Fairy Tail – official details and screenshots for the battle system, new characters

Koei Tecmo and Gust have passed along an official set of new details and screenshots for the JRPG Fairy Tail. In addition to the latest details about the game’s battle system, we also have an update on playable characters.

Here’s the full lowdown:

Based on the anime and manga of the same name by Hiro Mashima, players will be able to follow the series’ enchanting storyline from the popular Tenrou Island arc through to the Tartaros arc, along with all-new original episodes.

FAIRY TAIL will see Natsu and the team fight against a variety of foes in their quest to become the No. 1 guild in Fiore. Battle parties consist of up to five mages, allowing fan-favorite characters to combine together to perform impressive magical attacks displayed across a three-by-three battlefield grid. Each move deals a certain amount of damage across the tiles – choosing appropriate attacks can ensure a swift victory over troublesome enemies. By dealing damage, players will fill up the ‘Fairy Gauge’. This special ‘Magic Chain’ attack allows each party member to deal a combo of attacks before unleashing a powerful finisher – sometimes strong characters, like the beloved Guild Leader Makarov, may even jump in to deal devastating damage with their ‘Extreme Magic’.

When the ally party comes under heavy damage and are in a pinch, characters can awaken dormant abilities for a few turns, drastically increasing their powers. Some mages even have access to whole new attacks – Dragon Slayers can use ‘Dragon Force’ instead of their ‘Awakened’ abilities, while some mages can perform a ‘Mode Change’ offering a wealth of new battle options. Natsu’s renowned ‘Lightning Fire Dragon’s Iron Fist’ is an example of the enhanced abilities that can be performed. Some mages are even able to unite together to perform mighty combination attacks, known as a ‘Unison Raid’, triggering a special ‘Unison Raid’ cutscene right before unleashing the incredible attack against oncoming foes.

To assist in battle, GUST Studios announced five new playable characters joining the fray — not from FAIRY TAIL but from rival guilds in Fiore. New characters include the ‘Sky God Slayer’ Sherria Blendy from Lamia Scale, the ‘Strongest Fencer’ Kagura Mikazuchi from Mermaid Heel, the ‘Handsome’ Blue Pegasus mage Ichiya Vandalay Kotobuki, and the ‘White Dragon’ Sting Eucliffe and ‘Shadow Dragon’ Rogue Cheney from Sabertooth. These exciting new additions to the cast join the previously announced Natsu Dragneel, Lucy Heartfilia, Gray Fullbuster, Erza Scarlet, Wendy Marvell, Gajeel Redfox and Juvia Lockser – all battle-ready with powerful magic abilities. With more than 12 playable characters available, players will able to form a dream team with FAIRY TAIL members and their rivals and set off on an adventure like never before.

Source: Koei Tecmo PR