Project X Zone 2

{{More plot|date=May 2023}}

Shibuya, Tokyo has been locked down because of paranormal events. Two organizations had previously fought there. Shinra, a secret organization dedicated to protecting the Earth from otherworldly threats and Ouma, an evil organization who use dimensional rifts to conquer the world. After their defeat, all seemed well. But rifts have started appearing once more.

Agents of Shinra, Reiji and Xiaomu, meet with Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine of the BSAA to investigate the appearance of mysterious golden chains that have appeared in Shibuya, which seem to be causing strong rifts in space-time. While investigating, they stumble across Heihachi, Phoenix Wright, Maya Fey, Goro Majima, and Kazuma Kiryu. This marks the start of an adventure that crosses into several worlds, where they meet with characters whose worlds have also been affected by these rifts.

{{see also|Project X Zone#Gameplay|l1=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.

Like its predecessor, Project X Zone 2 features pairs of characters from three Japanese video game companies (Bandai Namco Entertainment, Capcom, and Sega), as well as solo characters who can provide assist attacks during combat.{{cite web|url=http://www.gonintendo.com/s/250935-project-x-zone-2-coming-worldwide-fall-2015|title=Project X Zone 2 coming worldwide Fall 2015|work=Go Nintendo|date=April 12, 2015|access-date=April 13, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417200033/http://www.gonintendo.com/s/250935-project-x-zone-2-coming-worldwide-fall-2015|archive-date=April 17, 2015}} The game also features Nintendo characters as special guests for the first time.{{cite web|last=MacGregor|first=Kyle|title=Nintendo characters join Project X Zone 2 cast|url=http://www.destructoid.com/nintendo-characters-join-project-x-zone-2-cast-311555.phtml|website=Destructoid|access-date=September 19, 2015|date=September 19, 2015}} A total of 58 characters are playable in the game.{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/the-56-playable-characters-in-project-x-zone-2-1743472346|title=The 58 Playable Characters in Project X Zone 2|date=20 November 2015|access-date=7 September 2020|archive-date=16 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816145804/http://kotaku.com/the-56-playable-characters-in-project-x-zone-2-1743472346|url-status=live}}

{{colbegin}}

• Reiji Arisu and Xiaomu from Namco × Capcom
• Jin Kazama and Kazuya Mishima from Tekken
• Kite and Haseo from .hack and .hack//G.U.
• Yuri Lowell and Flynn Scifo from Tales of Vesperia
• Ciel Alençon and Nana Kazuki from God Eater 2
• KOS-MOS and Fiora from Xenosaga and Xenoblade Chronicles
• Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine from Resident Evil
• Ryu and Ken Masters from Street Fighter
• Demitri Maximoff and Morrigan Aensland from Darkstalkers
• Dante and Vergil from Devil May Cry
• X and Zero from Mega Man X
• Strider Hiryu and Hotsuma from Strider and Shinobi
• Chun-Li and Ling Xiaoyu from Street Fighter and Tekken
• Akira Yuki and Kage-Maru from Virtua Fighter
• Ichirō Ōgami and Erica Fontaine from Sakura Wars
• Sakura Shinguji and Gemini Sunrise from Sakura Wars
• Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima from Like A Dragon
• Zephyr and Vashyron from Resonance of Fate
• Chrom and Lucina from Fire Emblem Awakening

{{colend}}

{{colbegin}}

• Heihachi Mishima from Tekken
• Natsu from Soulcalibur V
• Aty from Summon Night 3
• Valkyrie from Valkyrie no Bōken: Toki no Kagi Densetsu
• Alisa Illinichina Amiella from God Eater
• Estellise Sidos Heurassein from Tales of Vesperia
• Captain Commando from Captain Commando
• June Lin Milliam from Star Gladiator
• Leon S. Kennedy from Resident Evil
• Phoenix Wright and Maya Fey from Ace Attorney
• Felicia from Darkstalkers
• Ingrid from Capcom Fighting Evolution
• Axel Stone from Streets of Rage
• Hibana from Nightshade
• Segata Sanshiro
• Ulala from Space Channel 5
• Pai Chan from Virtua Fighter
• Leanne from Resonance of Fate
• Ryo Hazuki from Shenmue

{{colend}}

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.famitsu.com/news/201504/08076083.html |title=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!? |language=ja |date=April 8, 2015 |access-date=April 13, 2015}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/04/rumour_project_x_zone_2_brave_new_world_heading_to_3ds |title=Rumour: Project X Zone 2: Brave New World Heading to 3DS |author=Whitehead, Thomas |date=April 10, 2015 |access-date=April 13, 2015 |publisher=Nintendo Life |archive-date=August 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823191853/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/04/rumour_project_x_zone_2_brave_new_world_heading_to_3ds |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2015/07/project-x-zone-2-delayed-early-2016-new-trailer-screenshots|title=Project X Zone 2 delayed to early 2016, new trailer and screenshots|work=Gematsu|date=2 July 2015|access-date=2 May 2016|archive-date=23 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423163409/http://gematsu.com/2015/07/project-x-zone-2-delayed-early-2016-new-trailer-screenshots|url-status=live}} Unlike the previous game, the western versions features no altered content from the Japanese version and are in multiple languages.{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2015/10/30/project-x-zone-2-will-be-playable-in-7-languages/|title=Project X Zone 2 Will Be Playable In 7 Languages|work=Siliconera|date=30 October 2015|access-date=2 May 2016|archive-date=6 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506171817/http://www.siliconera.com/2015/10/30/project-x-zone-2-will-be-playable-in-7-languages/|url-status=live}}

The game's opening and ending themes, "Sekai wa Hitotsu no Butai" (All the World's Stage), and "Tsuki Akari no Curtain Call" (Moonlight Curtain Call) were both performed by marina. The lyrics were written by director Soichiro Morizumi, and the themes were composed by Yuzo Koshiro. Koshiro had previously composed the theme of Namco × Capcom, Brave New World, and this time Morizumi asked him to compose a song that was more akin to battle music. Koshiro decided to go with a rock theme, and found that marina's vocals were perfect for the song. marina expressed that while she found the song difficult to sing, she thought it turned out very well.{{Cite web |title=『PROJECT X ZONE 2：BRAVE NEW WORLD』せがた三四郎など新登場キャラクター続々、『TOV』ザギ、『.hack // G.U.』葬炎のカイトなども!? |url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201509/10087676.html |access-date=2022-08-24 |website=ファミ通.com |date=10 September 2015 |language=ja |archive-date=2015-09-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909151035/https://www.famitsu.com/news/201509/10087676.html |url-status=live }}

The game's opening animation was produced by Graphinica and directed by veteran animator Yasutoshi Iwasaki.

{{Video game reviews

| MC = 73/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/project-x-zone-2/critic-reviews/?platform=3ds |title=Project X Zone 2 for 3DS Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=February 21, 2016 |archive-date=March 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308031341/http://www.metacritic.com/game/3ds/project-x-zone-2 |url-status=live }}

| Destruct = 8.5/10{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/review-project-x-zone-2-341810.phtml|title=Review: Project X Zone 2|first=CJ|last=Andriessen|work=Destructoid|date=16 February 2016|access-date=February 21, 2016|archive-date=19 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160219202825/http://www.destructoid.com/review-project-x-zone-2-341810.phtml|url-status=live}}

| EGM = 7/10{{cite web |first=Jeff |last=Landa |url=https://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/project-x-zone-2-review/ |title=EGM Review: Project X Zone 2 |publisher=EGMNOW |date=Feb 19, 2016 |access-date=February 21, 2016 |archive-date=February 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222152330/http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/project-x-zone-2-review/ |url-status=dead }}

| Fam = 32/40{{cite web |url=https://nintendoeverything.com/project-x-zone-2-gets-first-review-in-famitsu/ |title=Project X Zone 2 gets first review in Famitsu |website=Nintendo Everything |author=Brian |access-date=September 7, 2020 |date=November 15, 2015 |archive-date=February 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214235951/https://nintendoeverything.com/project-x-zone-2-gets-first-review-in-famitsu/ |url-status=live }}

| GSpot = 5/10{{cite web|first=Matt|last=Espineli|url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/project-x-zone-2-review/1900-6416377/|title=Project X Zone 2 Review|publisher=GameSpot.com|date=March 10, 2016|access-date=February 21, 2016|archive-date=March 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313080354/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/project-x-zone-2-review/1900-6416377/|url-status=live}}

| IGN = 6.5/10{{cite web |first=Henry |last=Gilbert |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2016/02/18/project-x-zone-2-review |title=Project X Zone 2 Review - IGN |publisher=Uk.ign.com |date=February 18, 2016 |access-date=February 21, 2016 |archive-date=August 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823191958/https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/02/18/project-x-zone-2-review |url-status=live }}

| NLife = 8/10{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/3ds/project_x_zone_2 |title=Review: Project X Zone 2 |first=Mitch |last=Vogel |work=Nintendo Life |date= 13 Feb 2016|access-date = February 21, 2016}}

| rev1 = RPGamer

| rev1Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web |url=http://rpgamer.com/games/proxzone/proxzone2/reviews/proxzone2strev1.html |title=> Staff Review > Project X Zone 2 |publisher=RPGamer |access-date=February 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308115100/http://www.rpgamer.com/games/proxzone/proxzone2/reviews/proxzone2strev1.html |archive-date=2016-03-08 |url-status=dead }}

| rev2 = Hardcore Gamer

| rev2Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |url=http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/02/12/review-project-x-zone-2/192614/ |title=Review: Project X Zone 2 |work=Hardcore Gamer |first=Jason |last=Bohn |date=12 February 2016 |access-date=February 21, 2016 |archive-date=16 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216222035/http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/02/12/review-project-x-zone-2/192614/ |url-status=live }}

}}

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. 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."

The game sold 37,000 copies in Japan on its first week, selling through 60% of its shipment.{{Cite web |last=電撃オンライン |title=【週間ソフト販売ランキング TOP50】3DS『プロジェクトクロスゾーン2』が3.7万本を売り上げ2位を獲得（11月9～15日） - 電撃オンライン |url=https://dengekionline.com/elem/000/001/160/1160809/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190205012613/https://dengekionline.com/elem/000/001/160/1160809/ |archive-date=Feb 5, 2019 |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=dengekionline.com |language=ja}} The game made the #2 spot in the UK 3DS sales charts.{{cite web|url=http://gonintendo.com/stories/252550-uk-software-sales-week-ending-february-20-2016|title=UK software sales - week ending February 20, 2016|work=GoNintendo|date=22 February 2016|access-date=2 May 2016|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303202401/http://gonintendo.com/stories/252550-uk-software-sales-week-ending-february-20-2016|url-status=live}}

{{clear}}

==Legacy==

In an interview with Nintendo Life, Kensuke Tsukanaka stated that he would like to continue the series, though he admitted it wouldn’t be easy to realize each time.{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/02/interview_learning_more_about_the_ultimate_crossover_rpg_project_x_zone_2_from_its_creators|title=Interview: Learning More About The 'Ultimate Crossover' RPG, Project X Zone 2, From Its Creators|work=Nintendo Life|date=12 February 2016|access-date=2 May 2016|archive-date=13 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213091525/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/02/interview_learning_more_about_the_ultimate_crossover_rpg_project_x_zone_2_from_its_creators|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://twinfinite.net/2016/02/project-x-zone-2-almost-had-bayonetta-which-kamiya-now-regrets-new-messages/|title=Project X Zone 2 Almost Had Bayonetta, Which Kamiya Now Regrets|date=19 February 2016|access-date=28 February 2016|archive-date=26 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326041214/http://twinfinite.net/2016/02/project-x-zone-2-almost-had-bayonetta-which-kamiya-now-regrets-new-messages|url-status=live}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{Official website|http://pxz2.bn-ent.net/}} {{in lang|ja}}

{{Bandai Namco's X series}}

{{Monolith Soft}}

{{Navboxes|title=Related games|list=

{{.hack}}

{{Ace Attorney}}

{{Capcom's VS. series}}

{{Darkstalkers series}}

{{Devil May Cry}}

{{God Eater}}

{{Fire Emblem}}

{{Mega Man X}}

{{Resident Evil}}

{{Sakura Wars}}

{{Shenmue}}

{{Shinobi}}

{{Soul series}}

{{Street Fighter series}}

{{Streets of Rage series}}

{{Strider series}}

{{Summon Night}}

{{Tales series}}

{{Tekken}}

{{Valkyrie series}}

{{Virtua Fighter series}}

{{Yakuza series}}

{{Xeno series}}

}}

Category:2015 video games

Category:Bandai Namco games

Category:Capcom games

Category:Crossover role-playing video games

Category:Monolith Soft games

Category:Video games about ninja

Category:Nintendo 3DS games

Category:Nintendo 3DS eShop games

Category:Nintendo 3DS-only games

Category:Nintendo Network games

Category:Nintendo games

Category:Roppongi

Category:Sega video games

Category:Shibuya

Category:Tactical role-playing video games

Category:Video games about time travel

Category:Urban fantasy video games

Category:Video games featuring female protagonists

Category:Video games about parallel universes

Category:Video game sequels

Category:Video games developed in Japan

Category:Single-player video games