Fate/Stay Night REMASTERED Review – Timeless Visual Novel Reborn

Ali Haider September 11, 2024

Fate/Stay Night Remastered is not a new entry in the visual novel genre, but it holds significant importance as it celebrates the 20th anniversary of the series. Originally developed by Type-Moon and released in 2004, this remastered edition is based on the 2012 PS Vita port of Fate/Stay Night. This is the first time this version of the game has been made available in English, with updated graphics and a redesigned user interface for HD resolution.

If you are not familiar with mobile or gacha games, you may not be aware of the Fate franchise’s vast influence. Despite its popularity, the franchise has struggled to break into mainstream gaming, even though numerous games have been released for PC and consoles. For fans, Fate/Stay Night Remastered is a long-awaited localization due to its cult status within the community. Not only is it now possible to experience the game in English officially, but several improvements have also been made to enhance and streamline the gameplay experience.

Shirou Emiya is the main character in Fate/Stay Night Remastered. As a teenager and an orphan, he unexpectedly becomes involved in the deadly Holy Grail War, where survival is uncertain, and he must rely on his limited mage skills. The Holy Grail War is a battle to the death among powerful magi, who summon Servants—legendary souls, either real or imagined, with unique abilities. These Servants fight on behalf of their masters to claim the Holy Grail, a mystical artifact capable of granting any wish. To survive, Shirou teams up with Saber, one of the three heroines in the game.

Fate/Stay Night Remastered is a visual novel, meaning gameplay is mostly limited to reading the on-screen text and making decisions at key points. The game is not linear, as various factors influence the ending. Throughout the story, Shirou must make choices that determine which of the three heroines he ends up with. In addition to the standard endings, based on the player’s chosen route, there are also special endings that require specific decisions.

After completing the prologue, the game opens up with multiple alternative routes. You can choose your path on your first playthrough, then return for a new game plus to explore a different route. The game offers various endings, including bad, good, and even secret ones, which can all be unlocked by making different choices. This requires reading through a significant amount of text, though most of it is enjoyable due to the game’s excellent writing and top-notch character development.

While it is possible to encounter a bad ending, you are allowed to go back and make different choices to avoid it. The game also shows you which decisions led to the bad ending, helping you steer clear of the same mistakes in future playthroughs. For dedicated fans, Fate/Stay Night Remastered offers a rich experience with three main story paths and several sub-paths, each leading to unique outcomes. Quality-of-life improvements, such as easier saving options and a flowchart, assist players in navigating the story and achieving their desired endings.

The main appeal of this remastered release is the ability to play this classic on modern platforms with official support. Even if you have already played through the game using a fan translation, this official English localization provides an excellent opportunity to revisit the series. Since the story of Fate/Stay Night is explored across various media, this version allows you to enjoy the origins of many events that unfold later in the franchise.

The game performs smoothly on handheld systems like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch. Given the extensive amount of content it offers, including multiple endings, different story paths, and an engaging narrative, it is reasonably priced. With its high replay value and rich storytelling, Fate/Stay Night Remastered stands as one of Type-Moon’s finest visual novels.

Fate/Stay Night REMASTERED Game Information

Price: $29.99
Publisher: Aniplex
Developer: Type-Moon
Platform: PC (Reviewed)
Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher

Score

8.5

Summary

Fate/Stay Night Remastered revitalizes the classic visual novel with enhanced graphics, modern UI, and an official English release for its 20th anniversary. The multiple story routes, diverse endings, and rich storytelling offer high replay value and make it a standout visual novel for Fate franchise fans.