It's hard to describe Project X Zone 2 without using the phrase "fan service." Because that's exactly what it is. A decadent celebration of crossovers, rife with in-jokes, sometimes inappropriate humour, and the kind of quasi-innocent and often contentious sauciness that permeates many anime. As a game, it's a relatively light offering, mashing the feel of strategy RPGs with side-scrolling beat 'em ups. But it's fun in the same way that pizza is great: a terrific indulgence that works so long as you like cheese.
And seriously, Project X Zone 2 is gorgeously, unabashedly cheesy, completely aware its own irreverence, and the fact that it was never intended to become a meaningful magnum opus, but a platform for joyous silliness. If you've ever wanted to see Goro Majima cheerily talking up Phoenix Wright to Tekken's Heihachi Mishima, or characters mulling over how Chrom and Lucina could be father and daughter, you'll get it all here. There is, of course, a plot here but it's thin. Trans-dimensional beings are causing havoc as are a medley of portals, and the only way all of this can be stopped is if the heroes (and anti-heroes) from various worlds join forces to overcome what is likely a force of tremendous evil.
That's what you start with. And Project X Zone 2 takes it time to meander towards its inevitable conclusion, frequently taking detours into the realms "what-if"s and "hey, wouldn't it be cool?" When played in short bursts, it's perfect. The localisation team has done an incredible job at presenting the hilarity of the premise, even if their jokes occasionally raise an eyebrow. It's because of this that I hesitate to say that there's a lack of pacing. The slow burn feels incredibly deliberate. Consequently, if you're looking for a tightly written narrative, you're not going to find it here.
0 comments:
Post a Comment