Project X Zone 2

Project X Zone 2[lower-alpha 1] is a crossover tactical role-playing game for the Nintendo 3DS developed by Monolith Soft and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Despite the game being the sequel to Project X Zone, the plot is an homage to the events of its spiritual predecessor, Namco × Capcom, whilst retaining a standalone story. The game is a crossover between various franchises from Bandai Namco, Capcom, and Sega, with special guests from Nintendo. The game was released in Japan in November 2015, and worldwide in February 2016.

Project X Zone 2
North American cover art
Developer(s)Monolith Soft
Publisher(s)Bandai Namco Entertainment
Director(s)Soichiro Morizumi
Producer(s)Koji Ishitani
Designer(s)Atsushi Minayama
Writer(s)Soichiro Morizumi
SeriesProject X Zone 
Platform(s)Nintendo 3DS
Release
  • JP: November 12, 2015
  • EU: February 12, 2016[1]
  • AU: February 12, 2016[2]
  • NA: February 16, 2016[3]
Genre(s)Tactical role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player

Plot

It was set after the previous game, Project X Zone.

Gameplay
See also: Gameplay of Project X Zone

Like its predecessor, Project X Zone is a tactical role-playing game in which players strategically maneuver their characters across a field to battle with the enemy. Characters are paired up into Pair Units, with Solo Units consisting of a single character able to assist them when linked together. In battle, players use well-timed attacks and combos to do as much damage to the opponent as possible before their turn ends.

Characters

Like its predecessor, Project X Zone 2 features pairs of characters from Bandai Namco Entertainment, Capcom, and Sega, as well as solo characters who can provide assist attacks during combat.[4] The game also features Nintendo characters as special guests for the first time.[5] A total of 58 characters are playable in the game.[6]

Pair units

Solo units

Development

On April 8, 2015, Famitsu.com launched a teaser website with a countdown that would expire in five days, revealing a secret project from Bandai Namco Entertainment.[7] Before its expiration, Project X Zone 2 was announced early to attendees of Bandai Namco's "Level Up" press event in Milan, Italy on April 10, which was prematurely posted on Italian news website E-duesse before being retracted.[8] The game was officially revealed to the public three days later. It was confirmed in an interview that the game will address the criticisms of the original (such as the story) and that there will be some "surprise" announcements. The game was originally going to have a simultaneous worldwide release, but the North American and European releases were later delayed to early 2016.[9] Unlike the previous game, the western versions features no altered content from the Japanese version and are in multiple languages.[10]

Reception

Project X Zone 2 received mixed to positive reviews, receiving a score of 73/100 on Metacritic, with critics praising the game's cast of characters and improvements to issues present in the first game, but criticizing the game's easy difficulty and the fact that many assets were reused from the first game.[11] The game received a 32/40 from Famitsu. Hardcore Gamer gave the game a 4/5 saying, "Project X Zone 2 is a funny, charming and amusing title. It sets out to entertain video game fans of all stripes and allows the player to jump from world to world to get a taste of other titles they may have been missing. Just based on the built-in "Crosspedia" encyclopedia database, the stack of games that I really want to try out has grown (Resonance of Fate, in particular). It's not challenging, but it was never meant to be. The gameplay is simply the vehicle to deliver the true focus of this title: dumb fun. Players who don't need everything to bristle with a dark malevolence will find a great time in this one."[19]

Sales

The game sold 37,000 copies in Japan on its first week, selling through 60% of its shipment. The game made the #2 spot in the UK 3DS sales charts.[20]

Legacy

In an interview with Nintendo Life, Kensuke Tsukanaka stated that he would like to continue the series.[21]

Hideki Kamiya of PlatinumGames has stated he was approached about having Sega character Bayonetta included in this game, to which he refused as he wanted Bayonetta and Dante from Devil May Cry to meet "on his own terms". However, he has stated he has come to regret this decision due to realizing how the fans would have loved the two interacting, and that if there is a Project X Zone 3 he would be all for Bayonetta's inclusion.[22]

Notes
  1. Known in Japan as Project X Zone 2: Brave New World (Japanese: プロジェクト クロスゾーン2：ブレイブニューワールド, Hepburn: Purojekuto Kurosu Zōn 2: Bureibu Nyū Wārudo)

References
  1. "Project X Zone 2 launches February 26 in North America". Gematsu. September 16, 2015.
  2. "Project X Zone 2 EU Release Date Brought Forward, Demo Coming in January". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  3. "International Release Date Confirmed for Project X Zone 2". The Otaku's Study. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  4. "Project X Zone 2 coming worldwide Fall 2015". Go Nintendo. April 12, 2015. Archived from the original on April 17, 2015. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
  5. MacGregor, Kyle (September 19, 2015). "Nintendo characters join Project X Zone 2 cast". Destructoid. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  6. https://kotaku.com/the-56-playable-characters-in-project-x-zone-2-1743472346
  7. "ファミ通.comで謎のカウントダウンがスタート！　バンダイナムコエンターテインメントから4月13日に発表が!?" (in Japanese). April 8, 2015. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
  8. Whitehead, Thomas (April 10, 2015). "Rumour: Project X Zone 2: Brave New World Heading to 3DS". Nintendo Life. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
  9. "Project X Zone 2 delayed to early 2016, new trailer and screenshots". Gematsu. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  10. "Project X Zone 2 Will Be Playable In 7 Languages". Siliconera. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  11. "Project X Zone 2 for 3DS Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
  12. Andriessen, CJ. "Review: Project X Zone 2". Destructoid. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
  13. Landa, Jeff (Feb 19, 2016). "EGM Review: Project X Zone 2". EGMNOW. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
  14. Brian (November 15, 2015). "Project X Zone 2 gets first review in Famitsu". Nintendo Everything. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  15. Espineli, Matt (March 10, 2016). "Project X Zone 2 Review". GameSpot.com. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
  16. Gilbert, Henry (February 18, 2016). "Project X Zone 2 Review - IGN". Uk.ign.com. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
  17. Vogel, Mitch (13 Feb 2016). "Review: Project X Zone 2". Nintendo Life. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
  18. "> Staff Review > Project X Zone 2". RPGamer. Archived from the original on 2016-03-08. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
  19. Bohn, Jason (12 February 2016). "Review: Project X Zone 2". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
  20. "UK software sales - week ending February 20, 2016". GoNintendo. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  21. "Interview: Learning More About The 'Ultimate Crossover' RPG, Project X Zone 2, From Its Creators". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  22. "Project X Zone 2 Almost Had Bayonetta, Which Kamiya Now Regrets". 19 February 2016.
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