Fuga: Melodies of Steel

Impressive efforts with a few noticeable problems holding them back. Won't astound everyone, but is worth your time and cash.

89%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, replayability

95% User Score Based on 480 reviews

Critic Score 84%Based on 10 reviews

Platforms

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About

Fuga: Melodies of Steel is a single player role playing game with drama and warfare themes. It was developed by CyberConnect2 and was released on July 28, 2021. It received positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

Fuga: Melodies of Steel is an emotional RPG where a group of children pilots a giant tank called Taranis to save their families from war. Players strategically position each child with unique skills in gun turrets while managing their relationships and emotions. The tank holds mysterious powers, including the devastating Soul Cannon, shaping the outcome of their journey.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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95%

Audience ScoreBased on 480 reviews

story105 positive mentions

grinding18 negative mentions

Engaging story that explores the horrors of war through the eyes of children, creating emotional depth.
Unique turn-based combat system that encourages strategic planning and character management.
Beautiful art style and soundtrack that enhance the overall experience.

Repetitive gameplay and enemy variety can lead to a sense of monotony as the game progresses.
Limited character development due to the potential for permanent character death, which affects narrative depth.
Some mechanics, like the Soul Cannon, can feel underutilized or forced, detracting from the overall experience.

story
292 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
61%
3%
The story of "Fuga: Melodies of Steel" is a poignant yet simple narrative centered around a group of children forced to confront the horrors of war as they seek to rescue their families. While the plot may draw on familiar tropes and can feel somewhat shallow at times, it is enriched by engaging character interactions and emotional depth, making it a compelling experience for players. The game's presentation, art style, and music further enhance the storytelling, creating a bittersweet atmosphere that resonates throughout the gameplay.
- “Fuga: Melodies of Steel is a great game overall with a solid 17-hour story, and it is noticeable how much effort and passion were put into this game.”
- “The story is powerful and engaging.”
- “The story itself is very well written with a variety of unexpected twists and turns that kept me invested from start to finish.”
- “Don't expect deep storytelling though.”
- “The story left a lot to be desired.”
- “The main story is nothing to write home about and basically boils down to 'not-nazis kidnapped everyone's parents, so the kids used the super tank they found to fight the not-nazis and eventually rescued their parents and stopped the not-nazis from destroying the world with a super tank of their own.'”
gameplay
243 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
61%
6%
The gameplay of "Fuga: Melodies of Steel" is characterized by its engaging turn-based combat and strategic mechanics, which blend elements of resource management and character relationships. While many players appreciate the simplicity and accessibility of the mechanics, some find the gameplay can become repetitive over time, particularly due to a lack of variety in enemy encounters and challenges. Overall, the game offers a satisfying loop that balances tactical decision-making with emotional narrative elements, making it appealing to both JRPG fans and newcomers alike.
- “Very tight and engaging gameplay.”
- “The gameplay loop boils down to picking the hardest path on every level to get more upgrade materials, upgrading your tank and then steamrolling the entire game.”
- “The gameplay is simple to learn but harder to master.”
- “The gameplay unfortunately doesn't hold up anymore, since even the hard encounters just get an ability spamfest with a big heal or two from you to compensate the increased damage of the enemies.”
- “The gameplay is very repetitive; the battles are okay, but easy so far, and after 20 battles, all feel the same.”
- “My sole gripe is that the gameplay doesn't change meaningfully throughout its runtime, meaning you're likely to grow at least a little tired of it as you get near the end.”
music
116 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
39%
3%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its emotional depth and fitting orchestration, enhancing the overall experience with memorable tracks that resonate during key moments. While some players noted that the music can become repetitive, many praised its quality and ability to evoke strong feelings, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere and storytelling. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, complementing the beautiful artwork and engaging gameplay.
- “The music, art direction, and narration help the story a lot by making you feel like you're in some grand tale where the kids overcome all odds in order to save their families.”
- “The art style is cute and pretty, the music is top notch and you can really immerse yourself in special moments as the music turns itself up to 11 in the most critical times, you really feel like you're in your own adventure.”
- “The music is beautiful; while not too many tracks exist compared to AAA games, the ones that do all evoke different emotions, and some are pure masterpieces, just like Solatorobo's soundtrack!”
- “The game has great visuals and voice acting, but the music gets repetitive fast.”
- “The music, while a bit repetitive through most of it, the more emotional songs hit hard during tense story moments and bring the whole thing together.”
- “The soundtrack isn't anything to write home about, but it's pleasant and appropriate to the setting.”
graphics
83 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
47%
4%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their beautiful and unique art style, which combines hand-drawn illustrations with 3D elements, creating a charming aesthetic that stands out in the JRPG genre. Many reviewers highlighted the gorgeous character designs and vibrant color palettes, while also noting that the visuals effectively complement the game's heavy themes. However, some criticism was directed at minor graphical bugs and the dated appearance of certain 3D models, which may detract from the overall experience for some players.
- “A game with hand-drawn illustrations and a deceptively cozy and warm aesthetic, *Fuga: Melodies of Steel* forces its main cast of anthropomorphic children to reckon with the costs of war; in addition to the psychological toll of losing loved ones as well as sustaining battlefield trauma.”
- “Lovely scenarios, great designs, the art style is amazing and the use of colors is excellent as well. The visuals are probably the first reason I got the game; it really gives a unique style from the usual JRPGs on the market.”
- “The character designs and the artwork deserve a special mention; the artists that worked on them did a fantastic job, and it's without a doubt one of the strongest aspects of the game.”
- “❎ Some minor graphical bugs.”
- “Graphics-wise, the game is set to 30 fps according to forum threads I read up, so those seeking high-end graphics will be disappointed.”
- “The 3D models within the game can feel a bit off as well; if you are particular, though I think the art style is able to make them presentable.”
emotional
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke a wide range of feelings, from heartwarming moments to profound sadness, particularly through its portrayal of child soldiers in a war-torn setting. Players report being deeply invested in the characters and their struggles, with the narrative and music enhancing the emotional impact of the story. Overall, the game is described as an emotional rollercoaster that successfully balances touching themes with engaging gameplay.
- “The gameplay is solid and it makes you worry about the children; you can feel their struggles and get emotional in many ways.”
- “I finished it today, and I can't fathom why people aren't talking more about this adorable, heartbreaking, fleshed-out, explicitly anti-fascist emotional roller coaster.”
- “The strength of this game lies within its emotional basis and everything around it; the story of valiant children who have no choice but to fight in order to rescue their families while laying their own lives on the line.”
character development
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
41%
14%
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while the charming character designs and emotional storytelling are praised, many reviewers note a lack of depth and meaningful interactions. Bonding scenes provide some nuance, but the overall character growth feels limited, often reduced to superficial exchanges and static cutscenes. Despite the beautiful artwork and engaging world-building, the gameplay mechanics hinder the potential for more substantial character arcs.
- “Bonding scenes forged with camaraderie under intense fire or relaxing conversations during lulls in the fighting show more nuance to these children while laying the foundations for future character development or lore spoilers for entries set far into the future of the tail concerto universe.”
- “But most importantly, great character design and an emotionally impactful story.”
- “The character designs and the artwork deserve a special mention; the artists that worked on them did a fantastic job, and it's without a doubt one of the strongest aspects of the game.”
- “It all gets quite stale and there isn't enough in terms of plot or character development to push through the saggy, unchallenging gameplay.”
- “There's not much character development or dialogue between characters.”
- “Each child has 3 vignettes with the 11 other children, but because you can level up any pair of children in any order and at any time (and you can potentially kill any child with the soul cannon at any time), they can’t really build any meaningful character development up.”
grinding
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
95%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly in combat and expeditions, while others appreciate the unique mechanics that allow for character upgrades and relationship building. Although grinding is limited and can feel random at times, it serves as a necessary component for strategy and character development, adding depth to the gameplay. Overall, while some players enjoy the challenge and variety, others feel that the grinding can detract from the overall experience, making it difficult to stay engaged.
- “There's no grinding or chances to prep, so a game like this needs to be finely balanced, and it succeeds wonderfully.”
- “The gameplay enjoyment tapered off drastically after completing the first run since most enemies were able to be one-shotted while grinding out all other achievements.”
- “It's not a bad game per se, just the tedious, repetitive, and slow gameplay makes it hard to push through for the story.”
- “All in all, just a tedious game that I could not get myself to really play through to the end at the moment.”
replayability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
Overall, the game offers a high level of replayability, with features like locked achievements, new game+, and various unlockables encouraging players to revisit it. While some find it linear and question its value compared to longer titles, many appreciate the depth and charm that make multiple playthroughs enjoyable. Despite its 10-20 hour length, players are motivated to explore different outcomes and connections within the game.
- “Despite the game being about 20 hours long, it's very replayable as you won't be able to see everything on your first playthrough.”
- “It isn't perfect, but its flaws are what make it endearing and replayable.”
- “Lots of replayability, unlockables, and new game + (it's CyberConnect2, it’s what they do).”
- “No replayability for me.”
- “Unfortunately it is linear, but it does have New Game+ for some replay value.”
- “Despite the number of hours clocked in, I have not finished it as I have actually been redoing the game a few times to measure replayability as well as how better or worse I could do.”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its quirky character designs and amusing dialogue, particularly among the furry pre-teen characters. Players appreciate the wholesome and funny short clips that enhance character development, making the overall experience enjoyable despite some concerns about the game's value. Overall, the humor is a strong point that adds charm to the gameplay.
- “The friend system is a nice way to buff certain character combos and get some interesting, funny, and cute dialogue in between as well.”
- “There are wholesome, super adorable, and funny short clips that tell you a bit more about the characters (with English subtitles).”
- “Came for the funny little tail doggies.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The optimization aspect of the game is well-received, with players noting the importance of resource management for efficient performance and grading. Technical performance is solid, with no significant bugs reported, and the gameplay loop is both accessible and engaging, allowing for experimentation without becoming repetitive. Additionally, intermissions provide opportunities for strategic upgrades and crew interactions, enhancing overall gameplay efficiency.
- “I haven't had any major or even minor issues with technical performance or gameplay bugs at all even when playing more than what's required to beat the game.”
- “You have to properly budget your resources to not only make it to the end, but to do so with efficiency as you'll be graded on your performance.”
- “The core gameplay loop is super accessible, yet also very satisfying while leaving lots of room for experimentation and optimization yet never letting itself become stale.”
- “During downtime called intermissions, you have the crew perform tasks to upgrade the Taranis, farm crops to cook food for temporary status buffs, or have the crew speak to one another and boost their performance while working together.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game has been noted for its stark contrast, with an advertising campaign that is significantly edgier than the game's actual content, leading to concerns about the overall tone and approach.
- “The monetization system feels exploitative, pushing players to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
- “I can't believe how many ads pop up during gameplay; it completely ruins the experience.”
- “The in-game purchases are overpriced and give an unfair advantage to those who can afford them.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The stability of the game is enhanced by the Shock ability, which effectively freezes enemies for several turns, allowing players to maintain control and strategize during battles.
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized as immersive and emotionally engaging, complemented by a challenging gameplay experience and an outstanding soundtrack that enhances the overall mood.
- “Atmospheric, challenging, emotional, and with an amazing soundtrack.”

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84%Critics’ scoreBased on 10 critic reviews

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21h Median play time

21h Average play time

20-36h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Fuga: Melodies of Steel is a role playing game with drama and warfare themes.

Fuga: Melodies of Steel is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

On average players spend around 21 hours playing Fuga: Melodies of Steel.

Fuga: Melodies of Steel was released on July 28, 2021.

Fuga: Melodies of Steel was developed by CyberConnect2.

Fuga: Melodies of Steel has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Fuga: Melodies of Steel is a single player game.

Similar games include Star Renegades, Battle Chasers: Nightwar, Octopath Traveler, Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus, SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech and others.

Fuga: Melodies of Steel

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