Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore

Genre: Turn-Based JRPG

Players: 1

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Review:

Tokyo Mirage Sessions is a Turn-Based JRPG originally released to the Wii U and brought over to the Nintendo Switch in this release. It is a game that, in theory brings together the Fire Emblem and Persona franchises, but in practice the game’s use of those licenses is largely skin-deep – there are a few characters from Fire Emblem that are re-used here in somewhat re-imagined form, and the game has tonal and stylistic similarities to the Persona games, but for the most part this game is its own thing, and players need not have any familiarity with either of those other franchises to fully enjoy it.

It bears mention that this release of the game is based on the North American release on the Wii U, and as such it is missing content from the Japanese version of the Wii U game deemed too racy for us Yanks, such as skimpy costumes and a DLC area that took place in a hot springs. However, the Switch version of the game adds content as well, including new songs, new costumes, an additional dungeon, and additional playable characters. However, since I never played the Wii U game (Japanese or American releases), I can only comment on this game as its own release.

Those looking forward to a new JRPG on the Switch may find this to be surprisingly different from most fare in the genre. How can I put this… this game is extremely anime-flavored. As in, this game’s plot seems like it was ripped straight out of an anime, complete with all the usual anime tropes and odd phrases that seem to only exist in that genre. The game takes place in Tokyo, featuring multiple landmarks from the city, with a plot that revolves around pop idols (a sort of Japanese pop star), the game’s dialogue is completely voiced… in Japanese only, with subtitles (but not for chit-chat during battle, which is a bit frustrating, as these characters are very talkative during battle). In fact, you’ll be hard-pressed to find another game on the Switch that feels more Japanese than this one.

To be clear, none of this is a complaint (well, except the lack of subtitles during cutscenes). The Japanese voice-over only helps to add to the feel of watching an anime, and even if these characters are all pretty well-worn anime stereotypes, they’re used well here, and the story is interesting even if it’s predictable.

The game’s presentation also helps to set this game apart, with a polished, colorful look that has wonderful, expressive character models and imaginative environments, even if those environments are often a bit sparse. There’s nothing here that really pushes the bar visually, but it all looks good and helps to differentiate this game’s unique topic matter. The soundtrack is also pretty good, though not quite as catchy as you’d hope for in a game about musicians.

As for the gameplay, this game takes the standard turn-based JRPG formula and mixes it up by making elemental and weapon-based strengths and weaknesses central to the gameplay with its Session system, which calls for characters in your party to jump in with their own attacks whenever you use an attack enemies are weak against. This system really encourages players to think through their turns during battle, deciding when to use special abilities to best utilize these combination attacks.

There are a few points of frustration here, though. Firstly, while this game allows players to save pretty much any time, there’s no auto-save, and players can unexpectedly find themselves in a hopeless battle with an overpowered enemy, leading to having to restart at their last save.In addition, the ability to get new weapons, and the abilities tied to those weapons, is locked to one location players need to keep returning to, which is frustrating and inconvenient. These sorts of things may have been tolerable in the JRPGs of old, but in the last decade or two most players have gotten used to quality of life improvements, and stuff like this feels backwards by today’s standards.

Still, on the whole, this is a superb JRPG with a unique look and a story that seems like it came directly out of an anime. Fans of the genre looking for something different should find this to be an excellent original game absolutely deserving a spot in their game library, even in spite of occasional flaws and frustrations. That is, if they don’t mind something a bit unusual.

tl;dr – Tokyo Mirage Sessions is a Turn-Based RPG that is a port of the Wii U game that is at least loosely tied to the Fire Emblem and Persona franchises, but is really its own thing. It’s a game that feels like its characters, setting and story were pulled straight from an anime, with a solid presentation that makes the game feel truly unique. The gameplay is also pretty good, despite a few frustrating elements popping up from time to time. JRPG fans should definitely give this game a look.

Grade: A-

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