Fate/EXTELLA

The gameplay of Fate/Extella has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it repetitive and simplistic, often likening it to a less engaging version of the Dynasty Warriors series. While some enjoy the fast-paced, hack-and-slash mechanics and the variety of characters, others criticize the lack of depth and the frustrating mechanics that detract from the overall experience. Ultimately, the game is seen as more appealing to fans of the Fate series who prioritize story over gameplay, as the narrative elements are often highlighted as its strongest aspect.

The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the polished artwork and character designs, while others criticize the dated models and lack of graphical options. Many note that while the visuals are not groundbreaking, they are generally acceptable for gameplay, especially on lower-end systems. Overall, the graphics are seen as a blend of decent performance and artistic flair, but not without significant shortcomings.

The music in the game has received largely positive feedback, with many players praising its ability to enhance the gaming experience through fitting and immersive soundtracks that match the game's themes and action. While some tracks are noted as recycled from previous titles in the Fate series, the overall composition is described as beautiful and engaging, contributing significantly to the atmosphere and enjoyment of gameplay. However, a few reviews mention that certain battle themes are less memorable, and some tracks can become repetitive over time.

Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be repetitive and tedious, often leading to boredom as they repeatedly tackle the same levels and challenges. While some appreciate the core gameplay and music that can make grinding feel more engaging, many express frustration with the lengthy and monotonous nature of the grind, particularly when pursuing achievements or completing levels multiple times. Overall, grinding is seen as a necessary but unenjoyable part of the experience.

Players frequently highlight the game's emotional depth, praising its beautiful and touching storylines that evoke strong feelings, from heartbreak to joy. The combination of stunning art and a compelling soundtrack enhances the emotional experience, making players feel invested in the characters and their journeys. While some found the narrative confusing initially, many ultimately described it as an emotional rollercoaster that left a lasting impact.

Character development in the game is largely criticized, with many reviewers noting a lack of depth and meaningful interactions among characters. While the character designs and voice acting are praised for their quality and appeal, the writing fails to provide substantial growth or complexity, often reducing characters to stereotypes or superficial traits. Overall, the game seems to prioritize visual aesthetics over engaging character arcs, leaving players wanting more in terms of narrative and development.

The game's optimization is highly praised, with users reporting smooth performance even on older PCs, such as those with i3 processors, and consistently high frame rates on more powerful setups. The port is well-optimized, allowing for a range of graphics settings while maintaining excellent performance, often exceeding 60fps on max settings. Overall, the PC version is considered as good as the original PS4 release, with full controller support enhancing the experience.

The humor in the game is widely praised, with players enjoying the witty banter between characters like Nero and Tamamo, as well as the overall comedic tone that enhances the gameplay experience. While the story may not reach the heights of other entries in the franchise, the funny and unique character interactions contribute significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment. Overall, the humor adds a delightful layer to the hack-and-slash mechanics, making it a fun and engaging experience.

The game offers significant replayability through multiple difficulty levels, a variety of equipment and passives, and diverse characters, although the narrative focus limits the depth of some characters. Players enjoy the free play modes and express excitement for potential sequels that promise expanded content and improved mechanics.

Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while the port runs well with a standalone launcher for configuration and supports high resolutions, users have reported bugs related to name input and enemy interactions that can disrupt gameplay. It's recommended to use keyboard controls initially to avoid progression issues.

Reviews indicate that the monetization strategy of the game is viewed negatively, with players labeling it as a cash grab, particularly in comparison to other titles like Saber Venus, CCC, and Foxtail. The overall sentiment suggests disappointment in the game's value and quality relative to its pricing.

The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its extraordinary quality, enhanced by a polished combat system and unique skills and spells. The music plays a significant role in shaping this atmosphere, appealing to players who appreciate its style.