The latest game in the Fire Emblem series, Fire Emblem Engage, has been released. This game returns to the series' roots, and in doing so makes a lot of changes from the previous entry, Fire Emblem: Three Houses. This game is a celebration of the series as a whole, bringing characters and gameplay elements from across the series' long history back into the forefront.
However, with so many elements both returning and new, it can seem quite intimidating for newcomers and lapsed fans. To help with this, it's useful to have a full breakdown of everything essential to know about Fire Emblem Engage including story, gameplay changes, Emblems, characters, classes, and more.
Fire Emblem Engage's Story
The game takes place on the continent of Elyos, which is divided into four different realms surrounding a fifth in the center. They are Firene in the southwest, Brodia in the northwest, Elusia, in the northeast, Solm in the southeast, and Lythos in the center.
One thousand years ago, a war broke out between the people of Elyos and the Fell Dragon Sombron. Sombron was defeated and sealed away thanks to the efforts of a group of warriors using the power of Emblems, heroes from other worlds. Now, however, the seal holding the Fell Dragon has begun to weaken. Alear, a Divine Dragon, wakes from a thousand-year slumber and is now tasked with gathering all twelve of the Emblem Rings in order to combat the growing threat of Sombron’s followers, who wish to see him free once more.
Fire Emblem Engage's Gameplay
Fire Emblem is a Tactical RPG series in which units on a grid-based map route opponents in turn-based combat. Throughout the years, it has introduced many new elements and spins on this well-known formula. One of the most recognizable elements the Fire Emblem Engage brings back from previous games is the Weapon Triangle, which works slightly differently here than in previous installments.
The traditional Weapon Triangle acts as a rock-paper-scissors system in which Swords beat Axes, Axes beat Lances, and Lances beat Swords. In addition to the standard damage and hit bonuses that usually accompany a Weapon Triangle advantage, however, there is also the new Break mechanic to consider. The Break mechanic is a new feature in Engage in which an attack on an enemy done with an advantageous weapon “Breaks” them, rendering them unable to counterattack. Besides the typical weapon triangle, using body arts (a returning weapon type from Three Houses) against magic, bows, or daggers also inflicts the Break status. Some types of units are immune to Break. Also worth noting is that weapons no longer have durability like in Fire Emblem Fates.
A new mechanic introduced into this game is Chain Attacks. Chain Attacks are additional attacks your other units can deal to enemies under certain conditions when you have a unit attack. Similarly, Chain Guard is a mechanic that can protect units from certain attacks under certain conditions. Another returning mechanic from the series past is the Draconic Time Crystal. This mechanic, similar to Mila’s Turnwheel and Divine Pulse from previous games, allows players the ability to rewind their turn and undo certain actions. The Somniel also marks the return of non-combat social elements seen in previous games as well as some new multiplayer functionality.
Emblems in Fire Emblem Engage
By far the biggest gameplay change to Fire Emblem Engage is the addition of Emblem Rings, accessories that let characters access the skills and abilities of Emblems, characters from past games. With an Emblem Ring equipped characters gain stat bonuses as well as special skills. After battling and filling a meter, characters can Engage their Emblem Ring and merge with the character within. This changes their appearance and gives them access to powerful combat skills for three turns. Bond Rings are another type of ring in the game, but only provide a stat boost to the Emblem Ring of the character that represents their game, and they can’t be Engaged with. These are collected through a gacha-style draw mechanic and can be merged together to create stronger rings.
Fire Emblem Engage's Characters
Like with most Fire Emblem games, Fire Emblem Engage has a myriad of playable characters, each with their own starting class and personal skills. Players start out with just a handful of characters but gain more as the story progresses, either from recruiting them or from having them automatically join the party. Alear is the protagonist of the game and can be either male or female. They are from the nation of Lythos and have only awakened recently from a thousand-year slumber. They are the child of Lumera, the monarch of the Divine Dragons and ruler of Lythos. Other characters from Lythos include Vander, Clanne, and Framme.
Alfred is the crown prince of Firene and the son of Eve, its ruler. He is a kind man who loves physical training, muscles, and flowers. His sister is Celine the first princess of Firene. She is an innocent and kind philanthropist who prefers to solve conflicts peacefully but isn't above fighting if absolutely necessary. Other characters from Firene include Boucheron, Etie, Louis, Chloe, and Jean. Diamant is the crown prince of Brodia and the son of Morion, its king. He has a serious personality and respects his father greatly while also trying to encourage his brother Alcryst - who is the second prince of Brodia and has low self-esteem - from always comparing himself to Diamant. Other characters of Brodia include Amber, Jade, Citrinne, Lapis, Yunaka, and Saphir.
Timerra is the crown princess of Solm and the daughter of its monarch, Seforia. She has a free-spirited personality and loves singing, even coming up with songs on the spot. She is close with her brother, Fogado, who grew up with more freedom than her. He is optimistic and elusive and often goes around the countryside helping people. Other characters from Solm include Merrin, Panette, Bunet, Pandreo, and Seadall. Ivy is the crown princess of Elusia and the daughter of Hyacinth. She has a serious and quiet personality, maintaining the dignity of royalty. Her younger half-sister, Hortensia, is the second princess of Elusia and has a playful and selfish personality, but is affectionate toward her family. Other characters from Elusia include Zelkov, Kagetsu, Rosado, Goldmary, Anna, and Lindon.
Fire Emblem Engage's Classes
Every character in the game comes with their own starting class that determines their movement, what weapons they can use, etc. Unlike in Fire Emblem: Three Houses, where any character can become virtually any class from early on, Fire Emblem Engage is more traditional in that characters will only have access to a small selection of classes unless they gain a lot of weapon proficiencies, which in this game is done through bonding with emblems.
For example, Clanne is naturally proficient with magic, but by leveling up his bond with the Emblem Celica, he can gain proficiency in swords and will then be able to change from his default class of mage to sword fighter. Some characters also have personal classes that are exclusive to them and cannot be gained by other characters such as Dragon Child, Noble, Lord, Sentinel, and Wing Tamer. These are exclusive to the main characters of each nation, Lythos, Firene, Brodia, Solm, and Elusia respectively.
Advanced classes from previous games also return, with characters able to promote into an advanced class once they have reached level ten in a base class. Advanced classes are generally stronger than base classes and may provide more movement or a different Battle Style. Battle Styles are a new mechanic in Fire Emblem Engage which is determined based on a character’s class and has a variety of effects in combat. There are eight Battle Styles and each of them has different abilities that can greatly affect gameplay. Certain weapons are effective against certain Battle Styles for example, and certain Emblems like Byleth and Corrin grant different effects depending on the wielder’s Battle Style.
Fire Emblem Engage is available now for Nintendo Switch.
