As a seasoned anime and visual novel enthusiast with over two decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that Fate/Stay Night Remastered is a game-changer for the Type Moon universe. Growing up, I’ve seen the Fate series evolve from niche hits to global phenomena, and now, finally, we have access to the original work that started it all.
Over the past two decades, Type Moon’s Fate series has significantly impacted both anime and video games. Fate/Grand Order, in particular, has made a significant mark on mobile gaming, contributing substantially to the popularity of games that use gacha-style mechanics. Games like Fate/Extra and Fate/Extella have garnered niche followings, while numerous anime series and movies associated with the franchise have achieved global success. However, it’s surprising that the original source material for all these adaptations hasn’t been easily accessible. Instead, fans have had to make do with fan translations, which can be tricky to set up and run smoothly without navigating through forums and following intricate setup instructions.
2024 has proven to be a groundbreaking year for Type Moon. Not only did they release a localized version of their debut work, Tsukihime, several months ago, but they also launched Fate/Stay Night Remastered this summer by Aniplex. Each event on its own would be significant, but having both happen in the same year seems extraordinary. For the first time ever, English-speaking fans of these works can effortlessly purchase and enjoy the original Fate/Stay Night visual novel, available on platforms like Steam or the Nintendo eShop. And for newcomers, it’s hard to find a more inviting starting point than one of the best visual novels in its genre.
The Holy Grail War
Fate/Stay Night revolves around Shirou Emiya, an ordinary high school student who has a surprising background – he’s an orphan raised by a magus. In this world, magic is a potent yet terrifying force that disobeys the laws of nature, and attempting to wield it without proper caution can be fatal. With limited magical abilities, Shirou finds himself entangled in the Holy Grail War – a lethal contest between powerful magicians who vie for a legendary artifact said to grant any desire. During this struggle, participants summon Servants, which are the spirits of individuals from both historical and fictional realms that left significant imprints on humanity.
In the story of Fate/Stay Night, Shirou, initially unwilling, is paired with Saber, one of the strongest Servants available. The narrative unfolds as Shirou’s ideals collide with a realm of violence and tradition, revealing how deeply he’s prepared to stand by his beliefs. As Shirou’s bond with Saber and other war-involved characters evolves, so does his resolve to challenge the stringent regulations governing this conflict. Kinoko Nasu’s writing, remarkable in its own right, manages to surpass language barriers and resonate profoundly. Remarkably, for a game based on an anime-style battle premise, Fate/Stay Night offers an exceptional level of intensity and depth across all aspects, from the portrayal of violence to the exploration of emotion, setting it apart within its genre.
Branching paths
Among the fascinating aspects of Fate/Stay Night lies in its presentation of three unique “stories” or “routes.” Typically, visual novels are perceived as interactive Choose Your Own Adventure tales with numerous choices leading to various outcomes and endings. However, in Fate/Stay Night, this concept is taken a step further. Each route functions as an individual narrative, starting from the prologue and branching out into distinct situations with contrasting conflicts and conclusions. The anime adaptations for each route are somewhat separate: there’s Fate, Unlimited Bladeworks, and Heaven’s Feel. While the first was adapted into a series (with mixed reviews), the latter was developed into multiple movies that have received positive feedback. This work serves as the foundation for all these adaptations, compiled in one comprehensive package.
In the game Fate/Stay Night, unfavorable outcomes are quite common, with several decisions having a correct option and a fatal one. However, there’s an entertaining twist – when you make a wrong choice, you’re transported to an unusual room that breaks the fourth wall to explain why your selection was incorrect. This provides a helpful learning experience for making better choices in the future, as well as offering some intriguing background on the characters. As an extra perk, this version of the game includes a Flowchart feature, allowing you to navigate the story more efficiently and catch up on anything you might have missed. Previously, you’d have to manually skip through content you’ve already read, but this streamlined process is a welcome addition.
Remastered reading
Fate/Stay Night is a type of interactive storytelling called a visual novel, where you primarily read through the narrative and make choices along the way to explore different plot paths. What sets it apart from traditional novels is that it incorporates elements like music, voice acting, special effects, and artwork, making it feel more like watching an animated series or listening to an audiobook. The remastered version has improved usability and high-definition graphics, as it was initially released in the 2000s but this is its first official English localization.
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Essentially, Fate/Stay Night stands as a pivotal piece in a genre currently booming on our side of the world. For years, it appeared that this influential (and fantastic on its own merits) visual novel would remain unavailable in a properly translated and localized format. Any enthusiast of anime, gaming, or innovative digital storytelling should give this tale a look; it’s one of the best and investing your time will quickly make you realize why Fate has garnered such a significant following today. For newcomers, welcome to an intriguing and addictive rabbit hole that might just be the most absurd yet rewarding one you’ll ever dive into!
Fate/Stay Night Remastered is available now for the PC and Nintendo Switch. A PC code was provided by the publisher for this review.
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2024-08-31 19:27