Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE

Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE is one of the strangest collaborations in gaming history: a crossover between the Shin Megami Tensei series and the world of Fire Emblem, set in present-day Tokyo and wrapped in the trappings of the Japanese entertainment industry. The heroes are young people fighting their way toward careers as singers, actors, and models, while also battling creatures called Mirages that steal human creative energy. The heroes' allies are themselves Mirages, resembling familiar Fire Emblem characters, so the player fights alongside the likes of Chrom or Tharja.

Battles are turn-based and built around a weakness system: every enemy is vulnerable to a specific weapon or element, and hitting that weakness triggers a Session, a chain of follow-up attacks from other party members. At higher levels, one well-aimed blow can turn into a chain of ten or more hits, which looks spectacular while also rewarding preparation and proper team composition. Alongside combat, the game develops relationships with characters through side stories that also unlock new skills, and the individual dungeons are thematically tied to different corners of the entertainment industry, from a TV studio to a photography set.

Visually, it's one of the most colorful and sharpest-looking games on Wii U, with a bold interface, animated sequences, and a strong emphasis on style. The music blends Japanese pop with rock battle themes and is one of the main reasons the game earned a devoted fanbase. The western release underwent certain content changes, which became a subject of contemporary debate among fans. Reception was largely positive, even though fans of both series expected something a bit different from what they got. Today it's a fresh, upbeat, and unusual JRPG that doesn't take itself too seriously and whose combat system remains a lot of fun. It's also one of the few major Japanese titles to release on Wii U in the final months of its life, which is why plenty of players missed it entirely.