Fate/Grand Order: Septem

Plot Summary: (yeah, that's about it)

The second Singularity of the Grand Order, located in 1st century Rome. After the Chaldea team landed, they met with the Roman Emperor of that era, Nero Claudius. Nero welcomes them and brings us to the capital. She then informs about the uprising caused by the United Roman Empire (URE) which this organization of former Roman leaders attempts to claim the Roman Empire's territory. Along the way, they gather some allies like Boudica, Spartacus, Jing Ke and Lu Bu to fight against the enemy troop. The Chaldea Team also pays a visit to the goddess Stheno, who gives them the location of the URE base.

The battle begins between the former leaders and Nero's troops. After they defeat Romulus, the founder of the city. Lev appears and reveals himself to be the advisor of the URE as well as the handler of the Grail. His real intention is to let Romulus annihilate the era with the power of the Grail but the idea was turned down. Then, he reveals himself as a Demon God Pillar Flaurous and attempts to kill the MC. Seeing his own defeat, Lev summons Attila the Hun/Altera as a last resort, which he is immediately killed by the newly summoned Servant.

Using her Noble Phantasm Proton Ray, Altera is ready to destroy the city of Rome as well as its civilization. The MC, Mash, Boudica, and Nero manage to defeat the Titan, which she is glad to accept her death. The timeline is fixed which allows Mash and the MC to return, even though Nero will forget about their adventure together.

Storytelling & Gameplay:

The name for this Singularity 'Septem' means 'seven' in Latin. I am not sure what is the connection between number seven and the plot. The writer might have named this Singularity because it sounds Roman or it alludes to the Seven Singularities.

The Imperial Expansion of the Roman Empire (40 BC-117 AD) marked the beginning of the European civilization, in which Roman values began to spread throughout the continent. The Roman Empire has the most influence on many European lands, such as inventions, ideologies, and literature. Until today, there are still traces of Roman culture even though human has progressed to modernism. This is why it is a good location to become a singularity.

(Septem Map, aka Map of Europe)

The overall plot for this chapter is bland. There is hardly a memorable scene and there is a lack of depth. The entire writing also downgrades every side character and antagonist to become one-dimensional, everyone's motif is just bland and straightforward. Even there are a few characters can be eliminated from the story, like Stheno, who does not contribute much to the plot except for complimenting Nero as a leader and simply gives out the capital of the URE. Lev's appearance slightly saves this chapter. It provides information about our real enemy of this adventure.

Characters:

Nero Claudius

Umu, the 5th Emperor of Rome and the heroine of this chapter.

Oh gosh, this chapter is all about the Umu and why she is fantastic. Please do not get me wrong, Nero fans. She is a good character, but this chapter just over-amplifying on her leadership skills and how she is adored by people. Do not forget that she is human in this Singularity yet she can easily defeat Heroic Spirits. A worse way to describe this is she has become a Mary Sue character.

Compared to FGO, Fate/Extra shows Nero as the heroine of a tragic play. Her achievements are constantly ignored, but her image is tainted by her bad reputation among the people she loves. She can be quite egoistic and vain, but these are just her quirks to amplify her optimism.

Boudica

My impression of Boudica has always been the fearless red-hair warrior who defends her home and protects the dignity of her people. I imagined her a fierce and brave woman who wields a spear and a shield. In FGO, she seems forgiving for a leader who had her people slain and her daughter raped by the Roman soldiers. Maybe the writers are trying to amplify her motherly nature more than her reputation as a warrior queen.

I feel that instead of making Boudica as the ally, the plot would work better if she acts as the chapter's villain that challenges Nero's position as ruler of the Roman Empire. She has so much potential to be the antagonist that questions Nero's morality and voicing out her hatred and rage towards the Roman Empire that destroyed her home. This chapter has wasted Boudica by reducing her abilities as a leader and fighter.

United Roman Empire (URE)

A bunch of unmemorable, one-dimensional villains that one appears briefly. I will just address several characters.

a. Caligula

The only thing I know about him from the game is his twisted love for Nero and his obsession with the moon (Diana). Otherwise, he is just another villain that lacks in-depth characterization.

Historically, Caligula was a fair ruler during his early days of reign, until he became a tyrant later on. Some sources stated that he was insane, some described him as a sickly-looking person. This makes him a Berserker-class Servant.

Fun fact: Caligula means 'little boots'. I learned that from the Trials of Apollo series.

b. Gaius Julius Caesar

I was used to the lean, handsome Caesar, but a fat Caesar…is, not someone I expected.

He is the embodiment of every human vice on Earth: lazy, gluttonous, prideful and lustful. Even though he has good and charming qualities of a Roman general, everybody remembers him as the stereotyped fat-bum.

c. Romulus

ROMA! The founder of Rome. As mighty as the legend told, but he receives a terrible treatment from the dev for someone who is literally the founder of the city of Rome. Shame!

Romulus is eccentric and kind of silly. Look at his sprite, he is doing a Y-pose! For a son of Mars (known to be violent and stern), everything about him is so comedic. Even his spear looks like a feather-brush!

Attila the Hun/Altera

The Deus Ex Machina device pulled by Lev. She came into the story unexpectedly, then she leaves the scene swiftly.

Altera is a humanoid alien whose purpose is to destroy. Although she arrived on Earth 14,000 years ago, she was only found by the Huns after many centuries and known as Attila the Hun. She had won many battles when she was the general, with her knowledge of warfare tactics and leadership. Maybe Altera wanted to feel how is it to be defeated. If this chapter highlights more on Altera's characterization, the ending would make more sense than being too random.

Extra: Lev/Flaurous

The only thing that makes the rating of this chapter 1 mark higher is the revelation of Lev's real identity and the real enemy for the destruction of humanity. Then this guy got killed right after he summoned Altera.

Overall Ratings: 3 out of 10 Saint Quartz

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Author's Note:

Done with the Black Sheep of FGO. I didn't enjoy playing this chapter because I was trying to make sense of the story for most of the time.

Next one would be the Kara No Kyoukai event.