Fairy Tail 2 Interview

Koei Tecmo and Gust are returning to the world of Hiro Mashima’s Fairy Tail. A sequel to 2020 RPG Fairy Tail, Fairy Tail 2 looks to adapt the remainder of the series, introducing an action-based battle system, as opposed to the turn-based gameplay of the first title. Ahead of the game’s release this December, RPGamer was given the chance to put some questions to producer Hiroshi Kataoka about the game and its creation.

RPGamer: What made you decide to initially take on the Fairy Tail series for another video game adaptation?

Hiroshi Kataoka, Producer: Speaking about this second game, after the release of the previous title, we received many requests for a sequel along with feedback on the game. Thanks to the game continuing to sell well over a long period of time, 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.

RPGamer: How naturally has the series fit into the RPG “sphere”? Were there any areas where you needed to readjust your vision?

Hiroshi Kataoka: In order to make it work as a game, we determined that it would be “Fairy Tail vs. the Alvarez Empire,” and aimed to make it team battles as much as possible, so we have adjusted the original series’ story under the supervision of the series’ creator Mashima-sensei.

RPGamer: Do players need to be familiar with the series and/or have played the first game to enjoy Fairy Tail 2?

Hiroshi Kataoka: No, not at all. At the beginning of the game, there is an event where dialogue between characters will look back at the story of the first Fairy Tail game. Along with that, players can also refer to a database in the main menu that contains this summary. There is also an in-game glossary that can be used when characters refer to specific terms, so I believe those who are interacting with Fairy Tail for the first time, along with those who may have read the manga in the past but may have forgotten some of the details can find themselves immersed in the story.

Of course, playing the previous Fairy Tail game and watching/reading the anime/manga can increase the enjoyment of the game, but I think going back to the original work after enjoying and completing the game is fine as well.

RPGamer: What was the reasoning behind changing the gameplay from the first game? What have you aimed to achieve with the changes?

Hiroshi Kataoka: With the first game, we thought there would be many fans of the IP who weren’t used to playing video games, so we focused on turn-based gameplay that would show the flashy skills while also allowing players to take their time in their decision-making. Since this game focuses on replicating the more intense final arc of the original series, and we also wanted to answer to the calls of fans who wanted to enjoy more action, we kept our way to thinking the same, but changed it to real-time battles where one character is controlled, and added action elements to battles.

The result was keeping the easy to understand and easy to play base, while making battles speedy, feel good, and have big flashy moves, as well as allowing players to combine the strength of all the Fairy Tail team members by coordinating between team members or switching the player (controlled) character, which I think has really made it match the expectations of what battles should be like in this final chapter.

RPGamer: Are there any other enhancements you’ve been able to make for Fairy Tail 2 over the first game that you’re eager to show?

Hiroshi Kataoka: In battles, the central “Fairy Rank” system is designed to heat things up and strengthen you as you attack, so it matches how battles develop and progress in the Fairy Tail series. I think players will enjoy this it is a very good representation of something unique to the Fairy Tail IP.

RPGamer: How closely has Hiro Mashima been involved with the game?

Hiroshi Kataoka: For this game, everything from the design of the characters, the adjustment of the story to make it work as a game, the original story added just for this title, each game element and various resources including game text have all been supervised by Mashima-sensei.

RPGamer: What were some of the challenges and/or opportunities you found in trying to reproduce the series’ original climax?

Hiroshi Kataoka: The first thing we decided on when making the final chapter into a game was to focus on “Fairy Tail vs. the Alvarez Empire” and “Fight all of the Spriggan 12!” In the previous game, we were unable to create a flow of battling all the powerful enemies, so this was a point that we really wanted to achieve. Also, in the original series, there are many one-on-one battles, but in the game, we wanted the players to basically fight as a team, as Fairy Tail, so in order to do this we have made adjustments to how the story unfolds, with the supervision of Mashima-sensei.

RPGamer: Can you provide some details about the original content and stories in the game and what they offer players and series fans?

Hiroshi Kataoka: As this final chapter has an overall serious tone, the original story focuses on the typical cheerful exchanges between the Fairy Tail members, so please look forward to it! There will be many stories between familiar characters, as well as stories and scenes with unexpected combinations of characters. There are also areas that you couldn’t visit in the main story with the entire world unlocked, and a very powerful enemy awaiting at the very end, so we hope players will enjoy these aspects.

RPGamer: Are there any other established franchises that your team is hoping to have the chance to adapt into an RPG?

Hiroshi Kataoka: We are interested in many IPs both old and new, but I will refrain from answering. Please look forward to what we do next!

RPGamer would like to extend our deepest thanks to Hiroshi Kataoka for taking the time to answer our questions, as well as to Katie Yang and One PR Studio for facilitating the interview. Fairy Tail 2 releases for PC on December 11, 2024, with PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch versions following on December 13, 2024.