Project X Zone 3: The Azure Eclipse

Project X Zone III: The Azure Eclipse (プロジェクト クロスゾーンIII：紺碧の日食 Purojekuto Kurosu Zōn San: Konpeki no Nisshoku), or simply Project X Zone 3 outside of Japan, is a strategy role-playing game developed by Monolith Soft and B.B. Studio, and later published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. In addition to being the third Project X Zone game, this is the first entry in the series to be released on the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch.

Bedhead Smith makes his director's debut with this title, picking up the reigns after the original Namco Cross series' director, Soichiro Morizumi left Monolith Soft back in 2017.

Main Plot
For every generation, a mysterious object blocks the sun. Usually lasting about a week, this causes a blue glow to illuminate the entire world. Scientists have stated that the moon is nowhere near the sun during these strange eclipses, but they could never identify the object blocking the sun itself.

This phenomenon is infamously known as the Azure Eclipse.

While the Azure Eclipse gained publicity over the years, tons of incidents occur in its more recent appearances. Reports tell about roaming machinery of unknown origin when the blue light is present. That’s how the Azure Eclipse got the attention of several hidden services, including Union 10.

Union 10. A secret organization within Canada that's dedicated to upholding peace against threats from the supernatural, paranormal, extraterrestrial and multidimensional. They have been lurking in the shadows since Canada's earliest years, fighting a silent war with no conclusion. Many of their battles don’t last long, but that doesn’t mean the long ones are nonexistent.

On the streets of Maplepoint Gardens, Glas Risket has always been a woman of mystery. Her high intellect, tech company and tendency to support her community has earned her a huge chunk of respect in return. But under her laid-back humanity, she’s partially an unknown species with the gift of time-related abilities after a traumatic childhood experience. Time has passed, she made some unexpected friends, found herself in perilous scenarios but victoriously came out a member of Union 10.

After being absent for two and a half decades, the Azure Eclipse has returned once more. This time a woman has emerged from the blue with the announcement of the ultimate salvation for the fabric of reality itself. Confronting her in a fight reveals that she too possesses chronokinetic powers like Glas, but has a more structured control over them. Although she may not realize it yet, this encounter will lead Glas and her friends to the exact origin of her heritage and the very source of the Azure Eclipse itself.

Basics
Project X Zone 3 keeps the core gameplay mechanics like its predecessors. The player moves multiple playable units across a map to engage in combat with enemy units. Multiple attacks can be linked together with characters from the player's party to build extensive combos.

Unit Stats
These are the stats carried by all units on the map. Players can increase the stats on their units by either leveling them up or equipping them with gear and accessories.

Status Effects
Status effects are abilities that both allies and enemies have in a few of their attacks. Most of the time, these usually last for about two to three turns. Playable units that have a status effect can be cured with the right item.

Skills & Auto-Skills
Skills are a way for players to temporarily enhance abilities for playable units. Normal skills can be activated by individual units with the cost of their SP. Returning from the second game, auto-skills are equipable  enhancements that trigger when certain conditions are met.

New Features
Just like the previous instalment, this game introduces some new mechanics to the series.

Being on new hardware, the game's visuals have received a graphical upgrade compared to the previous installments, both of which were released on the Nintendo 3DS. However, character sprites can be given the classic pixelated look from the 3DS games by switching the represented to Retro Mode in the options menu.

An original addition to the series is the moveset customization feature. From here, players have the ability to select and arrange the input to a unit’s moveset. With all possible moves unlocked, players can select five out of seven normal attacks for each playable unit.

In order to reduce the repetitiveness and length its predecessors were infamous for, both an overworld system and story arcs were introduced in this entry. The player is able to proceed through various maps and visit locations marked with either an enemy or shop services. However, there's several battles on the overworld required to advance the story. These are usually marked with a boss character. To better support the map system, optional side-quests can be accessed along side the main story. Completing these will obviously reward the player with all sorts of equipment and items that can't be found in the game's stores.

With all the other unit stats, the SPD (Speed) stat returns from the first game. The stat now has different function instead of determining the order of the units, giving those in the player's party a chance to dodge enemy attacks with the new Evade command. A higher SPD stat increases the possibility of a successful dodge.

Another addition which is intended to be a break from the main battles are hacking mini-games. In these sections, the player will be met with either a vertical shooter, 2D platformer or puzzle game tributing to arcade titles from the early 1980's. Completing these sections advance the game's story if it's required to progress. But they can also be done in side-quests as well.

Glas Risket
Main Article: Glas Risket Gladys Risket (グラディス・リスク Guradisu Risuku), or simply known by her nickname Glas (ガラス Garasu), is a member of Union 10 and the game’s main protagonist. She is usually known for being a relaxed and laid-back genius who's quite unpredictable. Outside of Union 10, she’s locally renowned for her work in both electrical engineering and video game console mods given she's the founder of the aspiring tech company known as Risket Ventures. Video games have always been a major part of her life and she’ll often reference them in her common speech. When she learned about Union 10’s existence seven years prior, she also discovered that she was born from an orb Leos touched. And the trauma of witnessing a wendigo-committed genocide that took her best friend’s life influenced her to join the organization.

In battle, Glas fights using various forms of martial arts she's mastered over the years, combining them into a unique fighting style. This led to her developing the Sage Gauntlets which are gloves that can emulate all sorts of extraordinary human abilities.

Glas is voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro in Japanese and by Lauren Landa in English.



Titania Gold
Titania Gold (チタニア・ゴールド Chitania Gōrudo) is a member of Union 10, a dedicated musician and the game’s first deuteragonist. She’s the girlfriend of Glas Risket, but they were simply classmates at Oakshire Academy when she initially met her. The Gold family history is deeply embedded in Canadian politics and she was sent there to strengthen that legacy. However, her newly-found passion for music didn’t sit well with her boyfriend who started showing his sleaziness. And when it seemed like this womanizer would force his way with her, a coincidental encounter brought Glas to her location and she knocked him out in one punch. Since then, the two of them became close friends. This especially helped Glas break free from what she preferred to as her “Auto-Pilot” phase. Titania’s intimacy evolved into more romantic feelings when Glas fought against her ex who attempted to murder them both. After confessing their love for each other, Titania found out about Union 10 after Glas’ several encounters with Amber Brooks. Since then, she was dedicated to sticking by her girlfriend’s side and joined the organization.

Titania’s usually referred to as the “life of the party” thanks to her high optimism and sass, but has a habit of not thinking before she acts to which Glas and Amber help control. Being the daughter of a Canadian prime minister has spoiled her with a childhood of luxury, giving her an expensive mind-set when it comes to providing gifts and special celebrations. Because of her love of music, her combat weapon is an electric guitar called the Dream Caster. It’s a mashup between a melee axe and shotgun, but it can also heal allies and cast elemental magic when the right chords are played.

Titania is voiced by Shizuka Itō in Japanese and by Lizzie Freeman in English.

Amber Brooks
Amber Brooks (アンバー・ブルックス Anbā Burukkusu) is the game’s second deuteragonist and a member of Union 10. While looking human in appearance, she’s actually the descendant of a dragonkin tribe originating from the British Isles. This is most prominent when her back is exposed which reveals a scaly texture. According to what she remembers about her family tree, her ancestors immigrated to Canada after their village was supposedly raided by mercenaries. Tragedy struck at a young age when her family and the neighborhood murdered each other when they’ve mysteriously been driven to insanity. At just the age of eight, she was adopted by leader of an assassin group known as the Canadian Yakuza. Several years later, she winds up as a member of the gang after after being fascinated by their sense of justice. Glas Risket became a part of Amber’s life when she foiled her assassination on a suspected serial killer. However, this rivalry was short-lived once they bonded over their common tragedies after a coordinated genocide struck the CY’s other members. Amber’s newly-found trust and friendship with her and Titania would give her the confidence to reveal her heritage to them, which prompted Glas to provide an invitation to Union 10 which she accepted.

When it comes down to business, she’s all no-nonsense and not afraid to get loud with delusional idiots. Her time in the Canadian Yakuza and her eventual friendship with Glas and Titania has taught her the importance of family, whether or not it's by blood. Even though she carries several pistols, Amber’s dragonkin heritage allows her to breathe and form almost anything out of ice.

Amber is voiced by Asami Seto in Japanese and by Brina Palencia in English.

Zaffre
Zaffre (ザッフル Zaffuru) is the primary antagonist of the game. She is the physical manifestation of time itself, known as an Essential Concept. Millions of millennia ago, she was heavily involved in a civil war against the rebelous Concept which concluded with the birth of the Omniverse. Zaffre resigned in the universe she was dislocated to and guided its humanity to a unified civilization, which led to the creation a colossal metropolitan city known as Azurdon. Under her mysterious logic, she’s built a religion dedicated to destroying every other universe with only her’s remaining; And once the dust settles, all life in the Onmiverse will reside in a singular reality where in her own words, the "flow of time will be restored."

NOTE: This hidden section contains spoilers for the game's final chapters. As frighting and sinister as her mission may sound, Zaffre is well respected as both a leader and religious figure. Her kind and bubbly personality further compliments the words of wisdom she shares to her devoted followers. Being the Essential Concept of Time, she has the ability to manipulate the said subject at will. She also wields a rapier constructed from a concentrated beam, identical to a type of sword from a certain iconic sci-fi franchise.

Zaffre is voiced by Saori Hayami in Japanese and by Caitlin Glass in English.

Platinum Idol
Platinum Idol (プラチナ・アイドル Purachina Aidoru), whose real name is Admira (アドミラ Adomira) is the second daughter of Zaffre and leading super-hero general of B.L.U.E. (Battalion Leading to a United Eternity), Azurdon’s military task force. Unlike her sister Glas, Admira was raised in her birth-land of Azurdon. This means she has better handling on her chronokinetic abilities to which she uses creatively. She’s spent her childhood under the religious propaganda of Zaffre’s unexplained mindset, becoming very loyal towards both her mother and her beliefs.

NOTE: This hidden section contains spoilers for the game's final chapters. Platinum Idol is voiced by Yōko Hikasa in Japanese and by Suzie Yeung in English.

Wendigo
The Wendigo (ウェンディゴ U~endigo) is an infamous deity in Canadian mythology and the game’s true antagonist. He’s a downright sadistic, unpredictable and surprisingly patient maniac responsible for causing countless  people to suddenly snap and go berserk. These include the incidents involving Amber’s biological family and the fair-goers who’ve murdered Glas’ childhood friend. It’s possible for him to achieve this horrific feat thanks to his mastery of mind manipulation. From a basic slash which typically causes a berserk state to rare instances of entering one’s sub-conscious, the Wendigo can control his victims however he pleases.

NOTE: This hidden section contains spoilers for the game's final chapters.

The Wendigo is voiced by Yuji Ueda in Japanese and by Scott Whyte in English.

Leos Risket
Leos Risket (レオス・リスク Reosu Risuku) is a major supporting character and the father of Glas. Twenty-five years prior to the events of this game, he was a member of Union 10’s field division who’d witnessed the Azure Eclipse for himself. Now he’s in charge of the organization and is well respected among its members. Leos has a laid-back nature which has passed down to his daughter, but his time in the Canadian military and shady teenage years helped made him wiser and less careless. But this side of him will temporally resurface when he gets excited sometimes.

As a former soldier, Leos is well skilled in fire-arms. It’s his preferred way of combat as he carries a pistol and semi-automatic machine gun whenever he’s out on the field. Alternatively, he’s got basic hand-to-hand combat skills and a pocket knife ready if he has to fight at close range.

Leos is voiced by Takashi Nagasako in Japanese and by Patrick Seitz in English.

DIRK
DIRK is an artificial intelligence system created by Glas during her final high school semester. He was originally supposed to just serve as security for Glas’ upcoming tech company, but she soon expanded his functionality such as the ability to transfer his conscience into her phone. Although he’s sassy and can sometimes be downright chaotic and perverted, DIRK is highly reliable and the closest thing Glas has to an offspring.

In the game, DIRK helps Glas out in the new hacking mini-games.

NOTE: This hidden section contains spoilers exclusive to New Game+ files. DIRK is voiced by Kappei Yamaguchi in Japanese and by Josh Grelle in English.

"Jesus"
"Jesus" (イエス Iesu) is the nickname of a mysterious man known throughout Maplepoint Gardens. In the eyes of the general public, he’s a relaxed middle-aged man who runs a local drug store in the city’s Japanese neighborhood of Pink Blossom Heights. But those involved with the city’s gang underworld, including the late Canadian Yakuza, know him as a legendary miracle doctor, which eventually led to him being named after the Messiah from Christian lore. For decades, nobody can comprehend his healing methods once his patients are sedated. Once Zaffre appeared before the Earth’s population, he revealed to Glas and company that he’s the Essential Concept of Life.

"Jesus" is usually the game’s default shopkeeper, especially in Maplepoint Gardens if the player is there.

"Jesus" is voiced by Akio Otsuka in Japanese and by Kent Williams in English.

Hero Characters
Characters marked with a (*) symbol are temporarily fought as an enemy unit.

Characters and game franchises highlighted in Italic Bold are new to the series.

Boss Units
These are the enemies that will be fought throughout the entire game. Bosses are obviously much stronger than the regular grunts, even having access to both special & multi-attacks with 100 EP.

Characters marked with a (*) symbol have multiple forms.

Characters and game  franchises highlighted in  Italic Bold  are new to the series.

Alternative Boss Forms
As the main story progresses, certain boss units can go through an enhanced transformation or two. Their attacks will mostly be different, but sometimes they might even receive new auto-skills with their evolution.

Ally Units
A new type of NPC character that debuts in this entry of the series. They share the exact same behavior as boss units, but they obviously fight on behalf of the player.

Characters marked with a (*) symbol are temporarily fought as an enemy unit.

Characters and game franchises highlighted in Italic Bold are new to the series.

Event Characters
These characters don’t appear as enemies, but they’re not playable, either. Most of these characters appear exclusively in cut-scenes while some act as shopkeepers.

Characters and game  franchises  highlighted in  Italic Bold  are new to the series.

Enemies
These are the basic grunts that players will face off against. Usually most of them can be defeated in one combat phase, but enemies with high stats and  certain  auto-skills won't be a pushover.

Chapters
Story progression in this game is much different from what's seen in previous series entries. Instead of advancing through a bunch of battles back-to-back, an overworld and story arcs are introduced. The player must engage in boss-marked spots on the current map in order to move forward. The list of chapters can be found here.

Soundtrack
Opening Theme: A Blue World Awaits


 * Artist: marina
 * Lyrics: Bedhead Smith
 * Composition: Yuzo Koshiro
 * Arrangement: Noriyuki Kamikura

Ending Theme: My Strings, My Destiny


 * Artist: Saori Hayami
 * Lyrics: Bedhead Smith
 * Composition: Yuzo Koshiro
 * Arrangement: Noriyuki Kamikura

Cameo Appearances
While many franchises from the three companies are featured in this game, a select few can only be spotted through a cameo appearance. This can range from a character/object being present in a unit’s attack or having an entire map be based on a certain game.

Reception
Just like the previous two instalments, critics gave Project X Zone 3 a mixture between mixed and positive reviews. Most praise from the game comes from its selection of gaming all-stars, unique story and balanced difficulty, which improved from the critiques of Project X Zone 2 being a bit easy. Even though the game was criticized for having short bursts of repetitive gameplay at some points, the new original characters and unit customization features made up for the hiccups. Some even consider Zaffre to be one of the most interesting, sentient and mysterious villains in the entire series. Overall, the game was best described as a nostalgic television show that only gets more clever through an adult's perspective.

General

 * This is the first game in the Namco Cross series to contain the following:
 * No involvement from the original series director, Soichiro Morizumi, who'd left Monolith Soft back in 2017. However, Bedhead Smith did reference his notes from the previous instalments.
 * An English dub for its international release. Unlike the original Japanese release, some extra voice grunts were recorded for the game's dialogue-focused moments.

Unused Concepts
​
 * A scraped idea for the game involved a new villain (who would later become Zaffre) kidnaping heroes from across the multiverse and creating an army of mindless clones from them. Project X Zone 3’s original concept had the surviving protagonists go out and rescue the captured heroes from this new threat.
 * During the earliest stages of development, the game was originally planned to be released for the Nintendo 3DS in late 2018.

Character Facts

 * This marks the first game in the series to have two of its main characters be in a lesbian relationship.