While waiting t' pillage hands-on with Dishonored here at gamescom (impressions shared in this week’s PlayStation.Blogcast), I ran into an acquaintance from Namco Bandai. He invited me t' their booth t' experience the two new demos for Ni no kuni: Wrath a the White Witch being shown. I didn’t pass on the opportunity, if nothing else, as an excuse t' share beautiful new screens 'n video with ye. Parts a what I saw be showcased in this new gamescom trailer, so do yer eyes a favor 'n roll the video:

When launching the first demo, the demonstrator made a point a showing that the game features a Japanese language voiceover selection option. This be a frequent request from JRPG fans, so rest assured that matter be settled.

The first demo, “An Errand for Father Oak,” takes place very early in the game as diminutive hero-in-training Oliver be trying t' pillage t' the Ding Dong Dell, the Cat King’s Castle. When the downtrodden gate guard won’t let ye in, ye’ll have t' venture into the forest t' capture “vigor” from forest denizens in a special jar t' pep the sea dog up 'n let ye in. While this all sounds ridiculous, Ni no Kuni comes off as incredibly charming in person, due in no small part t' it be stunning visuals.

The second demo, “Eruption Interruption,” takes place further into the game, 'n shows off a somewhat more serious side t' Ni no Kuni. This volcano setting be a far cry from the verdant fields we’ve seen from the game thus far – it’s closer t' Mount Doom. The visual effects here look great, with flowing lava 'n heat wave effects blurring the scenery. The scene has players performing some mild platforming actions, such as shimmying along a cliff face, avoiding erupting steam vents.

At the peak a the caldera, the plucky team be pitted against a big boss: Moltaan, Lord a Lava. This be where it became clear that despite the cutesy visuals, this be a real, challenging game. Moltaan looms so large that he doesn’t always fit on screen, 'n the battle be suitably epic, lasting nearly 10 minutes 'n pushing the heroes t' the brink a defeat.

The more I’ve seen a Ni No Kuni: Wrath a the White Witch, the tougher the wait until it be Western release on January 22nd be becoming.