Part 2 of FGO is a noticeable improvement in terms of consistency. There really isn't many straight up bad chapters unlike certain parts of Parts 1 and 1.5 (maybe Heian-Ko but that's one chapter of eight released in EN so far), with the worst of the chapters just pretty slow and boring at points, unlike utter embarrassments like Septem and Agartha were. Part 2 is just a solid romp through some conceptually interesting scenarios, with a pretty interesting moral dilemma with what happens to the worlds left behind after each chapter is completed.
Nothing mind-blowing is present, but the best aspects of Part 2 are the really entertaining and fun characters that are just a blast to read the interactions and dynamics of. Lostbelt 5.1 Atlantis was a standout due to how fun and dynamic the ensemble cast was with each other, the highlights being Jason and Mandricardo. Shoutout to Wodime too for having an incredible backstory and motives, that was unfortunately locked to a pretty inconsistent chapter. Part 2 is mostly very enjoyable to read, but nothing as amazing as some other Type Moon works can get (Mahoyo, Hollow Ataraxia, TsukiRe, etc.)
UNTIL LOSTBELT 6 ROLLS AROUND AND HOLY SHIT, NASU REALLY WROTE AN ENTIRE FANTASY EPIC THAT'S AS LONG AS A VN, FOR A GACHA GAME????????
Avalon le Fae is an incredible piece of writing that is unfortunately trapped behind a giant time commitment that is playing Fate/Grand Order. Nearly all the complaints I have about the story are because of FGO as a game itself (bad VN presentation, Ritsuka is literally a plank of wood for a main protagonist, lack of descriptive prose whenever the perspective is on Ritsuka).
Nearly everything quality aspect from the "main" Type-Moon VNs and works is present. Compelling main characters, that all have amazing dynamics and parallels with each other that reinforce the themes of the story. There's even direct thematic parallels to the original Stay Night VN! The central characters stand with the best of the Nasuverse characters, with characters like Artoria Caster, Oberon, and Morgan standing alongside some of my other favorites in the series (Shirou, Angra Maiyuu, Ryougi, Ciel, etc.) Incredibly detailed world-building that make the setting feel so lived in and authentic. A wide variety of side characters that almost all have depth much deeper than most other side characters in FGO have. A level of introspection and narrative depth present that is equivalent to Nasu's bigger works, due of the reintroduction of lots of descriptive prose during key moments of the story. Many of the new songs in the chapter were great, which is surprising considering FGO's music is mediocre to bad. So many staples from a quality Type-Moon work come back in such a triumphant way here, which is unexpected for a story written for a gacha game of all things. And the best part is that most of the story is amazing on a stand-alone level, and not chained to needing to keep up with the overarching story of FGO.
More needs to be said about the sheer sense of scale and scope in Avalon le Fae. There are so many intersecting and seemingly disconnected parts that reconnect and are recontextualized in unexpected, yet impactful ways. One of the main themes of the chapter is finding your star and how this simplistic line applies to so many characters and relates to why the central conflicts and tragedy that can occur in the world happens is the core to the story. Artoria Caster as a character and how she parallels and contrasts with the Artoria from Proper Human History transforms what could be a very typical hero's journey into a tragic, yet hopeful introspection on duty and responsibility, and the ways they can be overcome. She stands among the best of the best of characters in the Nasuverse.
To elaborate on some flaws with the story briefly, they are alleviated a bit by having Ritsuka serve as a supporting character to the real protagonist of the chapter, Artoria Caster. Having to shove in some battles for the sake of having actual gameplay made some story segments a bit awkward to read through as well, but it is nowhere near as bad as it was with chapters like Camelot did it in Part 1. Some characters had depth still, but could have been even better if given more time to have been fleshed out, but it is understandable that Nasu would not want to make the chapter too long for a gacha game (even though the chapter we have now is like 30 hours long lol).
It is EXTREMELY hard to elaborate why Avalon le Fae is such an incredible experience without spoiling anything, but it is just a shame that more people can't read it due to the giant accessibility barrier of playing a long-running gacha game. If you are down the hole of consuming lots of Type-Moon/Fate media, or just want to commit to another gacha game, Avalon le Fae will pay your commitment in spades, rewarding you with one of Nasu's best narratives. Really hope Lostbelt 7 can maintain at least some of the quality of Lostbelt 6.
Nothing mind-blowing is present, but the best aspects of Part 2 are the really entertaining and fun characters that are just a blast to read the interactions and dynamics of. Lostbelt 5.1 Atlantis was a standout due to how fun and dynamic the ensemble cast was with each other, the highlights being Jason and Mandricardo. Shoutout to Wodime too for having an incredible backstory and motives, that was unfortunately locked to a pretty inconsistent chapter. Part 2 is mostly very enjoyable to read, but nothing as amazing as some other Type Moon works can get (Mahoyo, Hollow Ataraxia, TsukiRe, etc.)
UNTIL LOSTBELT 6 ROLLS AROUND AND HOLY SHIT, NASU REALLY WROTE AN ENTIRE FANTASY EPIC THAT'S AS LONG AS A VN, FOR A GACHA GAME????????
Avalon le Fae is an incredible piece of writing that is unfortunately trapped behind a giant time commitment that is playing Fate/Grand Order. Nearly all the complaints I have about the story are because of FGO as a game itself (bad VN presentation, Ritsuka is literally a plank of wood for a main protagonist, lack of descriptive prose whenever the perspective is on Ritsuka).
Nearly everything quality aspect from the "main" Type-Moon VNs and works is present. Compelling main characters, that all have amazing dynamics and parallels with each other that reinforce the themes of the story. There's even direct thematic parallels to the original Stay Night VN! The central characters stand with the best of the Nasuverse characters, with characters like Artoria Caster, Oberon, and Morgan standing alongside some of my other favorites in the series (Shirou, Angra Maiyuu, Ryougi, Ciel, etc.) Incredibly detailed world-building that make the setting feel so lived in and authentic. A wide variety of side characters that almost all have depth much deeper than most other side characters in FGO have. A level of introspection and narrative depth present that is equivalent to Nasu's bigger works, due of the reintroduction of lots of descriptive prose during key moments of the story. Many of the new songs in the chapter were great, which is surprising considering FGO's music is mediocre to bad. So many staples from a quality Type-Moon work come back in such a triumphant way here, which is unexpected for a story written for a gacha game of all things. And the best part is that most of the story is amazing on a stand-alone level, and not chained to needing to keep up with the overarching story of FGO.
More needs to be said about the sheer sense of scale and scope in Avalon le Fae. There are so many intersecting and seemingly disconnected parts that reconnect and are recontextualized in unexpected, yet impactful ways. One of the main themes of the chapter is finding your star and how this simplistic line applies to so many characters and relates to why the central conflicts and tragedy that can occur in the world happens is the core to the story. Artoria Caster as a character and how she parallels and contrasts with the Artoria from Proper Human History transforms what could be a very typical hero's journey into a tragic, yet hopeful introspection on duty and responsibility, and the ways they can be overcome. She stands among the best of the best of characters in the Nasuverse.
To elaborate on some flaws with the story briefly, they are alleviated a bit by having Ritsuka serve as a supporting character to the real protagonist of the chapter, Artoria Caster. Having to shove in some battles for the sake of having actual gameplay made some story segments a bit awkward to read through as well, but it is nowhere near as bad as it was with chapters like Camelot did it in Part 1. Some characters had depth still, but could have been even better if given more time to have been fleshed out, but it is understandable that Nasu would not want to make the chapter too long for a gacha game (even though the chapter we have now is like 30 hours long lol).
It is EXTREMELY hard to elaborate why Avalon le Fae is such an incredible experience without spoiling anything, but it is just a shame that more people can't read it due to the giant accessibility barrier of playing a long-running gacha game. If you are down the hole of consuming lots of Type-Moon/Fate media, or just want to commit to another gacha game, Avalon le Fae will pay your commitment in spades, rewarding you with one of Nasu's best narratives. Really hope Lostbelt 7 can maintain at least some of the quality of Lostbelt 6.