• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header left navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • Home
  • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Banners
    • Spam Liker Hall of Shame
    • Podcast
  • Reviews
  • Guides
    • List of Suggested Manga
  • Subscribe
    • RSS Feed
    • Feedburner
    • Anime Blog Tracker
    • Comments Feed
    • Add to Feedly
    • WordPress Reader

Chikorita157's Anime Blog

Anime blog that focuses on Yuri and School Girl Slice of Life Anime and Editorials

  • Tab 1
  • Tab 3
  • Tab 3
  • Home
  • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Banners
    • Spam Liker Hall of Shame
    • Podcast
  • Reviews
  • Guides
    • List of Suggested Manga
  • Subscribe
    • RSS Feed
    • Feedburner
    • Anime Blog Tracker
    • Comments Feed
    • Add to Feedly
    • WordPress Reader

comedy

moe

drama

opinion

music

final impressions

kyoani

idol

first impressions

action

Yoru no Nai Kuni 2: Shingetsu no Hanayome – Final Review

October 12, 2017 by Chikorita157 2 Comments

In November 2015, Gust made a new franchise called Yoru no Nai Kuni (also known as Night of Azure outside of Japan). It focused on a half-demon girl named Arnice (アーナス) with her quest to protect Lilysse (リュリーティス) and stop the Nightlord

The sequel, Yoru no Nai Kuni 2: Shingetsu no Hanayome (よるのないくに2;新月の花嫁, lit: Land without Darkness: Bride of the New Moon) starts where the first game left off with a new cast with more refinements to the battle system and a new story. Of course, this game suffered development hell with it delayed several times. It’s not until August 31st it finally made it past development and released to the public in Japan. With that, this makes you wonder, is the sequel worth the wait?

The story focuses on an agent that works for the church named Aluche Anatoria. On her way to the church, she runs into one of her childhood friend named Liliana Selphin. Aluche made a promise with Liliana to show her around Yurarumu (ユーラルム). After arriving at the church, the three saints inform them that a demon, the Moon Queen (月の女王) named Malvasia reappeared.

To save humanity, they want Liliana to sacrifice herself as the Time Bride (刻の花嫁) to seal the Moon Queen.  After leaving and heading back, Aluche made a promise that she will protect Lilliana. The carriage stops abruptly and one of Aluche’s and Lilliana’s childhood friend, Ruenheid Ariarhod blocks the path. She wants to stop Aluche and the church from sacrificing Lilliana. Suddenly, fiends appeared and eventually the Moon Queen. Ruenheld and Aluche tries to stop the Moon Queen, but couldn’t.

The Moon Queen ends up killing Aluche as she stabs the sword in her heart while kissing her on the cheek. Shortly after, Lilliana’s ware bouts become unknown while Ruenheld escapes. Camilla Alucard, a professor for the church revives Aluche as a man-made half-demon. While this changed Aluche’s appearance, she gained new powers. After meeting Nero, who is a cat that can spit fire, they head to the hotel. This is where Aluche reunites with Ruenheld. With that, they set out on their quest to find Lilliana while find a way to defeat the Moon Queen without sacrificing Lilliana. Will they be able to do it before the Moon Queen cause the world to end?

You can find Servans in various places in flowers. Once you release them, you will be able to use them.

The battle system while looks familiar from the original have a lot of new improvements. The most notable is the Servans (得魔) system and Lillies. Let’s focus on the Servans first. Unlike the original, which requires an item to create them, you find them instead. They are now fiends that lost the will to attack humans and rarely take blue blood. You can befriend them by finding glowing flowers in certain areas, most requiring a Tricker Servan to access.

Tricker Servans can remove barriers, allowing you to access certain areas.

There are two types, Tricker types that allow them to use special abilities, mostly elemental. Some can even remove obstacles on the map or allow Aluche to reach high places.  The second type is a Striker Servan. Like Arnice’s ability to change weapons from the first game, these Servans allow Aluche use different and powerful weapons. These weapons when activated uses the Servan’s MP.

You can level up Servans by using Servan points.

Regardless of type, they work similarly to the first game, except you can only have two and that’s it. Pressing the lower right or left shoulder button activates their ability, similar to the burst ability in the first game. You can level them up by using Servan Points, which you earn through doing quests. Once they reach their highest level, you can reincarnate them, thus increasing their maximum level. Also, a Precious Evolution Orb (進化の宝珠) allows the player to max out the reincarnation times without having to max out the level serval times. While rare, these orbs can reduce the amount of grinding one needs to do.

Each Lilly have different skills she can use.

The new notable addition to the gameplay is Lilies. They act like a partner for Aluche that aid her in battle. Given the name, it’s obvious that Aluche now have a female harem, although she loves Lilliana the most. In certain situations, you can use Double Chase to deal a lot of damage. In addition, you can use your partner’s ability. The use of a Double Chase in addition to performing a double or revenge attack raises the tension meter. Once filled, you can use a Lilly Burst, which will kill all the monsters on the field. In boss battles, they will deal a lot of damage. As always, each Lilly’s ability and skills differs.

Each time you finish a sub mission that involves a Lilly, you can unlock new skills. These submission occurs when you fill a heart on the relationship meter.

In addition, each Lilly have a relationship value. Filling a heart will trigger an event and a sub quest. Once you complete the sub quest, one of the lilies on the main menu will bloom, which will unlock abilities. You can increase the relationship values by using them in battle or completing sub quests for a certain Lilly. This is important since filling the relationship values for Aluche’s childhood friends determines the ending you get.

Leveling up is the same as the prequel. However, you earn ability points every time you level up. Ability points can unlock new abilities.

As for leveling up, it’s the same as the first game. You offer up blue blood that you gain from defeating fiends. However, the way you unlock abilities in this game is different. Instead of doing daytime tasks like in the first game, you gain ability points with every level up. From there, you just unlock abilities.

Unlike the prequel, one needs to finish the chapter before a new moon. Once a new moon appears, it’s game over.

Lastly, there is now a time limit as seen with the moon. Unlike the first game where you can take your time, there is a time limit. As seen with the moon indicator when you are at the hotel, it will advance every time Aluche rest. When there is a new moon, it’s game over. After defeating the boss at the end of each stage, the moon will revert back for the next chapter.

In short, you won’t be able to complete everything on the first play through. After beating the game, the first time, you can play as long as you want in a given chapter. This should give the player the chance to complete all the character events, quests and leveling up.

As for the graphics, it’s definitely an improvement. While the first game suffered graphical quality issues with Playstation 3 and Vita ports, it’s not an issue this time. I got the Nintendo Switch version and the game looks better than the Vita version. Although it won’t look as nice compared to the Playstation 4 version, it’s definitely an improvement over the first game. Like with most Gust games, the music and art direction is great.

On the flip side, I felt that something is missing in this sequel. Gameplay wise, there isn’t a Colosseum where you have to do specific challenges. Also, there are only two endings in the game. It’s a far cry compared to the multiple endings in the prequel with two optional post-game bosses. Hopefully, there will be DLC that fixes this in the future.

While I liked how the relationships developed, I kind of wish there are some more intimate moments as seen with Arnice and Lilysse. Sure, Aluche and Lilliana supposed to be the official couple. Without spoiling anything, it’s slightly underwhelming. It’s not surprising given that there 7 girls in Aluche’s harem that are fighting for attention at the same time.

Flaws aside, Yoru no Nai Kuni 2: Shingetsu no Hanayome is a fun game with everything one would expect. A fantasy action role-playing game slaying fiends with a yuri harem thrown into it. I kind of wished that Gust bought over the Colosseum mode and added more post-game bosses like the prequel to earn a golden ending.  Given the amount of time they have to develop the game, it can explain why some people felt let down when the game finally came out.

The Bottom Line

Strengths: Enjoyable story and characters with improved gameplay with the addition of Lillies. Improved graphics, especially with portable versions (Nintendo Switch and Vita). Excellent production values (music and graphics) as seen with previous Gust games/

Weaknesses: There is a lack of additional gameplay modes compared to the first game. Only two endings compared to the first game. Not as much relationship development with the official couple (Alushe and Lilliana).

The game officially releases on October 24, 2017 in the West including a PC version. You can see the gameplay videos at my Twitch.

As always, this copy is bought with my money and the publisher have no influence on my opinions. You can help support video game reviews like these by donating.

If you see this text, this site has stolen my content. If you are affected by content thieves, look this domain up on a Whois Service, look up the IP and send a DMCA takedown with the host provider. STOP STEALING CONTENT AND MAKE YOUR OWN. Also,  MATRIXAT, go fuck yourself you fucking thief!

Share this:

  • Mastodon
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Print
  • Email

Related

What’s your response?
0 responses
Love
Love
0
Like
Like
0
Surprised
Surprised
0
Haha
Haha
0
Thinking
Thinking
0
Sad
Sad
0
Category: ReviewsTag: action, final impressions, Gust, Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, Playstation Vita, Video Games, yuri

Liked our content?

Feel free to leave a comment, leaving a reaction, share the post on social media, or linking back to this post on your blog post.

Note that there are no ads and this blog is supported by readers like you. You can also support us on Ko-fi or monthly on Patreon.

Support us on Patreon
Support us on Ko-Fi

Also follow us on Mastodon for the latest blog updates and Anime/Manga/Video Games related toots

@chikorita157@sakurajima.moe


Looking to Leave Twitter or an Alternative?

We have a new Twitter-like social network based on Mastodon that caters to Anime and Japanese media fans in addition to content creators (bloggers, video creators, podcasters), who create Anime review content or anything released to Japan called Sakurajima.

Learn More
Join Now
.

This post was handcrafted by…
Chikorita157 – who has written 3,180 posts.

Author and Owner of Chikorita157’s Anime Blog. If you want to learn more about me, see the “About chikorita157” page.

Previous Post:Konohana Kitan – Episode 2 – Yuzu’s and Satsuki’s First Magical Date
Next Post:Love Live Sunshine!! Second Season – Episode 2 – Disagreements and The Case for Team Building

New Here? Review the Commenting Policy before adding a comment.

Additionally, linking to your blog should only be done in the Website field, not in the comment itself, unless it contibutes to the discussion. If you are using a Wordpress.com account to comment, you can change the website URL in the Account Settings

Reader Interactions

2 Comments… read them or add your own.

  1. OG-Man :
    October 13, 2017 at 8:47 am • Magical Level: 1022

    From what I’ve heard along with this review it looks to be a worthy successor and filled with enough yuri content to please fans of the prequel. I’m all the tingle for it!

    Reply
    • chikorita157 :
      October 14, 2017 at 6:02 pm • Magical Level: 3022

      While I haven’t finished all the character events, it’s definitely enjoyable. Hopefully you will enjoy it once it comes out.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Sidebar

Categories

Archives

Support Us

Support us on Patreon
Support us on Ko-Fi

Current Season

  • D4DJ
  • Mou Ippon
  • Rougo ni Sonaete Isekai de 8-Man-Mai no Kinka o Tamemasu
  • Tensei Oujo to Tensai Reijou no Mahou Kakumei

Episodic Blogging Schedule

Monday – Shinmai Renkinjutsushi no Tenpo Keiei

Wednesday – Do It Yourself

Thursday –  Akiba Maid Sensou

Saturday – Bocchi the Rock!

Uchi no Shishou wa Shippo ga Nai and Kantai Collection Second Season, midseason and final impressions only.

Non-Episodic Content

  • Editorials
  • Japanese Self-Study Progress
  • Let’s Plays
  • Podcast
  • Project iM@S
  • Reviews

Follow Us

You can subscribe to this blog via WordPress Reader

Follow Chikorita157’s Anime Blog on WordPress.com

Also follow us on Mastodon for the latest blog updates and Anime/Manga/Video Games related toots

Follow @chikorita157 on Mastodon

Get a Mastodon Account

Anime Lists

AniList
MyAnimeList

Recent Posts

D4DJ All Mix – Episode 11 and 12 (END) – The Rest of the Collaborations

Mou Ippon – Episode 12 – Hana, the Formidable Opponent

Rougo ni Sonaete Isekai de 8-Man-Mai no Kinka o Tamemasu – Episode 12 (END) – Messenger of Lightning goes Dragon Slaying and Becomes a Noble

Tensei Oujo to Tensai Reijou no Mahou Kakumei – Episode 12 (END) – Anis Confronts Her True Feelings and The New Era

Jumping Further Down the Anime Merchandise Rabbit Hole – More Thoughts about Anime Figures and More

Recent Comments

  • Fridirik on D4DJ All Mix – Episode 11 and 12 (END) – The Rest of the Collaborations
  • chikorita157 on Mou Ippon – Episode 12 – Hana, the Formidable Opponent
  • chikorita157 on Tensei Oujo to Tensai Reijou no Mahou Kakumei – Episode 12 (END) – Anis Confronts Her True Feelings and The New Era
  • chikorita157 on Tensei Oujo to Tensai Reijou no Mahou Kakumei – Episode 12 (END) – Anis Confronts Her True Feelings and The New Era
  • chikorita157 on Mou Ippon – Episode 11 – Aoba West Meets Their Match and Rinka’s Secret Crush
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Subscribe and Follow Us For New Content

If you want to receive the latest posts in your email, you can subscribe to this blog via email.

To follow this blog via Wordpress Reader, click the button on the right.

Follow Chikorita157’s Anime Blog on WordPress.com

Follow us on Mastodon for the latest blog updates and Anime/Manga/Video Games related toots

Follow us on Mastodon
Get a Mastodon Account

© 2009–2023 James M. All rights reserved. Images are owned by their respective owners.

All text on this page is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0. Powered by Mai Theme.

Privacy Policy

  • Mastodon
  • Patreon
  • Tumblr
  • RSS Feed