Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2

Last updated
Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2
Fuga Melodies of Steel 2.jpg
Developer(s) CyberConnect2
Publisher(s) CyberConnect2
Director(s) Yoann Gueritot
Hiroto Niizato
Producer(s) Hiroshi Matsuyama
Artist(s) Tokitsu Yusuke
Writer(s) Yasuhiro Noguchi
Composer(s) Chikayo Fukuda
Series Fuga: Melodies of Steel
Little Tail Bronx
Engine Unreal Engine 4
Platform(s)
Release
  • WW: May 11, 2023
Genre(s) Tactical role-playing
Mode(s) Single-player

Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 [lower-alpha 1] is a tactical role-playing video game developed and published by CyberConnect2. It is the fifth title in the company's Little Tail Bronx series and is a direct sequel to the original Fuga: Melodies of Steel released in 2021. The game was released worldwide on May 11, 2023 for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

Contents

Premise

Fuga 2 is set one year after the events of Fuga: Melodies of Steel, taking place in the same world modeled after World War II-era France and populated by anthropomorphic dogs ("Caninu") and cats ("Felineko"). With the recent armistice between the nations of Berman and Gasco, the bloody conflict which served as the backdrop of the previous game has ended. The main characters have separated to live peaceful lives until their gigantic tank, the Taranis mysteriously activates and goes on a rampage, capturing some of them in the process. Led by the young Caninu boy Malt Marzipan, the remaining children, along with their new ally Vanilla, board a new tank, the dread weapon Tarascus, to rescue them. [1]

Development

Fuga 2 was first announced by representatives of CyberConnect2 on July 14, 2022. [2] More information was revealed two weeks later in an issue of Famitsu magazine, which confirmed the game's multiplatform release for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S in 2023. [3] Development began as a result of the team's original decision to make the series a trilogy, with the story picking up after the "true" ending of the original game where every member of the player's party survives, and having a main scenario twice as long as the previous entry. [3] A teaser trailer was released at the same time, along with details of the game's revamped battle system and quality-of-life improvements over the original game. [3] In January 2023, the title received its release date of May 11, 2023, as well as confirmation that it would be included as part of Xbox Game Pass for Microsoft consoles and Windows. [4]

The game represented a passion project of the studio, with development of the sequel proceeding despite not making their profit margin on the first game. [5] [6] It was produced by many of the same staff who produced the original title, including character design by artist Tokitsu Yusuke and music by Chikayo Fukuda. [6] Yoann Gueritot, director of the previous game, would leave the company partway through development of the sequel, stating "I am sad I couldn’t guide my beloved and brave children through the end of their journey, but Fuga already has a strong and solid basis, and I am sure the team will do a fantastic job." [7]

Fuga 2 was released as both standard and digital deluxe editions, the latter containing a downloadable art book and 15-track mini soundtrack as well as in-game bonus items. [8] A number of in-game bonus items can also be earned if the player has save files with specific ending earned in the previous title. [9]

Reception

Fuga 2 received a 33 out of 40 total score from Japanese Famitsu magazine based on individual reviews of 9, 8, 8, and 8. [10] Austin Wood of Yahoo! Singapore described the game as " Beastars meets Valkyria Chronicles ", calling it "a legitimately good strategy game;" praising it for its moral and strategic choices. [17] John Cantees of GamingBolt stated that the sequel was "a surprisingly solid tactical RPG that strikes a good balance between accessibility and skill" giving it the final verdict of "great", John also pointed out how "the story is hampered by weak writing and inconsistent characters, but apart from that there isn't much to complain about". [18]

Notes

  1. Known in Japan as 戦場のフーガ2 (Senjō no Fūga Tsu, "Fugue of the Battlefield 2")

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CyberConnect2</span> Japanese video game developer

CyberConnect2 Co., Ltd. is a Japanese video game development studio mostly known for its work on the .hack series, along with a series of fighting games based on the Naruto franchise. They are also known for creating the Little Tail Bronx series. In 2016, they expanded their workforce into the international market by opening a studio in Montreal, Canada.

<i>The Caligula Effect</i> 2016 video game

The Caligula Effect is a role-playing video game developed by Aquria. It was released for the PlayStation Vita in Japan in June 2016, and by Atlus USA in North America and Europe in May 2017. A remake of the game, The Caligula Effect: Overdose, was released for the PlayStation 4 in Japan in May 2018, and worldwide by NIS America in March 2019 for the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Windows. An anime adaptation of the same name premiered in April 2018.

In the video game industry during 2019, both Sony and Microsoft announced their intent to reveal their next-generation consoles in 2020, while Nintendo introduced a smaller Nintendo Switch Lite, and Google announced its streaming game platform Stadia. The controversy over loot boxes as a potential gambling route continued into 2019, with some governments like Belgium and the Netherlands banning games with them under their gambling laws, while the United Kingdom acknowledging their current laws prevent enforcing these as if they were games of chance. The first video cards to support real-time ray tracing were put onto the consumer market, including the first set of games that would take advantage of the new technology. The Epic Games Store continued its growth in challenging the largest digital PC game distribution service Steam, leading to concern and debate about Epic Games' methods to seek games for its service. Dota Auto Chess, a community-created mod for Dota 2, introduced a new subgenre of strategy games called auto battlers, which saw several games in the genre released throughout the year. Blizzard Entertainment faced criticism due to their involvement in the Blitzchung controversy, which began after they had banned a Hearthstone player for making comments during a tournament regarding the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests.

In the video game industry, 2020 saw the launch of the next generation of video game consoles, with both Microsoft and Sony Interactive Entertainment having released the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 consoles, respectively, in November 2020. The industry was heavily affected by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic which had begun in March and was characterized by COVID-19 lockdowns and remote work. While this caused numerous delays in software and hardware releases and the cancellation of live conferences and events in favor of virtual shows, it also created a boon for the industry as people turned to gaming as a means to pass the time. The industry also reacted to various political/cultural events.

<i>Digimon Survive</i> 2022 video game

Digimon Survive is a visual novel with tactical role-playing game elements developed by Hyde and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One.

<i>Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot</i> 2020 video game

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is an action role-playing game developed by CyberConnect2 and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, based on the Dragon Ball franchise. It was released for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Windows in January 2020, Nintendo Switch in September 2021, Stadia in October 2021, PlayStation 5 in January 2023, and Xbox Series X/S in February 2023. The game follows the main protagonist Goku and the Z-Fighters throughout the events of the Dragon Ball Z anime, including anime-original storylines and moments.

<i>Fuga: Melodies of Steel</i> 2021 video game

Fuga: Melodies of Steel is a tactical role-playing video game developed and published by CyberConnect2. It is the fourth title in the company's Little Tail Bronx series and it serves as a prequel to Tail Concerto and Solatorobo: Red the Hunter. The game takes place in a war-torn world populated by anthropomorphic dogs and cats, where a group of children struggle for survival aboard a giant tank against soldiers from an enemy nation. It was released in July 2021 for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

In the video game industry, 2021 saw the release of many new titles. The numerous delays in software and hardware releases due to the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic heavily impacted development schedules, leading to several games being delayed into 2022 or even postponed indefinitely. Additionally, computer and console hardware were impacted by the combined effects of a semiconductor shortage and a rising growth of bitcoin mining that strained the supply of critical components.

In the video game industry, 2022 saw the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry, slowing hardware sales for most of the year as well as development delays for major titles. The industry continued its trend of acquisitions and mergers, highlighted by Microsoft announcing its plan to acquire Activision Blizzard for nearly $69 billion. The industry as a whole continued to deal with issues such as workplace harassment and discrimination, alongside crunch periods, leading to at least the quality assurance staff at three separate studios to vote to unionize.

In the video game industry, 2023 saw significant changes within larger publishers and developers. Microsoft, after having satisfied worldwide regulatory bodies, completed its US$69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, making them the third largest game publisher in the world. Embracer Group, which had been in an acquisition spree over the previous few years, had an estimated $2 billion deal fall through, causing many of the studios under Embracer to either lay off staff or close entirely. Similar layoffs were seen at Unity, Amazon, ByteDance, Epic Games, Bungie, and Ubisoft, leading to over 9,000 jobs lost in the industry in 2023 and part of a larger trend of layoffs at technology companies in 2023.

<i>Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth</i> 2021 video game

Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth is a 2021 action role-playing video game developed by Team Ladybug and co-published by Playism and Why so serious? for Microsoft Windows. Versions for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X and Series S were also released. It is based on Ryo Mizuno's Record of Lodoss War series, taking place before the events of The Crown of the Covenant. Controlling the high elf Deedlit, who finds herself in a strange interconnected labyrinth filled with her past foes and companions, the game focuses on exploration and searching for items and power-ups in the vein of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, fighting bosses and minibosses. During gameplay, the player also locates two elemental spirits and swaps between each one.

<i>Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles</i> 2021 video game

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles is a fighting action-adventure game developed by CyberConnect2. Based on the 2019 anime adaptation of Koyoharu Gotouge's manga series, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, the game was released by Aniplex in Japan, and globally by Sega, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S in October 2021. It was released for Nintendo Switch in June 2022.

<i>Edge of Eternity</i> (video game) 2021 video game

Edge of Eternity is a 2021 role-playing video game developed by Midgar Studio and published by Dear Villagers. It first released for Windows before releasing on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch in February 2022.

<i>My Hero Ones Justice 2</i> 2020 video game

My Hero One's Justice 2, known in Japan as My Hero Academia: One's Justice 2, is a 2020 fighting game developed and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, and Google Stadia. The game is a sequel to My Hero One's Justice and based on the manga series My Hero Academia by Kōhei Horikoshi.

<i>The Diofield Chronicle</i> 2022 video game

The Diofield Chronicle is a strategy role-playing video game co-developed by Square Enix and Lancarse. It was released in September 2022 for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows platforms.

<i>Valfaris</i> 2019 video game

Valfaris is a 2D action platforming game developed by Steel Mantis and published by Big Sugar. The game was released for Windows and Nintendo Switch on October 10, 2019. It was later released on November 5 for PlayStation 4 and November 8 for Xbox One. Merge Games distributed the physical copies of the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch versions. They were announced in August 2021 and were released in November. The game's soundtrack was composed by former Celtic Frost guitarist Curt Victor Bryant.

In the video game industry, 2024 saw job losses extending from 2023, including large cuts from Microsoft Gaming, Electronic Arts, and Sony Interactive Entertainment, and with nearly 8,000 jobs lost during the months of January and February.

<i>Octopath Traveler II</i> 2023 video game

Octopath Traveler II is a role-playing video game developed by Square Enix and Acquire and published by Square Enix. It is a sequel to Octopath Traveler (2018), and the third entry in the series after the prequel mobile game Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent (2020), though it features a new cast of characters and setting separate from prior games. It was released worldwide on February 24, 2023, for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Windows; it is the first Octopath game released on PlayStation platforms. The Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S versions are set to release in early 2024.

References

  1. Hagues, Alana (January 26, 2023). "Tactical Turn-Based RPG 'Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2' Marches Onto Switch This May". NintendoLife. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  2. Romano, Sal (July 14, 2022). "Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 announced". Gematsu. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 Romano, Sal (July 27, 2022). "Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 launches in 2023 for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC". Gematsu. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  4. Romano, Sal (January 25, 2023). "Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 launches May 11". Gematsu. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  5. Joshua, Orpheus (December 15, 2021). "Fuga Melodies Of Steel Didn't Sell Well at All Which Sucks Cause it's a Pretty Good Game". Noisy Pixel. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  6. 1 2 Lim, Alvin (January 28, 2023). "Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 Rolls Out May 11th". RPGFan. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  7. Yoann Gueritot [@PG_Yoann] (March 31, 2023). "Today is my last day at CyberConnect2. Everything is cool with the company and Fuga 2, but sometimes you just need to move on. I will forever be grateful for all the opportunities, and I will never forget the great people I met here. Thanks to CC2, the Fuga team, and the fans" (Tweet). Retrieved March 30, 2024 via Twitter.
  8. "Fuga Melodies of Steel 2 - Official Website". Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 Official Website. CyberConnect2. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  9. Clark, Dean (12 April 2023). "Interesting Details On Both FUGA: MELODIES OF STEEL Games Revealed". GameTyrant. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  10. 1 2 Brian (May 10, 2023). "Famitsu review scores – May 10, 2023". NintendoEverything. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  11. Swalley, Kirstin (27 May 2023). "Review: Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  12. Mercurio, Nicholas (31 May 2023). "Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 – Recensione". The Games Machine (in Italian). Aktia srl. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  13. Usaid (29 May 2023). "Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 Review – A Solid Time". GamingBolt. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  14. Perri, Marco (29 May 2023). "Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2, la recensione". Multiplayer.it (in Italian). NetAddiction Srl. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  15. Galizio, James (29 May 2023). "Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 Review". RPG Site. Mist Network. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  16. Couture, Joel (5 June 2023). "Review: Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 Offers New Challenges & Heartaches". Siliconera . Gamurs . Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  17. Wood, Austin (May 24, 2023). "This strategy RPG was supposed to be cute but here I am weaponizing the life force of children". Yahoo! Singapore . Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  18. Cantees, John (May 27, 2023). "Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 Review - The Final Verdict". Youtube. Retrieved May 28, 2023.