Fire Emblem Engage Review: A Worthy Successor?

What We Said About Fire Emblem Three Houses

Fire Emblem: Three Houses, released in 2019, was lauded for its captivating narrative, intricate strategic battles, and engaging characters. The game’s unique approach to unit training and the plethora of social interactions made it a standout title in the franchise. It introduced a new dynamic to the Fire Emblem experience, focusing on player engagement and time management, a departure from the series’ traditional roots.

Score: 9.5

Fire Emblem Engage, while different from Three Houses, earns a high score of 9.5. The game successfully balances the series’ tactical depth with a fresh perspective. Its innovative approach to utilizing past characters and its refined combat mechanics make it a worthy successor to the franchise.

Rock, Paper, Fist

Engage enhances the core combat mechanics of previous installments. The classic weapon triangle returns, but with a twist. The “break” mechanic, where a successful attack can disarm the opponent, adds a new dimension to strategic planning. Furthermore, the introduction of “unbreakable” units is counteracted by a new “heavy weapon” category, which can push back defenders. The improved visuals and UI make battles more engaging and dynamic.

P.S. I Love UI

The user interface (UI) in Fire Emblem Engage is a significant improvement. The game provides a wealth of information at a glance when hovering over units. This includes weapons, skills, and relevant stats, minimizing the need for cumbersome menus. Players can quickly assess combat potential and swap weapons or Engage states without interruption. This seamless UI significantly improves the overall gameplay experience.

Ringbearers

Engage embraces its rich history by incorporating past heroes. The Emblem Rings, embodying legendary figures from previous games, become powerful companions. These spirits offer guidance, aid in combat, and grant their special skills and abilities to your units. Despite potential concerns about familiarity and backstory, the integration of past heroes, even those from lesser-known games, is cleverly done. The player’s character, Alear, remains the primary narrative focus, ensuring the game’s core story isn’t lost in the wealth of supporting characters.

Up On Cloud Nine

The world map experience in Engage is a significant improvement. Exploration is key; players can visit various locations, participate in random encounters, and experience post-battle exploration. This adds depth to the game beyond the confines of battles, granting players the opportunity for social interactions with their team. The Somniel, a central hub, fosters these connections and provides options for engaging in various activities, such as training, fishing, and dining, offering a welcome change from the more structured activities in Three Houses.

Fire Emblem: The Complete Playlist

The playlist showcases the vast history of the Fire Emblem series, providing a comprehensive overview of the games’ unique musical styles and themes. The accompanying figure tiles offer quick access to each game, allowing players to easily browse and find familiar or new installments.

Together We Ride

Multiplayer options within Engage are engaging and inventive. The combat tower mode offers a compelling asynchronous experience, allowing for the customization of strategic battlefields. Relay Trials, a unique co-op approach, lets players collaborate to overcome challenging missions. However, matchmaking is a point of improvement. Finding appropriately-matched trials and teams requires refinement. Despite these challenges, the core concepts in multiplayer are well-conceived and enhance the overall experience, especially for those seeking a competitive or collaborative element within the game.