Having had the opportunity to experience the demo of Fate/Samurai Remnant earlier, we arrived at Tokyo Game Show 2023 filled with anticipation and a sense of curiosity. We had the privilege to conduct an interview with the producer, Tomohiko Sho, and delve deeper into the details of this new Fate series RPG set in the Edo period. To provide some context, it's worth noting that Tomohiko Sho, the producer, has a rich background in the development of action RPG games, having played various roles in the creation of the first six installments of the Dynasty Warriors series, including producer and game designer.

Q: Were there any challenges you faced during the development of Fate/Samurai Remnant, and how did you address them?

A: Certainly, we encountered several challenges throughout the development process, with the most prominent one being how to translate the concept of the "Holy Grail War" into a playable game. One particular hurdle was finding the right balance between a relatively weaker Master and a more powerful Servant when they fight together in battles. Achieving this balance in terms of their abilities was indeed a complex task. Furthermore, in the context of the entire Holy Grail War, making adjustments for different factions' actions and gameplay balance presented its own set of difficulties. To overcome these challenges, our development team dedicated itself to continuous improvement and refinement of the game.

Q: In the demo, Iori is limited to using only two Stances, "Earth" and "Water". Will there be a gradual unlocking of additional Stances in the future, or are there plans to introduce more Stances through DLC?

A: Firstly, we have no plans to introduce additional Stances through DLC. All the Stances can be acquired within the main game, and there will be a total of five available. You might wonder why there are exactly five, and that's because it's based on the martial arts book "The Book of Five Rings" left behind by Musashi Miyamoto. The fifth Stance among these five will have a pivotal role in the storyline and offer an incredibly exhilarating combat experience.

Q: Is there a possibility that Iori (as a Master) could be stronger than the Servants?

A: As a general premise, ordinary individuals are definitely weaker than Servants. However, Iori, being a successor of the Niten Ichiryu style and a highly skilled swordsman, stands as an exceptional figure among ordinary people. Perhaps, with the player's skill and control, it might be possible for Iori to overcome a Servant. 

Q: The development team selected Iori as the main character to fit the time period, but to our knowledge, this is Iori's first appearance in the Fate series. Does this suggest that Iori might appear in future Fate series installments?

A: Regarding this question, I cannot provide a direct answer as I cannot speak on behalf of TYPE-MOON. However, personally, I would definitely be enthusiastic about seeing Iori appear in other Fate series entries in the future.

Q: In battles against hostile Masters and Servants, should the Master be defeated first, what level of impact or debuffs can be expected on the Servant's abilities?

A: Specifically, once the Master is defeated, their Servant will be rendered immobile for a set duration, providing an opportunity for the opposition to inflict more significant damage during this period. However, it's important to note that defeating the Master won't excessively diminish the Servant's capabilities; it merely temporarily immobilizes them. This consideration aligns with the game's action-oriented nature. If defeating the Master resulted in an overly weakened Servant, players might consistently prioritize targeting the Master in every encounter.

Q: How do elements such as the skill tree, blade customizations, and Spirit Font Conflict affect the character's combat capabilities and progression? What motivated the inclusion of these elements in the ARPG?

A: These mentioned elements significantly influence the abilities of the main character, Iori. The decision to include these elements in the ARPG was primarily driven by the aim to enhance the gameplay experience and provide players with a deeper immersion into the Fate universe.

Q: What led to the inclusion of "Zheng Chenggong" as a Master in the game? Were there any considerations, such as historical accuracy, taken into account during development?

A: Given that the game is set in the Edo period, it would seem natural for all Masters to be Japanese. However, we believed that, in addition to having diverse Servants, giving each Master a unique background would enhance the game's appeal. When we decided to choose a (foreign) historical figure from the Edo period to participate in the Holy Grail War, "Zheng Chenggong" came to mind. Zheng Chenggong is already quite well-known in Japan, with his story being popularized through folk songs and plays like "Kokusenya Gassen”. Therefore, we felt that selecting him as a Master was a fitting choice. Of course, besides Zheng Chenggong, there are other characters in the game who are not originally from Japan, such as Dorothea, as we aimed to create a diverse and intriguing cast of characters.

Q: For players who are fans of the Fate series but may not have much experience with ARPGs, are there specific game features to assist them if they find the game challenging?

A: During the game's development, we took into account that the Fate series originally consisted of text-based adventure games. We're also aware that many Fate enthusiasts may not be highly skilled in action games. As a result, we've introduced various options for players to choose their preferred difficulty levels. If you're not comfortable with action games, opting for an easier difficulty setting can help you progress more comfortably. Additionally, the game offers a range of items that can aid players during combat, and strategic use of these items can prevent defeat in battle. We also encourage players to explore the in-game streets extensively, enjoy meals, and purchase useful items, as these actions can provide advantageous effects to make battles more manageable.

Q: Do new players need to acquire any prior knowledge before diving into this game?

A: To be clear, new players don't need to have any prior knowledge. One of our primary development objectives for this game was to make it accessible and enjoyable for players who have never experienced the Fate series before. Furthermore, the game is designed to introduce players to the Fate universe and help them grasp specific terminology as they progress. Specifically, there’s a "Glossary" feature within the game that offers explanations for various terms, and as you advance in the game, more of these explanations will become accessible.

Q: The Fate series has consistently featured a complex world view. What role does Fate/Samurai Remnant play within the broader context of the Fate series world?

A: To begin with, Fate/Samurai Remnant is unquestionably a part of the overarching Fate world view. As we all know, there’s the First to the Fifth Holy Grail Wars introduced as of yet. However, this installment's setting goes back even further in time, before the original Holy Grail War. During that era, a ritual similar to the Holy Grail War took place. Why did this ritual occur, and what were the reasons behind it? These are questions we will explore in the game, but overall, it is a story that is connected to the Holy Grail Wars within the Fate series.

Q: The game incorporates a variety of exploration tasks and elements. If players opt to disregard them and exclusively follow the main storyline, will it result in increased difficulty?

A: For players who excel in action games, it's possible to concentrate solely on the main storyline without completing other elements. However, as mentioned earlier, many items in the game can enhance the player's abilities. Exploring and completing additional tasks can lead to acquiring more items, thereby improving the overall gaming experience. It can also make it easier to overcome certain storyline tasks. Therefore, it's recommended to engage in exploration tasks for a more well-rounded gameplay experience.

Q: Certain Fate series titles involve the protagonist in a significant amount of repetitive content, which can become monotonous for players. Does this game share such elements?

A: In the game, there are indeed some relatively simple side quests, such as errands. However, there is another type of side quest which allows players to experience different perspectives and thoughts from characters outside of Iori and the Saber faction. This adds variety to the gameplay and offers a different dimension to the experience beyond repetition.

Q: Currently, it seems there is only one Magical Workshop in the game. Will there be additional workshops in different regions?

A: There will only be one Magical Workshop in the game. This aligns with the Fate universe, as Magical Workshops serve as the primary strongholds for Magi, and there is typically only one per Magus family.

Q: Many endings in the Fate series tend to have tragic elements. What can players anticipate regarding the overall tone of the story in this game?

A: Fate/Samurai Remnant will feature multiple endings, including what is known as the "true ending”, which may provoke deeper contemplation.

Q: As the producer of Fate/Samurai Remnant, which character or element do you like the most?

A: My personal favorite character is Iori as he is the protagonist. Regarding my favorite element in the game, it's the exploration of the Holy Grail War from the perspective of a Master; I find this aspect very intriguing.

Q: The Fate IP spans movies, series, games, and more. How do you perceive its global influence? Also, besides Fate/Samurai Remnant, which title in the series is your personal favorite?

A: In the Fate series, games like Fate/Grand Order have a significant player base in North America and Asia, which undoubtedly demonstrates the global impact of this IP. We aim to leverage this influence to encourage players from around the world to enjoy Fate/Samurai Remnant together. As for my personal favorite work, it's the original Fate/stay night.

Q: This game will be available on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. Will there be differences in the number of enemies displayed and the level of detail on different platforms？

A: When developing the game, we strive to provide a consistent gaming experience across all platforms. However, it's important to note that PS5 and Switch have hardware differences, so there might be variations in the number of enemies that can be simultaneously displayed on the screen, but players are unlikely to notice significant differences in their overall gameplay experience. Additionally, it's worth mentioning that platforms like PC and PS5, which use SSDs, may have faster screen loading times. However, the in-game content itself remains identical across platforms.

Q: Do the development team and yourself, as the producer, believe that this game has met the team’s goals?

A: In terms of sales, it's still too early to say. However, from a game development perspective, we are quite satisfied with the results we've achieved. For instance, Nasu-sensei from TYPE-MOON has praised the game, stating that it provides players with a profound experience of the relationship between Master and Servant, and that it's even fair to categorize this game under the new genre of "Holy Grail War”.

Q: Could you share some information about the post-release DLC plans for the game?

A: As of now, we have outlined plans for three DLC contents, and players can also purchase a Season Pass for the game. These DLCs are scheduled for release over the course of about a year and will introduce new stories, systems, new Servants, and more. Please look forward to them.

Q: After this collaboration with TYPE-MOON, is there consideration for a long-term partnership in the future?

A: It's hard to say at this moment. Currently, we have plans for multiple DLCs, which means we will continue to work closely with TYPE-MOON in the coming year to complete the game. What happens next will depend on the sales performance of Fate/Samurai Remnant. 

And with that, we conclude our interview with Tomohiko Sho, the producer of Fate/Samurai Remnant. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the producer for sparing his valuable time to address our numerous inquiries about this eagerly awaited RPG, despite his hectic schedule.

Fate/Samurai Remnant is scheduled for release on September 28 and will be accessible on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC.