Namco × Capcom
  

  
STORY:  Namco × Capcom takes place in the year 20XX (sometime in the 21st century). The story is driven by the characters Reiji Arisu and Xiaomu (original characters created specifically for NXC). Reiji and Xiaomu 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.

 

  
ABOUT:  Namco X Capcom (pronounced "Namco Cross Capcom") is a hybrid Action RPG / Tactical RPG starring a handful of familiar fighting game characters from Capcom & Namco. Namco X Capcom was released exclusively for the PlayStation 2 and only in Japan. No doubt an eventual crossover between Capcom and Namco was inevitable, and for any fighting game fan, this was a pretty historic and epic game (which is primarily the reason why the game earned its profile here on TFG).


Unfortunately, the game wasn't localized in regions outside of Japan. There are several theories why this might've been, one being that many games (besides fighters) represented in Namco X Capcom are Japan-only games themselves. Namco  Capcom was succeeded with spiritual successors Project X Zone (2012) and Project X Zone 2 (2015) which brought Sega into the mix.
 

  
In Namco X Capcom, there are 50 levels total (45 normal levels / 5 prologue levels) and the playing through the game takes between 70 to 100 hours to complete. Namco's Takuji Kawano (of Soul Calibur fame) is responsible for the game's official character illustrations (all of which can be found in the Art Gallery below).
 

  
Movement is done on a square grid with turns being determined by figuring out which character has the highest AP (comparable to the CT system used in Final Fantasy Tactics). On the player's turn, he or she can move their character into position and choose to attack an enemy. At this point, the game switches into the Action RPG portion. Characters have a number of "Branches" they can use. Each direction on the directional pad combined with the O button will perform an attack. Each attack uses up 1 branch. If you perform a certain number of Aerial Chains (hitting the enemy in mid-air), you will gain bonuses, from extra experience points to items to more branches to use in the same turn.
   

  
Upon filling up the character's Special Gauge, players then hit 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.

 

Page Updated: January 20th, 2024 Developer(s): Monolith Soft Publisher(s): Namco Artwork by: Takuji Kawano Platform(s): PlayStation 2  Release Date(s): May 26th, 2005 Characters:  Akuma, Armor King, Arthur, Astaroth, Bison, Cammy, Captain Commando, Chun-Li, Demitri, Devil, Evil Ryu, Felicia, Guy, Heihachi, Hideo, Huitzil, Jin Kazama, Juli, Juni, Karin, Ken, Kobun, Kyoko, Lei Lei, Lilith, Mitsurugi, Mike Haggar, Mokujin, Morrigan, Ogre, P. Jack, Q Bee, Red Arremer, Rose, Roll, Ryu, Sakura, Strider Hiryu, Taki, Tron, Zabel Related Links:  Sep. 2015:  Project X Zone 2 Character Artwork Featured Video: Related Games: SoulCalibur 2, TEKKEN 4, Rival Schools: United by Fate, Project Justice, Darkstalkers, Vampire Savior, Street Fighter Alpha 3, Street Fighter X Tekken, Marvel Vs. Capcom, Marvel Vs. Capcom 2, Capcom Vs. SNK, Capcom Vs. SNK 2, Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom, SNK Vs. Capcom: Card Fighters Clash, Card Fighters Clash 2, Card Fighters Clash DS, SNK Vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium, SNK Vs. Capcom: Chaos    Gameplay Engine   Story / Theme  8.0 / 10 Overall Graphics  7.5 / 10 Animation  7.5 / 10 Music / Sound Effects  7.5 / 10 Innovation   Art Direction  8.0 / 10 Customization   Options / Extras   Intro / Presentation  7.5 / 10 Replayability / Fun   "Ouch" Factor   Characters  9.0 / 10 BOTTOM LINE        Final Words: If you're wondering why Namco X Capcom gets a page here on TFG (since it's clearly not a fighting game), it's because this title is an important part of history! This game packs tons of fan service, featuring many tributes to fighting games in particular... not to mention the badass artwork and 2D sprite-work. In case you haven't noticed, the bulk of the protagonists and antagonists in the game are indeed fighting game characters. Plus, more people should know about this game (and demand its re-release in the West). Namco X Capcom got mixed reviews, but definitely seems like a worthy playthrough for those of us who love our Capcom & Namco characters. Sadly, the Namco X Capcom has still never seen any kind of release outside of Japan, so like most others, I've never gotten a chance to play (and fully review) the game. For the record, I'd be glad to purchase a localized PSN or Steam version.... you listening Bandai Namco?  Project X Zone, a tactical RPG released for the Nintendo 3DS starring characters from Capcom, Namco & Sega, is more or less the "spiritual successor" to Namco X Capcom. The sequel, Project X Zone 2: Brave New World even brings back the Namco X Capcom protagonists from Namco X Capcom, Reiji & Xiaomu. Can you imagine an actual fighting game with such an epic roster? ~TFG Webmaster | @Fighters_Gen    Click Here for all Posters / Box Artwork!                                                                                                  Click Here for all Character Sprites! Click Here for all Screenshots! FOLLOW    ON:                             TFG NEWS CHARACTERS GAMES