based on Japanese mythology), Yo-kai Watch 2 is an open-world RPG published exclusively on Nintendo's mobile powerhouse. There are two versions of the game, Bony Spirits and Fleshy Souls, and while they are more or less the same game, except with unique yokai, ala Pokemon. It was difficult to shake off the feeling that I was playing something that felt so similar to Pokemon, without the emotional connection or nostalgia to overlook its flaws. I never heard of the franchise (I was sheltered) before so I had trepidation going in, but it wasn't too difficult, even with a tutorial that overstayed its welcome. The game employs the amnesia inspired Deus ex machina (like the first Jason Bourne movie) with all memory of the first game erased. The art style is quite endearing and is quite a treat, a stark contrast to the many mobile games that have encroached on Nintendo's mobile turf. Springdale is ambitiously large (not Ghost recon large) but large enough to get frustrating due to a lack of fast travel points (the transportation points are introduced much later, so the initial hump is quite high). The game is mired by fetch-quests, and coupled with the repetition in the mini-game and the lack of control (I've won a lot of battles without doing a thing) made my time with the game more of a drudge. Unlike in Pokemon X and Y (the last Pokemon I played) where I was constantly incentivised to explore and be strategic in combat, I mostly just went through the motions while playing Yo-kai Watch 2. I've recently replayed Viva Pinata and found it easy to get into. The journal was helpful, while still allowing me to discover and experiment, and I felt accomplishment and joy. It was infinitely more difficult to get into Yokai Watch 2 as there was no guidance whatsoever. Food increases the likelihood of a Yokai turning into a friend, but it's never clear which food works on which Yokai, so it quickly devolves into a game of trial and error. I felt cheated by this, like the first time I realised that the CPU drivers in Mario Kart 64 always catch up, regardless of your lead or driving skill. I wish a patch addresses this, although I'm not optimistic. As with all my reviews, you should only consider my score if you are also ignorant of the franchise, while at the same time, familiar with Pokemon. I can see how fans would enjoy it (in spite of the issues I outline above - no one likes repetitive fetch quests) so if you like the franchise, you should get the game. [taq_review]

Video Game Review: Yo-Kai Watch 2 (Bite Sized)

2017-04-25

MJ Khan

A mixed bag

Total - 5.2

52 5.2

A serviceable effort but hard to recommend to anyone who isn't a fan.

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MJ Khan

Gaming / Entertainment Author at Geek Node

A veteran gamer and award-winning strategist, MJ enjoys eating chocolate eclairs and watching WWE. He completed his Masters coursework on videogame theory and enjoys writing about representation in games.