Fairy Fencer F: Refrain Chord Details Battle System, Exploration & Songs; Screenshots & Singers Shared

Publisher Idea Factory Interntional has shared new details regarding the Compile Heart and Sting-developed tactical JRPG, Fairy Fencer F: Refrain Chord, discussing the battle system, soundtrack, customization, and more.

• Localization Announcement Coverage
• Character Renders & Profiles

Firstly, during battles, character orientation, Fairize transformations, field height, and the enhancing attributes of Song are the primary distinguishable factors. Fairize will amplify stats, provide character-specific skills, and alter attack ranges and effects, inherently changing approaches to fights.  Regarding Song, the Muse’s Fairy Aria will strengthen allies within range of its usage, making the Muse’s grid positioning vital to take note of. While a Song plays, its Range or Intensity can be manually increased by the player, making the tool adaptable.

Further, when the Songs of enemy and ally Muses overlap, an event called Dramatic Resonance occurs where their provided effects will double in efficacy for both sides of the battlefield. This high-risk, high-return mechanic is one of the central facets of identity for this entry’s combat system.

Before battles begin, players must choose their party setup, such as unit placements, and items, view win and loss requirements, and change equipment. Additionally, the map’s terrain can be checked, ensuring that players are provided enough warning to know which six units can be placed on the field and where they should go.  During a unit’s turn, four options will be consistently available; Attack, Skills, Item, and Wait. They’re all rather self-explanatory, though it’s worth noting that Skills arrive in Physical, Magic, Trap, and Special varieties. Further, if Fairizing is possible, that will be its own selectable option.

Another unique mechanic is Soul Gift, where allied units who battle close together will receive boons before and after they move. Multiple Soul Gifts are implied to be receivable, though they can only be granted if the allied unit’s placement is directly across in a straight line.

One last mechanic discussed is Avalanche Rush, enabling the party members in range to perform a rush attack once its associated gauge is full. Said gauge fills simply when allied units attack, and if activated in the range of a Song, the maneuver will become Avalanche Harmonics, enhancing dealt damage and inflicting more detrimental effects upon enemies.

Fairies can be customized and strengthened using Fairy Points earned from battles. Of the multiple Fairies that players will encounter, there are two types. The first, Partners, are unique to each character, and being strengthened will amplify their stats, instill new abilities and skills, and even provide character-specific skills. On the other hand, Partner Fairies, of which there are over 40, can be unequipped at will. Further, they can learn Custom Skills and Abilities, useable even if the Fairy housing them isn’t equipped.

Equipment comprises Armor, Accessories, and Fragments gained from fights, shops, and item synthesis. Fragments contain the aforementioned Soul Gift mechanic and are earned from the Location Shaping treasure hunting system.

Players can also look forward to multiple endings, with the story branching in the middle of the experience. Further, characters the players have gotten close to will have their own epilogues at the end of the narrative. It’s implied that the number of Furies collected will influence the storyline.

Missions asking the player to perform specific actions a specific number of times will grant varied rewards. As for Location Shaping, players can stab the weapon Furies into the world map to alter the land and find treasure. New items, equipment, and battle stages can be found by doing this action.

The Muse Fleur can equip special Fairies, with each having unique Songs. Song Fairies can be earned by completing quests via the Pub and Location Shaping. You can view some of the new Fairies and their introductory quotes via our gallery below:

 

You can view new gameplay screenshots via our gallery below:

Lastly, the many talented singers who contributed their efforts to this game are highlighted, with profiles and clips of their performances. You can view each of these vocal artists, their profiles, and correlative music clips in-game below:

Fleur’s Music – Singers

Glace’s Music – Singers

The music production company that handled the vocal Muse tracks, and worked on several other Galapagos RPG games, shared the following comment:

“An unprecedented challenge of a “6×6 tiled musical mashup.” Even while we were uncertain if we could do such a thing, when we created the test version, I thought “this is amazing!” as if I wasn’t involved with this at all. What a sweet feeling when a different Muse’s song cuts in! There’s an unprecedented shock that courses through your veins when these combinations happen, and I’m so happy to have been involved with this project. I hope everyone can also enjoy this shock! I would be happy if you can soak in this game’s world along with the Muses’ songs.” (Music Composer: ZIZZ Studio Yoh Oyama)