Fire Emblem Engage | Review

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 Campaign

Genres: Tactical Role-playing, Adventure

SPOILERS ABOUND!

Introduction: I must preface this Fire Emblem Engage review by stating I am currently on the second to last main Chapter 25 “The Final Guardian”. There are 26 chapters total. I tried to beat Fire Emblem Engage before Dead Space Remake released to no avail. Let’s just say some end game grinding will be required.

Okay, let’s ENGAGE! Fire Emblem is a tactical strategy video game franchise that spands over years starting on handheld gaming devices of yesteryear. The franchise has grown into being the mainline Nintendo console title as of late.

My personal experience with this franchise started with the last iteration, Fire Emblem Three Houses which I thought was great yet bloated. The fact that I am one battle away from beating Engage in 6 days speaks upon the game’s length.

Fire Emblem Engage is a great tactical strategy game that does it’s own thing. It’s not a perfect game but fun factor remains paramount in it’s gameplay. Keep reading to find out exactly why.

Presentation: Asides from frequent loading screens the overall presentation was good in structure. Unlike Three Houses, Engage has a more streamlined experience where you can mostly skip downtime in favor of heading directly into the next battle’s chapter.

There will be times when you will have to grind near the story’s end for mats, currency and most importantly unit leveling up. I enjoy the more streamlined experience of Engage compared to Three Houses overall.

As I think upon it, Three Houses had much lower stakes story-wise compared to what Smbron the Fell Dragon wants to accomplish in Engage. Fire Emblem Engage had some minor frame rate stutters while sprinting in The Somniel (base hub).

Other than the latter, Engage was a sight to behold visually. The Nintendo Switch which is due for a major hardware upgrade right about now in my opinion. Music was amazing. I loved more characters In Engage than I care to admit. Story was decent as well, just not as structured as Three Houses warring factions was.

Story: The jist of the story revolves around defeating Sombron aka the Fell Dragon aka Elyos’s worst father ever! Elyos is the planet a group of warriors must save with the help of the Devine One Dragon who awakes after a 1000 years of slumber.

Alear is the main protagonist of Fire Emblem Engage who can be played either as a male or female. Sombron’s goal is to capture all of the Emblem Rings and use them to not only destroy Elyos but other worlds as well.

Stakes are set high right away which features a prologue sequence of Alear’s mother Lumera getting killed. Later on you find out Veyle (Sombron’s daughter and Alear’s amnesiac sister) was the culprit due to magical brainwashing.

Alear starts off her journey recruiting royalty from the sovereign nations of Elyos including Firene, Brodia and Solm. The story progesses as you collect and lose emblem rings which culminates into Alear herself being transformed into a emblem ring after dying TWO times over the course of the campaign.

Fire Emblem Engage has mini stories tied to many of the likable characters. Alear wants to save the world. Veyle wants to be treated like a human by everyone. Zephia, leader of The Four Hounds (group who hunts emblem rings) just wants a child of her own.

This game has dozens of likable characters I can go on and on about. Some of my favorites were Alcryst, Veyle, Alear, Panette, Hortensia, Ivy, Seadall, Chloe, Pandreo and Fogado.

I liked the units/characters more in Emblem than in Three Houses which came off too samey due to them all going to the same school together. In Emblem character units are from all over the world which made them more interesting.

Story is streamlined overall, easy to get but had a few hiccups along the way. For instance, you fight the same person or people in battles and during cutscenes too many times. I fought and defeated Hortensia like four times before she joins Alear’s side. And the latter happens a few times to multiple characters.

Gameplay: Fire Emblem Engage is a tile based strategic video game centered around (usually) defeating one or a group of boss-like enemies to win. You can also lose if Alear falls in combat. Emblems are the show when it comes to gameplay overall.

Heroes from past Fire Emblem games return to help units learn skills and perform devastating abilities on the battlefield. The thing I like about the Emblem Rings is that every unit/character can benefit from them in different ways.

Learned skills can stay with the units. For instance, early on I leveled up Alcryst with Sigurd’s skills and abilities. Doing the latter helped Alcryst move across the battlefield more times and at greater distances while sniping enemies with his bow.

Weapon triangle is a rock, paper, scissors tier gameplay mechanic system that depending on the weapons your unit has can break the enemy unit’s. You can also polish and create bond rings at The Somniel. Bond Rings add perks like Luck, Atk or Dex bonuses to the unit.

On the Battlefield enemy units range from main enemy bosses to the Corrupted forces of all types. Understanding the weapon triangle, magical elements and Emblem Ring abilities will dictate whether you win or lose in battle.

Gameplay in Fire Emblem Engage on the battlefield is better than Three Houses in my opinion. The Emblem Rings are the difference here! The Somniel is the main floating base hub of the Devine Dragon and her warrior buddies.

As the game progresses sections and NPCs are added to The Somniel. You can fish for, well fish to add to cooking dishes. Adopt animals and graze them for important materials. Shops of all kinds are littered throughout the Somniel. You can cook meals for units that creates a buff and bond.

You can view cutscenes and music in Alera’s personal chambers at The Somniel. You can also have bond conversations which raise unit bond levels on the battlefield. You can exercise to raise exp with Albert if you want.

As for map terrain in battles you encounter on occasion bosses who can manipulate the terrain such as avalanches (every two turns). Some can rain down volcanic blasts and fire laser beams down the entire maps. Battles are stylish with entertaining banter depending on who fights who. The music is superb in battles as you expect.

Visuals/Graphics: This is one of the best visually striking, graphically performing games on the Nintendo Switch that I have played. Some people dislike the newer anime style of the characters in Fire Emblem Engage.

To me, anime art 30 years ago is the same as it is today as far as I am concerned. I used to watch old Voltron and Macross on TV in the mornings during the 80’s. Just saying. In other words, I like Engage’s character designs, colors as well it’s texture work throughout the campaign.

Sound/Music: I really loved the music in Engage. From the relaxing tunes during downtime at the Somniel to the rigorous uplifting musical scores in battle. Oh yea, Alear the protagonist is fully voiced in male and female forms. This alone makes Fire Emblem Engage’s sound design better than Three Houses. Poor Byleth!

Final Verdict: Fire Emblem Engage is more streamlined and focused on it’s battles. Great music and great visuals round out it’s presentation. True. The story could’ve been better in my opinion. There are also online multiplayer aspects in battle sequences but I can’t comment on that aspect since I played offline. Sorry.

With that said the fantastic gameplay featuring emblem heroes of past games pretty much eats up any faults with it’s story. You want Fire Emblem? ENGAGE! Thank you for reading my mumbo jumbo – Jason