Fate/EXTELLA

So far I'm 13 hours in and I have completed the first story for Nero and I'm loving it! I've been a fan of Fate since 2018 when I got into it after watching Unlimited Blade Works and I've been hooked ever since.

If you are a fan of Fate this is a GREAT game with a compelling narrative, although the fighting and combos are limited compared to other musou titles it does its job. Fate/Extella Link improves the combat, but the story isn't to the same caliber.

I recommend playing Fate/Extra and Fate/CCC which will give you much needed context from the previous games in the timeline. (Although you don't necessarily need to, it definitely will let you appreciate it more although Extella Umbral Star does explain what happened in the previous games briefly.)

Starting with what I'd rate this, maybe 3/10. There isn't a whole lot that really seems to be praiseworthy here between the gameplay, plot, characters/character development. I'll try to break it down as best I can while being as objective as I can about it. I'm going to put this here since while I think maybe this belongs in plot I am unsure, when the Master that you get to name at the start talks or thinks, a full screen square box comes up. I say talks or thinks because a fair amount of time it is not apparent whether they are thinking or talking and you have to figure it out when the character they are conversing with next talks, I have no idea why they did this and it annoys me greatly. This was present in Fate/Extra as well and it was terrible there too. Oh and when I say it isn't apparent whether they are talking or thinking I mean the way the dialogue may be written will sometimes directly say something towards whoever the MC/FMC is talking to and sometimes it will be written indirectly as if they are thinking; not actual example but such as "Hmm Saber seems worried" then Saber will respond as if the MC/FMC said "Saber you look worried."

Gameplay: In-stage you are taking out hordes of enemies that cause "aggressors" or zone damage sponge enemies to spawn that you beat in order to claim the zone, lather rinse repeat until you have enough to cause the stage boss, some servant based on each stage, to appear. You beat them and you win the stage. Before, during, and after stages, while playing the main story at least, there will be plot scenes that occur giving some insight as to why you are there and why you're fighting, sort of. After a couple stages you are able to do "side quests" during stages to raise bond levels with various servants, these side quests are what you would normally do beat enemies, do certain attacks, pick up recovery items. and so on. Bond levels grant slots for that specific servant to equip "install skills" that grant various stats such as, attack, defense, poison/fire/ice/lighting to attacks, damage per KOs, etc. These install skills are primarily obtained from beating the aggressors I mentioned at the start of this paragraph. The actual combat is very much button mashing with maybe throwing in some heavy attacks to stagger/stunlock enemies that you aren't able to do that to with the light attacks you will be spamming. The camera seems to be fighting you on focusing on aggressors and doesn't keep focused on the bosses, the only ones you can lock on to, while you are actively comboing. Majority of the gameplay doesn't feel very rewarding especially with the following parts that are a bit of a chore, in my opinion, to go through. There is also equipment that the MC/FMC can put on that can do some things that I guess is supposed to be a semi-holdover from Fate/Extra and while some of it is actually a good idea I didn't care for it much. It is serviceable enough but not really impressive maybe a 3-3.5/10

Plot: So upfront I feel this is just bad and I'm not sure if this would be better or worse to other people if you have played/watched Fate/Extra. Avoiding spoilers, when starting the game it is a lot to take in with few answers, which is something I personally hate in storytelling because it doesn't immerse me, it just confuses and annoys me. However, basically you have some arbitrary reason to go through stages to claim/conquer them but everything sort of proceeds at a breakneck pace plotwise. Things fall apart for your "faction" quickly and come together just as quickly, the main story is separated into a few factions with a few stages each and following their side of the story, or I would presume I haven't but likely will complete at least a bit more of the game since I have that compulsion to complete what I started so I usually at least go until pretty extreme burnout then stop playing the game forever. As an aside, after starting the game and getting less than 30 minutes into the game I decided to watch a playthrough of Fate/Extra to see if it helped things, it made things worse for me. This is a review of Fate/Extella so I won't go into my feelings about everything in Fate/Extra however, unless Fate/Extra CCC or Fate/Extra Fox Tails links up a bit better, this games plot mostly deviates dramatically from Fate/Extra. With that in mind, while you would get a more in depth insight into this general reality and how it is different from main Fate/Stay Night timeline and I would recommend it for that reason(Fate/Extra that is), I personally was more frustrated with the plot deviation this game took from Fate/Extra. Oh also the game starts out with you having amnesia, awful start, easily one of the worst plot devices that is hardly ever used in a effective fashion, side note Fate/Extra also uses amnesia but it does it significantly better. From what I've seen 1/10, why am I here, make me want to be here.

Characters/Character development: The characters interpersonal relationships seem to already be established, but both you and Saber are quite different from how you were in Fate/Extra, which plot somewhat explains-ish why you are different. Quite frankly, I don't care for Saber's personality in this game, aside from it deviating from the previous game, it also just feels forced. So far, I haven't really seen characters developing in any meaningful way or getting any form of depth or becoming more than they are from the start, though this might(read doubtfully will) change. The bond system mentioned in the gameplay paragraph adds some interactions here but for me they fall flat since the characters already have their established relationship and this doesn't really give them depth so much as just maybe have some check-in the box fan-service/standard japanese storytelling things. Maybe 1-1.5/10.

Some last tidbits, graphics are fine, pretty good even, not groundbreaking but not bad. The game isn't visually stunning and I was looking more at the minimap to get to different zones to protect or claim them rather than the areas themselves but even still they weren't so spectacular I felt I was missing out on anything. Voice-acting is fine with some of the translation being slightly off from what the characters actually say but well within acceptable range and not remotely egregious. Personally I feel this is generally a really bad game, the primary things I look for in a game, hint hint the things that have their own paragraphs, are all lacking or borderline nonexistent here. I do not recommend the game.

umu

Great story that had me emotional multiple times. Went in not caring much about most of the leads yet I feel in love with their character and now they are among my favorite in the franchise. However, the game play is OK at most, not that great in comparison to the sequel is better in game play but worse in story.

One of the worst musou game I have ever play. The game start to become repetitive after finish first arc. Gameplay is nothing, You can get rid off everything just by spamming the same combo even in very hard. Camera is constantly shacking (not sure if it still shack when using controller). The only good part in my opinion is fan service. Not recommend for everyone who looking for good musou or who have motion sickness.

เป็นเกมส์สนุดดีครับ ส่วนตัวชอบเนื้อเรื่องและ เกมส์เพลย์ คือเป็นคนที่พึ่งมาตามเกมส์ fate เก่าๆและเกมส์นี้ ชอบเป็นการส่วนตัวอยู่แล้วด้วย

good game!!

"Mind,body,and soul.
Each separate yet they make us whole."

~Anonymous poet

There are three layers to Fate Extella Umbral Star.

1. Coming of the great comet: A cataclysmic event that almost destroyed all civilizations thus pushing us toward extinction. Caused mutations to the wild-life whilst appearing as an ominous titan.

2. The reclamation: Enough of humanity's greatest heroes and heroines survived to fight back against the great titan and won thanks to the strategic oversight of their wizard tactician. (Which is "you" by the way.)

3. The shattering: The wizard commander of the reclamation conflict (Your avatar) had his/her raw data uploaded to an akashic archive on the moon after winning the Holy-Grail war. However,your core essence splits into three distinct beings,each with a different servant at their sides. (Servants being the reincarnated souls of those aforementioned legendary heroes and heroines.)

If you fit together the pieces all that will make sense,especially if you are a cultured FATE enjoyer. As for the rest of us? Fortunately we get a rather intriguing story with endearing characters as well as a fun and fast musou-styled hack n slasher holding it all together like super glue!

Having started with Extella-Link it may come off as counter intuitive I've gone back to an earlier entry. However,Umbral-Star has a better premise as well as more competently written dialogue. While there are less characters Umbral Star also does not have an annoying online component making it impossible to play should you find yourself without internet for an extended period of time.

Other aspects

1. Forged items: You can craft relics that grant a specific number of helpful boons per stage. (Heals,revives,etc.)

2. Soul spheres (What I call them anyway): They strengthen each servant with various buffs to their attack,speed,elemental affinity,and defense ratios once you install them into each character's spirit-drive. One's of similar color or type often have accumulative bonus effects if you align them properly.

3. Talk: Progresses the plot-line and helps you get to know your waifus. If you appreciate visual novels the dialogue in Umbral-Star is unexpectedly decent. Long winded in places but well worth reading. You end up having a sympathetic connection with each main love interest. (Except Altera. She simply wants to destroy everything and step on your jewels! I kidd,but the first impression she leaves you with is that of a gilded dominatrix! )

4. Stages: Very similar to Extella Link. Box-shaped and sometimes multi-layered uniquely themed arenas interconnected by wind-tunnel-portals.

5. Combat: Light attack. Heavy attack. Combo super attack. Air-dash. Ground dash. Aerial slash. Perfect parry. Noble phantasms that violate the Geneva convention!

7. Enemies: Par the usual. There are the cannon fodder mobs that fold over like a house made of cards. Aggressors are more competent generals. The flying saucer bot-factories will spawn additional invaders until they are destroyed. Finally you have the bosses that effect the battlefield whom are important characters on the opposing sides. (Usually controlled by the other versions of yourself.)

8. Modes: There are side story missions for every playable servant as well as a free-mode where you can play thru the main story missions as whomever you want. Lastly there is a gallery that gradually expands as you progress.

Pros

+Competent musou hack n slasher with a droplet of noticeable Senran Kagura DNA.

+Recognizable characters fans are already invested in.

+Intriguing lore and well written dialogue. Your avatar is actually important in the events that transpire.

+You can play it offline once it is installed.

Cons

-Boss fights seem more meandering and frustrating here than in Extella Link on any difficulty setting above easy. (Maybe that's just Lu Bu!)

-Graphics are dated and it shows. Umbral Star is still a feast for the eyes but one that is rough around the edges.

-Less playable characters than in Extella Link

-Dlc gouging with "sexy outfits'.

Overall

Umbral-Star still holds up shoulder to shoulder with its' contemporaries. It's one of the few musou games with a compelling narrative put at its' forefront. Not as polished as Extella Link but likewise doesn't have any obnoxious excess bloat or online requirement tomfoolery. If you are uncertain just wait for a sale at which point it dips under 20 dollars!

Good fanservice, good battle, good animation, but sh*t lock-on target system

Servant ซัดแหลก 7/10

Story 7/10
Game-play 7/10
Presentation 7/10
Performance 7/10

OST - Ex: tella

This game is a bit strange, as a game I would not recommend it but for someone who is a fan of Fate and or Fate extraverse it is an ok experience, overall its story is decent but its gameplay is horrible.

Somehow better and cheaper than suicide squad kill the justice league...

Best Game to play for Fate Fans

I want a proper FATE RPG though.

I am an FGO player. Although the model of this game is very outdated, it is still very happy to see my favorite servant move. The story of the game is very good, and the three endings finally come together to provide the basis for the true ending, and the ending is very good. Look forward to Archimedes in FGO

Honestly, this game was a lot of fun. I enjoyed the story, and the gameplay was fun. Pretty much all the servants (besides Archimedes) were fun to play. I just got Extella Link and Samurai Remnant as well, so I'm not sure how this game compares to those, but once I've played them I'll come back and update my review.

Hmph, Fate/Extella—a decent attempt by mongrels to capture the grandeur of the Moon Cell War. The battles, though repetitive, provide fleeting amusement, and the story, while verbose, is passable for mortal standards. The visuals shine like a polished gem, though none can match my radiant glory. Play this if you wish to glimpse at fragments of brilliance—but know it pales before the King of Heroes.

Gilgamesh

I enjoyed Hyperdimension Neptunia U and the Senran Kagura games, but always felt a little let down by the short levels. Even though you can replay levels and there are some bonus levels just for fun, they are always a bit of a hassle if you just want to mow down heaps of enemies.

I was recommended this game in a forum post. It's my first proper musou game. The levels are long enough to really dig your teeth into. The story is better than it needs to be to drive things along, if a little long winded at times. But as a veteran of both the Neptunia and Senran Kagura games I'm used to that.

The game looks really good in 4k, but I am using the Lossless Scaling app with 3x frame generation to bring it up to 90fps. The base 30fps is a bit hard to take and I can't see any option to change that but with a little help from a third party app the game looks and plays really well.

UMU!!

So far, this is a good sequel to the Fate/Extra series.
I love the gameplay, stress-relieving even though some parts might be annoying.
Story-wise, as usual. As a returning Fate fan, quite fun to follow!! :D

saya sedih karena sulit grinding levelnya :(((

Great game and lots of fun if you enjoy killing endless mobs. The mechanics are good so the game never gets stale.

yeah it's decent but would be quite boring bcs of how repetitive the gameplay is, but storywise, it's ok

THIS OK

As always Fate series games are amazing

One of the best anime waifu musou game not created by Omega force. Fox goddess ❤️ if you enjoy anime, musou and visual novels this game is a must buy!!!

Tamamo wife

Actually, I'm very disappointed. The graphics of this game is distracting, why are so many female characters have SUCH revealing clothing, and each girl that do shows her chest needs to have shine on them? Who oiling them up? The game-play isnt that fun either, and is very confusing at the start. The only saving grace is the visual novel in between the fights, but even that is a stretch.

as always, fate never dissapoint me

I am the bone of my sword
Steel is my body and fire is my blood
I have created over a thousand blades
Unknown to Death,
Nor known to Life.
Have withstood pain to create many weapons
But yet, those hands will never hold anything
So as I pray, Unlimited Blade Works.
Good game for fans

The game is cool. Not bad to get all achievements.

UMU!!!!

you can bathe with tamamo

I can't believe this game exists, and it took me so long time to play it. I am a massive Musou fan and always look for a game that scratches the same itch as WO3U did.

While this doesn't quite match WO3U with modes or features, it still feels enjoyable to play. This game feels like it was designed to be fun. (Which feels rarer and rarer these days.) I had never played a fate game before, so I jumped in blind.

Overall, I was shocked at how much I liked the characters and story. In the second mission, you get chased by Lu Bu out of nowhere. This is how I knew that the devs cared about previous games in the same genre and that it was worth playing the entire campaign. Yet another game in which you "do not pursue Lu Bu." I'll just say it now: this is my favorite campaign out of any Musou so far, and I didn't actually want to skip cutscenes because the acting, writing, and visuals were well done.

The game has a very arcade feel and an open-ended mission design. I mean this in the sense that if the game tells you to go and protect a particular area or not to fight Lu Bu, you can, anyway, and still win. This makes it a blast to grind out on hard and find cheap moves to win things you feel like you shouldn't. I love this and wish more games like this didn't auto-fail you for not doing something the way the game wanted you to.

Speaking of moves, this animation is so hype. The first time you get control of a character, the first thing that I thought was, "OMG, this would dominate in a Dynasty Warriors game; this character must just be busted." It turns out that all of the characters feel over the top and extremely good. All while being unique in their moveset. Stun lock is here and intensional. Amazingly, officers have a limit and will jump out of your infinite and do the same back to you. So, if you don't block, you can die from just a touch in the wrong situation.

If you look at the previews, think the game looks fun, and don't mind fanservice, this is for you.

gameplay is a bit brainfard but story is good.

also sex with tamamo so this is peak

a cute story about hakunon and her wives. gameplay isn't that great but it doesn't matter

The usual Fate gameplay of a visual novel with combat between story scenes. As a plus this one has full controller support so no mismatched xBox type command prompts.