Cross Edge

Cross Edge
Developer(s)	Idea Factory[1]
Publisher(s)	PlayStation 3‹See Tfd› JP: Compile Heart[2] ‹See Tfd› SK: CyberFront Korea ‹See Tfd› NA: NIS America[3] ‹See Tfd› EU: Koei[4] Xbox 360‹See Tfd› JP: Compile Heart[5]
Distributor(s)	‹See Tfd› NA: Koei[6]
Platform(s)	PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Release date(s)	PlayStation 3‹See Tfd› JP: September 25, 2008 ‹See Tfd› SK: March 19, 2009 ‹See Tfd› NA: May 26, 2009[3] ‹See Tfd› EU: September 18, 2009[4] ‹See Tfd› AUS: September 28, 2009 Xbox 360‹See Tfd› JP: October 1, 2009
Genre(s)	Tactical role-playing game

Cross Edge (クロスエッジ, Kurosu Ejji) is a role-playing video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The game was developed by Idea Factory with characters from games by Capcom, Nippon Ichi Software, Namco Bandai and Gust Corporation. 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.

Cross Edge features characters from Darkstalkers, Disgaea, Ar Tonelico: Melody of Elemia, Spectral Souls: Resurrection of the Ethereal Empires, Blazing Souls, Atelier Marie and Mana Khemia 2: Fall of Alchemy.^[1] NIS America published the game in North America, and it was released for that region on May 26, 2009. The Korean version of the PlayStation 3 release lacked Playstation trophies support.

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 (Japanese); Sam Riegel (English)

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 (Japanese); Tracey Rooney (English)

The main heroine; her first name is shortened to Miko in the North American version. A friend of Yūto and Tōya. 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 Yūto's room.

• May (メイ, Mei)

Voiced by: Sakura Nogawa (Japanese); Stevie Bloch (English)

A character that Yūto met in the world. She is a NPC that frees souls from the various realms that are explored. Despite her childish demeanor, she surprises the group with her maturity and open-mindedness.

• Vivi (ヴィヴィ, Vivi)

Voiced by: Mai Kadowaki (Japanese); Sandy Fox (English)

One of the caretakers of the world. He is the oldest among the triplets, yet his shy and weak personality leads to him being bullied and pushed around by his younger siblings. Vivi is also the only one who can hear the "will" of the Empyreal One.

• Iruma (イルマ, Iruma)

Voiced by: Chihiro Aikawa (Japanese); Sandy Fox (English)

One of the caretakers of the world. She, Vivi, and Eruma are triplets. In the North American version, her name is Cece. She tries to hide her true doubts and feelings behind a strong-willed personality, and often described as the voice of rationality between the triplets. Iruma also acts the most maturely among them, and designates orders to the Twelve Knights according to the Empyreal One's will.

• Eruma (エルマ, Eruma)

Voiced by: Jun Miruno (Japanese); Sandy Fox (English)

The youngest of the triplets. In the North American version, her name is Mimi. She is quite impish and playfully cruel, thinking of others around her except Iruma as toys and the chain of events happening is only a game in her eyes. The one thing Vivi fears more than anything is when Eruma starts to get bored.

• Anesha (アネーシャ, Anēsha)

Voiced by: Amika Takahashi (Japanese); Kimberly Brooks (English)

• Judas (ジューダス, Jūdasu)

Voiced by: Takayuki Sakazume (Japanese); Liam O'Brien (English)

• Tōya Ijūin (伊集院 冬夜, Ijūin Tōya)

Voiced by: Takahiro Mizushima (Japanese); Troy Baker (English)

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

• Raizen

Voiced by: Hiroshi Shimukuma (Japanese); Jamieson Price (English)

• Lazarus

Voiced by: Masayuki Kato (Japanese); Keith Silverstein (English)

One of the Twelve Knights. He's a carefree, eternally optimistic gunman. He often appears bored and lazy, but his ability with a gun is amazing. He's always excited to find a challenger willing to fight to the death. But until now, he never really took fighting seriously. If his enemy is weakened, he will refuse the killing blow even if given a direct order. Surprisingly, his strength can nearly match Judas's, which may explain why he often seems uninterested in his surroundings.

• Augustine

Voiced by: Shigeru Shibuya (Japanese); Roger Craig Smith (English)

The most cruel, merciless, and brutal of the Twelve Knights. He's obsessed with hunting down those who are brought into his world, and will achieve his goals by any means necessary. This bloodlust causes him to often butt heads with Raizen. He's not happy that certain outsiders have been accepted as part of the Twelve Knights, despite the facade he puts on in front of his superiors. In his eyes, these newcomers are simply stealing his rightful kills.

In the post game, he is called Augee or Augustink.

Atelier Marie characters

• Marlone (マルローネ, Marurōne)

Voiced by: Haruna Ikezawa (Japanese); Kate Higgins (English)

She is the main character and only representative of Atelier Marie and is known for having the lowest GPA in the academy. Her nickname is Marie. This is Marie's second appearance in North America, after her costume cameo in Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia, but technically her first physical appearance as a character.

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 (Japanese); Michelle Ann Dunphy (English)

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: Daisuke Ono (Japanese); Yuri Lowenthal (English)

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

• Whim (ウィム, Wimu)

Voiced by: Mai Kadowaki (Japanese); Karen Strassman (English)

Liliane's maid who has to put up with her temper tantrums from time to time. She is actually a water mana.

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

Voiced by: Ikuji Nose (Japanese); Dave Wittenberg (English)

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

Darkstalkers characters

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

Voiced by: Nobuyuki Hiyama (Japanese); Richard Epcar (English)

One of the main characters of the Darkstalkers series alongside Morrigan. He is a vampire that can shape-shift into a bat-like monster and lives as a noble of the Makai.

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

Voiced by: Yayoi Jinguji (Japanese); Erin Fitzgerald (English)

One of the main characters of the Darkstalkers series alongside Demitri. Morrigan is a succubus who fights for her desires and pleasure. She is the first recruited character that joins York and Miko, and also the first to figure out how the Cross Edge world works.

• Felicia (フェリシア, Ferishia)

Voiced by: Kae Araki (Japanese); Melissa Fahn (English)

A cheerful and kind-hearted catgirl who never wants to hurt anyone.

• Lilith (リリス, Ririsu)

Voiced by: Yuka Imai (Japanese); Stephanie Sheh (English)

A younger succubus who is exceedingly cruel. She is part of Morrigan's soul which was split in two years ago in the Makai.

• Jedah Dohma (ジェダ・ドーマ, Jeda Dōma)

Voiced by: Isshin Chiba (Japanese); Travis Willingham (English)

The head of the Dohma clan of the Makai. He constantly views existence as a stage on which everyone must perform, and has a habit of making eloquent if not longwinded speeches.

Disgaea characters

• Etna (エトナ, Etona)

Voiced by: Tomoe Hanba (Japanese); Michelle Ruff (English)

• Prinny (プリニー, Purinī)

Voiced by: Junji Majima (Japanese); Dave Wittenberg (English)

Ar Tonelico characters

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

Voiced by: Masahide Fuse (Japanese); Adam Lawson (English)

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

Voiced by: Ui Miyazaki (Japanese); Michelle Ruff (English)

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

Voiced by: Sakura Nogawa (Japanese); Karen Strassman (English)

• Shurelia (シュレリア, Shureria)

Voiced by: Kanako Sakai (Japanese); Paula Tiso (English)

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

Voiced by: Shota Kibe (Japanese); Liam O'Brien (English)

• Bourd Rade (ボルド・レード, Borudo Rēdo)

Voiced by: Tomoya Kawai (Japanese); Richard Epcar (English)

Spectral Souls characters

• Meu (ミュウ, Myū)

Voiced by: Ai Nonaka (Japanese); Laura Bailey (English)

Meu is quite energetic and very outspoken, as she is stubborn and can be silly at times. She strives to become a great hero like her grandfather and has much potential, certain she will become one.

Blazing Souls characters

• Zelos (ゼロス, Zerosu)

Voiced by: Masayuki Kato (Japanese); Yuri Lowenthal (English)

Tekken characters

• Mokujin (木人, lit. "tree person")

Mokujin appears as a training dummy in the game's practice battle mode under the name Woodman. He is the only Tekken character in the game as well as the only NPC character that originates from another game.

Music

The opening theme for the game is Blade of Tears by Haruka Shimotsuki.^[7]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores Aggregator Score GameRankings 53%[8] Metacritic 51%[9] Review scores Publication Score Famitsu 23 out of 40 GameZone 4.5/10 IGN 3.5/10 OPM (US) 3/5 Tech-Gaming B [10] DieHardGameFan Very Good [11] GameShark D-[12]

Cross Edge received negative to 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."^[13] IGN gave a 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.^[14] Sales of the game totalled just 44,246 units in the region by the end of 2008 according to Famitsu.^[15]

References

External links

• Official website (Japanese)