Nihon Falcom has revealed new details about action RPG Kyoto Xanadu, including four new characters and various battle system mechanics. As previously revealed, Kyoto Xanadu features 2D platforming action and 3D battles.
Get the latest details on the new characters and battle system of Kyoto Xanadu below, via Gematsu:
Characters
Lear Beresford (voiced by Rina Hidaka)
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- Age: 13
- Soul Device: Floating magical tool types
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The leader of the high-ranking team “Starry Night Travelers” and chairperson of the disciplinary committee, who entered Hirasaka Academy by skipping grades.
An agent dispatched by the magic society “Nemesis,” she hails from the prestigious Beresford family of England, which has produced “Chosen Ones” for generations.
She often offers opinions so grounded in reality that one would hardly believe she is only 13 years old, though she occasionally shows a more girlish side befitting her age.
Eliza Alcott (voiced by Nanako Mori)
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- Age: 18
- Soul Device: Rapier types
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A beauty in men’s clothing who serves as the assistant to Lear, leader of team “Starry Night Travelers,” as well as a member of the academy’s disciplinary committee.
With her elegant demeanor and gallant, butler-like presence, she has gained popularity among the female students.
Having originally served the Beresford family, she was dispatched to Hirasaka Academy alongside Lear.
Hosen Suruga (voiced by Nobuhiko Okamoto)
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- Age: 18
- Soul Device: ???
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The leader of the high-ranking team “Abyssal Investigators” and supervisor of Hirasaka Academy’s research facilities.
A member of the Suruga Group—one of the families that make up the international syndicate known as “Zodiac”—he serves on the student council this year as Zodiac’s representative.
He prioritizes his research above all else and has an extreme aversion to wasting time, leading him to resent even participating in the student council.
Luana Calderone (voiced by Yukiyo Fujii)
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- Age: 18
- Soul Device: ???
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A third-year student who serves as the leader of the high-ranking team “Nameless Fruit” and the head of the academy chapel.
A person overflowing with compassion and kindness, she actively participates in local volunteer work.
She is adored by many students, and some of her more fervent admirers even refer to her as the “Saint of Siena.”
Battle System
Kyoto Xanadu features a “Dual Dimensional” battle system that allows players to switch between 2D and 3D action. By utilizing special equipment known as “Soul Devices,” players can perform a wide variety of actions.
Standard Attack
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- A basic physical attack performed with your Soul Device.
- Repeated button presses allow for a combo of up to three consecutive strikes.
- Performing attacks in mid-air will trigger unique aerial standard attacks.
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Strong Attack
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- A character-specific physical attack executed with your Soul Device.
- By combining it with standard attacks, you can trigger extended attacks with effects such as increased damage against airborne enemies or area-of-effect knockback.
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Dodge
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- Performs a forward dodge.
- Dodging grants a brief period of invincibility, and allows you to slip behind certain enemies.
- By acquiring abilities, you can unlock additional actions such as mid-air dodges and dodge attacks.
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Jump
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- Performs a jump whose height varies depending on how long the button is held.
- By acquiring abilities, you can unlock various extended actions such as recovery from knockback, wall jumps, and double jumps.
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Shooting Attacks
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- Consumes the Shoot Gauge to fire a “Spirit Bullet.”
- In 2D action, the firing direction changes based on the angle of the analog stick.
- In 3D action, shots are fired toward the on-screen reticle.
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Special Bullets
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- By acquiring abilities, you can use shooting attacks that differ from standard shots.
- Special bullets vary by attribute, including homing shots (Fire), bombs (Wind), and laser-type attacks (Ice).
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Guard
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- Hold the button to assume a defensive stance. While guarding, movement is restricted, but incoming damage is reduced.
- Guarding at the exact moment an enemy attack lands will trigger a parry, completely nullifying the damage and significantly staggering the enemy.
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Soul Accel
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- When the “Accel Gauge,” which fills as you deal or receive damage, reaches maximum, you can press the corresponding button to activate Soul Accel.
- During Soul Accel, strong attacks are enhanced and parrying becomes easier, making it simpler to follow up with an “Issen.”
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Issen
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- Successfully parrying a red, glowing warning attack will cause the Issen prompt to appear on-screen.
- Pressing the corresponding button at the right moment triggers an Issen, which is a powerful counterattack that deals significant damage. Issen damage is further increased while Soul Accel is active.
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Secret Arts
When the “Secret Arts Gauge,” which fills as you attack enemies, reaches maximum, you can unleash a powerful attack that damages all enemies on the battlefield. (This special attack can only be used during 3D action.)
Kyoto Xanadu will launch on July 16 for Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam in Japan and Asia. The Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC versions will cost 7,920 yen, the Nintendo Switch 2 version costs 8,070 yen, and the Nintendo Switch 2 Upgrade Pack costs 150 yen for owners of the physical and digital Switch version. A North American and European release of Kyoto Xanadu is planned, and a release date is being coordinated with a partner.
In the meantime, fans can catch up with the Nintendo Switch version of Tokyo Xanadu eX+, which includes 60 FPS support, a revamped localization, a high-speed Turbo mode, and all previously released DLC. Final Weapon’s review of Tokyo Xanadu eX+ notes that the Nintendo Switch version is the best version on consoles. With a 3.5 out of 5 score, Final Weapon’s review notes that “despite its story and combat-related flaws, Tokyo Xanadu eX+ still presents RPG fans with a great offering of content and features that will make them want to explore Tokyo and discover the secrets of the underworld.”
