Project X Zone

Project X Zone[lower-alpha 2] is a crossover tactical role-playing game for the Nintendo 3DS developed by Monolith Soft[5] with assistance from Capcom and Red Entertainment and published by Namco Bandai Games. The game is a follow up to the 2005 video game Namco × Capcom and features characters from Namco Bandai, Capcom, and Sega.[1] The game was released on October 11, 2012 in Japan; June 25, 2013 in North America; and July 5, 2013 in Europe.[3][6] The game received mixed to positive reviews on release; praise went towards the game's cast, combat system, and presentation, but criticism was directed at its repetitive gameplay and confusing storyline.

Project X Zone
European cover art
Developer(s)	Monolith Soft[lower-alpha 1]
Publisher(s)	Namco Bandai Games
Director(s)	Soichiro Morizumi
Producer(s)	Kensuke Tsukanaka[1] Koji Ishitani
Writer(s)	Soichiro Morizumi
Composer(s)	Naofumi Tsuruyama Takuya Hanaoka Kayoko Matsushima
Platform(s)	Nintendo 3DS
Release	JP: October 11, 2012[2] NA: June 25, 2013[3] EU: July 5, 2013[4] AU: July 4, 2013[4]
Genre(s)	Tactical role-playing
Mode(s)	Single-player

A sequel, Project X Zone 2, was released in Japan in November 2015 and in North America and Europe in February 2016.

Gameplay

Stages in Project X Zone take place in grid-based locations from the game's many crossover titles. Each friendly unit is made up of two characters (thus referred to as a Pair Unit), though a third character (or "Solo Unit") can be added for once-per-battle assistance. Unlike Namco × Capcom, units can move freely within their range on the field map, with no penalty for accessing treasure chests or destructible objects prior to attacking.[7]

The battle system is called the Cross Active Battle System, wherein pressing the A button in combination with the Circle Pad performs up to five basic attack combos. Additional gameplay elements include Support Attack, which allows the player to call in a nearby ally for assistance, and Cross Hit, which freezes the target in place during simultaneous attacks from multiple units. Also, the player can trigger Critical Hits by connecting their next attack just before the target hits the ground after the first. As the player's units deal damage, the player's Cross Power (XP) gauge fills up and can be used for special attacks and defensive moves on the map. Damage done via Cross Hits can fill this gauge up to 150%.[5][8]

Project X Zone has a total of 15 save game slots included in the game, which can be used for recording a save game file during intermissions with a quick save file and a soft reset command.[9]

Plot

Development

Namco Bandai came up with the idea of a "dream crossover" and brought on Capcom and Sega.[1] The game was first revealed in a teaser by Bandai Namco on the official website until it was revealed in the May 2012 issue of Famitsu.[10]

The initial creation of the characters were done in 3D character models before they were converted to be SD pixel art.[11] Notable attacks used by the characters had to be done in 2D space in order to preserve its source material origin.[11]

The game features two theme songs, with the opening song titled "Wing Wanderer" and the ending titled "GALAXY", which were both performed by Yoko Takahashi. The opening movie was created by the new animation studio Trigger, which was founded by former Gainax employees Hiroyuki Imaishi and others.[12] On September 22, 2012, Katsuhiro Harada, producer of the Tekken series, had revealed on Twitter: "I proposed localization of Project X Zone." He added that the company had "not decided yet, but it will be realized if I continue proposing."[13] Namco Bandai Games announced on January 21, 2013 that the game would be officially released in North America, Europe and Australasia during summer 2013.[14] The English versions of the game retain the Japanese voices, like Otomedius Excellent, though the vocals for the opening theme music were removed for legal reasons. Some music tracks were removed or replaced for the same reasons.[15][16] On May 1, 2016, the game was removed from the North American and European eShops.[17]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score Aggregator Score Metacritic 70/100[18] Review scores Publication Score Destructoid 8/10[19] EGM 7/10[20] Famitsu 32/40[21] GameSpot 6.5/10[22] GamesRadar+ [23] IGN 8/10[24] Nintendo Life 8/10[25] RPGamer [26]

The game sold more than 85,539 units in its first week in Japan.[27] In the West, the game has sold over ten times more than what Bandai Namco had expected.[28] The game was among the 20 best games sold in the United Kingdom after it made its debut.[29][30] In the United States, the game has been among the best selling games sold for the 3DS.[31] The game has sold over 400,000 copies worldwide, according to Bandai Namco.[32]

Project X Zone has received mixed to positive reviews from western critics. The game currently has a score of 70 out of 100 on Metacritic.[18] IGN's Scott Thompson gave Project X Zone a score of 8 out of 10, saying, "Project X Zone is often funny and consistently frantic – two traits not necessarily associated with tactical RPGs. Its story is confusing and the chapters slavishly follow the same repetitive formula, but the superb battle system makes repetition not just tolerable, but enjoyable."[33] Game Revolution gave it a 3.5 out of 5, saying, "Despite the lack of depth and the repetition of combat, Project X Zone follows through as a tactical, humorous, preposterous romp through the best hits of video games. Even if you find the combat system strange, the streak of character cameos and the ridiculous number of hits that rack up with every battle will make any hardcore fan smile with appreciation. And if you're anything like me, that's hard to do."[34] On a more negative note, GamesRadar gave Project X Zone a 2 out of 5, saying, "With the wealth of RPGs, and even great SRPGs, that have arrived on the 3DS in the last several months, it would almost be unconscionable not to recommend one of those games instead of Project X Zone. Fun combat and screaming Tekken characters can only take you so far."[35]

Kotaku's Mike Fahey included Project X Zone in his top ten games of 2013.[36] In 2014, Kotaku also included the game among "The 12 Best Games on the 3DS".[37]

Sequel

Main article: Project X Zone 2

A sequel was announced exclusively for the 3DS, titled Brave New World, and it was released in Japan in November 2015 and in North America and Europe in February 2016.[38]

Notes

1. Capcom, Red Entertainment, CyberConnect2 and Sega provided additional help with development.
2. Japanese: プロジェクト クロスゾーン Hepburn: Purojekuto Kurosu Zōn

References

1. "So Who's Responsible For Project X Zone?". Andriasang. April 11, 2012. Archived from the original on December 28, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
2. "Project X Zone gets a release date, in Japan". Destructoid. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
3. "Project X Zone Release Date Announced". IGN. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
4. Cocke, Taylor (2013-01-21). "Project X Zone Coming to North America and Europe". IGN. Retrieved 2013-01-21.
5. Anoop Gantayat. "Monolith Software Confirmed as Project X Zone's Developer". Andriasang. Archived from the original on December 28, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
6. Oliver, Tristan. "Project X Zone Dated for Europe". TSSZ News. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
7. Anoop Gantayat. "Over 200 Characters in Project X Zone". Andriasang. Retrieved August 9, 2012.
8. Anoop Gantayat. "Project X Zone Gameplay Details". Andriasang. Archived from the original on December 28, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
9. Spencer . October 2, 2012 . 3:06pm (2012-10-02). "Whoa, Project X Zone Has A Ton Of Save Slots". Siliconera. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
10. "Capcom, Sega, Namco Bandai's Project Cross Zone Revealed". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
11. "Project X Zone Concept Art Shows Mii Kouryuji's Original Design - Siliconera". Siliconera. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
12. "Studio Trigger, Evangelion's Yoko Takahashi Work on Project X Zone Opening". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
13. "Tekken producer pushing for Project X Zone localization". Nintendo Everything. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
14. "Capcom/Sega/Namco Bandai's Project X Zone Gets N. American Release". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
15. "That Crazy Sega/Namco/Capcom Crossover RPG Project X Zone Is Coming To America". Kotaku. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
16. "Zoning Regulations - The X Button". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
17. "Project X Zone Isn't Appearing In The Nintendo 3DS eShop". Siliconera. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
18. "Project X Zone for 3DS Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
19. Kyle MacGregor. "Review: Project X Zone". Destructoid. Retrieved 2013-07-09.
20. DS/3DS (2013-07-02). "EGM Review: Project X Zone". EGMNOW. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
21. "Project X Zone 2 Received a Score of 32/40 from Famitsu". Gamnesia. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
22. Carolyn Petit (2013-06-25). "Project X Zone Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
23. "Project X Zone review". GamesRadar. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
24. Scott Thompson 26 Jun 2013 (2013-06-26). "Project X Zone Review - IGN". Ca.ign.com. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
25. Philip J Reed (25 June 2013). "Review: Project X Zone". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
26. "> Staff Review > Project X Zone". RPGamer. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
27. Ishaan (October 17, 2012). "This Week in Sales: Bravely Default Flies High". Siliconera. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
28. "Bandai Namco declined Attack on Titan 3DS for North America, Project X Zone sales much better than expected". Nintendo Everything. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
29. "UK Chart: Animal Crossing Remains In Top 5, Project X Zone Debuts In Top 20". My Nintendo News. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
30. "UK Sales Charts: The Last of Us Leads and Project X Zone in top 20". PLAYERESSENCE. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
31. "Nintendo combines digital and retail sales in best seller lists". GoNintendo. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
32. "Project X Zone Is Getting A Sequel Because The First One Actually Did Pretty Well". Siliconera. April 13, 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
33. "Project X Zone Review". IGN. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
34. "Project X Zone Review". Gamerevolution.com. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
35. John_Learned (27 June 2013). "Project X Zone review". Gamesradar.com. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
36. Mike Fahey (2013-12-20). "Fahey's Top Ten Games Of 2013". Kotaku. Retrieved 2014-04-23.
37. Kotaku Staff (2014-04-03). "The 12 Best Games on the 3DS". Kotaku. Retrieved 2014-04-23.
38. "Project X Zone 2 announced, teaser trailer". Gematsu. Retrieved 2 May 2016.

External links

• Official website (in Japanese)