Preview: 'Fate/unlimited codes' for PS2

Capcom adds some fighting punch to popular "Fate" series.

KEEP THE FATE: Importers itching for some good, old one-on-one fighting with an anime-ish twist may want to keep tabs on "Fate/unlimited codes" for the Playstation 2. I've never had a chance to check out the original "Fate" game -- "Fate/stay night" -- as dating sims aren't exactly my cup of tea (and from what I've heard, the original FSN game had some risque elements to boot). But I have watched the anime adaptation of the "Fate" story that was shown in Japanese TV and liked it quite a bit.


Unlike the FSN game, "Fate/unlimited codes" is a straight up fighting game. It also happens to have a great pedigree -- the game was developed by Capcom, the same company behind the stellar Street Fighter series. Hopefully, that means the characters should be pretty well-balanced and players shouldn't have to worry about overpowered characters. Originally released in Japanese arcades this June, one would think a PS3 version of "Fate/unlimited codes" should make more sense from a technical standpoint. But developers probably believe that releasing the game on PS2 would make more financial sense.


The PS2 version is slated for release in Japan this Dec. 18 and will come in two flavors. The regular edition will retail for 7,340 yen, which is a little over $68. The game will also have a limited edition version that comes with a special figurine of "Fate" protagonist Saber. According to statements released to Japanese publications such as Dengeki and Game Watch, the white "Saber Lily" figurine is a new design by the original "Fate" producer, who decided to come up with a new armor design for Saber during some "idle chatter." While Saber's original blue-and-silver armor has a more "kingly" source of inspiration, the "Saber Lily" getup has more of a princess-like feel, the designer said. (A princess that could kick butt, that is.) The price for getting the limited game/figurine bundle? 10,490 yen -- or about $98. Even with that price, I have a feeling the game will still sell out among Japan's rabid otaku. Folks interested to get the game stateside may want to check with importers such as National Console Support or Play-Asia.