History YMMV / ProjectXZone

** Natsu was much more better received and characterized in ''Project × Zone 2'' than [[VideoGame/SoulcaliburV her home game]]. Unfortunately, while the ''Project × Zone'' series ended there, it was later announced that [[VideoGame/SoulSeries Natsu's home franchise]] would receive [[VideoGame/SoulcaliburVI a new game]] which was a ContinuityReboot that all but placed her game into CanonDiscontinuity (later reveals in ''Soulcalibur VI'' indicate that [[spoiler:the events of ''V'' are set in a BadFuture that certain characters in [[AlternateContinuity the new timeline]] are privy to and trying to [[SetRightWhatOnceWentWrong avoid]]]]) with no indication if she'll be a part of the reboot timeline, rendering most of the improvements for Natsu here almost [[AllForNothing for nothing]].

* HeartwarmingInHindsight: Reiji and Xiaomu's Multi Attack concludes with her wearing a wedding dress. [[spoiler: At the end of ''2'', she's seen wearing it again, but this time as a real bride as she and Reiji are married.]]

** In Chapter 39 in the second game, you finally defeat [[spoiler:[[VideoGame/SakuraWars Aya-Me]]]] for good: as expected, they say their farewells, but their death animation involves them rising up into the air before they explode like most other boss enemies. This is somewhat silly by itself, but it's even sillier if they happen to be positioned under one of the bus stops in the level when they take the final blow, causing them to briefly rise into the air and then explode much quicker after giving their speech, giving the impression that them hitting their head on the bus stop canopy was what caused them to ultimately explode.

* ReplacementScrappy: [[AmericansHateTingle To many Westerners]], [[VideoGame/CapcomFightingEvolution Ingrid]] is one of the most reviled ''Franchise/StreetFighter'' characters, due to being shoehorned into the franchise after her own game, ''Capcom Fighting All-Stars'', was cancelled; invalidating M. Bison's threat by claiming she is the true source of Psycho Power (though such a claim is [[ContinuitySnarl nebulous]] in actual ''Street Fighter'' canon); being a literal god with no flaws whatsoever; and because her appearance and moveset are perceived to clash with the series' tone. She's also the linchpin of the plot for ''VideoGame/StreetFighterXTekken'', widely seen as one of the weaker Capcom crossover fighters, as she's the creator of [[ArtifactOfDoom Pandora]]. Conversely, Ingrid is ''very'' popular among Japanese fans, and even has her fair share of supporters in the West. All in all, this rounds out to your typical BaseBreakingCharacter, but what didn't do the girl any favors anywhere is how, in ''Project × Zone 2'', she is the token ''Street Fighter'' support character, replacing EnsembleDarkhorse Juri. For its part, ''[=PXZ2=]'' turns Ingrid into a very [[LampshadeHanging self-referential]] character who even [[SelfDeprecation points out some of the same criticisms levied at her by fans]] ([[TakeThatScrappy and gets heckled by]] [[FourthWallObserver Xiaomu]] [[TakeThatScrappy in a similar fashion]]), though her character simultaneously going the DenserAndWackier route proved just as divisive for several players.

* UnintentionallyUnsympathetic: Vile in the first game. Though his death is presented as a tragedy, him [[spoiler:taunting Zero over Iris's appearance]] in Chapter 29 came off as a KickTheDog.

%%ZCE* EvilIsSexy: Saya from ''VideoGame/NamcoXCapcom'' returns in both games. In the second game, she's the BigBad.

* LikeYouWouldReallyDoIt: [[spoiler:In the first game, the climax of Chapter 17 had Arthur [[HeroicSacrifice seemingly sacrifice himself]] by blowing himself up with [[Franchise/{{Tekken}} Alisa's]] head along with the statue. However, if anyone's played ''VideoGame/GhostsNGoblins'', anyone would know that Arthur wouldn't kick the bucket that easily as long as he has his armor.]]

** ''VideoGame/{{Shinobi}}'', one of Sega's classic albeit more under-the-radar series, is represented in ''[=PXZ2=]''... but not by its usual hero Joe Musashi, who players might have recognized thanks to ''[[VideoGame/SegaSuperstars Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed]]'' a few years prior. Instead, the honor goes to Hotsuma, the hero of ''VideoGame/Shinobi2002'' (a SoftReboot where Joe only appeared as a SecretCharacter), with Hibana, the protagonist of [[VideoGame/NightshadeKunoichi that game's sequel]], along for the ride as a Solo Unit. And they get to hang out with perennial Capcom darkhorse [[VideoGame/{{Strider}} Strider Hiryu]]. (Perhaps it's [[ScarfOfAsskicking the shared fashion sense]]?)

** Though there is a fair bit of ArcWelding, the fact that the majority series have [[PostScriptSeason Post-Script Seasons]] and/or filler plots rather than adapting their actual plots like its [[VideoGame/SuperRobotWars sister series]] is pretty disappointing. While this understandable for games like ''VideoGame/TalesOfVesperia'' or ''VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening'', which have long stories and incredibly large casts, the fact that a relatively short game like ''VideoGame/SpaceChannel5'' plot's is essentially an unresolved filler arc is upsetting, especially when the narrative of both ''Project X Zone'' and it's sequel tends to border on ExcusePlot.

* Though there is a fair bit of ArcWelding, the fact that the majority series have [[PostScriptSeason Post-Script Seasons]] and/or filler plots rather than adapting their actual plots like its [[VideoGame/SuperRobotWars sister series]] is pretty disappointing. While this understandable for games like ''VideoGame/TalesOfVesperia'' or ''VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening'', which have long stories and incredibly large casts, the fact that a relatively short game like ''VideoGame/SpaceChannel5'' plot's is essentially an unresolved filler arc is upsetting, especially when the narrative of both ''Project X Zone'' and it's sequel tends to border on ExcusePlot.

* Though there is a fair bit of ArcWelding, the fact that the majority series have [[PostScriptSeason Post-Script Seasons]] and/or filler plots rather than adapting their actual plots like its [[VideGame/SuperRobotWars sister series]] is pretty disappointing. While this understandable for games like ''VideoGame/TalesOfVesperia'' or ''VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening'', which have long stories and incredibly large casts, the fact that a relatively short game like ''VideoGame/SpaceChannel5'' plot's is essentially an unresolved filler arc is upsetting, especially when the narrative of both ''ProjectXZone'' and it's sequel tends to border on ExclusePlot.

* UnexpectedCharacter: It's a bit better about this than ''VideoGame/NamcoXCapcom'', since most of the characters are from more recent and/or recognizable franchises... but there are still some surprising choices.

* TierInducedScrappy:
** Due to the way Juri's Solo Attack works, she kicks the enemy high into the air near the end of her attack string, even though they're supposed to be frozen in place thanks to a Cross Hit. This often causes players to miss most of a Pair Unit's attacks, possibly costing them a damage and Cross Points. While several other Solo Units do move the enemy with their attacks despite a Cross Hit, the movements are typically minor such that they wouldn't interfere with a Pair Unit's main attacks, but Juri is the only one who will drastically alter the placement.
** Of the Pair Units in the first game, [[Franchise/ResidentEvil Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine]] fall behind the rest due to them being the [[LateCharacterSyndrome last to officially join the party]]. They suffer from not having enough time to level up and match their peers and are one of the slowest pairs, meaning there's more work to be done to make them keep up with the rest of the party.

* EvilIsSexy: Saya from ''VideoGame/NamcoXCapcom'' returns in both games. In the second game, she's the BigBad.

** "You Will Know Our Names" is known for being one awesome battle theme in ''[[VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles1 Xenoblade Chronicles]]''. Somehow, this game made the theme even [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2P1LjhqMmE more awesome.]]

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxnmkcMX1rQ Bruce Willis]] for [[VideoGame/DynamiteCop Bruno Delinger]], due to his character and 1st game being [[DolledUpInstallment Dolled Up]] as an adaptation for ''Franchise/DieHard''.
** "Epic Brofist" for Jin and Kazuya's LimitBreak in ''[=PX2=]'' as it involves the two punching the enemy from opposite sides, a reference to the Bandai Namco logo screen for the ''Franchise/{{Tekken}}'' games.

* GatewaySeries: As with ''VideoGame/NamcoXCapcom'' before it, the inclusion of less well-known/[[CashCowFranchise commercially successful]] [=IPs=] ([[GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff depending on the territory]], of course) in ''Project X Zone'' and its sequel ended up generating renewed or additional interest in those series (such as ''VideoGame/SakuraWars'' and ''VideoGame/ValkyriaChronicles''), though this is slightly downplayed in that ''PXZ'' has a significantly lower number of "[[UnexpectedCharacter oddball choices]]."
* GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff: Despite low sales domestically, Namco Bandai did decide to localize it in the West due to the surprising amount of interest abroad. Post-localization, some Namco Bandai press releases remarked that sales were high enough a sequel could be feasible. ''Project X Zone 2'' was eventually announced following a leak, and the publisher immediately confirmed that it too would be localized.

** Natsu was much more better received and characterized in ''Project X Zone 2'' than [[VideoGame/SoulcaliburV her home game]]. Unfortunately, while the ''Project X Zone'' series ended there, it was later announced that [[VideoGame/SoulSeries Natsu's home franchise]] would receive [[VideoGame/SoulcaliburVI a new game]] which was a ContinuityReboot that all but placed her game into CanonDiscontinuity (later reveals in ''Soulcalibur VI'' indicate that [[spoiler:the events of ''V'' are set in a BadFuture that certain characters in [[AlternateContinuity the new timeline]] are privy to and trying to [[SetRightWhatOnceWentWrong avoid]]]]) with no indication if she’ll be a part of the reboot timeline, rendering most of the improvements for Natsu here almost [[AllForNothing for nothing]].
** Metal Face/Mumkhar describing Bionis and Mechonis being fused and then destroyed via Ouma's 101 Embryo Project would accurately describe the Intersection, which fused the new Xenoblade 1 world Shulk created after Zanza's defeat and Alrest from its [[VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles2 sequel]] into [[VIdeoGame/XenobladeChronicles3 Xenoblade Chronicles 3]]'s Aionios, which Origin, created by Melia and Nia tried to fix, only to be infected by Z, a living computer virus created by the people's fears of [[StatusQuoIsGod not wanting the worlds to defuse]].

* ItsTheSameNowItSucks: Players disappointed with the first game's bare-boned, sluggish combat weren't impressed with how ''Project X Zone 2'' isn't much different in its basic premise. Some went so far as to warn newcomers from picking up the sequel despite the improvements addressing most of the complaints from its predecessor.

* ReplacementScrappy: [[AmericansHateTingle To many Westerners]], [[VideoGame/CapcomFightingEvolution Ingrid]] is one of the most reviled ''Franchise/StreetFighter'' characters, due to being shoehorned into the franchise after her own game, ''Capcom Fighting All-Stars'', was cancelled; invalidating M. Bison's threat by claiming she is the true source of Psycho Power (though such a claim is [[ContinuitySnarl nebulous]] in actual ''Street Fighter'' canon); being a literal god with no flaws whatsoever; and because her appearance and moveset are perceived to clash with the series' tone. She's also the linchpin of the plot for ''VideoGame/StreetFighterXTekken'', widely seen as one of the weaker Capcom crossover fighters, as she's the creator of [[ArtifactOfDoom Pandora]]. Conversely, Ingrid is ''very'' popular among Japanese fans, and even has her fair share of supporters in the West. All in all, this rounds out to your typical BaseBreakingCharacter, but what didn't do the girl any favors anywhere is how, in ''Project X Zone 2'', she is the token ''Street Fighter'' support character, replacing EnsembleDarkhorse Juri. For its part, ''[=PXZ2=]'' turns Ingrid into a very [[LampshadeHanging self-referential]] character who even [[SelfDeprecation points out some of the same criticisms levied at her by fans]] ([[TakeThatScrappy and gets heckled by]] [[FourthWallObserver Xiaomu]] [[TakeThatScrappy in a similar fashion]]), though her character simultaneously going the DenserAndWackier route proved just as divisive for several players.
* RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap: [[VideoGame/SoulSeries Natsu]] was part of the reviled fleet of [[ReplacementScrappy Replacement Scrappies]] and {{Flat Character}}s that was ''VideoGame/SoulcaliburV''. Thanks to ''Project X Zone 2'' granting her some actual personality where ''SCV'' and [[ObviousBeta its incomplete narrative]] had little if none of it for her, along with some character focus and good chemistry with most of the cast (particularly the other {{Ninja}}s), she had a much warmer reception here than in her home series.

** ''Project X Zone'':

** ''Project X Zone 2'':

* EightPointEight:
** Games Radar's review of the first game was heavily criticized for unfair comparisons against ''VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening'' ({{Irony}} ensues given [[GuestFighter who appears in the sequel]]), and being very critical of other aspects without acknowledging the reasons behind them.
** Gamespot and IGN's reviews for the sequel were hit with this simply for giving it a lower score than the original despite the improvements made to issues from the first game.
* AuthorsSavingThrow:
** The choice of characters for ''Project X Zone'' seems to be Creator/BandaiNamcoEntertainment making up for some of the [[UnexpectedCharacter bizarre choices]] in ''VideoGame/NamcoXCapcom''. For example, the ''Franchise/MegaMan'' and ''Franchise/ResidentEvil'' franchises are represented with characters players would expect to see from both series ([[VideoGame/MegaManLegends Tron Bonne]] is still present from ''Namco × Capcom'', but justified because she's an EnsembleDarkhorse; she's also been [[DemotedToExtra bumped down]] to [[AssistCharacter Solo Unit]] status as opposed to a standalone character) and ''VideoGame/RivalSchools'' is represented by its series protagonist instead of its supporting cast.
** Not only is ''Project X Zone 2'' a reality, but the international release was launched within three months after the Japanese release. On another note, a complaint about the first game from western fans was that there was a large amount of characters nobody knew of due to NoExportForYou reasons, so the sequel focused on giving them characters that are more well-known to the West while still including obscure characters for people to experience.
** Despite the first game being localized, one of the largest complaints was the lack of licensed songs from certain series, the most glaring omission of which is the game's primary theme song. The sequel brought all licensed tracks from all series in the game proper.
** Due to Kogoro and Mii's divisiveness, the sequel had them PutOnABus and uses the more popular and established [[VideoGame/NamcoXCapcom Reiji Arisu and Xiaomu]] as protagonists again. While most will agree ''[=PXZ2=]'' did a good job of continuing [[spoiler:and seemingly concluding]] the StoryArc that began all the way back in ''Namco × Capcom'', this decision [[BrokenBase still proved controversial]], with some arguing Kogoro and Mii should have merely been DemotedToExtra but still playable instead of [[SequelNonEntity being completely dropped from the narrative altogether]].

* HarsherInHindsight: Natsu was much more better received and characterized in ''Project X Zone 2'' than [[VideoGame/SoulcaliburV her home game]]. Unfortunately, while the ''Project X Zone'' series ended there, it was later announced that [[VideoGame/SoulSeries Natsu's home franchise]] would receive [[VideoGame/SoulcaliburVI a new game]] which was a ContinuityReboot that all but placed her game into CanonDiscontinuity (later reveals in ''Soulcalibur VI'' indicate that [[spoiler:the events of ''V'' are set in a BadFuture that certain characters in [[AlternateContinuity the new timeline]] are privy to and trying to [[SetRightWhatOnceWentWrong avoid]]]]) with no indication if she’ll be a part of the reboot timeline, rendering most of the improvements for Natsu here almost [[AllForNothing for nothing]].

** Due to Kogoro and Mii's divisiveness, the sequel had them PutOnABus and uses the more popular and established [[VideoGame/NamcoXCapcom Reiji Arisu and Xiaomu]] as protagonists again. While most will agree ''[=PXZ2=]'' did a good job of continuing [[spoiler:and seemingly concluding]] the StoryArc that began all the way back in ''VideoGame/NamcoXCapcom'', this decision [[BrokenBase still proved controversial]], with some arguing Kogoro and Mii should have merely been DemotedToExtra but still playable instead of [[SequelNonEntity being completely dropped from the narrative altogether]].

* BrokenBase: Both games borrow the TurnBasedStrategy formula of ''Namco × Capcom'' with the ActionCommands button-inputting of ''VideoGame/EndlessFrontier'', but is this mechanically "good" as part of gameplay or does it become a redundant chore after a while?

* ReplacementScrappy: [[AmericansHateTingle To many Westerners]], [[VideoGame/CapcomFightingEvolution Ingrid]] is one of the most reviled ''Franchise/StreetFighter'' characters, due to being shoehorned into the franchise after her own game, ''Capcom Fighting All-Stars'', was cancelled; invalidating M. Bison's threat by claiming she is the true source of Psycho Power (though such a claim is [[ContinuitySnarl nebulous]] in actual ''Street Fighter'' canon); being a literal god with no flaws whatsoever; and because her appearance and moveset are perceived to clash with the series' tone. She's also the linchpin of the plot for ''VideoGame/StreetFighterXTekken'', widely seen as one of the weaker Capcom crossover fighters, as she's the creator of [[ArtifactOfDoom Pandora]]. Conversely, Ingrid is ''very'' popular among Japanese fans, and even has her fair share of supporters in the West. All in all, this rounds out to your typical BaseBreakingCharacter, but what didn't do the girl any favors anywhere is how, in ''Project X Zone 2'', she is the token ''Street Fighter'' support character, replacing EnsembleDarkhorse Juri. For its part, ''[=PXZ2=]'' turns Ingrid into a very [[LampshadeHanging self-referential]] character who even [[SelfDeprecation points out some of the same criticisms levied at her by fans]], though her character simultaneously going the DenserAndWackier route proved just as divisive for several players.

* SoOkayItsAverage: The consensus is that while there are improvements over many issues ''Namco × Capcom'' had, there are still a number of pressing problems with the gameplay. Sure, the {{Crossover}} interaction between all heroic and villainous characters are great, but the pacing becomes excruciatingly slow during later parts of a playthrough due to the sheer number of enemies and how much health they have. It doesn't help that players can never skip attack animations since this TurnBasedStrategy game requires active button inputs for combat.

** Natsu's inclusion in ''[=PXZ2=]'' follows her backstory from ''VideoGame/SoulcaliburV'' -- searching for her master Taki, who disappeared after embarking on a journey to the west. With Taki's previous playability in ''VideoGame/NamcoXCapcom'' and enduring popularity among the ''VideoGame/SoulSeries'' fandom, one would think student and teacher would reunite over the course of the game, finally giving the two kunoichi a chance to interact after ''SCV'' showed nothing of their on-screen relationship. Alas, this possibility is dashed almost immediately after Natsu brings it up in Prologue 3, with [[VideoGame/{{Strider}} Hiryu]] informing the girl that Taki has already returned to her time and Natsu not resuming her search until the epilogue.

** ''VideoGame/{{Shinobi}}'', one of Sega's classic but more under-the-radar series, is not represented by its usual hero Joe Musashi (who players might have recognized thanks to ''[[VideoGame/SegaSuperstars Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed]]''), but by Hibana, the protagonist of the relatively obscure ''VideoGame/NightshadeKunoichi'', itself a sequel to ''VideoGame/Shinobi2002'' (a SoftReboot where Joe only appeared as a SecretCharacter).

** Due to Kogoro and Mii's divisiveness, the sequel has them PutOnABus and uses the more popular and established [[VideoGame/NamcoXCapcom Reiji Arisu and Xiaomu]] as protagonists again.

* BaseBreakingCharacter: Some fans see Kogoro and Mii as {{Flat Character}}s who fade into the background ([[SupportingProtagonist despite being the main characters]]) as the party grows larger, making them unappealing and unvaried compared to other pairings. Others see them as an underdeveloped, but still interesting duo whose dynamic should have been appropriately explored in the sequel. The fact that ''Brave New World'' shows the Koryuuji mansion late in the game yet the two don't make an appearance and are only mentioned in passing has peeved Kogoro/Mii fans more.

* CryForTheDevil: [[VideoGame/MegaManX Vile]] may be a cruel, murderous psychopath, but it's hard not to feel a twinge of pity for him when his single-minded obsession with beating X just leads to him dying all over again. Knowing that he's basically been half-mad since the day he was born also can add to this.

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxnmkcMX1rQ Bruce Willis]] for Bruno Delinger, due to his character and 1st game being [[DolledUpInstallment Dolled Up]] as an adaptation for ''Franchise/DieHard''.
** "Epic Brofist" for [[VideoGame/{{Tekken}} Jin and Kazuya's]] LimitBreak as it involves the two punching the enemy from opposite sides, a reference to the Bandai Namco logo screen for the ''VideoGame/{{Tekken}}'' games.
* FanficFuel: Having everyone else from Bandai Namco/Capcom/Sega/Nintendo (and by extension, additional companies who have yet to join in a ''PXZ'' game like Creator/{{SNK}}, Creator/{{Konami}}, Creator/ArcSystemWorks, Creator/KoeiTecmo and Creator/SquareEnix, among others) join in the fight against Ouma or fight alongside Ouma.

** The appearance of [[VideoGame/MegaManX4 Iris]] in Chapter 29 of the first game would be surprisingly poignant, if not for the fact [[VideoGame/MegaManX Zero]] says "[[MemeticMutation What am I fighting for?]]" at one point; thus, it doesn't hold as much impact as it could have been. However, considering the game's tendency to make [[CallBack Call-Backs]] and [[ShoutOut Shout-Outs]], this might have been [[InvokedTrope intentional]].

* ReplacementScrappy: [[AmericansHateTingle To many Westerners]], [[VideoGame/CapcomFightingEvolution Ingrid]] is one of the most reviled ''Franchise/StreetFighter'' characters, due to being shoehorned into the franchise after her own game, ''Capcom Fighting All-Stars'', was cancelled, invalidating M. Bison's threat by claiming she is the true source of Psycho Power (though such a claim is [[ContinuitySnarl nebulous]] in actual ''Street Fighter'' canon), being a literal god with no flaws whatsoever, and because her appearance and moveset are perceived to clash with the series' tone. She's also the linchpin of the plot for ''VideoGame/StreetFighterXTekken'', widely seen as one of the weaker Capcom crossover fighters, as she's the creator of [[ArtifactOfDoom Pandora]]. Conversely, Ingrid is ''very'' popular among Japanese fans, and even has her fair share of supporters in the West. All in all, this rounds out to your typical BaseBreakingCharacter, but what didn't do the girl any favors anywhere is how, in ''Project X Zone 2'', she is the token ''Street Fighter'' support character, replacing EnsembleDarkhorse Juri. For its part, ''[=PXZ2=]'' turns Ingrid into a very [[LampshadeHanging self-referential]] character who even [[SelfDeprecation points out some of the same criticisms levied at her by fans]], though her character simultaneously going the DenserAndWackier route proved just as divisive for several players.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot: In the first game, Juri claims she has a new target now that Seth has been killed. This heavily implies that her alliance with Bison in the sequel was a façade for her to get close enough to murder him, similar to her role in ''VideoGame/StreetFighterXTekken''. However, this plot point goes nowhere and she randomly disappears after being fought on [[VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening Ylisse]].

** Due to the way Juri's solo attack works, she kicks the enemy high into the air near the end of her attack string, even though they're supposed to be frozen in place thanks to a Cross Hit. This often causes players to miss most of a Pair Unit's attacks, possibly costing them a damage and Cross Points. While several other Solo Units do move the enemy with their attacks despite a Cross Hit, the movements are typically minor such that they wouldn't interfere with a Pair Unit's main attacks, but Juri is the only one who will drastically alter the placement.

** For a ''VideoGame/SoulSeries'' representative, instead of a fan favorite like Taki, we got Natsu, who hails from [[VideoGame/SoulcaliburV one of the least popular games in the franchise]]. However, due to how [[TheScrappy controversial]] the likes of the series's then-incumbent protagonist Patroklos was, some say it's a better choice.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot:
** In the first game, Juri claims she has a new target now that Seth has been killed. This heavily implies that her alliance with Bison in the sequel was a façade for her to get close enough to murder him, similar to her role in ''VideoGame/StreetFighterXTekken''. However, this plot point goes nowhere and she randomly disappears after being fought on [[VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening Ylisse]].
** [[Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog Sonic]] is nowhere to be seen in both games, and his franchise isn't represented or mentioned at all either. We can only wonder how the stories would've went had he and his franchise been included.
** VideoGame/PacMan's franchise isn't represented either. This is more understandable considering how most of Pac-Man's games are maze games, but it's a shame his franchise wasn't at the very least given a mention.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot: In the first game, Juri claims she has a new target now that Seth has been killed. This heavily implies that her alliance with Bison in the sequel was a façade for her to get close enough to murder him, similar to her role in ''VideoGame/StreetFighterXTekken''. However, this plot point goes nowhere and she randomly disappears after being fought on [[VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening Ylisse]].

*** Chapter 16, "Detestable Golden Sunny Demon", requires destroying all four [[VideoGame/DotHackR1Games Stehoneys]] because they have the key to [[VideoGame/GhostsNGoblins Astaroth's room]]. The problem is they're positioned far away on the map and will likely get the first move during the turn while players' Pair Units are struggling to get to them. If one Stehoney gets to the gate, GameOver. Spamming skills that improve mobility and attack range is a requirement for this mission.

** Chapter 29, [[VideoGame/MegaManX4 "An Unbeatable Love"]]. You get your entire army... against a small country's worth of Feydooms. Better yet, you're up against ''three'' Skeiths, two "clone" Skeiths and Skeith Zero, and the clones are only ''slightly'' weaker. Oh, and on Turn 3, Vile joins the fun with a wave of VideoGame/MegaManX enemies... and thanks to [[spoiler:Iris showing up]], Zero has a HeroicBSOD on the far end of the battlefield, and you have five turns to either reach him or kill Vile (''twice'', thanks to his Ride Armor) or you lose. And once you ''do'' talk to X and Zero? You still have to kill everyone on the map. Do you have Multi-Attacks yet? Because if you don't, you're getting nowhere fast.

*** Chapter 39, "The Devil Never Cries", will throw the uninitiated off-guard: it starts with common {{Mooks}} (at least two of them have barriers) and two Astaroths. Take those down and [[VideoGame/ShiningForce Riemsianne la Vaes]] and [[VideoGame/ValkyriaChronicles Selvaria Bles]] arrive with similar reinforcements; defeating the second wave will result in [[VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}} Jedah Dohma and Lord Raptor]]. To put the cherry on top of this MarathonLevel, Jedah must be defeated within a hitherto unknown fixed time limit.

*** Chapter 26, appropriately titled "The Terror of Death Approaches": The Dragonturtle breaks down, so players must split the party up [[ProtectionMission to defend it]]. The chapter truly ups the ante once [[VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}} Pyron, Lord Raptor]], [[Franchise/DotHack Skeith, Azure Kite]], [[VideoGame/DevilMayCry1 Nelo Angelo]] and waves of {{Mooks}} with barriers show up. If even one of them touches the Dragonturtle, it's an instant GameOver. The biggest problem are the flying enemies, who can easily get out of range from Pair Units' attacks.

*** Chapter 16 requires destroying all four [[VideoGame/DotHackR1Games Stehoneys]] because they have the key to [[VideoGame/GhostsNGoblins Astaroth's room]]. The problem is they're positioned far away on the map and will likely get the first move during the turn while players' Pair Units are struggling to get to them. If one Stehoney gets to the gate, GameOver. Spamming skills that improve mobility and attack range is a requirement for this mission.

*** Chapter 39 will throw the uninitiated off-guard: it starts with common {{Mooks}} (at least two of them have barriers) and two Astaroths. Take those down and [[VideoGame/ShiningForce Riemsianne la Vaes]] and [[VideoGame/ValkyriaChronicles Selvaria Bles]] arrive with similar reinforcements; defeating the second wave will result in [[VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}} Jedah Dohma and Lord Raptor]]. To put the cherry on top of this MarathonLevel, Jedah must be defeated within a hitherto unknown fixed time limit.
*** Chapter 40 is unique in that it has no unexpected bosses or surprise reinforcements, but the objective of the map is to [[spoiler:defeat 24 copies of [[Franchise/StreetFighter Juri Han]], [[Franchise/{{Tekken}} Alisa Bosconovitch]], Heihachi, Sanger, Saya and [[VideoGame/{{Xenosaga}} T-elos]], all of whom are bosses with around 90,000 {{Hit Point}}s]]. If players haven't been smart with healing items, prepare for some pain.

*** In Chapter 11, the party must defuse bombs aboard a cruise ship. One of them is guarded by [[VideoGame/StreetsOfRage Axel's robotic doppelganger, Break]], and halfway in the chapter, [[VideoGame/ResidentEvil3Nemesis Nemesis]], [[Franchise/ResidentEvil several Tyrants]] and [[VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}} B.B. Hood]] arrive. Fail to get to the bombs in time and it's an instant Game Over.
*** In Chapter 16, the Stehoneys must be defeated before they reach the goal or it's a GameOver. {{Mooks}} will be guarding them; and once enough are defeated, Nemesis and [[VideoGame/ResidentEvil6 Ustanak]] show up, with the former having RegeneratingHealth.
*** Chapter 22 features a BrainwashedAndCrazy Estelle, whom players must prevent from reaching M. Bison. During the chapter, [[VideoGame/ForgottenWorlds Sylphie]] will appear and summon Vile and other {{Mooks}}; at the same time, Estelle cannot be knocked out of play by any other character in the party except [[VideoGame/TalesOfVesperia Yuri Lowell]] and Flynn or they get an instant GameOver. To top it off, [[VideoGame/TalesOfVesperia Zagi]] enters the picture later, and the Nemesis returns again and is just as hard as it was in the previous chapters.
*** Chapter 24: The level is a battle royale against most of the game's female villains, such as [[OriginalGeneration Sheath]], who spams an AreaOfEffect attack, Aya-me, [[VideoGame/VirtuaFighter V-Dural and the V-Dural statues]], Juri, [[Franchise/{{Tekken}} Unknown]], and T-elos, with a ton of {{Mooks}} backing them up.
*** Chapter 26: The Dragonturtle breaks down, so players must split the party up [[ProtectionMission to defend it]]. The chapter truly ups the ante once [[VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}} Pyron, Lord Raptor]], [[Franchise/DotHack Skeith, Azure Kite]], [[VideoGame/DevilMayCry1 Nelo Angelo]] and waves of {{Mooks}} with barriers show up. If even one of them touches the Dragonturtle, it's an instant GameOver. The biggest problem are the flying enemies, who can easily get out of range from Pair Units' attacks.
*** The final level is abnormally difficult compared to the rest of the game. [[spoiler:The arena is covered in a red fluid that damages characters when walked over, which adds up in the long run. Also, the places where the playable characters spawn are bombs which will explode if even a single enemy steps on it, leading to an instant game over. To make matters worse, [[BossRush Metal Face, Sigma, Ranmaru, Kamuz and Pyron]] spawn right in front of them and dash at the bombs the moment they see an opening. The final boss itself hits like a truck, has an attack range that covers almost the entire map, has a whopping 400000 HP, can summon more enemies almost every turn, and is completely invulnerable unless Saya, who is at the very edge of the level, is killed. But to hurt Saya herself, Sheath, Dokugozu and Dokumezu must be defeated first.]]

* HarsherInHindsight:
** Natsu was much more better received and characterized in ''Project X Zone 2'' than [[VideoGame/SoulcaliburV her home game]]. Unfortunately, while the ''Project X Zone'' series ended there, it was later announced that [[VideoGame/SoulSeries Natsu's home franchise]] would receive [[VideoGame/SoulcaliburVI a new game]] which was a ContinuityReboot that all but placed her game into CanonDiscontinuity (later reveals in ''Soulcalibur VI'' indicate that [[spoiler:the events of ''V'' are set in a BadFuture that certain characters in [[AlternateContinuity the new timeline]] are privy to and trying to [[SetRightWhatOnceWentWrong avoid]]]]) with no indication if she’ll be a part of the reboot timeline, rendering most of the improvements for Natsu here almost [[AllForNothing for nothing]].
** A more tragic example that also has to do with characterization. Morrigan and Chun-Li being put together as a team is definitely harsher given that in a future adaptation of both ''Franchise/StreetFighter'' and ''VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}}'', [[ComicBook/StreetFighterVsDarkstalkers the UDON comics]], Morrigan is [[AdaptationalVillainy portrayed as an evil monster despite being good in canon]] and their first encounter has them fighting over Morrigan killing humans and attempting to kill both Chun-Li and her friend as well provoking property destruction. Said meeting is what leaves Chun-Li with the impression that all Darkstalkers are evil, a far cry from their OddFriendship in the ''PXZ'' games.