The Fate series is undoubtedly one of the most prolific anime titles out on the market, so it should come as no surprise that fans are hungry for something fresh and exciting. The last time, here on Honey’s Anime we covered the first in the action packed hack-and-slash series, Fate/EXTELLA: Umbral Star, and now we have the honor of reviewing the thrilling follow up! Fate/EXTELLA Link has a lot to offer as it introduces a lot of brand new features, fresh new designs, 10 new servants, along with a plethora of others that are sure to be a treat. Whether you’re a hardcore fan or simply just hopping into the series for the first time, Fate/EXTELLA Link is full of content that will most certainly keep you on the edge of your seat for hours on end.

From its sensational and explosive battle cutscenes to the very exciting and dynamic gameplay, Fate/EXTELLA Link is a title that simply cannot be ignored. Every servant showcases their own unique traits in battle which you can use to your advantage, many of which are quite theatrical and provide an explosion of excitement when engaging in massive heated battles. Those who go for the extra DLC will be happy to know that there are several options to choose from, such as the Scathach and Nameless DLC costumes, Lil Nero, Tamamo, Altera DLC, and much more.

As mentioned earlier, you now have a multitude of servants to choose from, bringing the total to 26 with the additional 10, thus creating a truly glorious experience. Another great feature added to the title is the new 4-on-4 multiplayer online battles (excluding “PS Vita” system version, which does not have an online mode). Players who want to take their action on the go with the Switch can do so, which allows for local multiplayer gameplay. Is fate on your side this time around? Do you have what it takes to protect the world of SE.RA.PH and prevent imminent danger? There’s only one way to find out!

Where Fate/EXTELLA: Umbral Star lacked, Fate/EXTELLA Link excels in. A lot of design changes were implemented which are very apparent during gameplay, more specifically using your Moon Drive and Noble Phantasm specials, which now offer a much cleaner presentation during their respective cutscenes. The Switch version that we reviewed did suffer from some framerate stutters during very intense moments, but it didn’t necessarily hinder the game in a major way. Character models and overall level designs have seen a drastic improvement, with details looking more pronounced and fluid in terms of character activity. During the Story Mode, the visual novel presentation is very satisfying and easy on the eyes, making good use of cool colors so as to avoid too much happening at once.

A lot has certainly improved in this department as well, with the soundtrack having a much more robust selection of tracks compared to the original. Moments that are action-packed truly feel that way because of how well the music compliments it all, along with the superb voice acting that only adds more authenticity to the experience. You can opt for either the English or Japanese voicing if needed, but we think sticking with the original voice actors is the way to go. The sound effects of weapons clashing and spells colliding with each other sound a lot more real and definitely help to supplement the gameplay in a major way, creating a greater sense of immersion while playing. Hats off to the team for these positive changes!

Fate/EXTELLA Link is the Dynasty Warriors title for Fate fans, and it delivers in an extraordinary way. Admittedly, we were coming into the game with a little bit of skepticism because of how the first game performed, but after spending a great deal of time with the follow up, we’re totally thrilled. The original game suffered a lot with severe framerate issues which ultimately led to the game feeling sluggish and unrewarding, and while the follow up does in fact have similar issues, they’re not as prevalent. The camera issues have also been tweaked to provide a less daunting experience when locking onto moving targets, though not 100% perfect. There were still moments where the camera would just take on a life of its own and start behaving in wonky ways, but it didn’t destroy the experience as much before.

Fate/EXTELLA Link just felt a lot more fluid and attacks came out as they were executed, adding a lot more intensity when battling against hordes of enemies. Racing around to grab power ups and defeating other boss servants in a set time frame is always a rush, especially when time is against you and every second counts. It’s that very sensation that really creates an enthralling atmosphere while playing because you’re just never too sure how everything will unfold, no matter how prepared you think you are. We’ve had moments where our servants were buffed up with incredibly strong active skills along with install skills, only to get mauled by a large group of unrelenting enemies that just wouldn’t stop attacking. We definitely recommend playing on a the hardest difficulty because it truly does test your wits and ability to think on the fly.

Once you’ve dabbled with the Story Mode and want an extra challenge, unlocking Extra Battle is the next step. You unlock the mode by simply playing through the main mode (not all the way through, but a good portion of it), which will then allow you to participate in events that aren’t necessarily tied to the story, but are extremely fun nevertheless. There’s of course multiplayer to partake in as well, which admittedly we didn’t spend too much time with but can safely say it’s worth it if you have friends around!

In spite of some hiccups here and there regarding the camera, and framerate issues popping up on occasion, Fate/EXTELLA Link is the title Fate fans have been waiting for, and provides an outstanding assortment of gameplay options to keep you entertained for a while. For those who are completionists, there’s plenty to sit through; and for those who simply want to mash and bash their way through the game, there’s enough action to keep you engaged as well!

Fate/EXTELLA Link hits the physical and digital shelves as you’re reading this, so be sure to get out there and help support Type Moon, XSEED Games, and of course Marvelous! They’ve put in a lot of hard work to ensure that you fans out there are satisfied, and we couldn’t have been more happier to provide this review for you all.

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