As a long-time fan of Falcom and their RPGs, I can wholeheartedly recommend Tokyo Xanadu eX+ for anyone looking for a unique take on the school-themed JRPG genre. Having played both Daybreak and Xanadu back to back, I must admit that there’s a stark contrast between the two games. While Daybreak represents a massive leap forward in console RPGs for Falcom, Xanadu feels quaint yet endearing in comparison.
Back in 2015, when Tokyo Xanadu first debuted, the world looked quite different. Falcom wasn’t as well-known globally, Japanese games typically took long timeframes to reach Western markets, and the Nintendo Switch hadn’t emerged to rule portable gaming yet. Despite decent popularity in Japan, leading to a PS4 version expansion, the game faced a wait of approximately one and a half years before being released outside of Japan.
I’ve played Tokyo Xanadu, and while my opinions align with our previous reviews on the Vita and eX+ versions, I can’t help but express my fondness for this game. Tokyo Xanadu is a treasure in many aspects, marking a pivotal transition for the company. With the release of Cold Steel III, Falcom ushered in a new era of games using a new engine, effectively retiring the one used in this title and Ys VIII. And just last year, we finally got to experience the last game in that engine, Trails into Reverie, in the west.
After initiating the process of transferring their games to Nintendo’s nearly 8-year-old console and with a new franchise installment approaching, Falcom has released the enhanced eX+ version of their game on the Switch in Japan. In contrast to the original Vita edition, eX+ introduced numerous gameplay enhancements, an upgrade in resolution and frame rate, additional storylines, and various user-friendly upgrades.
The long-awaited English release of Tokyo Xanadu on Nintendo Switch is finally here this month. But this isn’t just a simple port. Aksys Games revealed that not only is the game coming to Switch, but the script will also undergo a new translation. This news sparked my curiosity since I felt the original English dialogue lacked depth and consistency, making the characters sound monotonous rather than distinct.
As someone who grew up in the heart of anime culture, I’ve always had a soft spot for RPG games that embrace their inspirations wholeheartedly. And let me tell you, this game has done just that and then some. Now, I know some folks out there might find it divisive, but to me, it’s been a faithful companion throughout my gaming journey.
It’s great to have a new script that flows smoothly without causing hindrance. The use of ellipses has been noticeably minimized. Although some remain, likely due to the original writer’s style, there are significantly fewer overall. I spent the prologue chapter comparing the two versions, and almost every line has been revised. I believe all these changes have resulted in an enhanced script, bringing it up to par with the localization standards of the series in its more recent installments.
As someone who has been a long-time fan of gaming and has had the pleasure of reviewing various game ports for the Nintendo Switch, I must confess that discussing this particular topic can be quite frustrating at times. You see, I’ve come to love the challenge of assessing these ports because, more often than not, the hardware just isn’t up to par with running most games smoothly.
As a long-time fan of JRPGs and having played my fair share of Vita games, I must admit that I was skeptical when I heard Tokyo Xanadu eX+ was coming to the Nintendo Switch. But, let me tell you, this port has truly exceeded my expectations!
For those who delight in immersing themselves in the engaging game environment of Tokyo Xanadu, the element that truly captivated me might be perceived as an unexpected delight. While wandering around the town, you’ll come across advertisements within the game world for other Falcom titles. In eX+, there were posters for Sen no Kiseki III/Trails of Cold Steel III, as well as playful hints at nonexistent games. Estelle has an arcade machine, and there’s even a teaser for a fictional Ys vs Kiseki crossover featuring Rean and Adol. Magazines showcase Crossbell characters, and the precise fishing mini-game from Cold Steel 2 can be enjoyed. So imagine my astonishment upon discovering that all these references have been subtly altered in color.
As a longtime fan of Falcom’s Trails series, I find the decision to feature Rean with red hair, Adol in purple, Lloyd in green, and Crow in blue on the Cold Steel III poster absolutely hilarious. At first, I chuckled at the thought that this was from a different game, Tokyo Xanadu, given its distinct publisher in the west. But upon further investigation, I discovered that it was actually a clever move by Falcom, as part of the Japanese release as well.
Revisiting Tokyo Xanadu in the present day brought some unexpected hurdles for me. Given that it’s an older Vita game from the 2010s, I encountered quite a few bumps due to my muscle memory being ingrained from playing Daybreak. The run button, which is set to the left bumper instead of the right by default, and the map hotkey being the Select button as opposed to down on the d-pad, caused more than a few mishaps. I inadvertently sped through cutscenes in dungeons following certain battles due to the same button also serving as the fast-forward trigger. Fortunately, there’s an option for full button remapping and four different control schemes. A fresh scheme for this port, one catering to a more immersive action game experience, one enabling the reset of the camera with a face button press, and another mimicking the original eX+ controls.
Growing up as a gamer in the early 2010s, I was introduced to some truly remarkable console RPGs by Falcom. Among them, Daybreak stood out as an exceptional game that left a deep impression on me. The story quality of Daybreak is simply outstanding, and it set the bar high for what I expected from the genre.
I derived significant enjoyment from Falcom’s unique approach to the school-themed RPG genre, which was reminiscent of the popular Persona series but predating Persona 5. The game boldly forged its own path, unconcerned with following trends. The vibrant city maps were a joy to explore, populated with diverse NPCs. Falcom demonstrated impressive creativity given the limitations of their resources at the time, and the enhanced eX+ version only added to this. The excellent soundtrack resonates deeply with me, evoking fond memories without me even recalling its source. Lastly, I cannot overlook the quirky golf course skateboarding mini-game, which brings a delightful dose of absurdity to the gameplay experience.
The fighting experience wasn’t as smooth as I recall, yet the abundance of choices at your disposal compensates for any rigidity in character handling. This may not reach the level of Ys VIII, but as a fusion of Ys and Trails games from that time period, it delivers. Dungeons exhibit solid construction and diversity, providing a commendable level of difficulty to match the vast array of weapons at your disposal. Newcomers might need some acclimation, but persevere and there’s plenty to keep you engaged.
Tokyo Xanadu on Switch retains its Vita-like feel despite being ported to a new system, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, I’m curious how Ys VIII would have looked on Switch if Falcom had handled the port, as this is essentially an upgraded version of the game. The Switch shouldn’t have any trouble running it smoothly, and the convenience of playing it here makes the experience even more enjoyable for Western audiences. With no sign of the first two Cold Steel games being released in the West on Switch, Tokyo Xanadu serves as a great reminder of that generation. Although you would get a better visual experience on more powerful hardware, this new Switch version provides a strong argument for playing it here. The high-quality English script is currently the best way to enjoy the game in this language. I hope that translation makes its way to other platforms eventually, but for now, I wholeheartedly recommend this version.
Read More
- CKB PREDICTION. CKB cryptocurrency
- EUR INR PREDICTION
- PENDLE PREDICTION. PENDLE cryptocurrency
- PBX PREDICTION. PBX cryptocurrency
- TANK PREDICTION. TANK cryptocurrency
- IMX PREDICTION. IMX cryptocurrency
- USD DKK PREDICTION
- ICP PREDICTION. ICP cryptocurrency
- BSW PREDICTION. BSW cryptocurrency
- W PREDICTION. W cryptocurrency
2024-07-24 15:56