The World Ends with You

 DS
The World Ends with You Image
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 59 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 391 Ratings

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  • Summary: The story begins as our hero, Neku, wakes up amidst the hustle and bustle of Shibuya, Tokyo. Confused and disoriented, he receives a message on his phone warning him that he will cease to exist unless he completes a certain mission. With his life seemingly on the line, Neku plunges into theThe story begins as our hero, Neku, wakes up amidst the hustle and bustle of Shibuya, Tokyo. Confused and disoriented, he receives a message on his phone warning him that he will cease to exist unless he completes a certain mission. With his life seemingly on the line, Neku plunges into the back streets of the urban labyrinth... Experience the urban grit and neon of the coolest district in Tokyo with a distinctive, high quality style of in-game artwork. Meet an achingly hip cast of characters each with an interesting personality and stylish sense in fashion, music and culture. Highly innovative and intuitive combat system that makes full use of the Nintendo DS Touch Screen, Dual Screens and Microphone. Use psychic powers to read the thoughts of the population, put words into people's minds, and move objects to help you progress in your adventure. Immerse yourself in an amazing audio soundtrack featuring a diverse fusion of bleeding-edge hip-hop, rock, and techno. A tale of friendship, hope and overcoming your challenges, creatively told with a modern edge. Shop till you drop: Keep abreast of the latest Trends to stay one step ahead of the fashion scene and your enemies. Trade items with friends using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection too. Action-packed minigame fun that can be enjoyed by up to four players via DS Wireless Play. Engage the Chance Encounter mode via DS Wireless Play to share data with fellow game users you bump into in the real world. [Square Enix]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 58 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 59
  3. Negative: 0 out of 59
  1. G4 TV
    100
    Games rarely have things this interesting to say or approach them from this outlandish a vector. Listen up.
  2. GameZone
    95
    Not only is the gameplay built from the ground-up for the DS, but the story is actually about something – not just orcs and elves.
  3. Game Revolution
    91
    With its frantic dual-screen battles in a dense little city, The World Ends With You is a surprisingly hardcore, impossibly ambitious DS title. This pint-size powerhouse might sadly intimidate a few DS owners and their Pokeymans. Don’t get scared off; put down your Zeldas and your juice boxes for two minutes and try taking on The World.
  4. N-Europe
    90
    Fantastic visuals, a wonderful soundtrack and original and compelling gameplay make this a must-have gem for the DS.
  5. games(TM)
    90
    The greatest strength of The World Ends With You is that, in spite of its genre-bending innovations, not a single new element has been introduced just for the sake of it. [June 2008, p.110]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. RPG Fan
    86
    My final thought on The World Ends With You is that it's a grower. I was not initially sold on the game, but as I sunk more time into it, the more it grew on me.
  7. Zentendo
    70
    It ultimately suffers from trying too hard to be innovative and forgets the important part of being user friendly.

See all 59 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 91 out of 105
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 105
  3. Negative: 7 out of 105
  1. JudgeMental
    Sep 12, 2010
    10
    Square Enix, with its unfortunate tenancy to publish almost anything that comes through the door, has lost my respect as a publisher. ThatSquare Enix, with its unfortunate tenancy to publish almost anything that comes through the door, has lost my respect as a publisher. That being said, they are one of the few publishers that would take the risk of publishing this game, so rich in things that have not been done before, and for that, I am grateful. Innovative, with an excellent plot, with twists I never saw coming. Worth playing, and for me, worth a 10/10.… Expand
  2. Kitsunee2
    Oct 22, 2018
    10
    This game is gorgeous, I love it all! The aesthetic, the soundtrack, the characters, the town, everything.
    This game is just perfect.
  4. cloudy_wolf7
    Dec 27, 2020
    10
    One of the best, if not the best NDS game, imo. controls have steep learning curve for sure, as you will need to switch your focus on 2One of the best, if not the best NDS game, imo. controls have steep learning curve for sure, as you will need to switch your focus on 2 screens. touch controls are very responsive, you'll just have to be mindful of the pins that you are using, to make sure none of them works against each other.
    The story is great, the presentation, the soundtrack are really perfect. However, the most important part of the game, is its message, and its perspective to IRL society. It's a must play for all gamers at least once, for its uniqueness. There is no other game, literally that would play the same as TWEWY.    … Expand
  5. DanHazy
    Feb 29, 2016
    10
    So you will know what type of gamer is writing this review, I'll list three of my favorite games.

    Danganronpa  Atelier Totori Fire emblem    So you will know what type of gamer is writing this review, I'll list three of my favorite games.

    Danganronpa 
    Atelier Totori
    Fire emblem

    THE GOOD:

    MUSIC: Music is top notch, from rock and roll to rap music. 

    GRAPHICS: The art style is unique, most everyone is skin and bones. The graphics are what you would expect from Nintendo DS. This game also has a unique vibe that you will only get from this game. A somewhat emo thug feel.

    GAMEPLAY: The game play is awesome and the level up system is great. I'll delve more in to gameplay further down.
     
    STORY: The story is awesome. Above the usual.

    ENDGAME CONTENT: There are extra bonuses once a play through has been completed, which allows you to unlock some extra story. 

    GAME LENGTH: About 20 to 25 hours long but that doesn't include the endgame content.

    THE BAD:

    There is nothing bad to list in my opinion.
     

    IN DEPTH REVIEW:

    The game play breakdown is this, you control two different characters, each on their own screen. The top screen is your partners screen where you use the cross pad or the buttons to control them. They can attack by pressing left or right, and can jump, block, or dodge by pressing down and up on the cross pad. You can build up a special move to unleash on the top screen by various methods throughout the game. They are fairly simple to build up, but can sometimes get to be too much when you also trying to pay attention to the bottom screen so you may just want to put your partner on auto pilot. You can turn this future on and off whenever you like. 

    The protagonist has the bottom screen in combat. He can attack using pins, which are basically moves he can use by different methods of using the stylus, such as tapping an enemy or scratching an area or slashing across the protagonist to fire bullets in the direction of the slash. There are many pins which you can upgrade and sometimes evolve. One even requires you to shout into the microphone of the DS. The protagonist can also dash by being dragged with the stylus which makes him invulnerable during the dash. 

    The level up system is very nice also. You can level up the pins which will sometimes evolve. You can also feed the protagonist and partner which boost their stats permanently. You also can equip four different items to the characters which increase stats and sometimes a ability such as extra defense or more experience gained in battle and many others. 

    That wraps this review up, a truly great game that I would recommend to anyone. You can even find it in Gamestop quiet often for a rather cheap price.    … Expand
  6. Teaman
    Jun 23, 2020
    9
    A good JRPG with unique game mechanics. Besides the annoying badge leveling system and balance between various badges, everything is perfectA good JRPG with unique game mechanics. Besides the annoying badge leveling system and balance between various badges, everything is perfect in this game.… Expand
  7. VincentD
    Jun 7, 2008
    9
    Once you get past the minor flaws the game has, The World Ends With You proves to be one of the best games on DS. The quirky and lovable Once you get past the minor flaws the game has, The World Ends With You proves to be one of the best games on DS. The quirky and lovable characters, intriguing story, and frantickly-addictive gameplay push this game over the top to become the powerhouse of JRPGs. There is just so much ground-breaking material here. If the bonus missions don't keep you coming back for more, the story will.… Expand
  8. evanbiddulph
    Jan 17, 2011
    0
    Absolutely awful. I read all the great reviews, and I tried to give it a chance, but it was so amazingly boring that I had to put it down.Absolutely awful. I read all the great reviews, and I tried to give it a chance, but it was so amazingly boring that I had to put it down. The text went on and on - I kept wanting to play the game, but I wasn't interested in what the people were saying. By the time I tried to play the game I was so bored that I didn't care. This is the most overrated game I have ever played. Play Zelda instead.… Expand

See all 105 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best DS Game of 2008
2
#2 Most Discussed DS Game of 2008
4
#4 Most Shared DS Game of 2008