Fairy Fencer F
DeveloperCompile Heart
PublisherJP: Compile Heart; WW: NIS America (PS3); WW: Idea Factory International (Windows)Advent Dark Force
JP: Compile Heart; WW: Idea Factory International; EU: Ghostlight Interactive (Switch)
PlatformsPlayStation 3
Windows
PlayStation 4
Nintendo Switch
ReleasedPlayStation 3
JP: October 10, 2013; NA: September 16, 2014[1][2]; EU: September 19, 2014; AUS: September 25, 2014WindowsWW: August 4, 2015Advent Dark Force
PlayStation 4
JP: November 5, 2015; EU: July 29, 2016[3]; NA: July 26, 2016[3]Windows
WW: February 14, 2017Nintendo Switch
WW: January 17, 2019[4]
GenreRole-playing
ModesSingle-player
ArtistYoshitaka Amano
Tsunako
WriterToshiki Inoue
ComposerKenji Kaneko
Nobuo Uematsu
Yoh Ohyama
Toshiki Katoh
Yosuke Kurokawa
Michio Okamiya

Fairy Fencer F (フェアリーフェンサーエフ, Fearī Fensā Efu) is a 2013 fantasy role-playing game under Compile Heart's Galapagos RPG brand for the PlayStation 3[5] and Windows. The game uses a modified version of Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2's battle system.[6] The Windows version was released on August 4, 2015.

An expanded version, titled Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force, was released in Japan in 2015[7] for the PlayStation 4, and was released worldwide in 2016. It received ports for Windows and Nintendo Switch in 2017 and 2019, respectively.

A spin-off, Fairy Fencer F: Refrain Chord, was released in Japan for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 on September 15, 2022.[8] In April 25, 2023, it received a worldwide release with an addition to Windows.[9]

Story

A long time ago there was a conflict between a goddess and an evil god. The two deities didn't fight directly, but created a large number of special weapons for others to use. Eventually, these powers sealed each other and the power vanished from the world. Fast forward to modern times where these leftover weapons are called "Furies" and warriors that wield them are "Fencers." Fury weapons are said to be incredibly powerful, so Fencers constantly scramble to acquire them. By a strange coincidence, two fencers, Fang and Tiara, get caught up in the struggle between the goddess and evil god.[10]

Release

Fairy Fencer F was released on October 10, 2013 in Japan with an English version being released in North America, Europe and Australia on September 16, 19, and 25, 2014.[11] The localization and publishing was handled by NIS America.[12] A port for Windows was made available worldwide on August 4, 2015.[13]

A limited Collector's Edition was produced for the English release. In addition to the game, the Limited Edition featured a hardcover art book, a copy of the game's soundtrack, and a beanie, all packed in a collectible box. This edition retailed for $74.99, and sold out before the game came out. It was available exclusively on NIS's website.[14]

It features Yoshitaka Amano as a concept artist, Nobuo Uematsu as a co-composer, Tsunako as a character designer, Toshiki Inoue as a screenwriter and the "Neptunia Team" as some of the development team.[15]

On August 31, 2014, an expanded version, Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force was announced during Sony's Tokyo Game Show Press Conference. It is scheduled for release on the PlayStation 4 in 2015. At the time, there were no international release announced. Amano, Uematsu (composer), Tsunako, and Inoue are all returning as well.

Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force has English/Japanese audio as well as traditional Chinese subtitles.[16] Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force is an enhanced remaster of the original game for PlayStation 4, Windows and Nintendo Switch. It features extended fights, updated graphics, rebalancing, new story routes and character endings. The Switch version includes all of the new DLC of the PlayStation 4 version.[citation needed]

Reception

Fairy Fencer F received mixed or average reviews. The PlayStation 3 version received an aggregated score 65/100 on Metacritic based on 31 reviews.[17] The Windows version received an aggregated score of 66/100 on Metacritic based on 9 reviews.[18] The PS4 version of Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force received an aggregated score of 71/100 on Metacritic based on 21 reviews.[19]

References

  1. ^ "Fairy Fencer F, Disgaea 4: A Promise Revisited, Danganronpa 2 release dates revealed". RPG Site. 2014-04-18. Retrieved 2014-06-17.
  2. ^ 2014-08-01, Natural Doctrine and Fairy Fencer F swap release date, Hardcore Gamer
  3. ^ "Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force coming west in spring 2016". Gematsu. December 4, 2015.
  4. ^ "Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Game Details". Nintendo. January 12, 2019.
  5. ^ 2013-05-08, First Glimpse Of Fairy Fencer F, Siliconera
  6. ^ "Fairy Fencer F detailed in Famitsu". Gematsu. 2013-05-09. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  7. ^ 2014-09-01, Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force announced for PlayStation 4, Gematsu
  8. ^ Gematsu: "Strategy RPG Fairy Fencer F: Refrain Chord announced for PS5, PS4, and Switch [Update]"
  9. ^ Gematsu: "Fairy Fencer F: Refrain Chord launches April 25 in the west"
  10. ^ Spencer (17 May 2013). "Fairy Fencer F Adds Air Combos To Neptunia's Battle System". Siliconera. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
  11. ^ Tach, Dave (2014-02-14). "Disgaea 4 and Fairy Fencer headed West in 2014". Polygon. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
  12. ^ "NISA Brings Fairy Fencer F RPG to the West This Fall". Anime News Network. February 14, 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  13. ^ "Fairy Fencer F on Steam". Valve. August 4, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  14. ^ "NISA Online Store Fairy Fencer F Standard Edition". Store.nisamerica.com. 2015-01-25. Archived from the original on 2014-10-07. Retrieved 2016-09-20.
  15. ^ "Former Final Fantasy artist and composer team up for Fairy Fencer F RPG". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 7 June 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  16. ^ "Fairy Fencer F Advent Dark Force | フェアリーフェンサー エフ ADVENT DARK FORCE | 妖精劍士 F ADVENT DARK FORCE on Steam". store.steampowered.com. Retrieved 2017-05-03.
  17. ^ "Fairy Fencer F for PlayStation 3 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
  18. ^ "Fairy Fencer F for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  19. ^ "Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2017-05-03.