QCF: Fate/Extra

Imagine if everything you knew was a fabrication. No, I’m not going all “I’m Morpheus” on you. In Imageepoch’s Fate/Extra for the PSP, you’ll migrate from a primitive simulation, and closer towards... a more legitimate series of combat programs.

Confused? If not, then you’re probably a loyal Type-Moon fan who’s in for a treat.

Localized by Aksys Games, Fate/Extra presents two options: continue your boring existence as an “average” student at Tsukumihara Academy, or find out what’s causing your headaches, why a bizarre math teacher segues into war stories during lecture time, and why a certain student simply passes through solid walls.

After investigating, you discover you’re actually among magi accompanied by unique servants, all of whom are competing to obtain The Holy Grail. After awakening as a magus (but still retaining your amnesia), you’re given seven days before each tournament battle to explore virtual dungeons, use information against your future opponent, and improve your servant's abilities.

Dungeons in this game -- though slow to start -- seem fairly engaging, and allow players to level at a steady pace. Like any dungeon crawler, tasks may become repetitive and tedious as time passes, so players looking for a more brisk challenge should probably step aside. Grinding away towards a target level (mentioned at the end of each arena period) also requires effort, as simply rushing in and skipping entire days destroys any chance of successfully progressing.

In a nutshell, Fate/Extra involves two basic elements: plan and attack. Most of your time will hopefully be spent inside virtual-virtual (notice what I did there) arenas, but there are many instances where gathering information around campus and searching for hints are vital for your success.

Active combat involves six-step turns for each side, and each allows you to either make a base action (Attack, Guard, Break), cast a skill, or add a “codecast” (skills granted through items) to your move. When engaging in basic combat. Each battle also presents you with a list of revealed attacks your enemy plans to initiate, which -- when fighting competing magi -- depends on information you’ve gathered. Basically, you’ll use moves known to be effective, while simply predicting the rest. Having said that, the only real annoyance is how an enemy’s combat pattern constantly alternates. Going by memory alone can be misleading, and using MP to cast additional skills -- which pack a greater punch than normal attacks -- could save you during times of greater uncertainty.

Mentioned after the preliminary period (you know, back when life sucked), there are seven servant classes total, but only three are playable options: Saber, Archer, and Caster. The Saber and Archer are for both novices and players who prefer balance, while the Caster focuses more on an abundance of skills to make up for her lack of basic abilities. Some fans may be discouraged at how less options are readily available, but there are still multiple combinations to configure for hours of gameplay.

Fate/Extra truly shines during visually impressive combat sequences. Dungeons and environments are initially dull, giving off that cliche “look, I’m in a computer world” vibe, but they become more astonishing and colorful as time passes. The game’s soundtrack, however, is easily forgettable. Sometimes I can’t tell if I’m engaging in battle or on the phone waiting to ask questions about my cable bill. On a more positive audio-related note, Aksys Games stuck with the original Japanese voice cast, which prevents the potential outcome of cheesy voices ruining the experience.

For $29.99 (or $24.99 on PSN), Fate/Extra delivers players a satisfying dungeon crawling experience, but some may abandon this game because of its potentially unpredictable battle mechanics. If you’re a fan of dungeon crawling and open exploration, Fate/Extra will more than likely welcome you with open arms. Newcomers, on the other hand, may become bored or confused.

Most importantly, always be mindful of your choices involving both dialogue and direction. Making the wrong selection at any time -- and this continues throughout the game -- will constantly lead you to dead ends. You're given many opportunities to save your progress, so don’t think twice about it.