Cross Edge

Cross Edge
Developer(s)	Idea Factory
Publisher(s)	PlayStation 3 Japan Compile Heart SK CyberFront Korea North America NIS America Europe Koei Xbox 360 Japan Compile Heart
Distributor(s)	North America Koei
Platform(s)	PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Release date(s)	PlayStation 3 Japan September 25, 2008 SK March 19, 2009 North America May 26, 2009 Europe September 18, 2009 Australasia September 28, 2009 Xbox 360 Japan October 1, 2009
Genre(s)	Tactical role-playing game
Media/Digital distribution	Blu-ray Disc, DVD-ROM

For other uses of the word Succubus, see Succubus (disambiguation).

Cross Edge (クロスエッジ, Kurosu Ejji) (abbreviated as XEdge or X-Edge), is a console role-playing video game for the PlayStation 3. The game was developed in collaboration by Capcom, Nippon Ichi, Namco Bandai, Gust Corporation, and Idea Factory. Released on September 25, 2008 in Japan, the game features turn-based battles, a plot that involves rescuing souls, and the ability to dress the female characters of the player's party in a wide variety of outfits. The game features characters from Darkstalkers, Disgaea, Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia, Spectral Souls: Resurrection of the Ethereal Empires, Atelier Marie and Mana Khemia 2: Fall of Alchemy. NIS America published the game in North America, and it was released for that region on May 26, 2009. An Xbox 360 version titled "Cross Edge Dash" will be released in Japan on October 1, 2009. In this game the succubi Morrigan Aensland and Lilith Aensland appear as well as the Disgaea Succubi..

Gameplay

Cross Edge is a traditional Japanese role-playing game complete with world map, random battles, level grinding, item combining/creation using alchemy, etc. It also features heroes and villains from game franchises published by Gust, Capcom, Nippon Ichi, Namco Bandai and Idea Factory. As players set about freeing the trapped souls supporting the nightmare world that they are stuck in, they engage in turn-based team battles. This is where the characters from previous games come in. Players must enlist them to join in party-based battles. Success in these battles is based on the ability to string together specific moves into chain attack sequences, which in turn unlock even stronger combinations when successful. Players can also increase their characters' stats and abilities by acquiring additional costumes called "forms" and redressing their characters in them. Female characters physical appearances can also be changed based on the form they're wearing.

The goal of the game is to release souls. You can find and collect souls by searching around area maps. Exposure to souls can grant players items or unlock events. Along with soul related events, maps will also point players to other helpful locations such as event points, points at which other events may occur, and save points, where you can save your game as well as buy, sell and trade items.

Characters

Original characters

• Yūto Kannagi (神薙 勇刀, Kannagi Yūto)

Voiced by: Satoshi Hino

The main hero. His name in the North American version was changed to York Neely. He is a childhood friend with Troy and Miko and, thanks to Miko, is a straight A student. His father is renowned fighter and York is a master of jujitsu. However, he began to tire of "obsolete" fighting styles and got into gunplay instead.

• Mikoto Aiba (相羽 命, Aiba Mikoto)

Voiced by: Rina Satō

The main heroine; her first name is shortened to Miko in the North American version. A friend of York and Troy. She lives with York since her parents died and had the ability to "see spirits" but it faded and she became a normal girl. She fights with a naginata and likes to clean Yorks room.

• May (メイ, Mei)

A character that Yūto met in the world. She is a NPC that frees souls from the various realms that are explored.

• Iruma (イルマ, Iruma)

One of the caretakers of the world. She, Vivi, and Eruma are triplets. In the North American version, her name is Cece.

• Vivi (ヴィヴィ, Vivi)

One of the caretakers of the world. He is the oldest among the triplets.

• Eruma (エルマ, Eruma)

The youngest of the triplets. In the North American version, her name is Mimi.

• Anesha (アネーシャ, Anēsha)

• Judas (ジューダス, Jūdasu)

• Tōya Ijūin (伊集院 冬夜, Ijūin Tōya)

Yūto's best friend. In the North American version, his name is Troy.

• Raizen:Voiced by: Jamieson Price

• Lazarus

• Augustine

Atelier Marie characters

• Marlone (マルローネ, Marurōne)

She is the main character of Atelier Marie. Her nickname is Marie.

Mana-Khemia 2 characters

• Liliane Vehlendorf (リリアーヌ・ヴェーレンドルフ, Ririānu Vērendorufu)

Voiced by: Rina Satō

Her original nickname is Lilia; in the North American version, her nickname is Lily.

• Rozeluxe Meitzen (ロゼリュクス・マイツェン, Rozeryukusu Maitsen)

Voiced by: Yuri Lowenthal

In the North American version, his name is changed to Raze.

• Whim (ウィム, Wimu)

Liliane's maid. She is actually a mana.

• Rewrich Wallach (ルゥリッヒ・バラハ, Rurihi Baraha)

Darkstalkers characters

• Morrigan Aensland (モリガン・アーンスランド, Morigan Ānsurando)

A succubus who fights for her desires and pleasure. She is the first recruited character and her costumes are most revealing. She attacks by morphing her wings but strangely has knuckle-based weapons.

• Felicia (フェリシア, Ferishia)

A catwoman who enjoys dancing and festivals. She isn't hostile because of her upbringing. She fights with her claws and acrobatics.

• Demitri Maximoff (デミトリ・マキシモフ, Demitori Makishimofu)

Voiced by: Richard Epcar

• Lilith Aensland (リリス, Ririsu)

A younger Succubus who is exceedingly cruel. She is part of Morrigan's soul that was separated away from her.

• Jedah Dohma (ジェダ・ドーマ, Jeda Dōma)

Disgaea characters

• Etna (エトナ, Etona)

Voiced by: Tomoe Hanba

• Prinny (プリニー, Purinī)

Ar Tonelico characters

• Lyner Barsett (ライナー・バルセルト, Rainā Baruseruto)

• Aurica Nestmile (オリカ・ネストミール, Orika Nesutomīru)

Voiced by: Ui Miyazaki

• Misha Arsellec Lune (彌紗・アルトセルク・リューン, Misya Arutoseruku Ryūn)

Voiced by: Sakura Nogawa

• Shurelia (シュレリア, Shureria)

Voiced by: Kanako Sakai

• Ayatane Michitaka (絢胤 箕嵩 (アヤタネ・ミチタカ), Ayatane Michitaka)

Voiced by: Liam O'Brien

• Bourd Rade (ボルド・レード, Borudo Rēdo)

Voiced by: Richard Epcar

Spectral Souls characters

• Meu (ミュウ, Myū)

Voiced by: Laura Bailey

Absolute Blazing Infinity characters

• Zelos (ゼロス, Zerosu)

Voiced by: Yuri Lowenthal

Music

The opening theme for the game is Blade of Tears by Haruka Shimotsuki.

Reception

Cross Edge received mixed reviews. PlayStation Official Magazine US gave it a 3/5 citing technical issues. "From dialogue that loads one line at a time to the lack of PS3-level graphics (high-res static art aside), everything seems like a remnant from the early 2000s." Likewise, IGN gave a below average score of 3.5 out of 10, stating "A game that could have been an entertaining compilation of iconic Japanese characters turned out to be a frustrating, awkward mess of menus, Gameplay imbalances and annoying dialogue scenes." GameZone's review also gave a low score of 4.5 out of 10 -- "Cross Edge not only fails to be a compelling Japanese RPG but it makes for one seriously awkward and uninspiring game. Skipping this game isn’t a bad idea unless you can look past the many things wrong with this game." ZTGameDomain also criticized the graphics and the complexity giving it a score of 6 out of 10. GameShark gave lowest score D-, "In the end, this is a movie for collectors and fans with a casual game tacked on."

Cross Edge debuted on the Japanese sales charts at number seven, selling 22,000 units in its first week. Sales of the game totalled just 44,246 units in the region by the end of 2008 according to Famitsu.

External links

• The original source of this article at Wikipedia
• Official Japanese website
• Official English website