Fate/Unlimited Codes - A Binge Gamer Review
Review: Fate/Unlimited Codes
Is it just me, or have we been seeing a lot more fighting games than usual? In less than a year, we’ve reviewed at least six of the damn things here at Binge Gamer (not that I’m complaining, as they’ve all been pretty good).
But for the sake of linking to my past work—something I will never tire of—let’s just take a look at the impressive library of fighters bestowed upon us by the gaming gods:
- King of Fighters XII
- Marvel Vs. Capcom 2
- BlazBlue
- Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus
- Street Fighter IV
- Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix*
Along with this, we still have Samurai Shodown and Tekken 6 flopping onto consoles in the next couple of months, not to mention our review of Final Fantasy: Dissidia which will appear on the site in the next day or so.
Holy crap, man. That’s a lot of fighting games.
With that said, the bar’s set pretty high for Capcom’s latest entry in a genre they’ve pretty much dominated since Street Fighter 2. The PSP exclusive Fate/Unlimited Codes certainly fits in as far as obscure game titles go, but considering this is a $30 download-only title, you’re probably wondering whether it’s worth your pennies.
Short answer: it really depends.
Certainly, F/U C (um, maybe I’ll avoid abbreviations for this review—let’s just call it “Fate” from now on) is damn impressive. The anime-esque graphics and art stylings of the characters are gorgeous, reminiscent of games like Valkyria Chronicles. Though it’s far from being as sexy as the beautiful PS3 strategy-RPG (especially considering the environments are a tad lackluster in Fate), people who play the game will understand what I mean, especially when looking at characters like Saber (my weapon of choice).
But Fate’s got more than just good looks. It’s very seldom that I’ll pick up a fighter and instantly fall in love with the gameplay. However, Fate is one of those rare finds that sucked me in almost immediately. Five seconds after starting my first match, I could hear myself in the distance exclaiming “Holy shit!” as I strung together a series of quick, smooth combos in that left me drooling all over my PSP (gross, but true). The game runs great, especially since it’s not one of your typical “slow as molasses” fighters (e.g. Tekken and Mortal Kombat).
The biggest problem I had with Fate is that it’s a bit too easy. After playing the game for only an hour or so, I’d already conquered the arcade mode on the hardest difficulty. It was pretty disappointing to say the least.
Of course, if you’re seeking a sweet multiplayer mode, that’s something else entirely. Though the single player mode lacks a challenge, the fighting system is swell enough to provide one hell of a multiplayer match. Much like other fighters for the PSP, up to two players can go at it using a local Ad-Hoc network, so get your buddies in on the action and have at it.
Other modes include a Vs. Computer mode, a Practice mode, and a Tutorial mode (all of which are pretty self explanatory) along with a Spectate mode which lets you sit back in your chair and watch two computer-controlled characters duke it out. It’s sort of like what you do with your Betta fish, only with fake anime characters instead of living, breathing animals (you bastards).
Fate also features a mission mode. Missions vary from your basic, bland, and boring “DOTHISCOMBONOOOOOW!” variety (a la Street Fighter IV), to the ever-so-cool free-roaming missions. Taking a behind-the-player perspective, you’ll have to do anything from avoiding your opponent until the time’s up to slaying a crew of angry skeletons.
By completing all the game modes with different characters, you’ll gain access to a slew of unlockables which include things like pretty images, extra characters, new costumes, and movie clips.
The Final Verdict
Fate/Unlimited Codes is, at the very least, a must try. The gameplay is solid, and really, you can’t go wrong with it, as Fate is easily the best download-only fighter for the PSP (aside from GGX2, of course).
An issue that many people will have with Fate is the price tag—a hefty $30—which seems to be a bit too much for a download-only, handheld fighting game. Then again, I’m pretty old fashioned, so if you’ve no qualms with dishing out thirty bones for a downloadable title, go for it. Trust me when I say your money’s well-spent.
Really, other than the super easy and incredibly disappointing Arcade mode, I don’t have much bad to say about it. It’s a solid fighting game, and if you can convince your friends to pick it up, you’re pretty much set. Just don’t expect too much of a challenge outside of the Mission mode, which should keep you pretty busy for a while anyway since there are more than 250 of them. Along with other unlockables and more than 14 playable characters, you have your work cut out for you.
*Yeah, SSF2THDR came out in 2008, but it hasn’t even been a year since it came out. Therefore: I counts it.