Fantasy Strike

 PC
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 31 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 31
  3. Negative: 3 out of 31

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  1. Nok
    Jul 29, 2019
    10
    I came over from Sirlin's boardgames. Until about 2015 my impression of fighters were largely button mashing, and then I read Sirlin's blog about the deeper game. This interested me, so I gave SFV a shot (and lost interest when I couldn't do the combo challenges). Then Sirlin announced that he was pausing development of Codex to focus on Fantasy Strike, which really disappointed me. I gaveI came over from Sirlin's boardgames. Until about 2015 my impression of fighters were largely button mashing, and then I read Sirlin's blog about the deeper game. This interested me, so I gave SFV a shot (and lost interest when I couldn't do the combo challenges). Then Sirlin announced that he was pausing development of Codex to focus on Fantasy Strike, which really disappointed me. I gave patreon alpha a look to see what had killed expansions for one of my favorite games, and was instantly hooked. It fulfills everything that the "deeper game" of fighting games had promised, and you win or lose on your decisions and knowledge alone.… Expand
  2. transit
    Aug 5, 2019
    10
    This game is everything I have wanted from a fighting game for years. Easy controls, great balance, exciting gameplay, and an amazing netcode to boot!
  3. neigutten
    Jul 26, 2019
    9
    I have been playing Tekken since Tekken 5, and started getting interested in other fighting games around the SF4AE days. And Fantasy Strike is one of the better fighting games I have played. It is easy to pick up, quick to learn, and you get to make interesting decisions pretty much right off the bat, instead of spending the majority of the time in practice mode, just trying to be able toI have been playing Tekken since Tekken 5, and started getting interested in other fighting games around the SF4AE days. And Fantasy Strike is one of the better fighting games I have played. It is easy to pick up, quick to learn, and you get to make interesting decisions pretty much right off the bat, instead of spending the majority of the time in practice mode, just trying to be able to do what you want to do.

    The online is amazing, the way you challenge your friends is amazing. It is great in all the ways you want your other fighting games to be great.    … Expand
  4. LudicSavant
    Nov 5, 2019
    10
    Don't let the simple controls fool you; this game offers a great deal of depth for dedicated fighting game players. The difference is that in Fantasy Strike you're not distracted by rote execution like messing up your combos or missing 1-frame links, you're worried about making the right choice to outwit your opponent.

    The game epitomizes easy to learn, hard to master, and I love it.
  5. doctorfedora
    Sep 30, 2019
    10
    An intense, fast-paced fighting game that beginners can also play. Streamlined controls make it feel kind of like that scene in the Matrix where Neo gets kung-fu installed in his brain, then goes straight to lightning-fast sparring. Basically, it's designed to help beginners stop being beginners as fast as possible, to go straight to the exciting stuff. Plus, it's the first proper fightingAn intense, fast-paced fighting game that beginners can also play. Streamlined controls make it feel kind of like that scene in the Matrix where Neo gets kung-fu installed in his brain, then goes straight to lightning-fast sparring. Basically, it's designed to help beginners stop being beginners as fast as possible, to go straight to the exciting stuff. Plus, it's the first proper fighting game that's actually genuinely playable for real on a single Joy-Con. I cannot recommend this game enough, both for existing fighting game players and for people interested in checking out what the genre has to offer, but without spending hours practicing joystick motions before they can actually play for real.

    I also can't emphasize strongly enough just how good the netplay is, especially on the Steam version. I live in Japan and I've played matches with opponents on the east coast of the US and Canada and had them feel like we were in the same room. Positively unbelievable — I have no idea how they managed it. The Steam version also has the paradoxical benefit of being the best for netplay (since you can play against both the PS4 and Switch versions) even if the Steam version might have the smallest overall player base of the three versions.    … Expand
  6. Erzito
    Jun 30, 2020
    10
    The best game for anyone to get started in fighting games. This game has easy controls, but the game is very deep and the matches are intense. You are going to learn loads with it. The pace of the games is hectic and the matches are great fun. I recommend it to everybody really.
  7. Organous
    Jul 26, 2020
    10
    Fantasy Strike represents almost everything that I want the fighting game genre to be. Many of the things involved in Fantasy Strike's gameplay will trigger a knee-jerk reaction, as they challenge many traditions the 2D fighting game genre has adopted over time, but I promise you now that Fantasy Strike demonstrates these conventions are not necessary to make a good game. It is also, veryFantasy Strike represents almost everything that I want the fighting game genre to be. Many of the things involved in Fantasy Strike's gameplay will trigger a knee-jerk reaction, as they challenge many traditions the 2D fighting game genre has adopted over time, but I promise you now that Fantasy Strike demonstrates these conventions are not necessary to make a good game. It is also, very surprisingly, free-to-play, giving you access to all characters forever, training mode, online quick match, and AI battle for the free players. Most of the rest comes in by buying the "core pack," which is effectively just buying the game as you would any other fighter game. You can't play with your friend on the couch for free or directly challenge others online without the core pack (they can challenge you, so with the Discord it's almost a non-issues), but you also can't do that with MOST fighter games, and this one's only $20 to "buy" for that purpose.

    What's transformative about this fighter game is how minimalist it is. It's definitely no Divekick or One Strike, but it does challenge a LOT of fighter game traditions. The emphasis in this game is on your strategic gameplay, quickly punishing mistakes, and moving on to the next decision. It is not for people who primarily enjoy long combos (in other words, "training mode monsters). It IS for people who want to out-think their opponent in real-time.

    Key differences from other fighters:
    * No special inputs. Just hit a direction + a button and you're good. Can literally be played with a Guitar Hero controller.
    * No crouch. Strong mixups in general with no need for overheads.
    * Segmented life. Instead of something like 1000 health, you get 5-8 health! Bread-and-butter combos will easily knock off half your health.
    * Unique team battle mode for ranked games

    Honestly there are only two things that bug me. 1) Preachy nature of the arcade mode stories. This is basically the result of a "more gameplay, less story" approach to game design, but I see more tropes than characters. 2) Too many characters relying on "magic" to be a fighter and definitely do not look like they're conditioned to take a hit in a fighting tournament. I also don't like having replays be a subscription feature, but I understand it might be necessary for what storage capacity the Switch has. That said, the gameplay is extremely solid, to the point that this is my favorite fighter game ever. The Discord community is also the best community I've ever interacted with! Ultimately, even with what faults I have with the game, I've put in over a thousand freaking hours on this! A game that I love that much deserves a 10.

    In my opinion, most people will get everything they really need in this game for no money at all. I still believe it is worth supporting regardless, as buying things in-game will support the future of the game like continuing balance patches, new characters, and new features. I believe Fantasy Strike offers me a better fighter game experience than any other out there, but then again, I prefer my games to be more about strategic gameplay than pulling off crazy stunts.    … Expand
  8. Remy77077
    Aug 12, 2019
    10
    I'm a pretty hardcore fighting game player (tournament player for SF2 HDR, ST, SF3 and SFV), but I also like to play casually with friends - and this is probably the only fighting game that really lets me enjoy both to the same degree.
    That is because this is one of the best fighting games ever made for my taste in fighters!
    I normally don't enjoy playing FGs that much vs my friends who    I'm a pretty hardcore fighting game player (tournament player for SF2 HDR, ST, SF3 and SFV), but I also like to play casually with friends - and this is probably the only fighting game that really lets me enjoy both to the same degree.
    That is because this is one of the best fighting games ever made for my taste in fighters!
    I normally don't enjoy playing FGs that much vs my friends who are only into them casually. I have to play characters where I barely know what I'm doing or "hold back" for my friends to even stand a chance vs me, but in Fantasy Strike, they can learn a few moves with a character, and suddenly, because they can execute everything - we're playing for real. Sure my FG experience and skills means I'll probably win, but it's no longer a sure bet where I can simply mess about and win however I want to, I now have to play a real game and actually think how to win, I can't just rely on the fact I can block, throw, tech & combo better than them to always win. Plus my friends that have never been able to play any other FGs due to the execution barrier, but who are really strong gamers at say, an RTS game, can now compete with (and sometimes beat) me too!

    I loved Divekick years ago too for some of the same reasons, but I always wanted something more like a traditional fighter or "Divekick++" or something. Fantasy Strike is that - and has MUCH better online netplay and far more single player and competitive content and modes than Divekick, or even most other fighting games ever had. Like the Boss Rush mode which is like a fighting game combined with a roguelike power up system, or arcade mode stories that actually all tie together, and have some gorgeous artwork.

    The easier execution in Fantasy Strike also enables me to focus on the strategy and what I want to do, and also means I can play every character in the cast to find out what kind of gameplay I enjoy the most, rather than being stuck playing characters with moves & combos I can do the best. High level matches are so incredibly intense in Fantasy Strike because you have to think about every single decision and there isn't reams of setplay and combos or option selects where I can 'relax and just do my thing' - it's the only fighting game that's even made me feel like I need a break to 'recover mentally' after playing an intense match of it.

    Oh & it also has the best netplay I've ever experienced in any fighting game!

    Buy this now! :D
    Highest recommendation I can give this from me.    … Expand
  9. acrata
    Jul 27, 2019
    10
    This is the fighting game I’ve been waiting years for. Tons of depth, but easy execution. When you lose, you know it’s because you made bad decisions, not because you misinputted.
  10. mienaikage
    Jul 27, 2019
    9
    One of the best and most enjoyable fighters I've played in a very long time. The netcode is astounding and puts many other games to shame.
  11. Iantweed
    Jul 28, 2019
    10
    It’s a 1v1 fighting game that’s got that classic “easy to play, hard to master” vibe. The game feels like old school Street Fighter 2, yet you can play it perfectly with a controller as simple as a single joycon if you want.

    A must buy
  12. npaul
    Aug 7, 2019
    9
    Excellent fighting game. Quick to jump in and play. Characters are well designed and easy to learn but continue to provide interesting challenges as you improve. Very high skill ceiling despite having a very low skill floor required to play.

    Boss Rush is a fantastic single player mode, game comes complete with survival and an arcade mode. Netplay and local play are both fantastic.    Excellent fighting game. Quick to jump in and play. Characters are well designed and easy to learn but continue to provide interesting challenges as you improve. Very high skill ceiling despite having a very low skill floor required to play.

    Boss Rush is a fantastic single player mode, game comes complete with survival and an arcade mode. Netplay and local play are both fantastic.

    Highly recommended.    … Expand
  13. Zerarch77
    Dec 25, 2021
    9
    As a professional hater of fighting games, I am pleased to announce that Fantasy Strike is one of a very small group of FGs where execution is simply not important in determining who wins. Fantasy Strike is a combination of depth and accessibility other FGs can only dream of. The game is easy to learn but hard to master, and has more quality-of-life features than any other FG I can thinkAs a professional hater of fighting games, I am pleased to announce that Fantasy Strike is one of a very small group of FGs where execution is simply not important in determining who wins. Fantasy Strike is a combination of depth and accessibility other FGs can only dream of. The game is easy to learn but hard to master, and has more quality-of-life features than any other FG I can think of. To dislike Fantasy Strike is to dislike the genre and what it has to offer. My money is down and I am satisfied.… Expand
  14. Ursafrank
    Aug 25, 2019
    6
    A fairly simplified fighter, no crouching, your life bar is in chunks and you can counter some attacks by literally pressing nothing. I found all the characters to be boring and uninteresting (your opinion may vary). You can easily win most fights against the AI by spamming ranged attacks. Voice acting was funny

    Not a bad game by any means, competent even but it just didn't do anything for me
  15. Darches
    Aug 3, 2020
    10
    tl;dr tl;dr
    It's now my 2nd favorite fighting game. Please give Sirlin all your money so I can have more characters. Smash Ultimate plays a bit better but is harder to control and has serious problems. Fantasy Strike has less expressive gameplay but is incredibly balanced and has ALL the quality of life features.
    Fantasy Strike is more than just "another fighting game." It's a    tl;dr tl;dr
    It's now my 2nd favorite fighting game. Please give Sirlin all your money so I can have more characters. Smash Ultimate plays a bit better but is harder to control and has serious problems. Fantasy Strike has less expressive gameplay but is incredibly balanced and has ALL the quality of life features.

    Fantasy Strike is more than just "another fighting game." It's a philosophy and the culmination of Sirlin's work. tl;dr review:

    Pros
    +Accessible. Anyone with working fingers can play.
    +Competitive. Sirlin says no grinding!
    +Balanced. Unlike 99% of game developers, Sirlin knows how to balance things. All moves are useful and all characters are viable. It's amazing.
    +Elegant. The yomi counter is especially innovative and fun.
    +Challenging. While FS is easy to pick up it's very hard to master. The mind games are intense, the roster is diverse, and you can train and learn nuances like in any other fighter. There's serious replay value here.
    +Plays great. Rollback networking and cross platform support make this game a joy to play.
    +Polished.
    +Sounds great. This is probably my favorite fighting game sound track.
    +Looks great. It's the best that you could ask for from an indie company. I love the fantasy martial arts style and the designs, lore, movesets, and presentation all come together perfectly.
    +Good single player modes.

    Cons
    -Far less freedom, especially compared to Smash Ultimate. You still get meaningful choices, they're just less granular and expressive. It's a reasonable cost to pay for an insane boost in accessibility.

    Conclusion
    Despite the lack of freedom and my initial tilt from losing too much, I keep coming back for more! It's addicting. There are few games where even losing is this much fun. While it's not as mechanically fun as Smash Ultimate, Fantasy Strike does everything right and is the kind of fighting game that we've been sorely lacking. Games like this are a rare treat and I'm incredibly happy to see Sirlin's design work finally put into action. IMO this makes most other fighting games obsolete. Buy it.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

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No score yet - based on 3 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. IGN
    Jul 28, 2020
    80
    Fantasy Strike is a shining example of a fighting game that’s incredibly easy to play without sacrificing the mental chess and decision making that makes them so much fun. It’s very rough around the edges, with a roster of twelve characters that are much more interesting mechanically than they are visually, and a few interesting, though ultimately shallow single player modes. The inability to set up a private match with friends who are also playing for free is a tough pill to swallow, but its value as a free-to-play fighting game cannot be overstated. This truly is the best entry point for those who want to dip their feet into a traditionally difficult genre – and those who stick around will find it stands up as a great fighting game in its own right too.
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  2. Screen Rant
    Jul 21, 2020
    70
    Fantasy Strike is a great pick-up for fans of the fighting game genre, and worth a look for those who have been intimidated previously by complex control schemes.
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  3. PC Invasion
    Jul 24, 2019
    80
    Fantasy Strike is an excellent fighting game with rewarding gameplay. I can only hope the amount of players increases.
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