What is Fire Emblem Fates?
Fire Emblem Fates is the seventh game in the series to hit North America, although it’s actually the fifteenth entry overall. If you’ve played a Fire Emblem game before you should be familiar with what Fates has to offer, although it does throw in a lot of new things for the series.
Fates, like most Fire Emblem games, has a mix of story sequences, and isometric tactical battles. Your units in battle have different classes like Cavalier or Archer, and each class has designated weapons they can use. Fire Emblem games function on the idea of a weapon triangle. Swords beat axes, axes beat lances and lances beat swords. Other weapons like bows or magic lie outside of the triangle.
By far the biggest variation from the norm with this game is the way the story is setup. It comes in two different versions that have you pick between two factions that your avatar will fight alongside, and will also have a host of DLC support.
Fire Emblem games are always heavy with Japanese influences, but that’s never been more apparent than with Fates. One side of the conflict in Fates is called the Hoshido. This clan’s style is reminiscent of feudal Japan, with Samurai-like warriors. The other side of the conflict, known as the Nohr, has a distinctly different, more European look. These differing designs carry over to the art style and music in each campaign as well, not to mention the different characters you’re able to recruit.
Fates also puts much more of an emphasis on the time between battles. There’s a new system called “My Castle,” that allows players to build their own base that they’re able to utilize after each chapter. Here you can build shops, buy weapons, interact with other characters and use facilities like the bathhouse or restaurant. Relationships can also be built between characters, resulting in marriage and ultimately children.
Fire Emblem Fates has something for everyone with its different offerings. Whether you’re a newcomer to the series and tactical strategy games, or a hardened veteran of the series, there’s something for you to enjoy. There’s also a massive amount of content to wade through if you find yourself drawn into the game.
