Price and Two Different Versions
Fire Emblem Fates’ big “difference” is the two versions that the game is separated into. At first glance it may seem like there aren’t major differences, similar to different Pokemon versions, however, the Birthright and Conquest versions of Fates are actually majorly different games.
The names correlate to the two different kingdoms in the world of Fates. Birthright is the Hoshido path, and Conquest is the Nohr path. Each game has the same first six chapters, leading to a point where you choose which side your avatar will align with. The Hoshido are your family by blood, but they’ve spent their entire life growing up with their family in Nohr.
After the branching choice at chapter six, each version continues for many more hours with a total of 27 chapters each. Birthright and Conquest have different units you can recruit, different maps, and different stories on top of the kingdoms already varying aesthetic designs. Practically everything after chapter six is different between the versions.
The gameplay styles of the versions also differ. Birthright is similar to the series’ previous entry, Awakening, and provides players with many more opportunities to gain gold and experience. This version should appeal to players looking for a more laid-back experience, or anyone new to the series. Conquest, in contrast, gives players significantly less experience and gold at the end of chapters. This version is designed with seasoned Fire Emblem players in mind.
Luckily, you don’t have to pay full price for both versions if you’re looking for the full experience. Birthright and Conquest will both cost $40 a piece, and whichever version you don’t purchase outright can be downloaded for an additional $20. Keep in mind that both games are full-fledged experiences that easily take 20+ hours to complete.
