Type-Moon and Aniplex have shared an extensive overview of Fate/Extra Record, detailing the Moon Cell Automaton, the structure of the Moon Holy Grail War, exploration of the Lunar Sea, and the Command Card battle system. A 17-minute overview of the title’s general premise and gameplay systems was also released.
The following illustration of Saber was also shared by Wada Arco, commemorating the release date announcement:
The setting here is the Moon Cell Automaton, an ancient artifact discovered on the Moon. The Moon Cell is a supercomputer that surpasses all human knowledge. It has recorded the entirety of Earth and can predict and warp the future.
The Moon Cell created the Holy Grail, an omnipotent machine capable of granting any wish. Its existence led to the Moon Holy Grail War, a tournament where the victor earns the right to claim the Holy Grail.
The war takes place within SE.RA.PH, a digital environment constructed on the Moon. More accurately, SE.RA.PH is a city-like engine controlled by the Moon Cell itself. Only top hackers know it exists and can access it.
A total of 128 Masters participate in the Moon Holy Grail War, each harboring a hidden wish they hope to have granted. Masters are exceptional hackers who can link their souls to the digital environment and are considered the magi of the modern age.
Each Master commands a Servant, a digital being often derived from a historical figure or legend. Servants belong to one of seven classes and keep their True Names hidden while fighting alongside their Masters.
The protagonist is one of the 128 Masters but has lost their memories. Their only chance of survival is to form a contract with a Servant and participate in the Holy Grail War until only one participant remains.
Tsukumihara Academy serves as the virtual school within SE.RA.PH. Masters participating in the tournament take part in school activities there between battles, while preparations for each round extend beyond the academy.
The Moon Holy Grail War
The Moon Holy Grail War is divided into seven rounds. Each round gives the participating Masters seven days to prepare for a Decisive Battle against an assigned opponent.
On the first day, the player learns the name of the opposing Master. One of the most important parts of the preparation period is gathering information about that Master’s Servant.
Learning a Servant’s True Name can provide particularly valuable information because their identity is directly connected to their combat style and potential weaknesses.
Preparation also requires exploring the Lunar Sea. It consists of seven dungeons known as the Arena, which are based on Earth’s oceans. These areas contain enemies designed to eliminate Masters deemed unfit to continue participating in the Holy Grail War.
Enemies populate the Arena and interfere with the player’s progress, while members of the opposing faction can also directly challenge the player to combat. Defeating enemies and overcoming traps throughout each floor will make the player’s Servant stronger.
Reaching the Coliseum requires two Key Codes hidden deep within each section of the Arena. Players must obtain both within the designated period. Failing to acquire either Key Code results in disqualification, costing the Master their place in the tournament and their life.
At the end of each round, the two remaining opponents enter a one-on-one Decisive Battle. Their Servants fight under the commands of their respective Masters, and the losing Master forfeits both the tournament and their life. This process continues until only one Master remains and earns the right to claim the Holy Grail.
Command Cards and Servants
Battles in Fate/Extra Record revolve around deck building and Command Cards. Once a hand is drawn, players spend the AP displayed on individual cards to issue Commands to their Servant.
Players have to consider the cards available in their current hand and choose the best actions for that turn. Commands are divided into three primary categories: Attack inflicts damage, Guard adds to the player’s shield to reduce incoming damage, and Skill provides individual abilities and effects.
Available Commands differ depending on the selected Servant. As a result, each Servant requires different tactics built around their individual combat style.
Deck building allows players to combine Commands that complement those strengths. New Commands can be obtained by defeating powerful enemies, while existing Commands can be enhanced through Art Phantasmagoria.
The three available Servants approach Command Battles differently.
One Servant, Saber, favors an aggressive style built around her large blade. Her Skills can strengthen her already powerful strikes, allowing individual attacks to deal large amounts of damage.
Another Servant, Archer, uses rapid attacks and several weapons. This fighting style emphasizes consecutive combos specific to the Command Battle system, providing a more technical approach to overwhelming opponents.
The spell-focused Servant, Caster, also favors technical play. She can stagger enemies using amulets and strengthen herself at the cost of reducing her own HP. Using her abilities effectively requires adapting to the situation during battle.
Additional support comes from Items and Code Cast abilities. Items restore HP during battles and exploration and can be purchased from shops or found while exploring the Arena.
Masters can also equip Mystic Codes to gain access to Code Cast skills during battle. These abilities directly support their Servant through effects including healing and Command replenishment, providing another resource to consider during difficult encounters.
Fate/Extra Record will be released on January 28, 2027, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and PC via Steam.
