View source for Software:Fuga: Melodies of Steel

{{Short description|2021 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title      = Fuga: Melodies of Steel
| image      = Fuga Melodies of Steel.jpg
| caption    = 
| developer  = [[Company:CyberConnect2|CyberConnect2]]
| publisher  = CyberConnect2
| director   = Yoann Gueritot
| producer   = Taichiro Miyazaki<br />Yuki Nishikawa<br />Hironori Yamaoka
| designer   = Simon Abitan<br />Meri Honda
| programmer = Yasuhiko Tsuneoka<br />Kosuke Usami<br />Naoki Hashimoto<br />You Oyadomari<br />Takafumi Murauchi<br />Ryuichi Sakata<br />Tan Soon Seang<br />Shinji Soyano
| artist     = Tokitsu Yusuke
| writer     = Yasuhiro Noguchi
| composer   = Chikayo Fukuda
| series     = ''Little Tail Bronx''
| engine     = Unreal Engine 4
| platforms  = {{ubl|[[Software:Microsoft Windows|Microsoft Windows]]|[[Engineering:Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch]]|[[Engineering:PlayStation 4|PlayStation 4]]|[[Engineering:PlayStation 5|PlayStation 5]]|[[Engineering:Xbox One|Xbox One]]|Xbox Series X/S}}
| released   = {{Video game release|WW|July 29, 2021}}
| genre      = [[Software:Tactical role-playing game|Tactical role-playing]]
| modes      = [[Software:Single-player video game|Single-player]]
}}

'''''Fuga: Melodies of Steel'''''{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo|戦場のフーガ|Senjō no Fūga|"Fugue of the Battlefield"}}}} is a [[Software:Tactical role-playing game|tactical role-playing video game]] developed and published by [[Company:CyberConnect2|CyberConnect2]]. It is the fourth title in the company's ''Little Tail Bronx'' series and it serves as a prequel to ''[[Software:Tail Concerto|Tail Concerto]]'' and ''[[Software:Solatorobo: Red the Hunter|Solatorobo]]''. The game takes place in a war-torn world populated by anthropomorphic dogs and cats ("Caninu" and "Felineko" respectively, lit. "イヌヒト" and "ネコヒト" / "dog people" and "cat people"), where a group of children struggle for survival aboard a giant [[Engineering:Tank|tank]] against soldiers from an enemy nation. It was released in July 2021 for [[Software:Microsoft Windows|Microsoft Windows]], [[Engineering:Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch]], [[Engineering:PlayStation 4|PlayStation 4]], [[Engineering:PlayStation 5|PlayStation 5]], [[Engineering:Xbox One|Xbox One]], and [[Engineering:Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]]. 

A sequel, ''[[Software:Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2|Fuga]]'', was announced in July 2022<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-07-16/cyberconnect2-fuga-melodies-of-steel-rpg-gets-sequel/.187711|title=CyberConnect2's Fuga: Melodies of Steel RPG Gets Sequel|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|website=Anime News Network|date=July 15, 2022|access-date=July 15, 2022}}</ref> and was released on May 11, 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/01/fuga-melodies-of-steel-2-launches-may-11|title=Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 launches May 11|last=Romano|first=Sal|website=Gematsu|date=January 25, 2023|access-date=January 25, 2023}}</ref>

==Premise==
''Fuga'' is set in a war-ravaged world where a village is destroyed by the [[Social:Fascism|fascist]] Berman Empire. Six child survivors band together, and 6 can be rescued throughout the game, one being from the Berman empire themselves. After the attack, they board a gigantic [[Engineering:Tank|tank]] known as ''Taranis—''a relic of an ancient but technologically-advanced civilization—in order to travel across the dangerous landscape and rescue their families who were taken prisoner. The ''Taranis'' houses a super weapon called the Soul Cannon which is capable of immense destruction at the cost of a crew member's life, with the main characters having to choose when and whom to sacrifice in order for the group to reach their destination. The game is separated into 12 chapters and features multiple endings depending on player choice and how many characters survive.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gonintendo.com/stories/339407-fuga-gets-bumped-into-early-2020-gets-a-subtitle |title=Fuga gets bumped into early 2020, gets a subtitle |website=GoNintendo |date=July 6, 2019 |accessdate=July 9, 2019}}</ref>

==Development==
In February 2018, [[Company:CyberConnect2|CyberConnect2]] announced a recruitment drive for its "Next Plan" project which would shift its design focus for the next decade to new, original titles.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gematsu.com/2018/02/cyberconnect2-details-next-plan-strategy-trilogy-vengeance-titles |title=CyberConnect2 details Next Plan strategy, Trilogy of Vengeance titles |website=Gematsu |author=Romano, Sal |date=February 1, 2018 |accessdate=July 9, 2019}}</ref> The first of these, ''Fuga: Melodies of Steel'', was showcased at Anime Expo 2019 by the developer as part of its ''Little Tail Bronx'' series, and would be its first self-published game. It is the first [[Software:Tactical role-playing game|strategy role-playing game]] in the franchise, and is designed to be similar to [[Software:Roguelike|roguelike]] games where the story is advanced through trial and error. The setting was based on {{wipe|France}} during [[Social:World War II|World War II]]<ref name=Gematsu/> and was given a tone where the main characters "will experience the horrors and cruelty of war" but will "depict the bright and joyful atmosphere that the ''Little Tail Bronx'' series is known for".<ref name=RPGsite>{{cite web |url=https://www.rpgsite.net/interview/8707-cyberconnect2-the-near-future-and-beyond-anime-expo-2019-interview-with-executive-vice-president-taichiro-miyazaki |website=RPG Site |author=Galizio, James |date=July 7, 2019 |accessdate=July 9, 2019 |title=CyberConnect2 - the Near Future and Beyond: Anime Expo 2019 Interview with Executive Vice President Taichiro Miyazaki}}</ref> The title is meant to be the first of three games from the company known as the "Trilogy of Vengeance" along with ''Tokyo Ogre Gate'' and ''Cecile'' - games built by smaller teams and development cycles connected by a common theme of vengeance.<ref name=Gematsu3>{{cite web |url=https://gematsu.com/2018/07/cyberconnect2-trilogy-of-vengeance-titles-set-for-simultaneous-worldwide-release-video-update |title=CyberConnect2 Trilogy of Vengeance titles set for simultaneous worldwide release, video update |website=Gematsu |author=Romano, Sal |date=July 18, 2018 |accessdate=July 9, 2019}}</ref> CyberConnect2 jump-started the project by establishing an in-house game design competition known as the "C5 Project Initiative" where ideas were gathered by various staff. ''Fuga'' was originally meant to be released along with the rest of "Vengeance" games by the end of 2019, but was pushed back until early 2020,<ref name=Gematsu>{{cite web |url=https://gematsu.com/2019/07/fuga-subtitled-melodies-of-steel-delayed-to-early-2020 |title=Fuga subtitled Melodies of Steel, delayed to early 2020 |author=Romano, Sal |date=July 5, 2019 |accessdate=July 9, 2019 |website=Gematsu}}</ref> then again to 2021.<ref name=2021Delay>{{cite web |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2020/12/famitsu-interviews-japanese-creators-on-2021-ambitions |website=Gematsu |date=December 27, 2020 |accessdate=December 27, 2020 |author=Romano, Sal |title=Famitsu interviews Japanese creators on 2021 ambitions}}</ref> The game was released for the [[Engineering:PlayStation 5|PlayStation 5]] and Xbox Series X/S, in addition to the previously announced [[Software:Microsoft Windows|Microsoft Windows]], [[Engineering:Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch]], [[Engineering:PlayStation 4|PlayStation 4]] and [[Engineering:Xbox One|Xbox One]] platforms, on July 29, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/06/fuga-melodies-of-steel-adds-ps5-and-xbox-series-versions-launches-july-29|title=Fuga: Melodies of Steel adds PS5 and Xbox Series versions, launches July 29|website=Gematsu|date=June 14, 2021|access-date=June 14, 2021}}</ref> The game had a development budget in excess of ¥327 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://noisypixel.net/fuga-melodies-of-steel-didnt-sell-well-sucks-cause-good-game/|title=Fuga Melodies Of Steel Didn't Sell Well at All Which Sucks Cause it's a Pretty Good Game|website=Noisy Pixel|date=December 15, 2021|access-date=December 16, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rpgsite.net/news/12138-fuga-melodies-of-steel-sales-fall-short-of-covering-development-costs|website=RPGSite|date=December 16, 2021|access-date=December 16, 2021|title=Fuga: Melodies of Steel sales fall short of covering development costs}}</ref> In February 2022, creative director Yoann Gueritot announced via that ''Fuga'' would become a trilogy.<ref>{{Cite tweet|user=Yoann_CC2|number=1498524617253990412|title=Yup, we're making Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2. Oh, and 3 too. More info in July! ;)|date=February 28, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://gametyrant.com/news/developer-confirms-that-fuga-melodies-of-steel-will-be-a-trilogy|title=Developer Confirms That "Fuga: Melodies of Steel" Will Be A Trilogy|last=Clark|first=Dean|website=GameTyrant|date=March 14, 2022|access-date=March 14, 2022}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{video game reviews
| MC = PC: 84/100<ref name="MCPC">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/fuga-melodies-of-steel/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=Fuga: Melodies of Steel for PC Reviews|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=August 1, 2021}}</ref><br>XSX: 89/100<ref name="MCXSXS">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/fuga-melodies-of-steel/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x|title=Fuga: Melodies of Steel for Xbox Series X Reviews|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=August 29, 2021}}</ref><br>NS: 82/100<ref name="MCNS">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/fuga-melodies-of-steel/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|title=Fuga: Melodies of Steel for Nintendo Switch Reviews|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=August 29, 2021}}</ref>
| Fam = 33/40<ref name=Fam>{{cite web |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/08/famitsu-review-scores-issue-1706 |title=Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1706 |website=Gematsu |author=Romano, Sal |date=August 4, 2021 |accessdate=May 18, 2023}}</ref>
| RPGFan = 70/100<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chandran |first1=Neal |title=Fuga: Melodies of Steel |url=https://www.rpgfan.com/review/fuga-melodies-of-steel/ |website=RPGFan |date=September 12, 2021 |access-date=September 12, 2021}}</ref>
| NWR = 7/10<ref>{{cite web |last1=de Freitas |first1=Alex |title=Fuga: Melodies of Steel (Switch) Review |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/57931/fuga-melodies-of-steel-switch-review |website=Nintendo World Report |date=September 12, 2021 |access-date=September 12, 2021}}</ref>
}}

''Fuga: Melodies of Steel'' received "generally favorable reviews" from critics according to review aggregator Metacritic.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fuga: Melodies of Steel (PC)|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/fuga-melodies-of-steel/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|access-date=August 29, 2021|website=Metacritic|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Fuga: Melodies of Steel (Xbox Series X)|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/fuga-melodies-of-steel/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x|access-date=August 29, 2021|website=Metacritic|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Fuga: Melodies of Steel (Switch)|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/fuga-melodies-of-steel/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|access-date=August 29, 2021|website=Metacritic|language=en}}</ref>

==Legacy==
In August 2021, CyberConnect2 announced that a manga adaptation, titled ''Fuga: Melodies of the Battlefield'', was in the works.<ref name="CC2">{{cite tweet|url=https://twitter.com/Fuga_CC2/status/1425010265142136837|title=【2021年連載開始予定】 『戦場のフーガ』の公式コミカライズが決定︕︕ 漫画を執筆するのは“足立たかふみ”氏！|date=August 10, 2021|user=Fuga_CC2| language=Japanese|number=1425010265142136837}}</ref> Written and illustrated by Takafumi Adachi,<ref name="CC2"/><ref name="ANN">{{cite web|last=Pineda|first=Rafael|title=Fuga: Melodies of Steel Game's Manga Launches|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-12-07/fuga-melodies-of-steel-game-manga-launches/.180357|website=Anime News Network|access-date=December 7, 2021|date=December 7, 2021}}</ref> the manga launched on December 7, 2021.<ref name="ANN"/><ref>{{Cite magazine|title = 【タラニス、始動！ "戦争×復讐×ケモノ"マンガ】『戦場のフーガ 鋼鉄のメロディ』第1話|url = https://www.famitsu.com/serial/fuga/202112/07241282.html|magazine = Famitsu|access-date = December 7, 2021 | language=Japanese}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[https://www.cc2.co.jp/fuga/en/ Official Website]


[[Category:Role-playing video games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Tactical role-playing video games]]
[[Category:Turn-based strategy video games]]
[[Category:Turn-based tactics video games]]
[[Category:Unreal Engine games]]
[[Category:War video games]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:World War II video games]]

{{Sourceattribution|Fuga: Melodies of Steel}}