Tokyo Mirage Session #FE Encore - Nintendo Switch

After 145 hours (2.5 playthroughs) and attaining 100% of the play records, I can finally say that Tokyo Mirage Session has exceeded my expectation. I have been wanting to play this since it first came out for the Wii U, but since I didn’t own one, this game has been on my wishlist for a few years. Now, here is why you should get this game too. Tokyo Mirage Session #FE Encore is a turn-based RPG. The setup is simple. The game spans over 6 chapters. Within each chapter, a new dungeon – or Idolasphere – will be unlocked for you to explore and beat. After completing each dungeon, you will go to Intermission. During this time, you have the chance to relax and explore any areas and quests that you might have missed. That is pretty much it. What was good . . . Everything is voice-acted, which is a huge bonus! I love the design of the characters and the graphics. The songs are great. I like the characters. The story is interesting. The battle system is easy to learn. A great feature is the ability to easily switch between characters during battle without losing a turn. If you managed to get an advantageous hit on the enemy, you will trigger a session. This is incredibly fun when you get all the characters and can inflict great damage. What could be better . . . There were a few things that could’ve been improved. I felt the later characters got gypped. For example, Mamori and Yashiro got one song each even though they are both supposedly popular idols. The focus was mainly on Tsubasa. I felt it was a waste. Also, there is no romance which was a missed opportunity. The battle sequences can be a drag. It got to the point where I try to avoid enemies so I don’t waste time. The help section was not helpful. Some of the dungeons can be confusing. You CANNOT skip scenes, which is my main pet peeve. The best you can do is fast forward by continually pressing X. The enemies are on screen but there are higher level ones called savage enemies. If you are not prepared, they will kill you in one hit and very stubborn about you escaping. And if you haven’t save, you will lose all your hard work. It is in Japanese with English subtitles. Strong reading skills is recommended. You don’t have to have any experience with Persona or Fire Emblem to understand the plot. Knowing a little bit makes it fun to see Easter Eggs. If you love RPGs, get this game. It is well worth it for the entertainment value.

Like many people I was one who didn't own a Wii U and those who did own a Wii U probably missed out on this game since it came at the tail end of the console's life cycle, giving it a niche cult-classic-y vibe to it. And now it gets its time in the limelight after being ported over onto the Switch and receiving more marketing than it ever got. This game is a crossover between the gameplay styles and themes of Shin Megami Tensei/Persona and characters from the Fire Emblem series to form an interesting JRPG which will fill the void in people hearts at the idea of Persona 5 never being ported to the Switch. You play as a group of high schoolers who enter the entertainment industry in Japan who become 'Mirage Masters' who can control and use friendly mirages (Fire Emblem characters) to fight in combat or upgrade their weapons and abilities (from the help of Tiki) to help defeat the menace of evil mirages taking the essence out of humans for a nefarious purpose. You don't really need to have any knowledge of the games this one crosses between (I have only played a small number of FE games and only know about two characters) to get enjoyment out of this experience. The gameplay is smooth and interesting in combat with the big thing being exploiting the weaknesses of your enemies to perform long combos called 'Sessions' to help excel in battle and cuts out the micromanaging of a school day like in SMT/Persona, making the experience less daunting to those who may not want an overly long JRPG or to worry about missing out on stuff during the days. There are some people in reviews and since the game first launched on the Wii U that are displeased with the censorship of the game (this version is a port of the censored NA release). From bones '''''disappearing''''' to the omission of a beachwear DLC, this complaint some have is rather minor in the grand scheme of the experience if the gameplay and enjoyment are key and other games could fill the void with all the censored content those few people want. My only real complaint I have which I would take a star off if I was being cruel is the lack of an english dub in this now definitive edition of the game. This may be a deal breaker for some and if it isn't you may need some getting used to the lack of a dub especially during combat when none of the banter has subtitles. I'm sure they aren't saying anything too important to the story, but it would be nice to know what the characters are saying in combat for a non-Japanese speaker.

This game is an outstanding turn-based JRPG. Like Japanese pop and culture? Like amazing gameplay? Look no further. The game is a baby between Fire Emblem and Shin Megami Tensei, and it shows in all of the best ways. You can see Fire Emblem in the Mirages you acquire and the enemies you conquer (and a few key series sound effects sprinkled in for that AHA! moment). Shin Megami is present in the magic spells and art style. It is a beautiful game that can sometimes be too basic on the plot but is nevertheless a grand adventure. You will see people complain about censorship and how 'heavy' it is, but it doesn't affect the gameplay or enjoyment at all. If you are that bothered by the creator's decision, you can go play Dead or Alive.

TMS #FE Encore is a unique game to say the least. It puts you in the shoes of a High School student who gets wrapped up in a mirage invasion at an idol event. Watching his friend get pulled into some kind of gate, you rush in to save her, and thus the adventure begins. With no spoilers, you essentially go through out the story with your friends fighting mirages using power you have obtained from Fire Emblem characters. The best part of the whole game is the combat system. It is turn-based, smooth, and tactical. Each enemy has a weakness, if you capitalize off of the weakness you can initiate a string of attacks from your party. For example, if a mirage is weak to sword skills, you can use cleave, and then a party member, depending on your set up, will also attack with a skill for free. The skills look cool and so do the monsters, but that is expected from a SMT game. The Characters are bright and fun. I literally enjoyed playing with every character in combat and getting to know them better with their side stories. Only the main character is dull, which is really disappointing. Its almost like he is not even the main character. Censorship was not a big deal so It will not effect my review at all. Plus you see plenty of skin from the ladies in the game, in fact the directors boobs are bulging out of her shirt and constantly jiggling, like unrealistically. It's too bad it was censored, but oh well, life goes on. The graphics and music are good, especially in handheld mode. Overall, I would recommend this game to JRPG lovers only, as it can be over the top.

I've got to say I went into this game with a bad attitude. I primarily bought it with hope that high sales would convince atlas to port persona 5 to the switch. I am so glad I was wrong about this game. Do not judge a book by its cover absolutely applies here. I have had so much fun with this game in the last 24 hours. The battle system is a lot of fun with a twist on turned based RPGs. I like the characters. The story has kept me engaged. I can't seem to put this game down. Thanks Atlas for such a quirky and fun game.

The game is just in a plastic bag which is really frustrating. it's a used game masquerading as a new game.

I put 98 hours into the Wii U version and I was so excited to see they were porting this over to the Switch allowing it to get another chance at selling. It's a fantastic RPG with one of the best turn based battle systems I've ever played (with Bravely Default coming in second) Hoping this game finds success on Switch because it really is incredibly fun, albeit a bit cliche and very "anime".

If u love the presona and fire emblem series but with a modern day Tokyo setting than this game is for you , p.s. also this title will have censored and altered contents from the original release on the Nintendo wii u so be warned