Nintendo’s catalog boasts an impressive array of IPs, with Intelligent Systems-developed series holding a distinguished position among them.
Gamers eagerly anticipate the escapades of Mario and the adventures of Link, but tactical RPG aficionados can’t ignore the captivating world of Fire Emblem.
The latest installment in the series doesn’t disappoint and starts the year on a positive note for the Japanese gaming giant.
Fire Emblem Engage tells a lighthearted tale of magical rings
The story of Fire Emblem Engage unfolds on the mythical continent of Elyos, where, a millennium ago, all the kingdoms united to thwart the fearsome Fell Dragon Sombron. The Fallen Dragon was vanquished, but as the narrative begins, we discover that the menace has resurfaced.
The protagonist, Alear, is hailed as the Divine Dragon for defeating the foe. Awakening from a lengthy slumber, the Divine Dragon has no recollection of past events but understands the need to confront the threat once more.
Initially, the amnesia theme seemed unoriginal to me, but the developers quickly move beyond it, as the protagonist plunges into the mission without dwelling on lost memories.
Alear’s journey starts with a significant loss, which also signals a fresh beginning. To defeat the Fell Dragon, he must gather 12 Emblem Rings scattered across the continent. These rings not only drive the plot, but they also grant the power to summon formidable allies.
Each Emblem Ring bestows new abilities and enables the bearer to assume a unique form by merging with the soul within the ring. This mechanic is a crucial aspect of the game and forms the backbone of the Fire Emblem Engage experience.
Intelligent Systems’ writers have crafted a narrative filled with surprising twists while gradually revealing the characters’ backstories and motivations. Although I anticipated more drama from the Fire Emblem series, the story, spanning 29 hours of gameplay, keeps players engaged.
This can be further extended by opting for additional missions. The game’s presentation made it difficult to tear myself away from the console screen, as the beautifully crafted animations and vibrant colors brought the characters and world to life.
However, Fire Emblem Engage doesn’t consistently maintain this level of visual excellence. The gameplay can be divided into two parts: classic turn-based battles and exploration of the city with the main character.
In the former, despite the isometric perspective, the developers have incorporated stunning animations, especially when using the Emblem Rings to trigger spectacular cutscenes and powerful attacks.
In the latter, we guide the protagonist from a third-person viewpoint through varied terrains, which look decent but occasionally reveal some imperfections when connected to a dock.
The story’s true strength lies in its characters. Although initially annoyed by Alear, I grew to appreciate the Divine Dragon as the developers gradually unveiled his story. A diverse cast of intriguing characters accompanies the protagonist, with new heroes joining the team until the very end.
The creators encourage players to experiment with the lineup, as newcomers often possess greater strength than the older team members. However, I ultimately opted for a blend of seasoned warriors and fresh faces.
The writers masterfully introduce characters, delving into the stories of both protagonists and antagonists, creating a rich and immersive experience. Even the initially unappealing Fell Dragon became an engaging figure as the story unfolded.
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Combat in Fire Emblem Engage: More than Mere Tactics
In their quest to defeat a formidable threat, the Divine Dragon searches for rings across the world map between missions. Upon selecting a target destination, the adventure truly begins. Fire Emblem Engage offers players the ability to carefully assemble and equip their team, with up to 12 characters participating in missions.
The story presents opportunities to expand the team with over 30 distinct heroes, each with unique abilities. Equipping trinkets is crucial, as different Emblem Rings impact different character classes, and heroes can carry up to five items in their inventory. Players must strategically manage their equipment to respond effectively on the battlefield.
The Classic Weapon Triangle and Beyond
Intelligent Systems incorporates the familiar Weapon Triangle, where swords best axes, axes triumph over spears, and spears hold an advantage against swords. Players can also utilize magic, bows, and daggers, and employ dragons or horses for transportation.
Rings further enhance battles by significantly influencing heroes’ abilities, often amplifying their attacks and granting special skills. Heroes progressively earn individual experience points, which can be used to improve statistics and enhance performance across various classes. These classes can be upgraded or switched to different specializations.
Emblem Rings enable heroes to enter a unique “Emblem” mode, summoning the character within the ring and accessing powerful abilities, including near-unlimited teleportation, attacking enemies in a line, or healing the entire team while risking the character’s life by reducing their HP to a minimum.
Battling Diverse Foes and Navigating Varied Environments
As the Fell Dragon’s return looms, several kingdoms possess the coveted rings, and players will engage in battles throughout the story. Fire Emblem Engage also sees the return of monsters that occupy various locations on the map.
Some missions challenge players to navigate the fog of war, which reduces visibility but can be dispelled by lighting torches. The most significant change to combat is the introduction of rings, which considerably impact heroes’ abilities. Developers have also incorporated combat styles into the game.
Exploring the Eight Battle Styles
Characters in the latest Intelligent Systems title possess one of eight Battle Styles, which affect gameplay and introduce an additional tactical dimension. For example, armored units resist break attacks, flying units enjoy unrestricted movement across the map, cavalry excel at exploring the map, and “backup” units can execute combos when positioned near an attacked enemy.
These various combat styles add depth and strategic considerations to the gameplay, ensuring that Fire Emblem Engage remains an engaging and dynamic experience for players.
Innovative Features in Fire Emblem Engage
Fire Emblem Engage introduces fresh mechanics and solutions that elevate gameplay and maintain player engagement.
Introducing the Break Mechanic
A brand-new feature in Fire Emblem Engage is the Break mechanic, which allows players to topple opponents during an attack. When a character or their rival is knocked to the ground, they are unable to launch a counterattack.
While this system might seem inconsequential at first glance, it significantly impacts combat, as adversaries can also surprise and break key characters at opportune moments. Despite these new elements, Fire Emblem Engage may not be perceived as a challenging game, with only the final three chapters demanding more strategic thinking and adjustments to gameplay.
However, the Time Crystal mechanic assists in planning, enabling players to rewind events during a fight and approach the situation differently.
Difficulty Levels and Challenge Options
Fire Emblem Engage offers three difficulty levels, catering to players with varying levels of experience. Seasoned players are encouraged to opt for the hard difficulty setting or the classic mode, where character death is permanent, resulting in a more challenging experience from the outset.
Side missions provide engaging and often more difficult battles compared to the main storyline, adding extra depth and enjoyment to the game.
Exploring Skirmish and Paralogue Modes
On the world map, players can choose between classic duels called Skirmish or story-driven Paralogue battles, which expand the main narrative. The latter option presents opportunities to acquire powerful equipment and recruit additional heroes to the team.
Customizable Gameplay and Accessibility Options
Developers have provided numerous options to tailor gameplay to individual preferences. Players can freely skip dialogues, enable automatic conversation skipping, accelerate walking, disable lengthy (though visually impressive) animations, and utilize auto-combat with multiple character action settings.
All dialogues are also voiced by actors, enhancing the immersive experience. The game’s extensive options allow players to adjust gameplay according to their needs, including the ability to disable cutscenes or increase the pace of the action.
Fire Emblem Engage: A Delightful Experience for Series Fans
In Fire Emblem Engage, players can enjoy a more tranquil section of the game on the floating island of Somniel. This serves as a starting point where players can purchase or sell equipment, upgrade weapons, and even acquire new outfits for the main character.
The game also features a relationship system that strengthens the bond between warriors during battles. However, this system is less developed than in Fire Emblem Three Houses. Players can take friends out for meals at the cafe or give them gifts to strengthen these relationships.
Training and Mini-Games
Somniel also offers a Training Yard, where players can train their characters to prepare for upcoming battles. Additionally, a mini-game in the form of fishing provides a fun and engaging diversion from the main storyline.
Nostalgic Characters and Emblem Rings
Fire Emblem Engage successfully incorporates elements from previous games in the series. The unique combination of Emblem Rings with well-known heroes from past games adds a nostalgic touch for long-time fans.
Players can create relationships between the new heroes and iconic characters like Marth, Celica, and Sigurd, who each have a history in the Fire Emblem series.
The Verdict: Is Fire Emblem Engage Worth Playing?
Nintendo started the year 2023 with a solid release in Fire Emblem Engage. While it may not be as expansive as Fire Emblem Three Houses or offer as dramatic a storyline as some earlier installments, the game remains an excellent addition to the series.
Players can enjoy the engaging story told through stunning animations and challenging battles, although starting on a higher difficulty level might be advisable for seasoned players.
The introduction of Emblem Rings is a clever concept by Intelligent Systems, as these rings not only enhance the combat experience but also serve as the foundation for the overarching story. Fire Emblem Engage may not be groundbreaking, but it delivers a captivating gameplay experience that will keep fans entertained for hours on end.
The Review
Fire Emblem Engage
Engaging narrative accompanied by stunning animations and exceptional combat mechanics, further enhanced by the innovative ring concept. While the game may not introduce a groundbreaking revamp at any stage, it remains a robust tactical RPG experience that will captivate players for a minimum of 30 hours.
PROS
- Outstanding tactical combat enriched with innovative and engaging mechanics
- A narrative centered around the rings, offering expanded gameplay and a nostalgic journey for IP fans
- Slow to start, but the story eventually delivers surprises
- Visually stunning animations and cutscenes
- Integration of various minor mechanics that complement the game's overall design
CONS
- Some weaker moments in the story
- Somniel could be more developed
- Main plotline could present a greater challenge
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