A tale of two Tokyo Xanadus

Aksys has two big RPGs coming out this year, and they’re both Tokyo Xanadu What? Yes, you read that right. Tokyo Xanadu is immediately available for the Vita, while Tokyo Xanadu eX+ is set to arrive on PlayStation 4s and PCs sometime later this year. What’s going on?

First, let’s go over what Tokyo Xanadu is. Do you know Ys, Nihon Falcom’s classic action-RPG series? What about Persona, Atlus’ Shin Megami Tensei spin-off with high school students saving the world while dealing with schoolwork and various relationships? Well, both the PlayStation 4, Vita and PC versions of Tokyo Xanadu are a combination of these two kinds of games. The day-to-day Free Time sections involve boosting three stats to improve our hero Kou and sending him around Morimiya City to interact with major and minor characters to learn more about them and boost relationships.

Clearly, the Vita’s Tokyo Xanadu is the basic version of the game, what with Tokyo Xanadu eX+ having half of the word “extra” and a plus symbol in it. But rather than think of it as an entirely new game and experience where someone is missing out if they pick up the handheld version, rather than wait for the console release, it is better to consider this situation as being akin, but not identical to, the Persona 3 and Persona 3 FES scenario.

One of the biggest changes is an additional character. White Shroud appears in the main Tokyo Xanadu game. However, you don’t get to have him in your party. He’s just an established and known figure doing good in Morimiya City. In Tokyo Xanadu eX+, he becomes playable. He has an exclusive Light element, which is effective against every core that isn’t darkness. Now, someone who has played the game would probably enjoy this bonus, but people who don’t feel like they need every supplemental will be fine without him.

The other Tokyo Xanadu eX+ bonuses are an extra after-story epilogue and side-stories. There is one epilogue, which follows the events of the game, and six extra side-stories following other Wielders Kou frequently encountered in the game. Asuka Hiiragi, Sora Ikushima, Yuuki Shinomiya, Shio Takahata, Mitsuki Hokuto and Rion Kugayama are all people who are playable throughout the adventure in Tokyo Xanadu. These are brief adventures that follow one event in these characters’ lives, so don’t expect substantial development. Basically, figure on a storyline and dungeon for each. (Shio and Mitsuki share a side-story, with it mainly focusing on him, and the sixth side-story is for White Shroud.)

Basically, Tokyo Xanadu eX+ is a game for people who really love Tokyo Xanadu. If someone owns a Vita and is looking for a new JRPG, then going with the version available now is fine. If you don’t own a Vita or find yourself enthralled with the story after enjoying it, then picking up the PlayStation 4 version right away or PC version during some sort of sale may be wise.