Japanese RPGs are booming again and it seems like several new and exciting adventures in the genre are released every two weeks. However, this means that competition between titles released is increasing, and in the shadow of games like Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, Metaphor: Refantazio and Eiyuden Chronicles: Hundred Heroes, it is clear that titles like Fairy Tail 2, although they still offer quite an enjoyable adventure, but doesn't reach anywhere near the same level.
The Fairy Tail sequel has its origins in the manga series released in 2006 and since then the brand has continued to thrive on the big screen. The adventure has been adapted into both anime series and films and has seen a number of video games, being the oldest title available for the PSP format since 2009. Therefore, there is no doubt that Fairy Tail has and delivers a loyal following, and I admit that my history with the brand is extremely limited, having mostly seen images and videos integrating the various characters together. For this reason, I won't be able to judge Fairy Tail 2's best use of the source material, but rather my job will be to categorize it as a typical RPG.
Because without much knowledge of the previous story, you'll be thrown into Fairy Tail 2 without taking in much information. There's no doubt that it's a direct continuation of a story already underway, and while they try to be educational and inviting in their storytelling style, there's a lot going on that, at least initially, can be difficult to understand as an outsider. You more or less take on the role of various heroes, and in the face of the veiled threat of a charismatic villain, the fate of the world seems to rest on your shoulders. It's a classic premise that's been used before and still works, I might add, but it's not particularly fresh or exciting if you've already played most titles in the genre.
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However, we quickly get to know several different characters and then it's a classic, old-fashioned Japanese school role-playing game where you have to follow a story, explore smaller environments and fight against various creatures on an assembly line. The battles are probably the main reason you want to play Fairy Tail 2, as the fast and spectacular battles take place on a conveyor belt. The system itself may not be the most advanced when it comes to building up a meter and then burning through various special attacks, but the fast pace coupled with the large number of different characters (which can be changed at will) makes it feel consistent that the pulse is increased. There are also some interesting moments where you can combine different items to deal more damage. The ability to combine attacks with your characters means it never gets boring, although it can occasionally get a bit monotonous during longer play sessions.
The graphics are then of the classic variety, with the slightly cartoonish look giving the game a simple but elegant look without really offering anything spectacular. In recent years, the cartoon style has been toned down somewhat in games like Genshin Impact, the Tales series, and Persona, among others, and Fairy Tail 2 doesn't do anything new to stand out visually. In addition, the more you look at the simple environments, the more clear it becomes that this is a game designed for the latest generation of consoles, so you can't expect eye candy, even if the design is still valid even by today's standards. .
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There's also no option to turn on English audio, so you'll have to listen to the Japanese voice actors from start to finish. That's not a negative thing in and of itself, but if you're the kind of person who likes to hear what the characters say instead of reading the dialogue, you've been warned. As for the language, you may need to change your console settings for the game to display English subtitles (no, at the time of writing this review there was no trace of the Spanish language in the game). Actually, My first half hour with the game consisted of getting the game out of Japanesesince the title started with this default configuration, without a menu to change it. In the end, and after many insults, I managed to change the language Setting up my PlayStation 5 with English menusand only then did the game realize that it had to show something other than Japanese. Unnecessarily awkward, to put it bluntly.
Ultimately, I would describe Fairy Tail 2 as a game that does what it's supposed to do without showing off too much. Because all systems fulfill their purpose. The characters seem sophisticated without being intrusive, the graphics are attractive without adding anything new, and the music and setting lull you into a classic Japanese RPG that sticks to the framework down to the smallest detail. However, there's nothing in particular that catches your interest, but most of it is well done without being emotional. If you're already a fan of the series, I can definitely imagine you'll be more entertained than someone who's never met these characters, but if, like me, you don't feel a connection to the world that this series If you have a colorful anime saga, you should probably wait for an offer or try your luck with the anime series before turning to Fairy Tail 2.
