I vividly remember the anticipation I felt in 2014 for Persona 5. It wasn’t until September 2016 that it released in Japan, with an international release following in April 2017. During that wait, Tokyo Xanadu caught my eye with its mix of school life and dungeon crawling gameplay.
Being a fan of Falcom’s previous works, I decided to dive into Tokyo Xanadu as a temporary substitute for Persona 5. The staggered release dates of Japanese and international versions were common back then, but now, games like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth launch worldwide simultaneously. Tokyo Xanadu first launched in Japan for PS Vita in 2015, later reaching international markets in 2017, followed by an enhanced Tokyo Xanadu eX+ version for PC and PS4 in the same year.
Despite the delay, I found Tokyo Xanadu eX+ to be an enjoyable blend of action RPG and social simulation with unique elements setting it apart from its inspirations. Now available on Nintendo Switch, it’s a great RPG to explore as you await news on Persona 6.
A Familiar Yet Unique Narrative
Tokyo Xanadu unfolds in Morimiya City, where protagonist Kou ventures into a parallel dimension after a chance encounter with classmate Asuka. Equipped with his Soul Device, Kou joins Asuka as a special agent battling otherworldly threats.
While Tokyo Xanadu follows common anime themes and gameplay, it shines through its detailed world-building akin to Falcom’s Trails series. The evolving NPC dialogues and immersive storytelling enrich the experience, making Morimiya City come alive.
With a more streamlined RPG progression and bonding episodes akin to Persona’s Social Links, Tokyo Xanadu balances story and character development effectively. The eX+ edition introduces engaging side stories, offering new perspectives on the characters beyond Kou’s viewpoint.
Tokyo Xanadu‘s real-time combat reminiscent of Dynasty Warriors offers a satisfying hack-and-slash experience, emphasizing strategic dodging at higher difficulties. Despite simplistic dungeon designs, the dynamic soundtrack and speedrunning elements enhance the gameplay.
The Switch port of Tokyo Xanadu eX+ delivers smooth performance with improved localization, offering a more polished experience. Despite being a late port, the game’s engaging combat, speed-focused gameplay, and rich world-building make it a standout choice for RPG enthusiasts.
Tokyo Xanadu eX+ is now available on Nintendo Switch.
