The Fire Emblem community is both extremely passionate about the games and also very divided. For decades, Intelligent Systems’ strategy RPG series has balanced tense, tactical combat with a memorable cast of characters and narrative. But with each new game, some minor tweaks and twists have fractured the fan base into two distinct camps. Some enjoy the expanded character relationship system, while others prefer the focused and streamlined battles. The latest titles, Fire Emblem: Three Houses and Fire Emblem Engage, are good representations of these divides, but the upcoming Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave on Nintendo Switch 2 is an opportunity to align them once more, or at least I hope.
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As fan theories swirl around Fortune’s Weave’s possible chances of being a prequel, I am more concerned with its mechanics. Will it favor the series’ newfound relationship systems, or prioritize the strategic combat of Fire Emblem’s roots? Or perhaps a third option, as for the first time in ten years, Intelligent Systems could create a game that unites the fanbase once and for all.
Merging the Series Into One Cohesive Vision
The split between the two sides of Fire Emblem fans isn’t just about preference; it’s a fundamental debate on what the series should be. Many would argue the divide began with Fire Emblem Awakening, the title that made the series mainstream. However, the split grew even wider with the release of Fire Emblem: Three Houses. On one hand, it elevated the franchise’s storytelling and introduced deeper characters as well as political intrigue. But this was at the cost of weaker combat, simplified and lacking variety compared to past entries.
Fire Emblem: Engage went in the opposite direction. It reduced the social aspects and went all in on combat. The Engage mechanic was a personal favorite of mine, not just because of its combat implications but because it was a celebration of the series. Aside from this, it delivered refined, challenging battles, dynamic maps, and mechanics that felt true to the series. The weapon triangle made it feel like a classic title once again and satisfied the combat craving.
There is no denying that both titles had their shortcomings. Three Houses’ combat ultimately felt lacking while Engage’s characters and story were abysmal. But both of these problems can be fixed by merging the best parts of these games and giving each fan base what they want in Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave. Combining the two main philosophies of Fire Emblem could lead to a game that gives veterans and newcomers what they want for the first time.
Intelligent Systems’ Next Chapter Might Please Every Era of Fans
The Fire Emblem series has been walking a tight rope ever since its revival, thanks to Fire Emblem: Awakening. Each release since then has teetered between tactical combat and accessible character-driven mechanics, but often leans too far in one direction. While Awakening may have pulled the series away from declining sales and thrust it into mainstream popularity, some fans have never forgiven it for changing Fire Emblem’s core formula.
With Fortune’s Weave, Intelligent Systems has the rare opportunity to demonstrate that it has learned from the past. My personal hope is that it takes the narrative and character of Three Houses and combines it with Engage’s combat while using a toned-down relationship system. It already has a leg up if the game is indeed set in Fodlan, as it provides players with a world they already know. Exploring its history and factions with better combat is a dream come true for me and many fans.
Another aspect that should please all Fire Emblem fans is the potential of another classic element returning. The past Fire Emblem games have made the protagonist an avatar, but Fortune’s Weave looks to be bringing back a static protagonist. It appears Cai will be the main character, but this isn’t confirmed. While I enjoyed Byleth and Corrin’s story, I am excited to see a fully fleshed-out protagonist, especially after having to suffer through Alear.
Why This Game Matters for Fire Emblem’s Future
Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave has the potential to be the biggest game in the series yet and could be a turning point. Gone are the days when the series was considered niche, as it has shifted into one of Nintendo’s main franchises. While I love this for Fire Emblem, it does mean there is a lot more visibility and expectations. Its growth means the stakes are higher, and a poorly received entry could set the series back. Fire Emblem Engage was already controversial.
I found myself in the middle of the divided fan base. Three Houses had some of the best characters in the series, like Dimitri, and its branching storyline made replays more exciting and varied. But I felt the combat was a slog, something that made Engage feel both refreshing and like a classic title. But I hated the story, and so many of the characters in Engage fell flat for me.
Intelligent Systems has the chance to deliver a game that honors the complexity of Three Houses while integrating the sharp and satisfying gameplay that other titles offer. If Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave is successful, it could create a golden age of Fire Emblem and set the standard for games going forward.
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