Today's game on display from our physical collection is White Knight Chronicles II for the PlayStation 3!
The White Knight Chronicles series is a lesser-known RPG from Level-5, released exclusively for the PlayStation 3. The game was unique, featuring an MMO-style battle system that mixed turn-based and action combat—similar to titles such as Final Fantasy XII and Xenoblade Chronicles—and contained both an offline story and a full online multiplayer mode. With a custom avatar following the main character during the campaign, almost Monster Hunter-like missions, and a town-building minigame to unlock extra features, it was a substantial game that offered countless hours of content. While the first game certainly had its share of issues, it was thankfully improved upon in the sequel, which was actually more than met the eye.
More Than a Sequel
Although I had my eye on White Knight Chronicles for quite some time—ever since I saw the original trailer playing at Walmart—I held off until the US received White Knight Chronicles II. Rather than just being a standalone sequel, it was actually a complete remake of the original White Knight Chronicles, with the entire second game included on the disc. Because Part 2 shared a save file with the original, players could simply continue their adventure right after the initial final boss fight. Those who played the first game on its own could convert their save, but for those starting fresh with the new bundle, the transition was completely seamless.
Freezing Temperatures and Final Bosses
This was yet another game I picked up on my way home from college, but given the combined length of both titles, it wasn't something I could finish until winter break. In fact, the day I beat the final boss was the exact same day I signed up for my next semester's classes—and it was also the day the heater broke in our house! I was confined to my room with a space heater on while working through the game, and I'll never forget the feeling of finally beating that final fight after weeks of prepping for it. It was such an amazing ending, featuring one of the greatest plot twists of all time. Those interested can learn more about the twist via this article, however keep in mind that it contains MAJOR SPOILERS for White Knight Chronicles II and multiple other games. It's a shame the series has been dormant for so long, but maybe someday we will see it make a full return.
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