https://social.emucafe.org/naferrell/tmsfe-prologue-impressions-10-19-25/
I am playing Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore (TMS) for Switch along with a friend (not in person). He beat the prologue ahead of me. Thanks to work and a certain article project, I took a while to get around to finishing the prologue. But I did so last night (or this “morning”). I decided that I would chronicle my chapter-by-chapter impressions here on The Emu Café Social. Note that I have not “spoiler’d” myself on TMS and I knew little about it going in other than that it is an SMT-Fire Emblem cross-over project (I have plenty of experience with Persona and Fire Emblem) and there was some controversy about censorship or something back when it was originally released for Wii U. With the introduction aside, let us get into my prologue impressions.
- After correctly choosing “Hard” difficulty (the “correct” choice), the game asked me to decide whether Tsubasa should wear glasses with her casual outfit. I didn’t know who Tsubasa was. Said yes.
- The “movie scenes” look good, especially for Switch.
- There is not much “content” before things get “real” and you get thrown in the “dungeon.” With that being said, I found the opening a bit awkward. You play Itsuki, a very milquetoast protagonist on first impression. He bumps into Tsubasa, who is hiding “something.” They’re supposed to be best friends and Tsubasa clearly has a “thing” for vanilla guys, but their early conversations gave me the impression that Tsubasa is trying to convince us and herself that she knows Itsuki. Come to think of it, one of the “phantoms” sounded like something out of Danganronpa. Mild early concern for what I hope will be a game with an engaging story.
- Speaking of phantoms, the game does not take long to throw you in the “dungeon.” This is no Persona 3 FES 30-hour set-up (mild exaggeration). I think I was in combat within 25-30 minutes.
- The prologue does a great job of introducing the combat system. It slowly adds concepts. I felt right at home with the elements system and distinction between physical and magic attacks as a veteran of Persona (and to a lesser extent mainline SMT). Some concepts like the way the game handles team attacks were fun, I look forward to seeing where it goes with that.
- Difficulty in the prologue was well-tuned. It was never challenging and I was never in trouble, but on Hard there was enough challenge to keep me engaged and ensuring that I had to track my HP and SP usage. The “boss” fight at the end of the prologue was a good introduction to various battle concepts.
- I was less enthusiastic about the dungeon overworld. Its design and winding pathways made me think Temu Tartarus, which is an if you know you know reference for Persona 3 fans (note my frame of reference is the PS2 and PSP versions, not the shiny new Reload). I found the way that phantoms spawn in the dungeon awkward. Trying to sneak up on them is even more awkward, albeit not strictly necessary.
- Despite supposedly being an SMT/FE cross-over, it feels very SMT with very little Fire Emblem. Everything from the aesthetics to combat screams SMT (although I would describe its aesthetics as bubblegum Persona/SMT or Devil Survivor without the apocalypse). The only Fire Emblem I’m getting from this is a few characters.
- I was kind of surprised to see that the proverbial “wingman” or “bro” character was “in on it” before I was.
- Met Maiko Shimazaki at the end of the prologue. What’s up with her? She needs to “size up” a little. Am I the only one seeing this? Why does everyone else act like this is normal? Is she struggling to afford clothes that “fit”? Does she need help? Come to think of it, her name sounds very much like Maiko Oohashi. Maybe TMS is an alternate universe where Persona 3’s Maiko doesn’t meet the heartthrob silent protagonist and succeeds in running away from home (or maybe it’s the girl version for PSP where she’s not even a social link… no wonder they’re not adding a girl route to Reload).
- I almost forgot about “Kira” whose outfit is certainly “something,” but very much over-shadowed by Maiko.
- Honestly a little worried Tsubasa may be drawn down a dark Maiko path.
That wraps up my prologue impressions. I look forward to playing through chapter 1 soon.
#FE #fireEmblem #persona3 #smt #tokyoMirageSessions #videoGames
