One unique feature is the blend of different hero - spirit concepts. In these fanfics, you can see how the Servants from both series interact, like a Servant from Fate Stay Night meeting one from Fate Apocrypha and having to figure out their differences and similarities.
Sure. One popular fanfic might be 'The Convergence of Paths'. It combines elements from both series in an interesting way, exploring how characters from different Fate universes interact.
Perhaps a plot where the Holy Grail War from Fate Stay Night gets disrupted by the arrival of some key players from Fate Apocrypha. This could lead to new alliances and rivalries. Like Shirou from Fate Stay Night having to team up with a character from Fate Apocrypha, say Sieg, to face a common enemy that is after the power of the Grail in both their worlds.
Rin Tohsaka from Fate Stay Night and Astolfo from Fate Apocrypha. Rin is a serious and intelligent mage, while Astolfo is a carefree and somewhat eccentric Servant. The combination of Rin's no - nonsense attitude and Astolfo's wacky behavior would make for some really interesting and humorous exchanges.
One of the things that makes it unique is the way it explores the concept of heroism. The characters, especially Sieg, have their own understanding of what it means to be a hero. And the antagonists also have their own motives that are not just pure evil. The light novel also has a unique art style in its illustrations, which helps to bring the story and characters to life in a different way compared to other Fate works.
There are many main characters in it. For example, Sieg is a key character. He is an artificial homunculus created for a specific purpose. Jeanne d'Arc is also important, she is a Ruler in this story, trying to maintain the Holy Grail War's order. Astolfo is a flamboyant and powerful Servant with unique abilities and a very distinct personality.
The ending is also different. The anime's ending might seem a bit more abrupt and less conclusive in some ways compared to the novel. The novel goes into more detail about the aftermath of the war and how it affects the world and the remaining characters. It ties up loose ends more effectively, while the anime leaves some viewers with a sense of incompleteness.
The anime might be more popular in terms of general exposure. It's been broadcast and is more accessible to those who are just getting into the Fate Stay Night franchise. But among hardcore fans, the visual novel is highly regarded. They appreciate the depth and the multiple routes that the visual novel offers, which can give a more personalized experience. For example, some fans love to explore every possible ending in the visual novel, which isn't as easily achievable in the anime.
One difference is the presentation of the story. In the anime, the scenes are animated and choreographed for visual appeal. For example, the fight scenes are more dynamic. However, in the visual novel, the fight scenes are described in text, which can be more detailed in a different way. The visual novel allows for more internal monologues and character thoughts to be explored deeply as it is a written medium.