In retrospect, as 2023 has concluded, my thoughts continue to revolve aroundFire Emblem Engage, a game that marked the early months of the year. Serving as my inaugural dive into the realm of expansive RPGs, it became the first cornerstone of a year brimming with unforgettable RPG experiences (withBaldur’s Gate 3being another notable entry).
With Engage having been released and seemingly left untouched, the anticipation for the next installment in the Fire Emblem series is palpable. Contemplating the possibilities, I’m particularly keen on seeing a harmonious blend of the rich storytelling and character development fromFire Emblem Three Houseswith the engaging gameplay dynamics introduced in Engage. This marriage of concepts could potentially redefine and elevate the Fire Emblem experience to new and exciting heights.
The Full House Experience
Much like many newer Fire Emblem enthusiasts, I joined the ranks of fans with the immensely popular Fire Emblem Three Houses. As someone who hadn’t delved into strategy RPGs successfully before, the game offered a streamlined experience that made it notably more accessible than others.
I recall feeling a tad overwhelmed by the initial tutorial, grappling with how to navigate the game’s diverse levels successfully. Opting for a “holy trinity” approach with a healer, DPS, and tank, I broadened my strategy by assigning multiple characters to each role. This approach not only aided in grasping the game’s mechanics but also allowed me to evolve beyond rigid character playstyles over time.
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Opting for an easier difficulty setting in Fire Emblem Three Houses opened up the option for skirmishes, which I utilized to meticulously power up my favorite characters. By the game’s conclusion, my female Byleth, accompanied by her chosen romance, Dimitri, effortlessly dismantled Edelgard and her allies.
While combat played a secondary role for me in Three Houses, my primary focus shifted to the engaging social interactions between my female Byleth and cherished NPCs. Building a camaraderie with a diverse group including Dimitri, Dedue, Raphael, Cyril, Sylvain, and Felix, I dedicated considerable time to conversing with them, sharing tea, dining, and deciding on the ultimate romantic choice. Embracing the notion of the game as a “glorified social simulator,” my experience was enriched.
In hindsight, I realized that I never truly mastered the game mechanics; instead, I adeptly manipulated its tools to make an already easy game even more so. The absence of the permanent consequences of losing my harem to permadeath allowed me to adopt an assertive approach in skirmishes. It wasn’t until Engage that I was compelled to focus on combat dynamics or face the challenging consequences.
Getting Engaged In Combat
Fire Emblem Engage stands in stark contrast to Three Houses, placing a greater emphasis on combat over narrative depth. WhileI personally found value in the story, I empathize with those who didn’t, given its adherence to traditional anime and JRPG storytelling. Taking on the role of Alear, a hero with customizable gender awakening with amnesia, the overarching quest involves gathering legendary rings tied to characters from past games, including the iconic Marth.
Despite its predictability, the story’s nuances proved unexpectedly heartfelt, culminating in a narrative about the power of friendship and the resilience needed to overcome generational family trauma. Alear’s connections, especially familial ties, added a humanizing touch to the relationships among the heroes.
However, the aspect that felt somewhat disjointed was the character interactions. It seemed the developers were intent on highlighting combat in this installment. The interactions during combat are distilled moments in which Alear and the chosen character briefly converse, often lasting less than one or two minutes and providing snippets of background information. Outside of combat, interactions at the base contribute to character development, though these moments seemed to receive less emphasis.
While endearing, the character interactions in Engage feel brief and infrequent when compared to the rich depth found in Three Houses. You could argue that, at times, Three Houses had an excess of downtime, turning conversations with numerous characters into its own intricate game.
Fire Emblem Engage Came And Went Too Fast
I wish that Intelligence Systems had given the game more updates.
In Engage, the emphasis shifts towards the dynamic combat interactions between characters and the diverse battlefields. This is particularly evident in the concluding sequences, where the objective extends beyond defeating enemies to navigating hazards on the map or, at times, being propelled through it — demanding both strategic thinking and quick decision-making.
Unlike Three Houses, merely relying on grinding wouldn’t guarantee an easy victory in the end. Alear and his chosen romance, Mauvier, synergized into an adorable super-powered Demi-god that decimated enemies but still adhered to the established rules. There were instances where your boldness led to restarting the game after losing some characters, heightened by the emotional investment and the eagerness to reach the conclusion.
I Now Pronounce You “Story” And “Combat”
The big question is: what’s next? I hope it is a Fire Emblem game that combines the best of both worlds. I want story and combat married under one roof.
I’d like you to be able to return to the fort (or whatever area the next game will call home) and have a good amount of conversations with the characters. I’d like you to be able to do things with them like having tea or other recreational activities that help bring your bond to a deeper level. I want it to go beyond the short interactions that Engage had to indicate that you and your ally have gained a level in your relationship.
On the other hand, I want maps like Engage. I want you to be forced to play a game of rock,-paper-scissors with the different weapon types and classes, not just simply take the hardest hitting character out into the open and lay waste to the enemy stupid enough to get within range.
But most importantly, I would like for the next Fire Emblem game to have the same staying power as Three Houses did. I believe the best way to do so would be to lean back into the deep character interactions and narrative elements of Three Houses. But there’s no need to ignore what Engage brought back to the series.
For now, we’ll wait and see.
