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.
Gameplay and Story
Fire Emblem Fates takes place in lands controlled by two empires called Hoshido and Nohr. Both empires’ royalty shares a line of descent from ancient dragons, although each kingdom worships a different dragon deity. This embroils the two in war, with your avatar- named Corrin by default- stuck directly in the middle.
Corrin is a member of the Hoshido royalty by blood, that was kidnapped at a young age and raised in Nohr. The player’s avatar has the unique ability to transform into a dragon. One of the other prominent story characters is Azura, a member of Nohr royalty taken in by Hoshido during their effort to save Corrin.
Both versions of Fates have the same first six chapters, with the sixth one titled “Branch of Fate.” Here, players choose between Hoshido and Nohr, where each version has a different story. Basically, it’s one conflict seen from two different sides. In addition, the third downloadable campaign has players rejecting both sides and being branded a traitor by both.
Fire Emblem Fates’ gameplay rests on the core tenets of the series. Battles take place on a 3D isometric grid from a top down view, between the forces of the player and the enemy. The two sides take turns, during which each side has the option to move every unit. Various pieces of equipment are used depending on what a unit can equip. Swords, lances, axes, bows, magic, whatever it might be.
A big change in Fates is the removal of weapon durability. Traditionally in Fire Emblem games you would have a limited number of times any given weapon could be used. With Fates, this instead changes to weapons altering your characters’ stats. Careful planning on which weapons work against which are still needed, but weapons now are much more “how do I use it” than “when do I use it.”
Corrin also has an additional ability that players can use. Members of the royal family have access to something called “Dragon Vein,” that allows them to use contextual actions to mold the environment in their favor. This ability is used for different things depending on the chapter.
Story segments are told largely in text, with some sequences being voiced, and animated cutscenes highlighting important moments. The “My Castle” feature is also a big focus for Fates, allowing players to interact with their units and create shops and weapons.
Fates also has one more change in store, as it offers three different difficulty levels. Classic retains the challenge of the series as once units die they’re gone forever. Casual brings back any fallen units at the end of the chapter, and an even easier mode called Phoenix brings back any incapacitated units upon your opponent’s following turn. Fates has quite a few changes in store but differences between the two versions should satisfy new and old fans.
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.
DLC Plans and amiibo
There’s a lot of additional content coming to Fire Emblem Fates. To start with, four different amiibo are compatible with the game: Marth, Ike, Lucina and Robin.
After they’ve cleared chapter 6 and have the “My Castle” unlocked, players can tap the amiibo on the bottom screen of the New 3DS or the NFC adapter to add that character to their base. You can then talk to each character and even receive items from them. Some of the conversation even breaks the fourth wall with characters referring to their time in Smash Bros. The amiibo can be tapped once per chapter and on the third tap you have the choice of battling each character, with the reward being them joining your cause.
In addition to the two split campaigns, Fates will have a third DLC campaign called Revelation which will be comparable in size to both Birthright and Conquest. This digital download will cost $19.99, and gives players a third option at the “Branch of Fate” chapter. Instead of choosing Hoshido or Nohr, Revelation allows you to choose neither side, instead splitting on your own path. Many of the characters from either version will join your own personal cause in Revelation.
Fates will also be getting weekly support in the form of map packs. Starting on release day Feb. 19, Fates will get at least one new map every week until April 21. These packs will reward players in different ways for completing them. Everything ranging from funds and weapons, to experience and special illustrations.
The first map will be free to everyone, but the rest will vary in price from $1.99 to $4.99. Additionally, you can purchase Map Pack 1 for $17.99 which will include all 11 maps and bonus content. Although Nintendo hasn’t officially announced more DLC for the North American version, the name “Map Pack 1” could potentially mean more is coming. An already sizeable game, Fates certainly isn’t lacking in content in any way.
Are you planning on picking up Fire Emblem Fates? What version are you playing first, and do you plan to try out both? Let us know down in the comments.
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