Fuga: Melodies of Steel 3 Review

Hiroshi Matsuyama established the well-known Japanese studio CyberConnect2 in 1996, and it has consistently demonstrated their ability to successfully combine strategic gameplay with a poignant narrative.  

The Fukuoka, Japan-based firm gained notoriety for well-known titles, including Naruto: Ultimate Ninja. However, CyberConnect2 truly showcases its distinct perspective in the Little Tail Bronx series, where it creates vividly imagined worlds featuring anthropomorphic characters, poignant stories, and an anime-like design. 

Tail Concerto debuted the Little Tail Bronx series in 1998, and Solatorobo: Red the Hunter followed in 2010. Under their "NEXT PLAN" concept, CyberConnect2 started a self-publishing business in 2021 with the goal of producing original works through the "Trilogy of Vengeance".  

The first of these publications was Fuga: Melodies of Steel, which was followed in 2023 by Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2. The company persevered despite financial difficulties—the first Fuga barely made back ¥120 million after three months, while costing ¥327 million to develop—thanks to backing from specialized communities like the furry fandom. 

On May 29, 2025, the company releases Fuga: Melodies of Steel 3, the climactic conclusion to its trilogy. This final entry, directed by Hiroto Niizato after series director Yoann Gueritot left during the making of Fuga 2, ushers in a new era for the studio's leadership and parallels with CyberConnect2's arrival in Osaka in advance of its 30th anniversary. 

Fuga: Melodies of Steel 3 carries on the tale of the Taranis, a huge, intriguing tank that can now fly, as it traverses a war-torn continent modeled after France during continent War II. One of the main characters from the earlier entries, Malt Marzipan, vanishes for unknown reasons at the beginning of the game.  

Under the guidance of an enigmatic voice, the remaining kids find the Taranis again and set out to sneak into the Berman Empire and save him. Fuga: Melodies of Steel 3 is made to be completely accessible to beginners, even though it is a part of a trilogy. No prior experience is required, although saving data from Fuga 1 and Fuga 2 unlocks bonuses and extra context. 

The emotional core of the story is strong. The story, which is more than twice as long as previous versions, is filled with themes of sacrifice, trauma, friendship, and moral uncertainty. In addition to being a struggle against outside threats, the children's journey through war-torn areas is a profoundly psychological experience full of painful choices and personal growth.  

A new temporal navigation mechanism called the Akasha Panel lets you go back and review important plot points, make important decisions, and find different routes that affect gameplay and story. 

Fuga: Melodies of Steel 3's fighting system, which blends turn-based tactics with simple puzzle elements, is a masterwork of strategic design. Children are assigned to one of three weapon stations—the machine gun for multi-target control, the grenade launcher for status effects, or the cannon for single-target power—as you pilot the Taranis through a series of ever more difficult fights.  

The aerial location that can change the outcome of a conflict is made possible by the advent of flight, which adds a new dimension, both literally and figuratively. Attack types and vulnerabilities must be carefully considered for every encounter since enemies range from airborne drones to grounded tanks. 

Weakness Combos form the backbone of the new combat flow. You can increase your damage by building combo meters by sequentially attacking the enemy's weaknesses. This mechanic can swiftly defeat even the most resilient foes if used at the right moment. Another strategic element and a hint of fan service are added by Assist Attacks, which are used under specific circumstances and bring back characters from earlier Little Tail Bronx games. 

Another deadly weapon with horrible consequences is the Mega Soul Cannon. This tool momentarily incapacitates one of your crew members, who must use their energy to activate it. Given the significant tactical and moral consequences, this is a decision that should not be made hastily.  

Do you fight through a protracted conflict and risk everyone's safety, or do you sacrifice a child's vitality for a quick victory? The game's emotional stakes and gameplay tension are raised just by this technique. 

Intermissions provide their own puzzle-like experience outside of combat. You can enhance the Taranis by giving resources to unlock defenses, weapons, and hidden abilities through the Omega Terminal. To improve spirit and stimulate the development of new abilities, crew activities like cooking, repairs, and training must be allocated carefully.  

In addition to directing the plot, the Akasha Panel acts as a strategic center that lets you choose your path through branching paths that strike a balance between story events, resources, and battle difficulty. The Akasha Panel demands considerable consideration to navigate. To prevent losing a crew member in combat, should you play it safe or take a chance that promises better upgrades?  

Those who are looking for a clear risk-reward structure may become frustrated by these decisions because they aren't always obvious. However, for a lot of people, this uncertainty makes trip planning more like solving a riddle. 

The presence of 19 secret events and a unique ending that can only be achieved by exploration and clever decision-making are two of the game's most notable elements. Making sure that every choice feels crucial in the middle of the surprises motivates the player to try out multiple playthroughs and enhances the narrative's overall coherence. 

Fuga: Melodies of Steel 3 can also be described as an emotional, evocative spectacle. The distinctive style initially established by CyberConnect2 is recognizable to millions of fans, featuring incredibly detailed 2D character sprites with strong facial expressions against stunning 3D textured backdrops.  

High-quality animations and dynamic camera angles are used to generate cutscenes, which heighten the impact of critical plot sequences. The game plays smoothly on the Nintendo Switch, whether docked or in portable mode, while more effect-heavy bouts cause occasional frame rate drops.  

During the flight, Taranis's visual transition is particularly remarkable, enhanced by cloud trails and particle effects. The locations range from mechanized Berman facilities to war-torn communities, and they are all very different.  

Even if some components, especially opponent designs, are duplicated with sparse recoloring, the variety of settings and character costumes, including DLC packs like Cyberpunk and Halloween clothes, adds creative flair. The Akasha Panel offers a straightforward, sophisticated, and useful interface, and its glowing, minimalist design complements the game's aesthetic perfectly. 

Fuga: Melodies of Steel 3 is also quite good at audio. CyberConnect2's in-house music team created the soundtrack, which combines vocal and orchestral arrangements to reflect the story's emotional highs and lows.  

While intermission tracks provide quiet time for introspection, battle themes use hammering drums and brass to increase the intensity. Given the game's lengthy duration, the 15-track choices might seem constrained, but each song is powerful and well-placed. 

The performances are consistently of high quality, and voice acting is fully supported in English, Japanese, and French. The voices of the children express the courage, optimism, and anxiety that characterize their trip. Whether the Nintendo Switch is docked or in handheld mode, the language is clear. With headphones, you can simply fix any little audio compression that may occur through the handheld speakers. 

Sound effects make the experience even more immersive. Every sound, including the tank's rumbling, the Akasha Panel's click, and the cannon's thunder, has significance and a purpose. The activation of the Mega Soul Cannon is especially eerie, as it is followed by a low, resonant boom that emphasizes the value of its use. 

Fuga: Melodies of Steel 3 has flaws, much like any other complicated system. Even with tutorials, the sheer number of new mechanics—such as flying, Weakness Combos, and the Mega Soul Cannon—can be overwhelming at first. Certain bouts, especially those fought on less-than-ideal paths, get boring and can interfere with pace.  

The Mega Soul Cannon's huge tactical and moral cost might discourage you from trying it out, which would limit your feeling of strategic flexibility. Furthermore, the Akasha Panel's route options are sometimes ambiguous, and completionists may find it tiresome to grind through replay sessions to access all secret events. 

Fuga: Melodies of Steel 3 is a success despite these problems. It tells the trilogy's most emotionally stirring tale while improving and enlarging each of the systems from its predecessors. A distinctively captivating experience is created by combining light puzzle mechanics, tactical combat, and in-depth character relationships.  

With support for touch controllers, handheld play, and online capabilities through Nintendo Switch Online—which includes access to vintage NES and SNES games— it's as if the game is completely designed for Nintendo Switch users. 

The game comes in a variety of editions to suit a range of tastes. While the Deluxe Edition comes with a 15-track soundtrack, an 80-page digital art book, and in-game goodies like the Dummy Soul and exclusive outfits, the Standard Edition only comes with the game.  

Cyberpunk, Solatorobo, and Halloween costume packs are included in the Ultimate Edition's Season Pass, and further material will be added until 2025. All three Fuga titles with multilingual support are included in the Japanese-only Trilogy Box for collectors.