Project X Zone 2
A tactical RPG crossover featuring characters from multiple video game companies.
Project X Zone 2 (pronounced "Project Cross Zone 2") is a tactical role-playing game for the Nintendo 3DS, co-developed by Monolith Soft and Bandai Namco Studios, and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. As the follow-up to the crossover title Project X Zone, its story pays tribute to the events of the spiritual predecessor Namco × Capcom, though it functions as a self-contained narrative. The game brings together characters from franchises owned by Bandai Namco, Capcom, Nintendo, and Sega. It launched in Japan in November 2015 and arrived worldwide in February 2016.
The plot begins in Shibuya, Tokyo, which has been sealed off due to strange paranormal activity. Two organizations had previously clashed there: Shinra, a secret group protecting Earth from otherworldly threats, and Ouma, an evil faction using dimensional rifts to conquer the world. After their defeat, peace seemed to return, but rifts have started opening again. Shinra agents Reiji and Xiaomu join forces with BSAA members Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine to investigate mysterious golden chains appearing in Shibuya, which appear to be causing severe space-time distortions. During their investigation, they encounter Heihachi Mishima, Phoenix Wright, Maya Fey, Goro Majima, and Kazuma Kiryu. This encounter kicks off an adventure that spans multiple worlds, where they meet characters whose own realities have been disrupted by the same rifts.
Gameplay follows the same tactical role-playing structure as the original. Players move paired units across a grid-based battlefield to engage enemies. Characters are grouped into Pair Units, with Solo Units—single characters—able to provide assist attacks when linked. During combat, players execute timed attacks and combos to maximize damage before their turn ends.
The game features 58 playable characters, organized into pair units and solo units. As in the first game, these come from Bandai Namco, Capcom, and Sega, with Nintendo characters appearing as special guests—though they had already appeared in the original Project X Zone as DLC or special guests.
Development began with a teaser from Famitsu.com on April 8, 2015, featuring a countdown set to expire in five days.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Project X Zone 2
- Developer
- Monolith Soft
- Publisher
- Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Designer
- Atsushi Minayama
- Producer
- Koji Ishitani
- Director
- Soichiro Morizumi
- Composer
- Yuzo Koshiro (Opening and Ending)
- Platforms
- Nintendo 3DS
- Released
- JP · November 12, 2015 · EU/AU · February 12, 2016 · NA · February 16, 2016
- Genre
- Tactical role-playing
- Modes
- Single-player
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The game's story begins in Shibuya, Tokyo, which has been locked down due to paranormal events. Two organizations, Shinra (a secret organization protecting Earth) and Ouma (an evil organization using dimensional rifts), had previously fought there. After their defeat, rifts begin appearing again. Agents of Shinra, Reiji and Xiaomu, meet with Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine of the BSAA to investigate mysterious golden chains causing strong rifts in space-time. They encounter Heihachi, Phoenix Wright, Maya Fey, Goro Majima, and Kazuma Kiryu, marking the start of an adventure crossing into several worlds affected by these rifts.
Gameplay follows the tactical role-playing format of its predecessor, where players maneuver characters across a field to battle enemies.
Reader's Guide
Project X Zone 2 received mixed to positive reviews, with a Metacritic score of 73/100. Critics praised the cast of characters and improvements over the first game, but criticized the easy difficulty and reused assets. Famitsu gave it a 32/40. Hardcore Gamer rated it 4/5, calling it a 'funny, charming and amusing title' that delivers 'dumb fun' and encourages players to explore other games via its built-in Crosspedia encyclopedia. The game sold 37,000 copies in Japan in its first week, selling through 60% of its shipment, and reached #2 in the UK 3DS sales charts. In terms of legacy, Kensuke Tsukanaka expressed interest in continuing the series, though he acknowledged it would not be easy. Hideki Kamiya of PlatinumGames stated he was approached about including Sega character Bayonetta but refused, wanting Bayonetta and Dante from Devil May Cry to meet 'on his own terms'; he later regretted this decision and said he would support Bayonetta's inclusion in a potential Project X Zone 3.
Did You Know?
- The game's plot is a homage to the spiritual predecessor Namco × Capcom.
- The opening and ending themes were composed by Yuzo Koshiro, who previously composed the theme for Namco × Capcom.
- Hideki Kamiya initially refused to allow Bayonetta's inclusion in the game but later regretted the decision.
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