Tokyo Mirage Session FE was a wild mashup of the Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem franchises that was originally released during the waning days of the Wii U in 2016.

At the time, few people knew it existed and even fewer played it. But Tokyo Mirage Session FE has built up quite the cult following in the years since it first launched, and now Nintendo has brought the RPG back in an enhanced re-release for the Switch as Tokyo Mirage Session FE Encore.

Are critics still in love with a game that combines musical adventures with interdimensional monster hunting? They most certainly are…

About Tokyo Mirage Session FE Encore
The worlds of the Fire Emblem series and Atlus games have crossed paths again and the result is coming to the Nintendo Switch system. An interdimensional evil has invaded modern-day Tokyo, resulting in this fantastical barrage of music, style, and yes, danger. So, fight back! Battle through dungeons to pump up your strategy and creatively decimate your foes… before all hope fades to black.

You and the rising stars you call friends will need to call on your own creative power—manifested as iconic Fire Emblem characters— to wage a secret war on rogue spirits that feed on creativity. Each encounter will immerse you in deep, turn-based battles that blend the combat of the Fire Emblem and Atlus RPGs into one brutal harmony. Fuse items to craft weaponry; then play to your strengths and crush your foes. Around every corner you’ll find fun nods to multiple fandoms, including Fire Emblem references, dungeons themed to the entertainment industry, and stunning musical performances.

Platforms: Switch
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Atlus
Genre: Role Playing Game
Release Date: January 17, 2020
ESRB Rating: Teen

Destructoid
Impressions – Extremely Positive
“Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE was easily my favourite game on the Wii U. With the Switch release, I could just as easily see it as a viable contender for the top spot on Nintendo’s newer machine. The combat system is just as fun and engaging as it was back in 2016, and the sheer amount of personality and style on offer gives me a sense of legitimate joy every time I boot it up.

Although it does have some issues with text readability in handheld mode, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore otherwise represents a clear improvement over its Wii U counterpart. The ability to speed up Session combos makes the combat feel substantially faster in the game’s later stages, and the new content exclusive to the Switch release is a more than welcome addition to an already sizeable package. Despite my one issue with it, I can’t help but consider it the superior version of an already excellent game.”

Kotaku
Impressions – Extremely Positive
“Players who missed the original Wii U release are in for a treat with Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore. With its focus on entertainment, random musical numbers, and goofy side stories, it feels like Persona: The Stage Production put on by a group of performers who had some extra Fire Emblem costumes lying around and recycled them. As for fans who played and enjoyed the Wii U release, this is a much better way to play a lovely game.”

Nintendo Life
Review – 8/10
“Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore is one of the most colourful, approachable and downright endearing RPGs you’ll find on the Switch. Its new story chapter, music tracks and character assists improve on the original to an extent, but not enough to greatly affect its overall quality. Thankfully, what was there was already fantastic, meaning those who missed out on it the first time around really have no reason not to get stuck in now.”

Polygon
Review – Positive
“Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE was a hidden gem when it was released in 2016 on Nintendo’s Wii U; a niche game released near the end of a niche system’s lifespan was never going to find a wide audience. Many of us never had a chance to play the game, or didn’t even know it existed.

We all have a second chance now that Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore is out on Nintendo Switch, giving what existing fans saw as an unfairly ignored game another chance to find a home on a system that may be a better fit for it.”

USgamer
Review – 4/5
“Whatever you think of port-begging, it’s justified with Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore. Not only does #FE Encore give us a chance to play a great game that was overlooked on the Wii U, but it also adds a new dungeon, new songs, and content that was previously DLC. A lot of new Persona fans have been minted since #FE’s initial release in 2015, and this is one song they should all enjoy.”

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