Fate/Hollow Ataraxia is the real conclusion to everything Fate/Stay Night built up. It’s where all the pieces finally come together, major lore revelations, explanations that tie the whole story, and tons of crucial background info that was never addressed or fully explored before. This game is a direct sequel, to fully appreciate what Fate/Hollow Ataraxia does, you really need to have experienced all three Fate/Stay Night routes. Most people who haven’t read it, or have only watched the anime adaptations of the Fate series still don’t realize how much they’re missing or how little they actually understood about Fate, Unlimited Blade Works, or Heaven’s Feel.

It also gives more development to many Fate/Stay Night characters, including details that trace back to events between Fate/Zero and Fate/Stay Night. Even secondary characters like Kuzuki get more depth and relevance than you’d expect, and some of these revelations even shed new light on Soujuurou’s background in Mahoutsukai no Yoru.

There’s a reason why characters who should no longer exist are still present. There’s a reason why Heroic Spirits are still around, even though the Fifth Holy Grail War is supposed to be over with the Greater Grail destroyed either by Shirou Emiya at the end of Heaven’s Feel, or by Lord El-Melloi II during his investigations. And there’s a reason why this entire game is built around a four-day loop that endlessly repeats itself.

Fate/Hollow Ataraxia is one of the hardest entries in the Fate series to describe without spoiling major parts of its worldbuilding. Going in blind is the only way to experience this game properly. At first glance, it may seem like just slice of life and comedy content, but that’s a huge misconception. The peaceful daily scenes are filled with subtle hints and quiet foreshadowing that eventually reveal the true story.

The further you progress, the more unsettling things become. Anyone who enjoyed the dark atmosphere of Heaven’s Feel will find that same mood here. This is a must play for any Fate fan, especially if you’ve recently finished the Fate/Stay Night visual novel. Fate/Hollow Ataraxia offers not only closure, but a deep and emotional story that ties the whole Fate/Stay Night journey together.

10/10