Tokyo Xanadu

Tokyo Xanadu is nothing short of engaging action RPG goodness that'll have you coming back for more. Ultimately, the lovely cast of characters and immediately gratifying combat combine seamlessly to make it a must-have JRPG.

Trading spell books for cell phones, Nihon Falcom proves once again that they are masters of the action JRPG subgenre.

Tokyo Xanadu is basically Falcom trying to create a Persona like game with their own signature flavour and a pretty damn good experience overall.

Ultimately, Tokyo Xanadu is one of the best games I’ve ever played on the Vita.

Its combination of inspirations means Tokyo Xanadu may sit in an odd place for RPGamers. The deliberate pacing of the story more in line with The Legend of Heroes focus may frustrate those who want a pure action RPG. However, coming from the other direction, I very much appreciated how the game divided its time between the great charm that one expects from Nihon Falcom's narrative and quick but highly enjoyable dungeon experiences. The game is another excellent showcase of the PlayStation Vita, and the latest strong offering from a developer whose reputation is deservedly at its peak.

After the first few hours, we thought of Tokyo Xanadu as an uninspired Persona 5 clone. After more than seventy hours in, we think otherwise: this is one of the finest action RPGs Vita has seen in the last few years.

I imagine the target audience is less the philosophical and the obsessive, but rather the more casual JRPG fan looking for a light way to spend their spare time. As with most Falcom games, the game feel is straightforward and kinetic, paired with a vanilla aesthetic that’s more inoffensive than groundbreaking. I can’t fault a game for not being ambitious enough when it’s following a tried and true formula and does it without any perceivable blemishes at all.

In theory, combining two of my favorite games into one sounds like a foolproof way to make one of the best games of all time. Unfortunately, the reality is not quite so grand as the mixture of the two elements has diluted the unique flavors to something that feels lacking but not entirely unpalatable.

Tokyo Xanadu is a great fit for the Vita, as the repetitive chapter formula seems to be made for short bursts of play. If you’re going to pick it up at all, buy the Vita version; don’t wait for the PS4 release later this year.

While Tokyo Xanadu has some enjoyable elements, it suffers from its monotonous dungeons and predictable story structure. I look back fondly on some of the characters, and Nihon Falcom still has wonderful skill at constructing a believable and welcoming world. In the end, though, Tokyo Xanadu's flaws hold it back from standing out and being memorable.

Tokyo Xanadu is a good example of a developer pulling together the best parts of beloved franchises but not quite following through completely. I'd wager that Falcom pulled back a bit on the Persona-inspired mechanics to avoid a 100-hour saga that already struggles with a paper-thin story. As a result, we're left with a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging battle system wrapped in an uninspired package with little originality. To put it plainly, Tokyo Xanadu is a painfully average experience that still manages to be worth your time.

This original release is still a bit of a disappointment and leaves a mixed impression. If you are looking for a solid JRPG for Vita, this is a fully complete game, but for those wanting the absolute entire package, I would recommend waiting for the definitive version.

Despite a repetitive structure and some boring dungeons, Toyko Xanadu‘s action-based combat was effective in keeping my interest. The characters are also generally quite likeable, with their relationships and quirky personalities coming off as genuinely enjoyable.

Tokyo Xanadu is a decent action RPG with a nice combat system but stereotyped characters and situations.

A lot feels right with Tokyo Xanadu, with gorgeous handheld graphics and a concept with a lot of potential, but the complete product chooses overall accessibility for depth of concept. Combat, narrative, and development do their job just enough to keep things working, but the hiccups and shortcomings keep holding the game back from the niche sleeper hit it could be.

If someone is going to borrow, there is no shame in borrowing from the best. While it’s a bit slower to start, the characters do become fleshed out and interesting.

The combat here is good, really good, and for some, that may be all they need. For you, that may be enough to convince you to plop down your $40 for this game. For me, the fun in Tokyo Xanadu is buried beneath so much unskippable, unpauseable, and unmemorable story I can’t in good conscience give it my full support.

Tokyo Xanadu is a surprisingly generic Persona wannabe from a developer that I know can do far, far better.