Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE is the latest Wii U game to be ported to the Nintendo Switch. The new version of the game, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore, is mostly the same as the old game but with all the DLC and some new extras. Some aren’t notable, but others can potentially change your experience, so here’s a quick look at the Switch version’s biggest changes and additions.
It’s Now Portable
Let’s get the most obvious factoid out of the way: since Tokyo Mirage Sessions is on the Nintendo Switch, you can play the game on the go. It doesn’t matter if you’re waiting for a bus, flying on a plane, or visiting your grandparents; you can experience Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore wherever you are, whenever you want.
Sure, you can play the game on a TV screen if you own an OG Switch (sorry, Switch Lite players), but you cannot deny the advantage of playing a long RPG like Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore anytime, anywhere.
The Game Is Faster Like Never Before
The advantages of playing on a Switch don’t end with portability. Despite its size, the Nintendo Switch is more powerful than the Wii U, so it’s capable of greater graphical fidelity and, more importantly, faster load times.
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore is a big game and is filled to the brim with loading screens. Enter a new area? Loading screen. Watch a cutscene? Loading screen. Fight enemies? Loading screen.
While Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore doesn’t cut down on the number of loading screens, the game loads quicker than the original Wii U version. Granted, the Switch eliminates several seconds worth of loading per screen, but multiply that by the number of loading screens, and it adds up to less time waiting to play and more time actually playing.
The Switch version’s speed doesn’t only apply to under the hood processing, though. If you find the game’s fights repetitive and drawn out, you can turn off Session Attack animations to expedite battles via the “Quick Sessions” option. Again, this is a long game; any option that prevents potential tedium is a boon.
More Costumes, More Fashion
Since Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore is essentially a definitive edition, it includes all preexisting DLC content and costumes from the original. But, the developers created new outfits that are exclusive to Encore for characters to don during battle.
Tokyo Mirage Session #FE Encore’s most notable new threads are arguably the Persona 5 outfits that let players channel their inner Phantom Thieves. Not only do these outfits look cool, they are perfect for gamers who wanted Joker (or at least someone cosplaying as Joker) to team up with Chrom outside of Super Smash Bros Ultimate.
Now All Versions Are Censored
You all saw this coming; Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore is now censored, regardless of your region.
The Western version of Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE featured some noticeable changes compared to the original Japanese version. Several costumes were toned down to reveal less skin; an entire dungeon and story arc were changed to remove all mention of bikini modeling; and characters were aged by one year, just to name a few.
Nintendo also went the extra mile and got the voice actors to rerecord hundreds of lines of dialogue to reflect these changes, even though the game is only voiced in Japanese.
Unfortunately, Nintendo revealed that standards would change for Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore. Regardless of region, all versions of the game are based on the censored Western release, so no more bikini dungeon. Sorry, Japan.
EX Chapters for EX-panded Story
While Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore includes some new EX-tras, many are hidden in new EX Chapters you have to EX-plore. Plus, these new areas provide additional EX-position. Ok, I’ll stop now.
After completing several chapters, the game unveils new dungeons in the form of EX Chapters, or EX Stories. These easy side dungeons EX-tend (sorry, had to include one more) the length of the game and provide new character-focused side stories as well as act as intermissions.
However, each dungeon squirrels away rewards that will help you on your journey. You never know what’s hidden in these simplistic labyrinths, so it’s a good idea to explore each EX Chapter to the fullest.
NPCs Enter The Spotlight in Session Attacks
In the original Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE, Session Attacks were a quick and easy way to devastate opponents when you took advantage of elemental weaknesses —and vice versa. By popular demand, the Switch port expands the system and lets NPC allies get in on the action.
Whenever you initiate a Session Attack, there’s a chance a non-playable ally will crash the party with an attack of their own. Depending on the number of NPCs who join in, this could potentially inflate the length of battles due to animation length, which is why Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore features the Quick Sessions option.
Moreover, these NPC Sessions need to be unlocked first, primarily through EX Chapters. If you ever wanted Tiki to help you out during battle, you now have a reason to fully explore each new dungeon.
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