Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2

98%
Game Brain Score Based on 165 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 Game Cover
Solid and definitely has an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.
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The sequel to the captivating tale of Fuga: Melodies of Steel has arrived! This turn-based RPG is back with a ramped up battle system for more strategy, as well as a brand new event system that gives you more thrilling choices to affect your experience!

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Reviews

98%
Audience ScoreBased on 165 reviews
story33 positive mentions
character development3 negative mentions
  • Fuga 2 builds upon the first game with improved gameplay mechanics, a deeper emotional story, and character development that enhances the overall experience.
  • The new Soul Cannon mechanic adds tension to battles, forcing players to strategize carefully to avoid losing characters, which heightens the stakes and emotional impact.
  • The game features beautiful visuals, a captivating soundtrack, and a charming art style that complements its engaging narrative and character interactions.
  • Some players feel that the game is too similar to the first installment, lacking enough new content to keep it fresh and engaging.
  • The automatic selection of characters for the Soul Cannon can be frustrating, as it removes player agency and can lead to unwanted character losses during critical moments.
  • The pacing of the story can be uneven, with some plot points feeling rushed or lacking depth compared to the first game, which may detract from the overall narrative experience.
  • story112 mentions

    The story in Fuga 2 is generally praised for its emotional depth and character development, building on the foundation laid by the first game. While some players found certain plot elements less cohesive or impactful, many appreciated the intricate lore, character arcs, and the heightened stakes introduced by the new gameplay mechanics. Overall, the narrative is described as engaging and well-crafted, effectively balancing themes of loss, revenge, and the challenges faced by its young protagonists.

    • “The maturation of the children from part 1 to part 2 is one of the best parts of the story, and the main plot twist that sets up the climax is 100x more impactful if you've played part 1.”
    • “The story is a roller-coaster of emotions that had me invested from the outset until the conclusion.”
    • “Fuga 2 is incredibly story-focused, and as a direct continuation from the events of the first game, you won't be able to appreciate just how much the writing is able to tug at your heartstrings.”
    • “The story is so far pretty dumb, a lot of 'lol what' moments that don't make sense to the first game as well, kinda feels like they just rushed to put this out with not much effort put in.”
    • “The plot to the game initially isn't quite as interesting as in the first, but it does eventually prove equally as captivating in the mysteries it poses and the lore it expounds upon.”
    • “Although sometimes it feels as if the writing could see a little improvement, the developers' ability to effortlessly balance sharing moments with cute furry children alongside their bravery in the face of emotional stress from dealing with constant battle, loss and fatigue, being able to personally help forge and engage with the bonds that tie the crew together, and picking at the mysterious plot threads that tie the story together really drew me into the game in a way I don't often get to see other games pull off.”
  • gameplay81 mentions

    The gameplay in Fuga 2 builds upon the foundation of the first game, introducing new mechanics and improvements that enhance strategic depth and player engagement. While the core gameplay remains similar, the addition of features like the soul cannon, new enemy types, and a judgment system adds variety and challenge, making the experience feel refreshed and more emotionally resonant. Overall, players appreciate the balance of simplicity and depth, with many recommending the game for its engaging mechanics and narrative.

    • “The gameplay is pretty simple conceptually, but it's got just the right amount of variety to make it fun and challenging without feeling unfair.”
    • “The core gameplay is sped up and refined, quality of life tweaks cutting down on the tedium from the first game, new mechanics deepen the strategic choices, and the story, while predictable, is told perfectly in both narrative and gameplay.”
    • “Fuga 2 is an improvement upon the first one in every way, from gameplay to writing to even some visual effects and with what they tried to pull off.”
    • “The gameplay is more or less identical to the first game, with a bit of extra polish and some new moves.”
    • “The story is not bad, but still falls in the average category and it is predictable; gameplay is the same as the first Fuga, but there are few new enemies, so the strategy to beat the regular battles is very repetitive.”
    • “The worst thing you can say about the gameplay is that it's almost completely identical to the first game, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.”
  • music25 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread praise for its beautiful composition and ability to enhance the overall experience, with standout tracks like "Wherever the Wind Takes Us" being highlighted as favorites. While some players feel the soundtrack doesn't quite match the energy of the first game, it still captivates the setting and tone effectively. Overall, the music is considered a strong aspect of the game, complementing its engaging story and charming visuals.

    • “This game is fantastic, is a great JRPG, there's a great soundtrack and a great story.”
    • “The music is also beautiful as it really captivates the setting & tone of the game.”
    • “The battles are good with just the right level of challenge, the music is spectacular, and the characters and story are great as well.”
    • “Music and sound are also much the same, even down to Japanese and French as the only voice options.”
    • “It's still good, with some beautiful vocal themes, and I'll be listening to it outside of the game, but it doesn't have quite the same energy that the first game's soundtrack did.”
    • “Anyhow, you want the music and the emotional highs and lows; this game has got it.”
  • emotional20 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players noting its ability to evoke strong feelings, from laughter to tears, particularly through character development and impactful storytelling. The sequel is described as an emotional rollercoaster that deepens the narrative, focusing on themes of loss and grief while enhancing gameplay mechanics that amplify emotional engagement. Overall, the game successfully balances cute moments with profound emotional experiences, making it a standout in emotional storytelling.

    • “It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me care.”
    • “But above all, Fuga is a series foremost about emotional storytelling, and this game's focus on loss and grief certainly hits just as powerfully as anything from the first.”
    • “It was an emotional roller coaster of a game, and it was a really big improvement over the first game.”
  • graphics12 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their captivating art style, improved visuals, and vibrant use of color, building on the solid foundation of the first installment. Players appreciate the enhanced details in character design, animations, and overall aesthetics, although some have noted minor graphical bugs. Overall, the visuals and music contribute significantly to the game's immersive experience.

    • “A sequel that makes minor but all positive changes to what was originally already a solid tactical game with good artwork.”
    • “Great visuals, use of colors, models, scenarios and designs, just like the first game, but this time there are more details and improvements. The menu is better handled, the HUD as well, same goes for the animations, and of course, the overall graphics were boosted. If the first game was beautiful, this one is even prettier!”
    • “Aesthetically, this game is as beautiful as ever.”
    • “Fun new systems to play with, but a slightly annoying graphical bug aboard your steel-clad home remains unfixed.”
    • “Captivating art style and game format, but ultimately extremely repetitive and frustrating due to constant manual loadout switching.”
    • “Puzzles designed for toddlers, and by chapter 8, I'm uninstalling because it's the same enemies and tactics over and over.”
  • character development7 mentions

    Character development in the game has significantly improved compared to its predecessor, with a more personal and affecting story that allows for deeper interactions and complex dialogue. The introduction of a judgement system enhances character growth through meaningful choices, while certain characters are guaranteed survival until their narrative arcs conclude, enabling richer development. Overall, the characters are more engaging and relatable, supported by distinctive art and design that complements the game's themes.

    • “Being able to guarantee that certain children can't be sacrificed (at least, until after their role in the plot is over) means that they can get some real character development and more complex dialogue.”
    • “Everything felt very shallow in the first game, but now there's some actual character development and Malt gets to actually be a protagonist.”
    • “The judgement system also adds a little extra flavor by allowing you to make dialogue choices between being nice or not, which not only give you different skills that can randomly activate in battle, but also lead to more character development scenes sprinkled throughout the game.”
  • humor5 mentions

    The humor in "Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2" is a blend of dark and absurd elements, with players finding amusement in the juxtaposition of its serious themes and the bizarre premise of using children as ammunition. The game elicits a range of emotions, from laughter to introspection, as it cleverly critiques humanity while maintaining a whimsical tone. Overall, the humor is both thought-provoking and entertaining, making for a unique gaming experience.

    • “It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me care.”
    • “One would think a game where using furry animal children as ammunition for a giant cannon would be a little more funny: launching a screaming kindergarten girl at enemy forces while the opposing general asks what in the name of Mr. Rogers is wrong with you.”
    • “(Don't let your mom and dad walk in during the secret garden scenes and they give you a funny look, asking if you're winning. Yes, Dad, I am winning.)”
  • grinding4 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game involves managing resources and crew member desires to enhance gameplay, including upgrading equipment and satisfying individual character needs for experience and morale boosts. Players engage in various activities like farming and resource expeditions, which are essential for progression, while also enjoying the rewards of their efforts, such as rare scenes that add to the experience. Overall, the grinding is seen as a meaningful part of the gameplay loop that enriches the overall experience.

    • “Grinding for the rare pissing scenes is so worth it.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics have been expanded somewhat while still maintaining the core loop of switching child soldiers in battle, delaying enemy attacks with machine gun/grenade launcher/cannon match-ups while raising affinity, upgrading the giant tank and doing farming chores and resource expeditions during intermissions.”
    • “Satisfying crew members' requests not only results in more experience, but increases their morale, allowing them to eventually enter a super mode in which their strengths are magnified.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    While some users note that the game lacks flawless replayability, many appreciate its engaging story, in-depth combat, and beautiful artwork, suggesting that it offers a decent level of replay value similar to its predecessor. Overall, it is recommended for its craftsmanship despite some limitations in replayability.

    • “It is a well-crafted game with a very engaging story, in-depth combat, and good replayability.”
    • “The artwork and music are beautiful with replay value like the previous installment.”
    • “It isn't flawless, far from it, and frankly it doesn't have a lot of replay value, but I still implore you to please purchase and play Fuga 2.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

83% average critic score

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