Later this year, we’ll get to explore alongside the Fairy Tale characters to go through the end of the anime and manga’s story a new game called, appropriately enough Fairy Tail 2. To help prepared for what’s to come in the sequel to the original title, Siliconera spoke with Producer Hiroshi Kataoka about the game. While we still need to wait to learn more about Fairy Tail 2 DLC, the initial insights help us get a better idea of what to expect come December 2024.
Jenni Lada: When did development on Fairy Tail 2 begin, and did was decision to develop it influenced by the anime production decision of Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest?
Hiroshi Kataoka: We received many requests for a sequel along with feedback on the first game, and thanks to all the players it continued to sell well over a long period of time, so we consulted with Kodansha (the IP holder) about making a game about the final chapter of the main series, which we were not able to depict in the previous title. It turns out that the anime adaptation of the 100 Years Quest, which is the sequel to the original work, was being planned including when it would air, so we decided to bring this game to the fans when interest in the IP is rekindled and at everyone is excited for it.
Which Fairy Tail arcs are represented in and most influential for Fairy Tail 2?
Kataoka: This title focuses on the final Alvarez Empire arc, and the story has been adjusted for a video game adaptation. In order to make the Alvarez Empire arc work as a game, we
determined that it would be “Fairy Tail vs. the Alvarez Empire” and aimed to make the combat team battles as much as possible, so we have adjusted the original series’ story under the supervision of the series’ creator [Hiro] Mashima-sensei in order to make it work.
What kind of input did Hiro Mashima have on the game and Fairy Tail 2 character designs?
Kataoka: Primarily if things were a fit for the Fairy Tail world, and his thoughts on ways to further please the fans. That means that he checks everything from the design of the characters and the adjustment of the story to make it work as a game, to the original story added just for this title and each game element and various resources including game text. All of these aspects have been supervised by Mashima-sensei.
Which pieces of fan feedback from the original Fairy Tail game affected the sequel?
Kataoka: We were fortunate to receive a lot of feedback and comments. After the release of the previous title, we received many requests for a sequel along with feedback on the game. Many were happy with having a game adaptation and they enjoyed the game, but they also wanted to see the final chapter adapted into a game, in particular having more focus on the characters, so we referenced these as we made this game.
How do you address character growth and development from the first game in FAIRY TAIL 2? Will we see all skills returning?
Kataoka: Skills have been reorganized to match the real-time and action elements and while some are returning, there are some brand new skills. Also, in battles, the central Fairy Rank system is designed to strengthen you as you attack, so it matches how battles develop and progress in the Fairy Tail series. When fans play this, they will see a very good representation of something unique to the Fairy Tail IP.
What does the roster of playable characters look like for Fairy Tail 2? We’ve already seen Natsu, Lucy, Gray, Ezra, and Wendy, for example. Will every character from the first Fairy Tail game return?
Kataoka: Right now, all I can say is that we’d like everyone to wait for upcoming news on which characters will be on the roster. But we have assembled it with “Fairy Tail vs. the Alvarez
Empire” as its base.
Additional characters like Levy and Lyon were included as DLC for the first Fairy Tail. Will they be included in the Fairy Tail 2 base game or would people like them be relegated to add-ons again?
Kataoka: Similarly, any information on DLC will be announced at a later date.
The original Fairy Tail game had cosmetic, character, and dungeon DLC. How well did those perform, in terms of sales? Which ones were most popular?
Kataoka: I will refrain answering the specific details of the popularity of the DLC, but fortunately each of the DLC released for the previous game has been well received.
Will we see a similar DLC approach in Fairy Tail 2 as in the original game?
Kataoka: To start, we have announced the details of our Digital Deluxe edition, and the content is a step above the previous game! You will not only find outfit collaborations with other Gust titles, but some additional items like Crystals and Lacrima Fragment, not to mention an alternative costume set. Also, those who buy the physical version of the game will be able to purchase the Digital Deluxe content as an upgrade pack.
As for DLC, we are considering various content that will make the game even more enjoyable, so please look forward to future updates.
The original Fairy Tail game appeared on the PS4, Switch, and PC. Have you considered bringing it to the PS5 as well?
Kataoka: At this point we do not have plans for that.
The Fairy Tail 2 release date is December 11, 2024 for the PC version on Steam, with the PS4 and Switch versions arriving on December 13, 2024.
Published: Sep 27, 2024 09:00 am