Fire Emblem Engage Early Hands On Impressions

Initial Release Date: January 20, 2023

Developer: Intelligent Systems

Platform: Nintendo Switch

Publishers: Nintendo, Nintendo of America Inc., Nintendo of Europe GmbH

Series: Fire Emblem

Mode: Single-player

Genres: Tactical Role-playing game

After completing Chapter 4: A Land In Bloom I decided to write down some quick impressions of Fire Emblem Engage played on the Nintendo Switch. Well, truth is, my Fire Emblem Engage youtube uploads have been drastically delayed today due to my other consoles randomly pre downloading games and updates (fixed).

My experience with Fire Emblem stems only from completing Three Houses (House Black Edelgard all day). I loved Three Houses but thought it had too much bloat and filler in regards to it’s school and romance interactions in-between battles. Fire Emblem Engage so far, up to Chapter 4 (I know it’s early still) seems to be more streamlined package in regards to battles.

You play Alear the Devine Dragon who recently awakes after a 1000 year slumber. Alear’s goal and you as the player is to collect Emblem Rings that harness the souls of past Fire Emblem protagonists. Emblem Rings can be equipped pre-battle for major unit buffs.

Early on the story is about corrupted forces attacking kingdoms for the Fell Dragon which is the main antagonist and boss of Fire Emblem Engage. The story and game tutorials up past Chapter 4 seem fast and more streamlined compared to Three Houses more methodical approach.

Already I have three Emblem Rings. I also unlocked the main base called The Somniel which seems like a concise and smaller version of the School from Three Houses. Combat early on is really really good. I love the Emblem Ring’s abilities and buffs as well as the rock, paper, scissors weapon “break” gameplay mechanic.

I already lost count of the units who joined Alear up past Chapter 4. You have Alfred, Boucheron, Etie, Celine Louis and Chloe of the Firene Kingdom. Not to mention the first units called Stewards of The Dragon who live to serve Alear including Vander, Framme and Clanne (twins). These units range from Paladins, to Mages, Healers, Lance Fliers, Calvery etc.

So yeah, the pace of “getting into” the game’s gameplay is faster than Three Houses. The story compared to Three Houses is basic and fast paced. An amnesiac (Alear) awakes to kill a dragon. That’s kinda it so far atleast. Three Houses story seemed more compelling early on compared to Engage.

In Fire Emblem Engage after Chapter 4 you unlock the ability to adopt animals like dogs and sheep to stay at The Somniel. After battles you have a small area to explore for items as well for talking to NPCs. As far as I know I am not sure if you can pet the animals. When I return to The Somniel I’ll find out.

Combat is your strategic tile based gameplay like previous Fire Emblems. You have terrain environment that impacts gameplay. You also have instances in battle to “Visit” houses to warn villagers that often times reward the unit with weapons and items.

I have to gush over Fire Emblem Engage’s visuals. This is one of the best graphically Nintendo Switch games out. I love it’s anime art just a tad more than Three Houses. Performance-wise I experienced a stutter when sprinting through The Somniel. Regardless, it’s a top three best looker on Nintendo Switch.

The main protagonist is fully voiced which makes Alear already more compelling and more fleshed out than Byleth in my opinion. Having a fully voiced dialogue is the type of stuff I really like in my anime inspired Fire Emblem.

So in conclusion, playing through Chapter 4 Fire Emblem Engage seems less story focused and more gameplay focused with better visuals and voiced dialogue. Emblem and Three Houses are both Fire Emblem games and both very different at the same time, if that makes sense. I will say I love the gameplay in Engage more already. That’s it for now. Expect a full written review when I reach the credits in this. Later – Jason