FAIRY TAIL
- July 30, 2020
- KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD.
- 30h median play time
Fairy Tail is an incredibly satisfying turn based RPG, with tons of growth systems to invest in. You need a good knowledge of the show to get maximum enjoyment, but for fans it doesn't get any better than this
Fairy Tail, a game for PlayStation 4, lets players experience the magical world of the popular manga and anime series. Choose from 16 playable characters, including mages from guilds other than Fairy Tail, and engage in magic battles using familiar moves like Unison Raid and Extreme Magic. Complete missions, raise your guild's rank, and aim to become the top guild in Magnolia town. The digital deluxe edition is also available and includes the base game.
Reviews
- Fun and engaging combat system that captures the essence of the anime.
- Great character interactions and nostalgic moments for fans of the series.
- Visually appealing graphics and animations, especially during combat.
- Many important characters lack 3D models and are represented only by portraits, leading to awkward cutscenes.
- Repetitive quest design with a focus on fetch and kill missions, making gameplay feel grindy.
- High price point for the game and its DLCs, which are considered overpriced by many players.
- story484 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's story, which covers key arcs from the "Fairy Tail" anime starting from the Tenrou Island arc to the Tartaros arc, has received mixed reviews. While fans appreciate the nostalgic elements and character interactions, many criticize the rushed pacing, lack of important character models, and significant omissions from the original narrative, making it feel like a watered-down version of the source material. Overall, the game is best suited for those already familiar with the anime, as newcomers may find the story confusing and lacking depth.
“The game stays true to the story of the anime/manga, even has some of the filler episodes as part of some quests, which is kinda sad as they also cut out massive amounts of story and doesn't even bother to 'voice' a lot of the side characters.. while still using the sounds/voices from the actual anime.”
“The story follows the anime content closely with references from past events (haven't read the manga so I can't comment about that).”
“The story is quite similar to the anime with very slight changes to it.”
“The game is straight up disrespectful to the material, skipping story beats, removing important characters, repetitive and bland. There is very little to enjoy when the pace of the story is extremely fast; at least use the scenes from the actual anime if you're too lazy to animate it yourself.”
“The poor adaptation of the story, repetitive gameplay, and tedious leveling make it a disappointing experience.”
“The story is portrayed in a flimsy manner, and there are tons of missing character models even for those who are essential to the story.”
- gameplay151 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its fun and engaging mechanics, particularly for fans of the Fairy Tail series. However, several players noted that the gameplay can become repetitive and grind-heavy, especially at higher levels, and criticized the lack of depth in combat and story adaptation. Overall, while the turn-based combat and character interactions are enjoyable, the game may not appeal to those seeking a more complex or varied gameplay experience.
“Incredible game with fun and involved gameplay!”
“The gameplay is very fun - and to experience the world of Fairy Tail is a blast!”
“The gameplay is just amazing with great fight sequences, and it follows the main story quite well, pretty much changing nothing.”
“Repetitive gameplay: the game quickly becomes a grind, especially when trying to clear 100%.”
“The poor adaptation of the story, repetitive gameplay, and tedious leveling make it a disappointing experience.”
“The gameplay is boring (to me), and the game in general flows really poorly.”
- graphics103 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the vibrant cel-shaded art style that captures the anime aesthetic, while others criticize the overall quality as subpar and dated, likening it to older console graphics. Combat animations are highlighted as a strong point, but issues such as clipping, limited character expressions, and lazy cutscenes detract from the experience. Overall, while some players find the graphics enjoyable and fitting for a JRPG, others express disappointment in the execution and technical aspects.
“The game boasts vibrant, cel-shaded graphics that capture the aesthetic of the anime.”
“The graphics and combat are actually fun to watch, but there is an option to auto fight/turn off the battle animations.”
“The graphics are something that you would expect out of a JRPG; it is not to the extent of a triple-A game, but it is still acceptable for modern times.”
“Graphics: I was disappointed in the graphics here.”
“The character models look bad, and not just 'the graphics aren't hyper-real, it's garbage.' Their mouths hardly move, they show no real emotion, and all of their movements feel very stiff. For a game released in 2020, it just feels cheap.”
“It seriously looks like a PS2 game in terms of environmental graphics and general animations.”
- music60 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, capturing the essence of the original Fairy Tail anime with a mix of nostalgic tracks and new compositions, though some players wished for a more extensive soundtrack and the inclusion of iconic themes. While the soundtrack enhances the gameplay experience and fits the scenes effectively, it has been noted as somewhat repetitive and lacking in variety. Overall, fans of the series appreciate the music's alignment with the Fairy Tail vibe, even if it doesn't fully replicate the original's iconic sound.
“This game is so relaxing with the music and play-at-your-own-pace feel.”
“The music is obviously really good, if not a bit short on tracks.”
“The music in this game is as incredible as you'd expect from a Fairy Tail game, and I cannot wait to hear more of it!”
“Its alright but wish we had the original soundtrack, the one with voices.”
“The music in the game is lacking in any originality or standout performances though, and I quickly found myself growing bored of it and eventually just muted it and started listening to my own music.”
“Obviously they didn't pay to get the rights to the show soundtrack, which would have been much better, but it's enough in the same spirit to usually feel pretty close.”
- grinding42 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 95 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with many players noting that achieving 100% completion or maxing out character levels can require excessive hours of monotonous gameplay. While some players find enjoyment in the grind, particularly for character customization and leveling, the lack of variety in enemy types and quest design often leads to a frustrating experience. Overall, the game is deemed "very grindy," making it less appealing for those who prefer a more dynamic and engaging gameplay experience.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“That time, however, is pure gameplay; there's not much grinding at all because of the super link 99 battle system.”
“Trying to clear 100% of the game involves long and tedious hours of collecting items and defeating enemies repeatedly.”
“The poor adaptation of the story, repetitive gameplay, and tedious leveling make it a disappointing experience.”
“The quests are very grindy and repetitive; nothing special about them or even worth playing, to be honest.”
- humor22 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the funny dialogues and character interactions that reflect the original anime's comedic style. While some found the humor enjoyable and reminiscent of the source material, others felt that it didn't fully translate, particularly for those unfamiliar with the anime. Overall, the game features a blend of lighthearted moments and fan service, though some players noted that the humor can be overshadowed by repetitive gameplay.
“The humor that you would expect from the characters like Erza is in the game as well.”
“Some of the dialogue between characters is hilarious.”
“The game has its fair share of funny moments between the characters you know and love.”
- optimization19 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing smooth performance while others report significant issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and crashes. Many users suggest that the game requires patches to address these performance problems, particularly for those on lower-end systems. Overall, while some players find it runs well, the consensus indicates that the game is in need of further optimization and fixes.
“Super optimized as well.”
“Tty laptop with medium graphic settings and I'm more than happy with the performance of the game.”
“There are a couple of performance issues such as audio cutting out, etc., but considering the immediate response from the devs about bugs, I have no question this will be at 100% very soon!”
“Summary: fun for fans of the anime, but not worth paying a AAA price for and the current Steam release is in need of fixes/optimizations at the time of review.”
“The problems with initial loading, missing configuration options, and sub-par overall performance seem to highlight a team that doesn't have PC ports as a core competency.”
“Additionally, the first cutscene after starting a new game has such low framerate that there is visible stuttering and the audio is several seconds off from what the video is.”
- monetization13 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers noting the high prices of DLC and the lack of substantial content. Players feel that the game exploits nostalgia while offering minimal value, leading to frustration over the excessive costs associated with achieving full gameplay experiences. Overall, the sentiment is that the monetization approach detracts from the game's quality and enjoyment, making it hard to recommend.
“It's very obviously just a quick cash grab for them.”
“But not only that but the DLC add-ons are clearly cash grabs and unreasonably expensive, even including an odd season pass that doesn't even cover the entire season it's for.”
“The game is pretty good and follows along the Fairy Tail story, but holy crap are they ever going hard on selling DLC for the same price as the game. It just keeps coming, and next thing you know, you're going to be paying around $200 just to be able to reach max rank and play the characters you like from the story. In that state, I don't recommend this game; they are making it a huge cash grab!”
- replayability9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is mixed; while some players find it infinitely replayable, others feel it lacks depth after completing the story and quests, with limited character options and repetitive tasks diminishing the incentive to replay. The absence of more playable characters and expensive DLC further detracts from the overall replay value.
“The game is infinitely replayable, offering a variety of characters and strategies to explore.”
“The content and replayability are impressive, with numerous quests and challenges that keep the experience fresh.”
“Even after finishing the story, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the game through different character combinations and difficulty levels.”
“The game doesn’t have much replay value when you finish the story and all quests (other than starting a new playthrough on harder difficulty).”
“However, there doesn't seem to be any point in replayability and most quests seem to be the same old 'kill x for me'.”
“The only real downsides to the game are that the DLC is way too expensive right now, and I wish there were a few more playable characters in the base game since there are so many amazing and powerful characters.”
- stability9 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 78 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally positive, with most players reporting smooth performance and no significant crashes or freezes. However, some users have noted occasional visual and audio glitches, as well as minor bugs that can detract from the experience. While many recommend the game, they advise potential players to wait for patches and consider purchasing it on sale due to concerns about the DLC pricing structure.
“It is not too easy or too hard; it is in amazing detail and runs great on most systems.”
“For me, the game runs great. I have personally had no issues with crashing, bugs, or other technical problems.”
“This game is still quite buggy, and it doesn't seem like it was meant to run on PC.”
“But right after I turn in the first request, it gives me my items and immediately freezes and won't let me move or press any other buttons.”
“Some visual/audio glitches but very rare.”
- emotional5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some players find the emotional moments captivating and impactful, others feel that the storytelling is underdeveloped and lacks the depth of the original anime and manga. The limited animations in cutscenes detract from the emotional weight, and the confusing plot points can hinder player engagement. Overall, the game offers some enjoyable emotional experiences, but it may not fully satisfy fans seeking a rich narrative.
“This game made the epic moments feel epic and made the emotional moments incredibly captivating.”
“Wait for a sale and then enjoy the very fun and light-hearted world of Fairy Tail with its amazing emotional and motivating moments.”
- character development4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is perceived as lacking depth, with many players feeling that the story is rushed and prioritizes fan service over meaningful growth. While there are some impactful scenes, the overall execution suffers due to skipped build-up, leaving players wanting more from the characters' journeys. Despite this, the character designs are praised for their quality.
“I'm enjoying playing it, but I'm about 10 hours in and a huge fan of the anime, so the extra side bits and character development keep me coming back.”
“It has some cool scenes and character development-related moments, a lot of exciting and sentimental stuff.”
“The story seems rushed, with not much focus on character development and more emphasis on fan service.”
“I'm enjoying playing it, but I'm about 10 hours in and, as a huge fan of the anime, the extra side bits and character development keep me coming back. However, I'm not sure I'll be spending another $200 on costumes and characters.”
“In addition, the character designs are very well done.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a pleasant and immersive ambiance during exploration, while also ramping up to an exhilarating intensity during combat sequences.
“The game has a pleasant, atmospheric feel during traversal and becomes notably intense during battles when it needs to be.”
“The immersive environment draws you in, making every moment feel alive and engaging.”
“The sound design and visuals work together to create a captivating atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”