FAIRY TAIL 2 Review

Anime video games have always been a bit of a mixed bag. The fate of your beloved intellectual properties is always up in the air, with the constant influx and outflow of free-to-play disasters and the unending reusing of 3D arena fighters. Being an attempt to defy trends, these changes can be exciting and even welcome.

FAIRY TAIL 2 is developed by Koei Tecmo, the same studio that developed FAIRY TAIL back in 2020. KOEI TECMO GAMES is an entertainment and anime conglomerate formed in 2009 by the union of Koei and Tecmo. KOEI TECMO GAMES has great games under its name, like Attack on Titan 2, Dynasty Warriors 9, and Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes. With FAIRY TAIL 2, the studio decided to push this game on major platforms like PlayStation 5 and 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

Character bonding activities and an original ending help make up for the aggregate inadequacies of FAIRY TAIL 2. The former happens most often around campfires, and you can unlock them as you progress through the game. Overall, the cast is significantly more prominently featured than the storyline. In contrast to the usual flow, I frequently anticipated the slice-of-life moments and the rare deep dives into character perspectives on the big tale events.

FAIRY TAIL 2 begins with the fearsome Alvarez Empire planning a hostile, murderous global invasion. The only squad capable of facing up to the mighty vanguards of the feared empire's Spriggan 12 is the discovered family magic guild FAIRY TAIL. With the help of numerous magic guilds around the realm, does FAIRY TAIL have a chance of preventing the empire's dark plans? And what can they do when a potentially lethal opponent lurks in the winds?

Following the protagonist as they go through the last arc of the anime/manga takes place throughout twelve chapters. The only real complexity in these chapters comes from the occasional dull fetch quest that you'll find scattered over the region maps. These plot points don't seem as extensive as they likely did when first written. If you're unfamiliar with the FAIRY TAIL series and haven't played the original game or read the manga/anime, you could find that some details "get lost in translation," as the saying goes.

The fact that I developed feelings for multiple FAIRY TAIL characters is, nonetheless, evidence of the series' merits. The plot delves into the characters of the generous Mirajane and the frequently irritated Carla, and I enjoyed narrator Lucy's sincere character. Erza, however, steals the show in every scene she appears in. The romantic in me even liked the interactions between Gray and Juvia and Gajeel and Levy. Still, if you know what to expect and are familiar with the characters and setting, you'll enjoy the narrative and characters much more.

Regrettably, the gameplay of FAIRY TAIL 2 is just as shallow as the story. Eventually, players will be able to control three heroes and explore the world of Fiore with them, thanks to character unlock and a growing list of playable heroes. Some of these characters will temporarily disappear from the roster for plot reasons, only to make a triumphant return once they've reunited with the main cast. You may instantly swap between all of your playable heroes, no matter where you are in the game, and you even get to choose which one you use to explore FAIRY TAIL 2's partially open worlds.

FAIRY TAIL 2's basic gameplay loop consists of moving from one main mission marker to another, defeating opponents, exploring the map, and taking up side tasks. As is customary in role-playing games, characters level up as they gain experience and can spend stat points (called "Origin Points") in one of three Magic Origin skill trees, which are associated with Spirit, Skill, or Strength.

With the order of skill acquisition having little to no impact on gameplay, I found auto-leveling my characters to be the ideal approach in FAIRY TAIL 2, which allows players to make this choice. Fights rarely pose problems on normal difficulties, and I often found myself over-leveled in each area of the map (shown on the HUD) from beating every monster I saw.

Players can level up basic stats shared across party members and boost the efficiency of unique in-combat abilities that leverage diverse hero synergies in the Magic Origin trees. They can also unlock new fighting talents in these trees. Just like in the original FAIRY TAIL, players in FAIRY TAIL 2 can only equip Lacrima as equipment.

Similar to their role in the original FAIRY TAIL, Lacrima are enchanted stones in FAIRY TAIL 2 that can be bestowed with magical abilities. The crafting ingredients that players earn while exploring the map and looting various objects (in treasure chests or during battle) can be exchanged for several types of Lacrima with merchants. Some Lacrima increase the damage or rate of critical hits, while others have elemental affinities or even give HP on each successful attack.

Although lacrimas are useful for improving one's fighting abilities, the crafting system seems to be completely random. The Lacrima requires a plethora of materials, and you'll amass enough of them to ensure that your warriors always have access to the most cutting-edge equipment.

During combat, you take direct control of one-party character as two competently AI-controlled colleagues use a variety of loaded skills to link combos. You can unleash a spectacularly dazzling combo move with an ally, Unison Raid.

That can change the flow of a fight if you manage to break the opponent's defenses completely. Aside from summoning NPC companions, you may also use them to perform special moves during battles. Fights feel drawn out, particularly towards the conclusion of the game, because I had a habit of level grinding and was several levels higher than my foes. Despite this, the fighting was fast, fluid, and entertaining when consumed in small doses.

From the first game's turn-based mechanics to an exciting real-time combat experience, FAIRY TAIL 2 has completely revamped its battle system. This development is truly revolutionary. The option to instantly swap between characters adds a sense of dynamic and fascinating battles, opening up a world of strategic possibilities.

Every battle in FAIRY TAIL 2 feels like a grand spectacle, whether you're unleashing Natsu's flaming powers or joining forces with guild members for devastating link attacks. Battles were a never-ending source of fun because you could try out various tactics and character combinations.

You can use abilities and conduct Link Attacks to improve your Fairy Rank during battle. You can launch more powerful skills, link more skills in a single combo, and raise the amount of SP (Skill Points) you can acquire as your Fairy Rank grows.

FAIRY TAIL 2 has breathtaking graphics. The settings are very detailed, and the character representations are true to the anime. The fights become a visual extravaganza when characters unleash magical attacks like Lucy's celestial charms or Natsu's fire dragon abilities. However, there are some problems. The graphics seem low-end on platforms like the Switch. Unless you have a PS5 or a High-end PC, the graphics won't feel the same.

It is equally astonishing how the sound design was done. The orchestral score elevates the immersive experience, enhancing everything from intense character moments to intense fighting. Because of the voice acting, you get the impression that you are a part of the characters and the story that they are telling.

The beautiful computer-generated images based on visual novels that appear at critical points in the story are beautiful, but they appear to be an attempt to skip over more advanced animations or cutscenes. The game has a hard time expressing how devastating the invasions and fights often are, which makes scaling for the narrative's war and intense action sequences difficult.

FAIRY TAIL 2, much like the original anime, has an excess of flash and little substance. FAIRY TAIL has, despite its success, always been criticized for being overly formulaic, copying the look and feel of Shonen anime with an unhealthy obsession. Similarly, FAIRY TAIL 2 has all the makings of a fast and low-stakes role-playing game, but it doesn't have the depth of other titles in its genre. Players' pleasure in the game will differ based on their level of interest in the FAIRY TAIL manga and anime. The game's visual appeal and fast-paced fighting are the only redeeming qualities of an otherwise lackluster experience.

An ode to the series' signature qualities, FAIRY TAIL 2 celebrates the series' memorable characters, intense fights, and moving storyline. Whether you're a longtime fan or just getting into the series, this game has something thrilling, touching, and exquisitely made for you. If you enjoy role-playing games and anime, you really must play it. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or new to the series, this game offers an exciting, emotional, and beautifully crafted experience. It’s a must-play for RPG enthusiasts and anime or manga fans alike.