Namco × Capcom

Namco × Capcom

Cover art
Developer(s) Monolith Soft
Publisher(s) Namco
Composer(s) Yuzo Koshiro
Series Project X
Platform(s) PlayStation 2
Release date(s)
  • JP: May 26, 2005
Genre(s) Action role-playing, tactical role-playing
Mode(s) Single-player

Namco × Capcom (Japanese: ナムコ クロス カプコン Hepburn: Namuko Kurosu Kapukon)[note 1] is a 2005 action, tactical role-playing video game developed by Monolith Soft and featuring characters from games produced by companies Namco and Capcom. The game was released only for the PlayStation 2 console in Japan. It is the first installment in what became the Project X series of crossover games.

Storyline

The game centers around two original characters created for the game named Reiji Arisu and Xiaomu. The two of them work for a special unit called Shinra and they are tasked with investigating spirit and otherworldly disturbances. They are initially investigating a strange "sleeping sickness" in the Shibuya area of Japan, when it becomes apparent that something much larger is at stake. Characters, both good and evil, from other times and other worlds begin appearing in Japan in the year 20XX.

Gameplay

Screenshot featuring Valkyrie

The game is a hybrid of an action role-playing and a tactical role-playing. Movement is done on a square grid with turns being determined by figuring out which character has the highest AP. On the player's turn, he or she can move his character into position and choose to attack an enemy.

At this point the game switches into the action role-playing portion. The player has a number of "Branches" they can use. Each direction on the directional pad combined with the circle button will perform an attack. Each attack uses up one branch. If the player performs a certain number of Aerial Chains (hitting the enemy in mid-air), they will gain bonuses, such as items, super meter, extra damage, more branches to use in this turn. Bonuses other than items are converted into extra Experience Points at the end of an attack sequence. Upon filling up the character's Special Gauge they can use the Triangle button to perform a special attack. They will also be able to select a Multiple Assault attack if their units on the board meet the conditions. Defense also puts the player in the action-RPG mode, this time blocking to reduce the enemy's damage. Successfully blocking attacks will also increase the amount of AP the player's unit has.

There are 50 levels total (45 normal and five prologue) and the game should take from around 70–100 hours to complete.

Original characters

Protagonists

Reiji Arisu (有栖零児, Arisu Reiji)

The main protagonist of the game. His father was killed ten years ago in one of the many ongoing fights between Shinra and Ouma. Reiji is, often described by his partner Xiaomu, "a sullen tight-ass", which prompts Reiji to shoot a jokingly made comeback. While he may not show it, he cares deeply for Xiaomu, even if he shoots down several of her comments, jokes or not. He carries a specially built weapons carrier containing a shotgun, named "Hollywood", and two swords; each with an element associated with it: one fire and one electricity. He also has a handgun, named "Gold", holstered on his waist. He is voiced by Kazuhiko Inoue.

Xiaomu (小牟, Shaomu)

Fellow protagonist as well, Xiaomu is known as a "mystic fox" with an age of 765 years. She was partners in the Shinra organization with Reiji's father, Shougo Arisu, ten years ago, until his death. Xiaomu often portrays a bit of a flirty nature towards Reiji, though he often ignores it. Aside from poking Reiji's buttons, she can become a little protective of Reiji when the subject of his father's death comes around, or Saya. She wields an ice elemental cane sword styled after a Shakujo staff, as well as a handgun named "Silver". She is also able to use magic attacks, such as energy rays from her finger, with which she provides most of the duo's ranged attacks. She is voiced by Omi Minami.

Antagonists

Saya (沙夜 Saya)

Like Xiaomu, Saya is a werefox, however, she is born in Japan and not China. She was involved with the incident that happened with Shougo Arisu and Xiaomu ten years ago, which is why Xiaomu holds a grudge against her. Opposite to Xiaomu, Saya is with the rival organization of Shinra: Ouma. Saya upholds a rather odd personality-she can never seem to be upset and usually remains calm and overly flirty in contrast to that of her Chinese werefox counterpart. Her "pet" names for Reiji and Xiaomu are 'boy' and 'little one' respectively. She is voiced by Ai Orikasa.

99 (九十九 Kyū jū Kyū)

An enemy sealed in the Abyss of Time ten years ago; the Ouma Project culminates with its release. It has deep ties with the Arisu clan.

Katana (片那 Katana)

A supposedly made complete clone of Saya, though physical resemblance is questionable. Saya says it is part of the Ouma Project.

Character list

Felicia and King II fighting together

This is a list of significant characters that make an appearance in Namco × Capcom.

Name First appearance Year Company Role Voice actor
Amazona Wonder Momo 1987 Namco Enemy Kumiko Watanabe
Armor King Tekken 1994 Namco Both Not voiced
Arthur Ghosts 'n Goblins 1985 Capcom Ally Fumihiko Tachiki
Astaroth Ghosts 'n Goblins 1985 Capcom Enemy Hideaki Nonaka
Black Bravo Bravoman 1988 Namco Enemy Tomokazu Seki
Black Valkyrie The Legend of Valkyrie 1990 Namco Enemy Kikuko Inoue
Bravoman Bravoman 1988 Namco Ally Tetsu Inada
Bruce McGivern Resident Evil: Dead Aim 2003 Capcom Ally Hiroaki Hirata
Cammy Super Street Fighter II 1993 Capcom Both Akiko Kōmoto
Captain Commando Captain Commando 1991 Capcom Ally Ryōtarō Okiayu
Charade Soulcalibur II 2002 Namco Enemy Not voiced
Chun-Li Street Fighter II 1991 Capcom Ally Atsuko Tanaka
Demitri Maximoff Darkstalkers 1994 Capcom Ally Nobuyuki Hiyama
Devil Kazuya Tekken 2 1994 Namco Enemy Masanori Shinohara
Druaga The Tower of Druaga 1984 Namco Enemy Fumihiko Tachiki
Druk Captain Commando 1991 Capcom Enemy Hideaki Nonaka
Evil Ryu Street Fighter Alpha 2 1996 Capcom Enemy Toshiyuki Morikawa
Felicia Darkstalkers 1994 Capcom Ally Kae Araki
Fong Ling Resident Evil: Dead Aim 2003 Capcom Ally Kae Araki
Gilgamesh The Tower of Druaga 1984 Namco Ally Akira Ishida
Gouki (Akuma) Super Street Fighter II Turbo 1994 Capcom Enemy Tomomichi Nishimura
The Grandmaster Strider 1989 Capcom Enemy Tetsuo Mizutori
Guntz Klonoa 2: Dream Champ Tournament 2002 Namco Ally Takahiro Sakurai
Guy Final Fight 1989 Capcom Ally Tetsuya Iwanaga
Heihachi Mishima Tekken 1994 Namco Ally Daisuke Gōri
Hideo Shimazu Rival Schools: United By Fate 1997 Capcom Ally Tetsuo Mizutori
Hiromi Tengenji Burning Force 1989 Namco Ally Chisa Yokoyama
Hoover (Baby Head) Captain Commando 1991 Capcom Ally Yuko Sasamoto
Phobos (Huitzil) Darkstalkers 1994 Capcom Enemy Not voiced
Janga Klonoa Heroes: Densetsu no Star Medal 2002 Namco Enemy Nobuyuki Hiyama
Jennety (Mack the Knife) Captain Commando 1991 Capcom Ally Not voiced
Jin Kazama Tekken 3 1997 Namco Ally Isshin Chiba
Joka (Joker) Klonoa: Door to Phantomile 1997 Namco Enemy Toshio Furukawa
Judas (Leon Magnus) Tales of Destiny 2 2002 Namco Both Hikaru Midorikawa
Juli Street Fighter Alpha 3 1998 Capcom Enemy Akiko Kōmoto
Juni Street Fighter Alpha 3 1998 Capcom Enemy Akiko Kōmoto
Kamuz The Legend of Valkyrie 1989 Namco Enemy Hiroaki Hirata
Karin Kanzuki Street Fighter Alpha 3 1998 Capcom Ally Miho Yamada
Katana Original 2005 Namco Enemy Yūko Mizutani
Ken Masters Street Fighter 1987 Capcom Ally Tetsuya Iwanaga
Ki (pronounced "Kai") The Tower of Druaga 1984 Namco Ally Rie Tanaka
King Tekken 3 1997 Namco Ally Not voiced
Kiso Yoshinaka The Genji and the Heike Clans 1986 Namco Enemy Hideaki Nonaka
Klonoa Klonoa: Door to Phantomile 1997 Namco Ally Kumiko Watanabe
Kobun (Servbot) Mega Man Legends 1997 Capcom Ally Chisa Yokoyama
KOS-MOS Xenosaga Episode I 2002 Namco Ally Mariko Suzuki
Krino Sandra (Whirlo) Valkyrie no Bōken: Toki no Kagi Densetsu 1986 Namco Ally Yūji Ueda
Kyoko Minazuki Rival Schools: United By Fate 1997 Capcom Ally Kotono Mitsuishi
Lei-Lei (Hsien-Ko) Night Warriors: Darkstalkers Revenge 1995 Capcom Ally Michiko Neya
Lilith Vampire Savior 1997 Capcom Both Yuka Imai
Minamoto no Yoritomo The Genji and the Heike Clans 1986 Namco Enemy Akio Ōtsuka
Minamoto no Yoshitsune The Genji and the Heike Clans 1986 Namco Enemy Isshin Chiba
Heishirō Mitsurugi Soul Edge 1995 Namco Ally Toshiyuki Morikawa
Mike Haggar Final Fight 1989 Capcom Ally Tesshō Genda
Mokujin Tekken 3 1997 Namco Training dummy Not voiced
M.O.M.O. Xenosaga Episode I 2002 Namco Ally Rumi Shishido
Morrigan Aensland Darkstalkers 1994 Capcom Ally Yayoi Jinguji
Nebiros (Nebiroth) Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts 1991 Capcom Enemy Takahiro Yoshino
Ninety Nine Original 2005 Namco Enemy Ai Orikasa
Ogre Tekken 3 1997 Namco Enemy Not voiced
Prototype Jack Tekken 1994 Namco Enemy Not voiced
Q-Bee Darkstalkers 3: Jedah's Damnation 1997 Capcom Enemy Miyuki Matsushita
Red Arremer Joker Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts 2002 Capcom Enemy Takahiro Sakurai
Regina Dino Crisis 1999 Capcom Ally Atsuko Tanaka
Reiji Arisu Original 2005 Namco Ally Kazuhiko Inoue
Rock Volnutt (MegaMan Volnutt) Mega Man Legends 1997 Capcom Ally Mayumi Tanaka
Rockman Juno (MegaMan Juno) Mega Man Legends 1997 Capcom Enemy Akira Ishida
Roll Caskett Mega Man Legends 1997 Capcom Ally Keiko Yokozawa
Rose Street Fighter Alpha 1995 Capcom Both Michiko Neya
Rutee Kartret (Rutee Katrea) Tales of Destiny 1997 Namco Ally Yuka Imai
Ryu Street Fighter 1987 Capcom Ally Toshiyuki Morikawa
Sabine The Legend of Valkyrie 1989 Namco Ally Ayako Kawasumi
Saito Musashibo Benkei The Genji and the Heike Clans 1986 Namco Enemy Daisuke Gōri
Sakura Kasugano Street Fighter Alpha 2 1996 Capcom Ally Yuko Sasamoto
Saya Original 2005 Namco Enemy Ai Orikasa
Shion Uzuki Xenosaga Episode I 2002 Namco Ally Ai Maeda
Sho (Ginzu the Ninja) Captain Commando 1991 Capcom Ally Hideyuki Hori
Shturm Captain Commando 1991 Capcom Enemy Takahiro Yoshino
Shturm Jr. Captain Commando 1991 Capcom Enemy Kenichi Mochizuki
Solo Strider 1989 Capcom Enemy Hideo Watanabe
Stahn Aileron Tales of Destiny 1997 Namco Ally Tomokazu Seki
Strider Hien Strider 2 1999 Capcom Enemy Kōsuke Toriumi
Strider Hiryu Strider 1989 Capcom Ally Kōsuke Toriumi
Sylphie Forgotten Worlds 1988 Capcom Ally/shopkeeper Rie Tanaka
Taira no Kagekiyo The Genji and the Heike Clans 1986 Namco Ally Ryōtarō Okiayu
Taizo Hori Dig Dug 1982 Namco Ally Toshio Furukawa
Taki Soul Edge 1995 Namco Ally Fujiko Takimoto
Tarosuke Yokai Dochuki 1987 Namco Ally Fujiko Takimoto
Toby Masuyo Baraduke 1985 Namco Ally Yūko Mizutani
Tonpooh Strider 1989 Capcom Enemy Miho Yamada
Tron Bonne Mega Man Legends 1997 Capcom Ally Mayumi Iizuka
Unknown Soldier 1P Forgotten Worlds 1988 Capcom Ally Akio Ōtsuka
Unknown Soldier 2P Forgotten Worlds 1988 Capcom Ally Tesshō Genda
Valkyrie Valkyrie no Bōken: Toki no Kagi Densetsu 1986 Namco Ally Kikuko Inoue
Vega (M. Bison) Street Fighter II 1991 Capcom Enemy Tomomichi Nishimura
Waya-Hime Bravoman 1988 Namco Both Mariko Suzuki
Wonder Momo Wonder Momo 1987 Namco Ally Ayako Kawasumi
Xiaomu Original 2005 Namco Ally Omi Minami
Zabel Zarock (Lord Raptor) Darkstalkers 1997 Capcom Enemy Yūji Ueda
Zouna (Malix) Valkyrie no Bōken: Toki no Kagi Densetsu 1986 Namco Enemy Mayumi Tanaka

Other media

Audio

The Namco × Capcom Special Sound Track promotional demo soundtrack was released on May 5, 2005. It featured a short version of the theme song and a few character themes that would make their way into the final release. The Namco × Capcom Original Soundtrack (ナムコ クロス カプコン オリジナル・サウンドトラック Namuko Kurosu Kapukon Orijinaru Saundotorakku) was released on July 7, 2005 in Japan. Both albums feature work by composer Yuzo Koshiro. The game's theme song Subarashiki Shin Sekai was performed by Flair.

Reception

Namco × Capcom received a score of 28 out of 40 from Weekly Famitsu.[1] The game was the top-selling game during its week of release in Japan at 87,223 copies.[2] It sold approximately 131,615 copies in its first six months of release in Japan.[3] Namco × Capcom was re-released as part of the "PlayStation 2 the Best" line on June 8, 2006.[4]

Sequels

Namco X Capcom was succeeded in the form of Project X Zone and its followup Project X Zone 2, also featuring characters from Sega.

Notes

  1. Pronounced as "Namco Cross Capcom". The '×' symbol denotes that elements of the two universes are mixed together; this use is derived from the notation for hybrids.

References

  1. Welch, David. "RPGamer > Preview - Namco × Capcom". RPGamer.com. Retrieved 2009-08-05.
  2. Jenkins, David (June 3, 2005). "Japanese Sales Charts, Week Ending May 29th". Gamasutra.com. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  3. "GEIMIN.NET/2005年テレビゲームソフト売り上げTOP500". Geimin.net (in Japanese). Retrieved 2009-08-05.
  4. "PS2 NAMCO × CAPCOM". BandaiNamcoGames.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2009-08-05.
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