Last week on 29th April 2016, the most anticipated Japanese cultural phenomenon YO-KAI WATCH ® for Nintendo 3DS family systems launched across Europe with over 10 million units in the series shipped to date! We joined many others in playing it since launch!
If you are not sure what YO-KAI WATCH game is, let me explain. It is about hundreds of sometimes cute, sometimes spooky, and usually mischievous Yo-kai that inhabit our world. Yo-kai are not ghosts, monsters or creatures. Yo-kai are, quite simply, Yo-kai. They cannot be seen by the human eye, but they are everywhere. Whether born from the soul of a deceased human, or an everyday object discovering its higher purpose, their personalities are distinctly humanlike.
As you explore the world, use your Yo-kai Watch to find them, befriend them, and get them to join your team to battle other Yo-kai. Befriending new Yo-kai may not be so easy, though – in many cases, you will need to battle with them and impress them during your battle. Each Yo-kai has its own unique skills and strengths and you’ll use them to challenge the evil Yo-kai and help people in need of solving daily problems – like an argument with a friend or forgetting something important – which may be caused by mischievous Yo-kai hidden everywhere.
In this game, you can choose to play as Nate or Katie and you name your character. If you choose Katie, you will start off in the triangle park where as for the Nate, you will start off in the serene forest. You need to find the Landlord of Wafarer Manor to activate the StreetPass feature to receive gifts from other players or even battle them.
Explore the vast town of Springdale, with its shops, parks, bustling city street and serene forests as you investigate the mysterious Yo-kai, who are causing all sorts of problems for the local residents. Both my children like to battle with the Yo-kai to befriend them. They both get quite excited when each time they find a treasure or Yo-kai! Each time you battle or complete a quest, you will receive incentive which allow you to buy food or drinks from the shop. You can also buy it from the vending machine to increase your HP or make your Yo-kai happier.
In addition to the main story, there are hundreds of additional quests littered throughout Springdale just waiting for players to find them. Completing these additional quests will help players level up their Yo-kai to an even stronger level, and sometimes find even more new Yo-kai to recruit! Existing Yo-kai can also be combined using Yo-Kai Fusion to create new unique and powerful members of your party – some of which cannot be found any other way.
It takes more than just a strong party of Yo-kai to win battles though. Players must also have a smart strategy, as battling the powerful Yo-kai bosses is sure to keep even the most proficient YO-KAI WATCH® players on their toes. All Yo-kai possess their own unique abilities, called Soultimate Moves, that when unleashed can swiftly turn the tide of battle. Players will need to carefully manage their party on the Nintendo 3DS touch screen to swap their Yo-kai in and out of battle, judge when to use their Soultimate Moves, and wisely use items to keep their Yo-kai in good condition. Friends can also pit their best Yo-kai teams against each other by battling via local wireless play.
Both my children have been playing it for a week and have been enjoying the completing the quests and challenges. Mr K has no problem understanding and following the game whilst Ms C who is going to be 7 years old soon, needs her brother’s help to understand the quest. This game is suitable for ages 7 and above for 1 to 2 players. The game definitely has a fun and interesting storyline with a nice blend of strategy and action and it keeps them both entertained.
For more information about the game and franchise, please visit: https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-3DS/YO-KAI-WATCH–1026246.html
Watch what we think about it!
Disclosure: We received a download code for the purposes of writing this review however all thoughts and opinions remain our own. We are part of the Nintendo Family Blogger Network. Images used with permission.