The World Ends With You - Final Mix is finally bringing its particular jam to the Nintendo Switch after years of fans clamoring for a port on a newer system. The game puts you in the shoes of an aloof teenager named Neku who is convinced he doesn't need anyone else in the world...except now he's dead and if he wants to go back to his life, he absolutely will have to rely on others as he tries to thwart the week-long "Reapers' Game" and avoid being erased entirely.
Each day, Neku and his partner will receive an objective to complete, which can be done by exploring the alternate reality version of Shibuya he's stuck in, looking for clues and hints, and fighting off strange monsters called the Noise. The first few days are fairly straightforward, but The World Ends With You eventually takes off the training wheels and sends Neku and his partner out on their own. When that happened, here are some tips on how to fight and survive the Reapers' Game.
- The Reapers' Game
- Using Pins
- Fashion do's and don't's
- Fighting the Noise
- Your Partners
- Combating difficulty
The Reapers' Game
The Reapers are mysterious people who run the "game" of sorts Neku and his partners are stuck in. Each day, they assign the players missions, which guide the general flow of the game's story. Along the way to complete the missions, Neku will fight off noise and meet other characters who will provide valuable information to help him survive.
Even though the Reapers' Game has a time limit in the story, you're not actually on a time limit to finish the objectives. Feel free to take your time, and make liberal use of Neku's ability to read minds with his Player Pin. Mind reading is a fun way to get story background, and can also provide valuable clues about your next objective. You can also hold still for a few seconds for an option to speak with your partner, which can also provide a useful tip.
Using Pins
In the game's first few days, you'll be introduced to a handful of Pins, which are how Neku uses attacks in the game. Pins are activated by interacting with the battle screen in different ways - either by using the motion Joy-Con controls in docked mode, or touch controls in handheld mode. I highly, highly recommend going with a touchscreen set-up for the game and ditching the Joy-Cons off the side of the tablet, especially if you have small hands like me. Touch controls are how the Pin system was originally intended to be used, and it's a much smoother experience and easier to control.
However you do it, you'll want to get practice with a lot of different types of Pins. The more you play, the more Pins you'll encounter, and the more you can level those Pins up to make their attacks stronger. It's worth regularly rotating through your Pins to level up as many as possible to max and get a feel for different abilities - I recommend having a set designated for boss battles when you need your strongest attacks that your best at, as well as a "training" set you can use against regular enemies, level up, and have active when you shut the system off so they can gain EXP.
And speaking of that...if you're done playing, be sure to check the Pins menu when you get back. Returning later will you give lots of Pin PP, which is invaluable if you're struggling later on. And you'll get that PP whether you exit the game entirely or just let the Switch go to sleep!
Fashion do's and don't's
While exploring Shibuya, you'll want to keep an eye on the various fashion trends. Areas will have certain types of clothing that are in and out of style, and you'll get buffs or debuffs to your power depending on what you're wearing. Sometimes it's worth it to equip a weaker hat if it's in-style in the area you're fighting Noise in!
Early on, you won't have too many outfits, and buying them won't be beneficial to you. All outfits require a certain level of the "Brave" stat to equip, and yours will be low at the start. Keep training that stat higher and don't spend a ton of money on something you won't be able to equip for days.
Fighting the Noise
A little ways into the game, you'll gain the ability to "chain" Noise encounters together by tapping multiple at a time on Neku's mind read screen. This is a great way to earn lots of EXP, level up Pins, and improve your skills, but it can be risky. Make sure you know what you're getting into.
You will, at some point, likely need to grind levels for a while to ensure you are strong enough to continue in the game (unless you drop the difficulty all the way down, which is absolutely an option but won't get you as many cool Pins). Since Noise encounters sans story-based ones are optional, I recommend fighting a cluster of Noise every time you change screens on your way somewhere - maybe even a few more if you're feeling in the mood for a fight. Overleveling isn't an issue in this game, but being under-leveled in the late-game can be.
It's also worth mentioning that although you can adjust the difficulty slider at any time, it's far easier to drop it down than it is to tune it back up. Lower encounter levels at your own risk, and be aware of the grinding it might take to catch up again.
Your Partners
Neku will, throughout his adventure in Shibuya, get to work together with three different Partners, beginning with the fashion-conscious Shiki. Each partner plays a bit differently in combat, so don't be afraid to take some time to get used to your new Partner when they swap out.
It can be a bit difficult to juggle using both your Partner's moves and your own Pins in combat. In general, all damage is good damage, but do be aware that some Pins might overlap (for example, tapping to activate Shiki's attacks might also let loose your Lightning Pin), so try to be conscious of what you have equipped and what you're doing with it.
One thing to note here is that while you might miss old Partners later on, you should never worry in this game that you've "missed" a critical secret or moment. Once you beat the game, you'll be able to revisit chapters at will to hunt for secrets (like the elusive Pig Noise hiding at the corners of the screen on each day!) and hang out with your former Partners, as well as swap between them at will even on days they wouldn't normally be present. So don't worry, just enjoy your time with whoever is hanging out with Neku.
Help, there are too many Noise!
Have a specific question about something in The World Ends With You? Let me know in the comments and I'll try to help!
