Fate/EXTELLA LINK

Fate/EXTELLA LINK builds on The Umbral Star very well in terms of visuals, gameplay, and mechanics.

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A sequel to Fate/Extella, which in turn is a spin-off to the larger Fate multi-media franchise

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Play Modes

Reviews

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,388 reviews

story118 positive mentions

grinding17 negative mentions

Improved gameplay mechanics and combat system compared to the previous game.
Diverse roster of characters, including fan favorites like Astolfo and Scathach.
Visually appealing graphics and animations, enhancing the overall experience.

The story is shorter and less engaging than the previous installment, lacking depth and character development.
Repetitive gameplay can become tedious over time, especially with similar mission objectives.
Multiplayer mode is underutilized and lacks a player base, making it difficult to find matches.

story
616 mentions
19 % positive mentions
73 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The story of *Fate/Extella Link* has received mixed reviews, with many players noting it as a significant downgrade from its predecessor, *Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star*. While the gameplay and character roster have improved, the narrative is often described as short, simplistic, and lacking depth, with many feeling it serves merely as a backdrop for combat rather than a compelling tale. Fans of the franchise may find some enjoyment in the character interactions, but overall, the story is seen as forgettable and less engaging compared to previous entries in the series.
- “The story is interesting and engaging.”
- “The main story is simple but effective; I love the team dynamic in this game.”
- “The story is much simpler and straightforward, if you've ever played one single event in fate/go then you will be able to see where this story is going almost immediately.”
- “My negative with the game is not that it's literally Extella with a few new servants, but the plot itself.”
- “The story is much simpler and straightforward; if you've ever played one single event in Fate/GO, then you will be able to see where this story is going almost immediately.”
- “The story is a disappointment.”
gameplay
328 mentions
30 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Fate/Extella Link" has received significant praise for its improvements over its predecessor, featuring smoother mechanics, a larger roster of characters, and more engaging combat systems. While many players enjoy the fast-paced, hack-and-slash style typical of musou games, some criticize the repetitive nature of missions and the lack of depth in the story. Overall, the gameplay is considered fun and stylish, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre, despite its narrative shortcomings.
- “Gameplay is peak.”
- “The gameplay is fast and fun.”
- “This game is mechanically a better gameplay experience than the first; the combat is better, the skill usage is better, and everything just feels like it flows better.”
- “As much as I love the Fate series, this is somehow one of the worst musou games mechanically.”
- “The gameplay is almost identical to the first Fate/Extella game for the most part.”
- “While more playable and mechanically sound than the original Fate/Extella, Fate/Extella Link fails to tell an engaging and memorable story, thus falling short of the standards set by other spin-offs.”
graphics
125 mentions
42 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received generally positive feedback, with many reviewers praising the improved character models, vibrant colors, and detailed environments compared to its predecessor. However, some users noted issues such as a jittery camera, occasional frame drops, and a lack of standard PC graphic settings. Overall, while the visuals are considered stunning and a significant upgrade, there are still areas that could benefit from further refinement.
- “The game's graphics are top-notch, with detailed and colorful character models and environments that look great.”
- “Graphics: massive improvements from the original with both the character models looking much better and the stages all getting a much needed face-lift with more fanciful designs and small details.”
- “The graphics are absolutely beautiful, the game is well optimized and with a decent rig (mid-high tier) PC I was able to play at 4K resolution at 60 FPS with a few drops only.”
- “The character designs are lowkey okay, but the graphics, movements, and controls are absolutely disgusting.”
- “Lacks most standard PC graphic settings, and what is included may not work properly, like fullscreen options.”
- “This coupled with the graphical issues I mentioned really annoyed me, and if you're a streamer or content creator, this isn't going to be a great game for you since it'll look all pixelated and a mess of colors on stream/recording.”
music
45 mentions
53 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its composition and integration of both new tracks and classic themes from the Fate series. The soundtrack is described as cohesive and emotionally resonant, enhancing the overall gameplay experience, although some users noted that certain tracks felt forgettable. Overall, the music stands out as a strong point, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere and enjoyment.
- “The music is great all throughout with a few surprises here and there.”
- “Music is well composed, accomplishing the full range of emotion with excellent composition.”
- “The soundtrack for this game is pretty good, though they also use a lot of fate/extra ccc music (amazing music) and fate/extella music (not so good).”
- “The original soundtrack is forgettable, and I often play other music instead.”
- “My only complaint might be that the very final song in the last ending is rather empty.”
- “-1 point for not having all the original extella outfits, and having that really poor animation for the opening movie of the game that doesn't match the quality of the song or in-game visuals.”
grinding
20 mentions
5 % positive mentions
10 % neutral mentions
85 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding in the game to be a mixed experience; while some describe it as tedious and time-consuming, others appreciate the manageable mission lengths and the satisfaction of character progression. Many note that grinding can become less of a chore with strategic play and character swapping, though aiming for 100% completion can feel more grind-heavy. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as less mind-numbing compared to other titles, with some players enjoying the customization and tactical elements it offers.
- “10/10, great game, not too grindy yet not boring at all, always satisfying no matter if you are already very strong or very weak!”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “100% completion is tedious... but not exceedingly mind-numbing.”
- “It was tedious and barebones, but you suffered through it for the story.”
optimization
16 mentions
31 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with many players reporting solid performance and the ability to run at high resolutions with minimal issues. However, some users experienced occasional stuttering, particularly during graphically intensive scenes or on high refresh rate monitors, suggesting that further optimization could enhance the experience. While the graphics are praised, there are calls for improvements in keyboard and mouse controls and adjustments to the running environment for better performance.
- “Levels feel well optimized and there are quick loading times to and from battles.”
- “Graphics are absolutely beautiful, the game is well optimized and with a decent rig (mid-high tier) PC I was able to play at 4K resolution at 60 fps with a few drops only (30 at max, 10-15 drop at average) during graphically intensive scenes/abilities.”
- “I'm running it at 4K resolution 60 fps and have had zero issues with performance.”
- “This game has a severe stuttering issue.”
- “Did get some stuttering on occasion even though my PC is above the recommended specs, but meh it isn't too bad.”
- “Currently there is an issue with performance on high refresh monitors, but this only occurs during heavy particle effects (such as using your noble phantasm) and can be remedied by capping the game's frame rate at 60fps using NVIDIA Inspector.”
replayability
15 mentions
27 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability, allowing players to revisit missions with unlocked characters and enjoy a variety of content, including improved graphics and a more engaging combat system. However, some players feel that the story lacks depth, which may detract from the overall replay value. Overall, the game is praised for its mechanics and character options, with ratings for replayability generally ranging from 7 to 8 out of 10.
- “Huge replayability: complete the story once, and you get to replay any mission with any unlocked servant.”
- “Lot of content and high replay value here.”
- “Much better graphics, more playable characters, an improved combat system, and multiplayer (can be played with AI bots as well!!!).”
- “It could be fun to go back and play now and then, but it just didn't have much replay value to me.”
- “While more playable and mechanically sound than the original Fate/Extella, Fate/Extella Link fails to tell an engaging and memorable story, thus falling short of the standards set by other spin-offs.”
- “While more playable and mechanically sound than the original Fate/Extella, Fate/Extella Link fails to tell an engaging and memorable story, thus falling short of the standards set by other spin-offs.”
humor
14 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its goofy characters and absurd scenarios, providing a stark contrast to the darker themes of the Fate series. Players enjoy the comedic interactions among characters, particularly in multiplayer settings, which can lead to hilarious and chaotic moments. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with engaging gameplay, making it a fun experience for fans.
- “The characters in this game are all very goofy; it's hard to take any of it seriously at all, which is kind of funny as a lot of the Fate series is pretty gruesome in tone and quite dark at moments.”
- “The extra battles can be entertaining, since some of the scenarios are actually kind of funny, such as having to stop Nero and Elizabeth before they start their idol concert and destroy everyone's ears.”
- “Charlie is awesome, Astolfo remains hilarious, and the interactions between the various characters are very fun indeed.”
character development
13 mentions
46 % positive mentions
31 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
Character development in Fate/Extella has received mixed reviews, with some praising the character designs and art direction while others criticize the weak and predictable storytelling. Although the character designs are often highlighted as a strong point, many players feel that the character development is lacking, particularly in comparison to the previous installment, leading to a disappointing narrative experience. Overall, while the visuals and character aesthetics are well-received, the depth and growth of the characters fall short.
- “The featured character designs and overall art, still done by Aruko Wada, is and will always be gorgeous.”
- “Character design: 10/10”
- “I just love all the improvements in the character designs and new servants since the Umbral Star, and most of all they added Shishou!”
- “The character designs are lowkey okay but the graphics, movements, controls are absolutely disgusting.”
- “After I was heavily disappointed with Fate/Extella thanks to its repetitive gameplay, uneven mix of battles and dialogue sequences, as well as story issues such as pacing, unnecessary length, or lack of character development, I was certainly not looking forward to its sequel.”
- “There is one drawback though, and it is quite a big one: the story seriously is lacking when compared to the first installment - the character development is weak to non-existent and the plot is very run-of-the-mill predictable.”
emotional
7 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Overall, the emotional aspect of the game received mixed reviews; while some players found the story lacking compared to previous titles in the series, others appreciated the heartfelt connections and impactful endings. The multiplayer experience was noted for its fun and wholesome moments, which somewhat compensated for the narrative shortcomings. However, many fans still hold the earlier entries in higher regard for their emotional depth.
- “Always count on the Fate series for an amazing storyline and emotional endings.”
- “Umbral Star did seem to have a more fleshed-out story and more interpersonal relationship dynamics to establish a heartfelt connection with the main characters.”
- “The story is wonderful (shed a tear at the end), very much like every Fate series.”
stability
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
40 % negative mentions
Overall, user reviews on stability are mixed; while some players report a smooth experience with no technical issues, others mention bugs, particularly with screen resolution in full-screen mode, and concerns about the game's abandonment by the developer.
- “I've had no technical issues thus far. The game looks and runs great; I didn't have to do a thing to get my controller working. Just an all-around good day one release.”
- “Runs great on PS4, even with all the 'more stuff' happening.”
- “Runs great so far.”
- “Buggy and abandoned by the developer.”
- “The screen resolution is a little buggy when set to full screen mode.”
monetization
4 mentions
75 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The monetization in these games is criticized as being overly aggressive and reminiscent of cash grabs, with frequent reminders and intrusive ads that detract from the experience. Players feel that the microtransactions are predatory and liken the system to a gambling machine, making it a significant point of contention.
- “This game doesn't have the predatory anti-consumer microtransactions that plague many others.”
- “The monetization model is fair and doesn't feel exploitative.”
- “I appreciate that the game offers a balanced approach to in-game purchases.”
- “These games feel like nothing more than blatant cash grabs.”
- “The warning for the minimap keeps popping up, like a free-to-play gacha game had a child with those streaming sites that just keep shoving ads into your face.”
- “Basically, this game doesn't have the predatory anti-consumer microtransactions gambling machine.”