wow! another anime game that looks like every other anime game! i can't wait!
Fate/Extra is an installment in the
Fate series, which started with the visual novel
Fate/stay night, and branched out into various genres (for example, the fighting game
Fate/unlimited codes) and media (like the prequel anime
Fate/zero). The premise is rather interesting: on rare occasions, the Holy Grail shall appear, and seven powerful magi are selected to receive a Servant, the embodiment of a legendary hero or villain (like King Arthur, Medea, Cu Culhain, Hercules, GIlgamesh, etc.), divided into one of seven classes (Saber, Archer, Caster, Berserker, Lancer, Rider, and Assassin) The teams have to fight for the right to receive the Holy Grail and make one wish.
The original
Fate/stay night centered around a modern-day amateur mage, Emiya Shirou, who for some reason received a Servant (of the class Saber). Unfortunately, there's no way to withdraw from the Grail War, so he's stuck in this fight to the death. Based on the decisions that the player makes during the first day, the story plays out in one of three different ways. Really, saying anything more than this would be a spoiler, so track it down and get the fanmade translation (as it never got an English release). Despite being an eroge (which are not to my personal taste), it's a rather good visual novel, and the one that got me into the genre (which I am thankful for, as
Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors,
Time Hollow, and
Ever17 are also excellent, and I'd otherwise have ignored them).
Fate/Extra takes the same premise, but sets it in an alternate universe, where all the mana drained from the planet, so the Grail War is held in a virtual reality. And instead of seven participants, there are 128. There's a bit more character customization (you choose the protagonist's gender, and select a servant from class Saber, Archer, or Caster), and the battle system is basically rock/paper/scissors but with a bit more strategy. For instance, your opponents will select from one of several pre-set patterns each round, so if you've fought that opponent before, you can more easily predict there moves based on the one or two each round that are revealed to you in advance. You can also utilize your Servant's special attacks, and by gathering intel on your opponent (figuring out which mythological figure you're up against will basically tell you their strengths and weaknesses) to allow better prediction of their moves.
The plot is rather complex, the gameplay unique, and it's an altogether fun game. Really difficult, though.
Fate/Extra CCC is the upcoming sequel.
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