New Little King's Story

A deceptively adult adventure. [Issue#224, p.80]

Pleasantly distracting. [Dec 2012, p.111]

An easy recommendation for newcomers. [Dec 2012, p.108]

Outside of the cute graphics hardly anything has changed since the original Wii game. Although it's a very enjoyable game at its core, not fixing some of the obvious issues is a missed opportunity.

While those of you who played it before are probably better off not double dipping, everyone else who's a fan of lighthearted simulations will most likely want to give this a shot.

The sky isn't the limit, but there is plenty of reason to wander around the casual world of New Little King's Story, even if it's just to see what's there.

It's a story that could have used a few more editorial passes, sure, but it's a tale that I'd recommend experiencing nonetheless.

A competent strategy game with charm.

It's hardly really all that "new" and we've seen way better conversions of a compelling concept to the PS Vita. But nevertheless, this cross between Pikmin and world-building strategy is a good fit for the system. Not because of its scale, the game easily fills many enjoyable evening sessions, but just because its such a pleasant companion.

A disappointing port of one of the Wii's best games, although still a clever and entertaining mix of Pikmin and The Settlers.

Shamefully, New Little King's Story is a disrespectful and flawed adaptation of one of the best third-party efforts on Wii. It's still imaginative and enjoyable, but also a greatly missed opportunity.

Somehow we thought this one would turn out to be better. After all, the concept of ruling your own country (or in this case: winning it back) holds great possibilities. And even though a unique visual style and well-implemented touch controls make New Little King's Story a fun experience, a weak story, repetitive gameplay and a number of technical mistakes doesn't make it a lasting one.

New Little King's Story is still fun and unique, particularly if you don't have a means of playing the original. But so many of its adjustments are baffling steps backward and joy-sapping tweaks.

On Vita this is an almost heartless and technically questionable conversion of what once was a very interesting mix of tactical battles and a kingdom builder.

An awful English dub further spoils the original's charm, turning a potential killer-app into a right royal waste of potential. [Christmas 2012, p.96]

A solid re-tread of a Wii classic, but one that lost the charm of its source material along the way. [Jan 2013, p.68]

New Little King's Story could have been a surprise hit. But, as it stands, all its charm and whimsy is marred by poor menu design and technical issues that aren't game-breaking, just a royal pain in the butt. [December 2012, p78]

Time hasn't been kind to Little Kings Story, and the fact that the developers have ignored most of the original's problems doesn't help. Still, this is one of those adventures that can really put its hooks in you by constantly offering new tasks, bonuses and possibilities.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it looks like RPGFans are stuck waiting a little longer for a killer app on the Vita. Conceptually sound but riddled with technical flaws and a lack of polish, this game is a perfect example of the adage "good idea, bad execution."

Despite its flaws, New Little King's Story is far from a bad game – but it certainly could have done with more polish before its coronation. If you can overlook its problems this is still a fun, often addictive, real-time strategy game that doesn't take itself too seriously and is pretty unique in the marketplace, but every issue is a gentle nudge that reminds you that this could have been a far more royal affair.

While it doesn't achieve universal greatness, its strengths outweigh its flaws and offers an original, addictive--if occasionally frustrating--experience.

Little King's Story was a unique and interesting Wii game, and New Little King's Story does well overall in delivering that experience on a portable system. While an okay follow-up to that game, there's something about the magic of the first one that has worn off a little bit this time.

It attempts to hit a note that would resonate with the hardcore gaming masses, but it falls short, and should only be purchased by those desperate for an experience like it on Vita.