After months of silence, Level-5 is finally ready to tell us more about Ninokuni, the lead title for the company’s 10th anniversary’s celebration this year. A recent Weekly Famitsu article, of which this report is based on, says this is a “Dream RPG” and it surely looks like one. Read on if you want to know about what has been revealed so far.

What is Ninokuni?

Armed with a magic book (which will be bundled together with the game), players venture between real and alternate worlds, making spells, create potion and solve puzzles to help 13 years old Oliver revives his mother, who died suddenly in the real world. The two worlds move in parallel, which mean life goes on in another world if you decide to switch to a different world.

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As claimed by the headline in the article, this will be your “dream RPG”. The upcoming issue of Weekly Famitsu has the exclusive scoop for Ninokuni, Level-5’s collaboration with animation powerhouse Studio Ghibli and music composer Joe Hisaishi.

The story takes place in two different worlds that moves in parallel to each other, our 13-year-old hero named Oliver lost his beloved mother and he will adventure to the alternate world (Ninokuni) to bring her back. Most characters, including Oliver, appears in Ninokuni as different version of themselves and a little fairy named Shizuku will be your guide there. The article also shows a few locations from the games, both in the real world and Ninokuni, and they all looks amazing with its details and colors. Full info when I have the mag. More images after the jump (click for larger view).

Source: 2ch

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Famitsu sat down with Level-5’s boss Akihiro Hino recently to check out the progress of the company, especially games they announced at last year’s Level-5 Vision 2008 event (see all their upcoming games near the bottom of the post). Although there is nothing too exciting out of the interview, published in 5/22 issue of Weekly Famitsu, Hino’s passion for creative games and visions are something I always admire. So check it out if you are interested.

Hino says Level-5’s prospect for the rest of 2009 is to “organize commercial events that will enliven the gaming industry“. He realized that this is a difficult task but is determined to do so. Famitsu noticed that the many announcements appear to be bearing fruits for the company right now. DS upcoming release Sloan to Michael: Nazo no Monogatari (screen above), which is part of the Atamania series, will heads the company’s challenge according to Hino. He says the game is even more interesting than he originally expected and his immediate task will be to build Atamania as a good series.

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