As cool as it is to see a stateside release, it doesn’t take long to realize why this sort of release is more common. This is a game developed with fans in mind. The gameplay systems are okay, though if you aren’t a fan of any of the represented games, they aren’t good enough to sustain the experience for very long.
Aside from seeing which character will pop up next, one of the most exciting aspects – at least for me – of Project X Zone are the insane combat animations. The game is not shy about making sure every attack is packed with pyrotechnics. Even basic attacks aim for shock and awe. Fireballs, lasers, giant Anime-styled sword swipes…. they’re all here and explode on the screen with each button press. It’s insane! A few attacks run for a little longer than they probably should, but at the same time, they’re so crazy it is hard not let out an excited laugh, or at least a smile. I’m not ashamed to admit, watching special attacks unfold were what initially sold me on the game, even more than the character team-ups.
Character sprites are really nice and offer new views of familiar characters. Even characters with sprite-based iterations have been redesigned and look really cool. It’s also abundantly clear a lot of work went into making combat animation as smooth as possible. There’s noticeable re-use of assets, particularly in levels, but that is to be expected and doesn’t mar the experience.
Audio is decent. I can’t remember anything really standing out, though I never found it offensive either. Just expect your normal synth music and some really over-the-top audio flourishes.