The latest entry in the Fate franchise launches this week, and it’s a title that can easily be overwhelming at first. You’re treated to a captivating open world set in Edo, and there’s plenty to do whether you’re interested in skewering monsters with your katana, helping locals, or petting a cat.
The game does a good job of pointing you to your next objectives, but you may still find yourself lost. This guide will get you started on the right foot by showing you what to do, which skills to upgrade first, and what mistakes to avoid.
Don’t ignore the Digressions
Though the open world is large, it’s no trouble at all to follow the main story and locate the main quests. By pressing R3 on PlayStation, you can quickly determine which direction you need to go to find your next objective.
The main quests have plenty to offer, but don’t let them distract you from the side activities you’ll discover as you explore Edo. These activities, called Digressions, will mostly be found by Saber, and they often have you helping locals.
Plenty of games feature boring side quests, but the Digressions of Fate/Samurai Remnant contain some of its best moments. Additionally, you’ll also earn more skill points to spend and useful items to use during combat. You’re also advised to spend some time exploring, talking to NPCs, and interacting with animals. You never know what you’ll uncover!
Use your Servants
In Fate/Samurai Remnant, you take control of Miyamoto Iori who is skilled with his katanas. You also get help from Saber, who is a Servant. Don’t take her for granted, as she can easily turn the tides of a battle that’s getting too tough for you.
When they’re available, use Saber’s magic techniques to hold hordes back and break through the thick armor of the bigger enemies. You’ll also get the opportunity to Substitute Saber and control her instead of Iori. Do this at the right moment, and you can score yourself a decisive victory.
Grab these skills first
Iori has a skill tree which grants him extra abilities as more skills are unlocked. There are plenty of skills to pick from once you’ve accumulated sufficient points. Regardless of what playstyle you go for, these are the skills you should unlock first:
- Additional Critical Chance – This one’s self-explanatory.
- Riposte – Grab it as soon as possible. When you dodge at the right time, you’ll be able to perform a “riposte” counterattack.
- Amber Glow – Unlocks a spell that restores your HP
- ATK Up and DEF Up – These two are also self-explanatory.
Don’t forget that your Servants also have skill trees. What you start with matters less when it comes to your Servants, but it’s still important you unlock their skills frequently as you collect skill points.
Avoid button mashing
Fate/Samurai Remnant‘s combat can get intense, as you’ll often be dealing with dozens of foes at a time. Regardless, you shouldn’t ever find yourself mindlessly mashing buttons. The combat system is a finely tuned, engaging one that is rewarding to use once you understand it.
Winning combat encounters requires you to use your Servants wisely and take on the right stance. The various stances Iori learns help him in different scenarios. For example, the Earth Stance is for defence, while the Water Stance is for dealing with multiple enemies.
Once you’ve got the right stance, it’s time to use the right moves. Here are some of the tricks at your disposal:
- Valor Strike – A powerful move that deals great damage to enemies
- Spells – You require Gems to perform spells
- Link Strike – A move performed in collaboration with your Servant
If you find combat too hard, consider turning down the difficulty. There are three options available: Sword Novice, Sword Fighter, and Sword Expert. If you’re looking for a primarily narrative experience, pick Sword Novice. Sword Novice is for players itching for a challenge.
Enjoy the story
The Fate franchise is known for its storytelling, and things are no different in Fate/Samurai Remnant. It’s an action-packed game with a surprisingly vast array of enemies, and the combat will easily have you hooked. However, the heart of the game lies with its story and characters.
You’re advised to not skip past the dialogue and cutscenes. By immersing yourself in the story, you’ll get to know Iori better and you’ll have the necessary emotional context for the enemy encounters. Skip it, and you may find yourself wondering why you should care about the occasionally repetitive combat.
Fate/Samurai Remnant is a great game for both newcomers and series veterans. It appears deceptively simple but once you jump in, you’ll soon discover it has an impressive amount of content to offer.
