Multiplayer

People can play together at any time during the storyline; however, a special item is needed for multiplayer when Chester's separate from the group.

Players can also connect over WiFi to play together, which works just like with multiple controllers.

There are two types of multiplayer: players can either work together or fight against each other.

Working Together

Instead of only participating in battles like in previous games, the second player can now run around just like the first player. Each has their own start menu, and before splitting the group, they can decide how to split items during multiplayer. Players can meet up on the screen to exchange items and party members.

When one player gets attacked by an enemy, the other player will be asked if they want to help their friends. If they go into the battle, the top fighters of each participating party will go into the battle. For example, if there's three players going in, the player being attacked keeps two characters in the battle while the other two get the character they're playing as.

The storyline will advance according to what the first player does, and some dungeon puzzles may change to make it harder for multiple players. All players have free reign to go where ever, even back to another screen--if the players are on different screens, though, then they will not be prompted to help with battles.

Sometimes during the storyline, Chester is separated from his friends, or there aren't four people in the party. The player can do a challenging sidequest requiring multiple people in order to get a special item to allow for multiplayer at any time. This item allows the multiple people to bring in shadows of the missing characters to play--set with their last equipment before leaving the party. The item can be transferred to a new game with G.R.A.D.E.

Versus

After participating in the coliseum, the player can unlock the versus mode. They can get to it through the coliseum at any time after that. The option allows them to invite other players to fight against them. They can either choose to fight over WiFi or choose other files for the other players to come in on. Both players can then choose their parties and certain rules, such as how many (if any) items are allowed. After that, they fight to see whose party is the best.

Players can also have tournament-style matches, where they put in their best characters (up to a decided amount) for one-on-one matches. Tournament-sytle has the same options as party-style except with only one member of the team fighting at a time.