Before the Nintendo Swit??ch and Wii U GamePad, there was the Game Boy Advance. It seems like only yesterday that I was playing on that tiny little screen, making the time go by much faster during long car rides �well, unless the screen was ?too dark to see at night.

Although it seems as if the times of the Game Boy Advance have come and gone, the Nintendo Switch Online subscription has kept it alive. So, if you want to get a?? blast from the past, here are the best GBA games you can pl?ay on the Nintendo Switch.

Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3

To this day, Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 remains my favorite Mario game. The manifold of worlds and vigorous abilities were enough to keep me entertained at the age of eight, a time when I d??idn't exactly have the best attention span. It stuck with me for so long that I would eventually revisit it ag?ain in my adulthood, just to experience the nostalgia.

I know there are plenty of other great Mario titles out there, but you should make the time (if you haven't already) for Super Mario Bros. 3. It's a classic platform??er that stands the t??est of time and is often considered the fan-favorite of the franchise.

The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap

The Legend of Zelda series has carved its place in the Nintendo collection, with unforgettable titles like Ocarina of Time and Tears of the Kingdom. During the Game Boy Advance era, we were graced with The Minish Cap, a classic adventure that follows the valiant Link. What sets this entry apart is its unique perspective, allowing you to experience ??Hyrule in a whole new light by shrinking Link down in size. This change in scale makes everything around you appear grander, where even the leaves take on a colossal form.

Seeing the world through a smaller lens makes exploring all the more interesting, especially if you spent a lot of time in Hyrule in past games. Though, I will say the dungeons can be a bit grueling, whe??ther with overwhelming hordes of enemies or puzzles that require a bit of backtracking. But if you're a fan of the series and don't mind a little challenge, you should definitely pick this one up. Even newcomers can try it out to experience its retro goodness.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team

Almost every Pokémon entry follows the traditional journey of a trainer as they catch and release critters in an epic battle. But with Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team, things take a different turn, assuming the role of a Pokémon rather than a human being. In fact, there's not even a human in sight, where the entire universe is only made up of legendary ??creatures.

The same Pokémon battles you know and love are still present, just with a twist of a much more direct approach. You'll also understand what Pokémon are actually saying, incl??uding many dialogue scenes during rescue missions. So, instead of Pikachu's usual "Pika Pika" dialogue, you'll have a rather intellectual conversation with the franchise's? most notable character.

F-ZERO Climax

The Nintendo Switch Online system comes with plenty of F-Zero games to choose from, such as Climax, GP Legend, and 99. If I had to pick one, it would have to be F-Zero Climax, considered one of the best in the business with 2D racing games. There's a plethora of modes to go around, from the competitive Grand Pix to the fa?st-paced Time At??tack.

You can also make the tracks much more personalized through Edit mode, where ??up to 30 original courses can be carefully crafted. That way, you can test out both your customization and racing sk?ills.

Fire Emblem

Since the Fire Emblem series has been around for a long time, you'd have to be living under a rock to not know about it. Heck, even Super Smash Bros. fans are probably familiar with it, as it includes over eight FE fighters in its roster. If you were curious about this franchise or want a nostalgic comeback, you can play the original that started it all (at least internationally): Fire Emblem.

Fire Emblem, also known as Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade, immerses you in a strategic adventure across the nation of Lycia. As corruption spreads, you're tasked with outsmarting the enemy on the battlefield. The complex challenge of each fight and the rewarding victories that follow make it a game that's hard to put down. It may just convince you to explore the rest of the series, like Fire Emblem Engage and Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes.

Metroid Fusion

With the upcoming release of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, it's the perfect time to jump into this action-adventure franchise. Metroid Fusion, in particular, is a beloved entry amongst the Game Boy Advance community thanks to its riveting story, ??challenging foes, and a mass amount of h??andy upgrades. We also can't forget about the mighty Samus, the series' long-running main protagonist who's made quite a name for herself in the gaming world.

You'll have to use Samus' strength to take down the X Parasite, known as "SA-X." The terrifying threat of this being almost makes Metroid feel like a horror game, especially with the ominous sounds of its approac??hing footsteps.

Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3

Although I do love playing as Mario, there's something unique about the playstyle of his companions. Yoshi is undoubtedly one of my favorites, using the abilities of his eggs, tongue, and the flight of his Flutter Jump. You'll see these skills in action in Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3, the GBA remake of Super Mario 2: Yoshi's Island.

Ins??tead of the typical Princess Peach rescue mission, Mario and his friends need Yoshi's help to defeat the great Kamek. Most of the cast takes on a new baby form, including Baby Mario and Baby Bowser. They are?? just plain adorable in this iteration, and the cuteness factor gets even better with the many color variations of Yoshis.

Kirby & The Amazing Mirror

If you love the platformer escapades of Mario, you'll certainly enjoy Kirby & The Amazing Mirror. You'll ta??ke on the role of not one, not two, not three, but four different variants of Kirby. Using the mobile phone, you and your friends can work together online or locally to restore Dream Land to its former glory.

I've always loved how OP Kirby feels in light of his copy ability, which inh??erits other beings' skills ??by inhaling them. It gives enemies a taste of their own medicine while also providing a diverse array of combat strategies.

Golden Sun

Like Fire Emblem, Golden Sun is another classic RPG from the Nintendo collection that first took shape on the Game Boy Advance. While the Lost Age is widely known as the best game in the franchise, it's crucial to start with the original GS to unders??tand the story completely. Not only will you go deeper into its expansive lore, b?ut you'll also feel powerful with the magic of Psynergy, wielding the elemental abilities.

The Djinn system, a unique feature of Golden Sun, is the true highlight of the game. These entities, which you collect throughout your journey, can be used? to enhance your Psynergy. Each Djinn has its own elemental affinity, and experimentin??g with their different classes proves entertaining.

Densetsu no Starfy series

When it comes to the Densetsu no Starfy series (also known as The Legendary Starfy), there's not really a wrong choice since they all are exceptional in their own right. The Game Boy Advance Nintendo Switch Online subscription offers three entries for you to play, including DNS 1 to 3. Initially, these platformer games were only available in Jap??an, but now everyone can finally experience it globally with the NSO.

If you want to play the g?ames in order, you can begin with the first in the series, diving into the underwater tales of the mai?n protagonist, Starfy. However, you're welcome to try out the second or third titles to explore more unique worlds.

The post 10 Best Game Boy Advance (GBA) ga??mes you can play on Nintendo Switch appeared first on Destructoid.

I hope you like pins

Whenever a new first party Nintendo game creeps up, you know it's time for a physical My Nintendo reward. Whether it's a towel or a keychain (which it is in most cases!), something typically is dumped on the My Nintendo system for people to spend their points on. For Fire Emblem Engage, that physical reward is a pin set.

This is in addition to the current sweepstakes they're still running.

Here's the full description from Nintendo:

"This reward contains 16 button pins with these iconic heroes from past Fire Emblem series: Emblem Marth, Emblem Celica, Emblem Sigurd, Emblem Leif, Emblem Roy, Emblem Lyn, Emblem Eirika, Emblem Ike, Emblem Micaiah, Emblem Lucina, Emblem Corrin, an??d Emblem Byleth. The pin set also includes new characters from Fire Emblem Engage: Veyle, Alear, and the adorable Sommie! The reward size?: 8"x 8" and each pin size is 1.5 inches."

Pin set price points typically vary, with the WarioWare set going for 500 Platinum Points (for four larger pins), and the heavy-duty Gold and Platinum point pins going for 800. If you really want these as soon as they're available (which is roughly a wait time of 1-2 weeks, sometimes more), aim for h??aving around 1000 points as a buffer.

As a reminder, if you want physical rewards, you can find our full Platinum Point guide here, which has been updated with details on weekly missions: bookmark it for when you need quick points for a reward. A handful of points is incredibly easy to get, as that’s basically just 15 minutes with Super Mario Run, or a quick sign-?on to the 3D?S or Wii U 3Shop. Also remember that any shipments are bundled together, so you can pay a flat rate for multiple items instead of paying it each time. Just know that items go out of stock on My Nintendo frequently, and some are never restocked.

[Update: Nintendo has released the reward on their storefront for 700 Platinum Points. You can find the listing here.]

[Update 2: As of July 19, 2023, the Fire Emblem pin reward is back in stock!]

Related: Fire Emblem Engage Characters Who Aren’t Always? Useful on Siliconera

The post A new Fire Emblem Engage My Nintendo reward is?? on the way (Update) appeared first on Destructoid.

It'll hit the Switch Online + Expansion Pack service on June 23

After a short drought, we're finally getting more Switch Online + Expansion pack games in the form of the Super Mario Advance series. Now, the service is hosting another Game Boy Advance (GBA) Fire Emblem on June 23.

In case you're wondering: yes, this entry is also called Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade. As it arrived in 2003 on the GBA, Blazing Blade was the first entry that was?? localized outside of Japan and helped put the series on the map worldwide. As such, it had that bit of weird '90s localization nomenclature, and was brought over as "Fire Emblem."

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQ60yLlsOyM

What's the deal with this game anyway?

Although it's technically a prequel to 2002's The Binding Blade, given that this was a lot of people's first introduction to the series, it also stands alone. If you've ever wanted to break into a conversation with old-school Fire Emblem fans, this would be a great start.

Here's a quick plot summary from Nintendo:

"In Fire Emblem [The Blazing Blade], the nation of Lycia stands on the precipice of war after centuries of peace. Turmoil grows as noble houses plot treason, allies become enemies and armies stand poised for combat �all while a mysterious figure manipulates empires from the shadows. Now Lyn, along with Eliwood and Hector, must amass their own army to fight back against the forces that would destroy everything they hold dear �and before the world is burned to ash. Over the course of the story, you’ll gather heroes to your side, train them to excel with a wide array of weapons and classes, and further hone their skills on the battlefield. In battle, strategize your course of action around a variety of terrain and conditions. Then take command of the field and lead your units to victory by fulfilling specific objectives. But be warned: In this Fire Emblem game, if your soldiers meet? their end, they’re gone forever."

Yep, it sounds like Fire Emblem! It's also highly beloved and one of my favorite games in the series, so it's?? worth a shot if you're looking for something to do on a rainy weekend.

The post Fire Emblem for Game Boy? Advance is coming to Switch appeared first on Destructoid.

You'll also get an "update bonus"

Fire Emblem Engage is still trucking with updates and DLC (via the expansion pass system), and we're at the end of the line with this first (and potentially only) pass today, through the game's 2.0 update. Let's quickly break down the biggest aspects of Fire Emblem Engage 2.0.

The big thing is that Wave 4 of the expansion pass is now live. Titled Fell Xenologue, it includes new characters, maps, locations, and class types as a micro-expansion of sorts. This is?? on top of the prior three waves which really were micro-DLC, with smaller skirmishes and the ability to recruit spirits. 2.0 also adds more "update bonuses," which can be acquired upon entering the Somniel: the game's core hub.

The other tidbit (which is going to be either useless or a cool perk depending on how much you engage with Nintendo's mobile side) includes a "collaboration" with Fire Emblem Heroes, which basically involves bonus items. Bug fixes have also been?? deployed in a typically vague fashion.

There's nothing too exciting on offer here unless you're diving into Fell Xenologue. You can check out the full patch notes for Fire Emblem Engage 2.0 below.

Fire Emblem Engage 2.0 patch notes (full link)

Ver. 2.0.0 (Released April 4, 2023)

General Updates

• Compatible with Wave 4 of the Expansion Pass.
• Update Bonus has been added. You can receive items when entering the Somniel from Chapter 5 or later.
• Collaboration content with the smartphone app “Fire Emblem Heroesâ€?can now be downloaded for free from the Nintendo eShop.
  • You can receive items when entering the Somniel after downloading the data from the eShop.
  • Note that players who have already downloaded the bonuses from linking with “Fire Emblem Heroesâ€?cannot download the content again.
• Issues have been fixed to make for a more pleasant gaming experience.

The post Fire Emblem Engage 2.0 brings ??the big story expansion wit?h it appeared first on Destructoid.

Version 1.3.0

Fire Emblem Engage is up to its third patch, though surpris??ingly (perhaps a reli??ef to some) none of them have been extremely meaty thus far: this newest version included.

In a move that I'd call adding "small quality of life changes," version 1.3.0, which was released late last night (US time), a few mechanics have been altered amid the arrival of Wave 3 of the expansion pass. Beyond the additions of Chrom, Robin, and Veronica: the patch also has two changes, in addition to "issues that have been fixed to m?ake for a more pleas?ant gaming experience" (thanks for the specifics!).

For one, you'll be able to exchange items at the ancient ?well in the Somniel hub, afte??r talking to the proprietor of the armory. You can also use inherit skills in the arena. Small potatoes for sure, but hopefully all of these patches will sprinkle in quality of life changes like this: just like the prior February 8 patch added the recreation interaction to the pool, orchard, and stable zones in the hub.

More features in the hangout hub is a great thing! Though all of this might not be enough to sway folks who were already turned off by Engage. Hopefully the upcoming story content mixes thing??s up.

Fire Emblem Engage Patch 1.3.0 - Released March 7, 2023 (Full patch notes)

General Updates

• Compatible with Wave 3 of the Expansion Pass.
• From Chapter 7 forward, you’ll be able to exchange items at the ancient well on the Somniel.
  • You’ll need to talk to the proprietor of the armory.
• You can now use Inherit Skills in the Arena.
• Issues have been fixed to make for a more pleasant gaming experience.

The post The new Fire Emblem update adds a few small quality of life ch??anges appeared first on Destructoid.

Multiverse of madness

We're almost at Wave 3 of the season pass for Fire Emblem Engage, and wow, that time has just flown by.

As revealed in the February Nintendo Direct, Hector, Soren, Camilla, Chrom, Robin, and Veronica are all coming to the game in spirit form. Chrom and Robin happen to be the newest kids on the block, and they actually launch on March 8. Thanks to the official Japanese Fire Emblem Twitter account, we have some footage of what that meeting actual?ly looks like, and how the pair operate in battle.

You really can't go wrong with releasing all-star former series cast members as DLC, I have to say. Although not every facet of the fandom is going to be thrilled with "X or Y" inclusion, you're going to hit some superfans, and dropping them in duos is a great way to ?split the difference. So far the character DLC has been a great?? appetizer for the main course. About that!

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=0R-M-DxcQ4Q

What's next for Fire Emblem Engage DLC?

As a reminder, Wave 4 is the big one. That includes the Fell Xenologue chapter, which is a new story sequence.

Most of the other DLC takes place in the Divine Paralogue islands, which is the core DLC destination.

Meeting Chrom and Robin in Fire Emblem Engage

//twitter.com/FireEm?blemJP/status/1632652380964802562

Chrom and Robin combat footage

//twitter.com/FireEmblemJP/status/16326554??45696614400

The post Chrom and Robin are coming to Fire Emblem Enga??g??e this week appeared first on Destructoid.

Cblogs of 1/19 to 01/28/2023

-GoofierBrute continues their Games That Time Forgot blogging series with this write-up on Fire Emblem: Fates.

-Spazzzh20 reviews "The Worst Sonic Game Ever" in Sonic Frontiers.

-Exber discusses s??imilar themes in three very different games.

-RoomWithaMoose shares their own gaming award pr??izes for 2022 in this blog.

-Siddartha85 shares their A-list of games released in 2022.

-Siddartha85 shares their B-??list list o??f movies released in 2022.

-Lord Spencer reviews One as part of his PS1 REVIEWS blogging series.

-PhilsPhindings discusses the similarities between the soundtrack of Chrono Trigger and Latin music.

-Xeo explores the concept of the Horror genre.

-Chrono??Lynxx opens this week's TGIF community forum for open discussion.

Thanks for all of your fine blogs, opinions, and write-ups, folks, not just this week. We really do appreciate each and every one of them. And thanks to Lord Spencer, as always, for taking the time out of their week to recap them for this here front page. As always, if you wanna join in on the HOT TAKE party for the discourse of 2023, (and there will be discourse), then head on over to the Cblogs section right now. We are aware that the cblog editor has been incredibly testy of late. W??e a??????????????????????????pologize. We are hoping we can encourage someone more tech-savvy than ourselves to take a look at it this year.

The post How are you finding Fire Emblem Engage? appeared first on Destructoid.

The prodigal gazebo returns!

Fire Emblem Three Houses made use of amiibo figures through the hilariously named "amiibo Gazebo" location, and the same concept is back for Fire Emblem Engage. Here's where to find ??the new amiibo Gazebo, and what you can actually earn from ??it. Spoiler alert: for the most part, its function is once again cosmetic and/or menial.

[gallery link="fil??e" columns="2" size="large" ids="359045,359046"]

You'll unlock the amiibo Gazebo at the start of Chapter 6: it's located in the orchard

Like many locations in the Somniel hub area, you'll need to gradually unlock the amiibo Gazebo. Once you've started Chapter 6, you'll be able to walk over to it in the orchard and interact with the literal gazebo to start the process. Visual assistance can be found in the gallery above: just look for the highlighted icon on the minimap (it's easy to get ??turned around and ??miss it).

Note that you can also snatch ingredient?s from the orchard, so feel free to take a quick moment to pick all of the shining spots for bonus items while you're there.

[gallery columns="5" link="file" s??ize="large" ids="359044,359053,?359054,359055,359056"]

Scanning amiibo in Fire Emblem Engage can grant you costumes and new songs

Scanning various non-Fire Emblem amiibo will grant you ingredients/items, and scanning Fire Emblem amiibo will provide you w?ith Fashion?? Tickets and Music Tickets, to select bonus outfits or songs from the below lists.

Here ?a sample set of figures that we've scanned into the game, to give you an idea of how things shake out:

• Ike (Fashion Ticket x1, Music Ticket x1)
• Ryu (Pork x1)
• Lucina (Fashion Ticket x1, Music Ticket x1)
• Roy (Fashion Ticket x1, Music Ticket x1)
• Steve [Minecraft] (Wheat Flour)

You can scan up to five amiibo per day, with a 24 hour reset timer.

[gallery link="file" columns="2" size="large" ?ids="359042,359043"]

Here are a full list of outfit and song rewards from the amiibo Gazebo

Unlockable outfits:

• Marth Style
• Celica Style
• Sigurd Style
• Leif Style
• Roy Style
• Lyn Style
• Eirika Style
• Ike Style
• Micaiah Style
• Lucina Style
• Corrin Style
• Byleth Style

Unlockable songs:

• Trouble! (Marth)
• With Mila’s Divine Protection
• End of the Holy War
• Let’s Go, Leif!
• Beneath a New Light (Roy)
• Wind across the Plains
• The Devoted
• Echoes of Daybreak
• Destiny (Ablaze)
• End of All (Below)
• Fodlan Winds

[caption id="attachment_359057" align="alignnone" width="640"] Photo by Destructoid[/caption]

Here's a list of every Fire Emblem amiibo made to date

Smash Bros. line Fire Emblem amiibo:

• Marth
• Ike
• Robin (M)
• Lucina
• Roy
• Corrin (M/F)
• Chrom
• Byleth

Fire Emblem amiibo:

• Tiki
• Chrom
• Celica
• Alm

Alternatively, we have a full list (with dates) of every amii??bo ever released here.

The post Fire Emblem Engage: Unlocking the amiibo Gazebo a?nd using amiibo appeared first on Destructoid.

There's eight available now

The Switch Online icon system gets periodic updates, often focusing on evergreen games like Animal Crossing or Mario, as well as individual newish releases. The time has finally come for Fire Emblem icons, and the changes hav??e been rolled out as of this week. Le?t's take a look at what you can actually pick up.

[gallery link="file" columns="2" size="large" ids="358997,??358996"]

Here are all the Fire Emblem Engage My Nintendo icons coming in the first wave:

• Alear (type 1) - 10 Platinum Points
• Alear (type 2) - 10 Platinum Points
• Clanne - 10 Platinum Points
• Framme - 10 Platinum Points
• Vander - 10 Platinum Points
• Lumera - 10 Platinum Points
• Marth - 10 Platinum Points
• Celica - 10 Platinum Points
• Libération (Alear's sword) - 10 Platinum Points
• Sommie (the hub world pet) - 10 Platinum Points

Five backgrounds and five frames ?are also available.

All of these icons comprise "Wave 1" (implying more are on the way), and they'll be available until January 26. In fact, this tweet from the Fire Emblem Japanese account hard confirms more waves (six total). Out of this lot, I suspect Marth will be one of the most-purchased icons; as well potential classic cast mem?bers via the Emblem Ring system. That could mean icons for Roy, Ike, Byleth, and tons of other iconic characters.

Remember, to pick these ??up, you just need to go to the "Switch Online" icon at the bottom of the Switch home screen, then go to "missions and rewards."

The post Fire Emblem Engage My Nintendo icons are out today with the game’s launch appeared first on Destructoid.

No need to double the file size day one

Day one patches, especially on systems like the Switch where you might be running low on space to hold your games, can be infuriating. Although there is a host of post-launch content on the way, Fire Emblem Engage doesn't seem to be party to that yet.

As shared on the ??official Japanese Nintendo Switch support ??site, Fire Emblem Engage will be updated to "version 1.1.0" today, essentially for the Japanese launch (and global launch on? Janu??ary 20). You can find the full translated patch notes below.

Fire Emblem Engage launch patch notes (Ver.1.1.0)

In short, the update patches in the DLC/season/expansion pass (which you'd need internet access for anyway), both in terms of the content itself, and the functionality from the main menu. It also has the added bonus of "update benefits," which typically includes minor gift-like items that are collected en masse through a menu. You'll get them automatically after reaching Chapter 5 in the game (the chapter you're on is visible whenever you save, so it'll be easy to spot), after manually visiting the Somniel: the hub zone of Fire Emblem Engage.

The post The Fire Emblem Engage launch?? patch is thankfully small: here are all the updates appeared first on Destructoid.

There's a lot there, especially when it comes to character customization

Fire Emblem Engage is out on January 20, and I can't wait until everyone rushes in and the impressions start flying out. Fire Emblem games have waltzed with relationship aspects for some time now, and although some folks have gotten used to them, others have rebuked the mechanic. Since Engage i??s heavily going to cater to the latter category, it's bound to get a wide variety of reactions.

For now, there's this gigantic eight minute tra?iler from Nintendo that might help you decide whether or not this entry is for you. Given that this trailer is all gameplay pretty much, it's a? great thing to watch before you decide to drop $6??0 on it.

Here's everything that the Fire Emblem Engage overview trailer runs through:

• A reminder that there's "over 30 characters" to play as (who have backstories that can be viewed in-game)
• An emphasis on how you can swap classes freely, with the example of an early-game mage-like character swapping into a monk, and dealing big damage to an elite enemy
• A good overview of the battle system, from team composition to the intricacies of the turn-based combat system (including counters to each combat type, which might be helpful to jot down before you play)
• The trailer highlights some useful battle info, including the fact that before actually triggering an attack, you can see who will go first in the bottom middle of the screen: also, a suggestion to let lower-level characters deliver the final blow to enemies when leveling
• Footage of the Time Crystal in action, which lets you rewind turns
• A brief overview of the world map system, and the Somniel hub
• An explanation on how to grow bonds to trigger support conversations (fight close together, or heal each other)

Unlike a lot of other overview videos which are mostly filled with fluff, this one has a few good pointers! In that sense, it's great for complete newcomers as well as returning Fire Emblem veterans.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJCOoTp6v5I

The post This eight minute Fire Emblem Engage trailer will tell you e??verything you need to?? know about the game appeared first on Destructoid.

Yeah, I'd say it's engaging

It was crazy to see the moment when Fire Emblem really started to make it big out of Japan. I've said it often, but growing up with people who constantly questioned where Marth and Roy were from in Smash Bros., witnessing the star power of this series (to the point where it has multiple spinoffs) from every angle has been something else. And now that it's more in the?? public eye, it's also subject to quite a bit of scrutiny.

I don't think people will object to much in Fire Emblem Engage, though.

[caption id="attachment_358177" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Fire Emblem Engage (Nintendo Switch)
Developer: Intelligent Systems
Publisher: Nintendo
Released: January 20, 2023
MSRP: $59.99

As I talked about in my preview session, I was immediately enamored by the tone of Fire Emblem Engage. The sense of whimsy and wonder it has resembles Lunar: The Silver Star Story and other bygone JRPGs, which is a wonderful thing. It has the "badass that's also goofy" trope, the aloof hero, the unflappable confidant: the whole nine yards. That might not be a lot of people's cup of tea, but I found myself remembering and connecting to character names more in Engage than mo??st past entries, even as I amassed a bigger and better party as time marched on.

The premise is very familiar fantasy: a great warrior and Divine Dragon named Alear by default (that's you!) defeated a fell dragon a thousand years ago, and the battle subsequently put you?? in a deep sleep. ??Fast forward to the timeline of the game, and your dragon mom (for real) senses a great evil again (that's the part where you wake up). Of course there's twists and turns along the way, as well as the humanistic angle of how this world's citizens live in the wake of the divine: which means there's plenty of political intrigue and clandestine machinations to be had.

I also bought into the "chosen one" conceit, because Alear has just enough characterization to feel like a part of the world, but not so much that they dominate the st??oryline. Some absurd looking costumes aside, this universe is full of interesting characters, and as I mentioned above, I got attached to quite a few of them. Not everything lands, and the story is predictable in chunks (especially toward the beginning), but it has so much energy (and the game has so much to do) that it's easy to keep moving forward.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJrItZRyALY

The other strong pillar of Engage is the fan service, which is mostly muted in the form of bonds through Emblem Rings. Point blank, this is an excuse to get people to connect to their favorite old Fire Emblem characters (like Roy and Marth), but the team went above and beyond in terms of how everything is actually implemented. While those spirits are heavily integrated into the actual plot (gathering all the Emblem Rings is the initial quest), they serve a m?echanical purpose, and do a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to party customization. At first it seemed like another "multiverse" style cash grab, but I was pleasantly surprised after seeing how it actually worked.

On top of the typical class swapping and advanced classes, you can pair up a character with a spirit via an Emblem Ring. This not only grants that party member bonuses, but it also allows them to merge into a super-charged form throughout the battle for a ?limited amount of turns. Bonds have a multifaceted impact throughout the game, allowing spirits to pass on passive skills, bond and interact through very short cutscenes on top of the normal bonding system (??with the classic A, B, C level ranks), and of course, do cool stuff during combat like unleash a giant flame attack that hits multiple squares. You also have the option to "re-engage" as it were once the meter is full again, so there are strategic considerations with this system.

In Engage, you're constantly upgrading things that matter. Your equipment loadout can be changed, as well as your skillset, class, bond, and a lot more. As you progress with the story more options will be unlocked through the typical in-game shops, as well as the chance to create miniature rings that confer bonuses on party members w?ho don't have an all-powerful Emblem Ring equipped.

From a strategic standpoint Fire Emblem Engage plays out like past entries, and like many famous strategy RPGs (SRPGs). There's a grid-based system, a rock-paper-scissors gear mechanic (swords beat axes, axes beat lances, lances beat swords), a party to manage and kit out, and enemies to defeat or objectives to tackle. With no durability there's a lot less worrying about upkeep and more of a focus on ?loadouts: which matter quite a bit, since you can "break" enemy counterattacks for a turn with a hard weapon counter.

[caption id="attachment_358178" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

The battle maps in Engage are interesting, particularly with the placement of copious amounts of items, buff-inducing squares, cover, and bond bonu??ses: which grant you full bond charge after ending your movement on them. Even in some of the easier encounters the? layouts do some heavy lifting to keep things moving along. Things move pretty fast, too.

The core flow of the game is effortlessly fun. After finishing a mission generally you get the chance to lightly explore a very small little zone (imagine freeing a town, then talking to the townsfolk after), then you go back to the world map and choose what to do next. If you were annoyed at the pacing of Three Houses, Engage should be a breath of fresh air. As much as I did like those pitstops in the hub in the last main entry, the freedom that Engage allows strikes a great balance. After completing a mission, in most cases, you have the option to move on through a world map to the next story bit: or take a b??reak and do some paralogues (side missions)/head back home to the Somniel hub.

You have the choice to go back to the hub, talk to everyone, d?o all the minigames, fish, spend time with your mystical pet, spar, change up the hub zone music, rewatch story bits in your room: you get the point. There's a lot to do if you want to stop and smell the roses, or you can just go full throttle and continue the narrative chapter by chapter. It's refreshing, because I'd constantly change up how I played based on how a particular mission went.

[caption id="attachment_358179" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

If things felt dicey, I'd look at all of the upgrades available and spend some time reconfiguring my party. Sometimes I'd do three or four chapters at a time without stopping. And in some cases, I'd spend a few hours at the hub just messing around, donating to allied countries' war efforts, combing through the achievements I hadn't unlocked yet (which grant bond fragments, which can be used for bond bonuses), looking at the animals I adopted from the story zones, that sort of thing. There's just enough to do where things matter, but not so much that you'd feel like you're missing out if yo?u don't grind out a particular fishing segment.

I was also able to do some light testing of the online trial system before launch, and while I likely won't be playing it full time, it does seem like a nice diversion. The two main modes involve a relay race against other players on the same map, and the ability to create your own (or play other) challenge maps online. You can even "take over" someone's run in the relay mode, which I did every so often just to try out different party builds and see if I could op??timize somet?hing myself. As a completely optional diversion, I'd say it's a welcome addition.

When Fire Emblem Engage was first announced I was wary of the visual style, but it grew on me once I saw it in action. The strategic bits are smooth, the customization element is deep, and I'm a sucker for the tasteful fan service that we're getting with the appearance of past franchise heroes. If you were overwhelmed by Three Houses, this is a great follow-up that doesn't just follow that same formula: and in many ways, gets back to Fire Emblem basics.

The post Review: Fire Emblem Engage appeared first on Destructoid.

Things are looking up

Fire Emblem Engage is nearly here, and we talked quite a bit about it (and the expectations therein) recently in a preview article. At this point the only thing left is a few odds and ends, as the game is set to launch just next? week on January 20, 2023.

Until that time, there's a few minor commercials that have popped up on Nintendo's YouTube channel, which provide?? a closer look at some of the game's major mechanics, and cast.

Fire Emblem Engage Commercial 1

The first commercial provi??des a brief look at the setup of the narrative, which you're probably going to be skipping if you're going in blind. The fantastic eleme?nts and the more grounded kingdom hopping angle are briefly mentioned too, as well as quite a few closeups of bond system (including Alear, the main character, and Marth), and some combat animations. It's short, but to the point.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj4yHLTCd9Y

Fire Emblem Engage Commercial 2

The next commercial focuses more on the party members/Emblem Ring conceit, and has a short "tactics" section that gives us some brief strategic gameplay. The core of this video lies in the opportunities to customize your party, which includes class types and Emblem Ring/Engage pairings (read: equipping party members with the spirits of classic Fire Emblem characters).

Multiple heroes from prior Fire Emblem games are teased as well toward the end of? the video.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5D8Qakq0GM

While short, these clips get the gist of the new entry across. Now all you need to do is wait for some impressions, or for Janua??ry 20 to hit so you can dive in.

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I do think it'll be polarizing though

Based on the reception of the main characters alone, I think it's easy to see how divisive the aesthetics of Fire Emblem Engage are: and the game isn't even out yet! As someone who was unsure, I have to admit to grew on me, especially after seeing it in action. Here are some brief thoughts after hands-on time with Fire Emblem Engage.

[gallery link="file" columns??="4" size="medium" ids="356663??,356664,356665,356666"]

Fire Emblem Engage is a loud game (figuratively)

Clocking in at 12.6GB, Fire Emblem Engage is in your face immediately: both in terms of dropping into a tense story moment, and the brig??ht, sometimes zany visual style.

Engage seemingly opens in media res, as you (a character named Alear by default, with two form options) and your party are rushing down a group of enemies, with the "Engage" system (read: merging with spirits, including past Fire Emblem characters like Marth) in full swing. It turns out that the intro is actually taking place in the past (1000 years ago to be precise): right before your Divine Dragon avatar vanquishes a great foe and falls into a mystic sleep. Then, things get decidedly less "epic" in nature, almost like downtown in a party-based anime like El Hazard.

Alear wakes up, acts aloof, and wants to run from their first battle. From there you start down a path to acquire your power and memories...and I can hear some groans already. I think some people are going to straight up hate this shonen/shojo approach, but I'm somewhat mesmerized by it. After the somewhat traditional medieval storytelling in Three Houses, to rubber band back to this seems a bit jarring, but it also differentiates Engage from many modern Fire Emblem releases.

Cutscenes are sleek, colorful, and full of details. While I won't head into spoiler country here, I am enjoying a lot of the cast so far, including the relatio?nships they're building with Alear, who is a legendary warrior of power as well as a blank slate. Pairing them with Marth is either going to see?m like a cash grab or a stroke of brilliance right out of the gate, and I'm mostly siding with the latter line of thinking at this point. The pairing/Engage system is so fun that I kind of just learned to roll with it.

[gallery link="file" size="large" ids="356671,3??56669,356670"]

Gameplay so far is smooth and fun

Fire Emblem Engage brings back the classic SRPG format, and when moving around the battlefield, things look and feel very polished. Mo?st of the old options (including speeding up battles/removing animations) return, though unlike many other entries, I kept a lot of the animation triggers on just to watch them go?.

While there is a lot of emphasis on strategic unit placement (including placing them in bushes/terrain to obscure them) and a rock-paper-scissors conceit: the Engage/merging system real??ly helped sell me on the game mechanically. There's a lot of build potential here, especially with the power to increase individual characters' bonds, while granting them new abilities. I think a lot of folks are going to love this gimmick, and will spend tons of time messing around with it. It's also just good fun to power up and go crazy on an enemy with floating angel wings and a beam sword.

The option to customize your playthrough is definitely going to help. Here are the big set?tings yo??u can change:

• Japanese and English audio
• The ability to name the protagonist and choose from two forms
• Normal, hard, or maddening difficulty
• A casual (no character death) or classic (permadeath) toggle

Fire Emblem Engage is a fun strategic romp so far, and I'm eager to see where it goes. I'm not confident that it'll top Three Houses (which ??is admittedly a high bar for many?), but we'll see closer to launch.

The post Hands on: ?Fire Emblem Engage is on the right track appeared first on Destructoid.

It's the same deal as ones in the past

Fire Emblem Engage is roughly a month away, and Nintendo is starting to promote it in earnest. Although the announcement kind of came out of nowhere, we've gotten quite a few character trailers up until this point: and now you can act them out in scenes of your choice with acrylic standees. Provided that you win the My Nint?endo sweepstakes that was just revealed.

Just like other past sweepstakes, this is how the Fire Emblem Engage one works:

• To enter, you just need a My Nintendo account
• You can spend up to 30 Platinum Points: 10 points per entry, for a max of three entries
• This one ends on February 28, 2023, so you have some time
• The reward includes "a set of seven colorful acrylic stands," featuring "popular characters" from the game. As you m ay have noticed, the suite also includes at least one character from the series in general, like Marth.

Typically Nintendo uses this opportunity to tease a physical reward for the My Nintendo program, but it hasn't done so thus far. It's uncommon for a major first party game to not get some form of tie-in (even Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes had something), so it'll likely be revealed at a later date: po?ssibly around launch.

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Give us a Ring

Nintendo Japan has released a new trailer for its upcoming fantasy epic Fire Emblem Engage, which launches on Nintendo Switch in January of the new year. The new trailer focuses on the strategic gameplay of? the RPG sequel �specifically the magical mechanic known as "Emblem Rings".

The Emblem Ring mechanic allows the protagonist to infuse their skills and abilities with the spirit of other Fire Emblem heroes, whose powers are harnessed within literal rings. Once activated, the Emblem Ring expands upon, boosts, or otherwise enhances certain abil?ities, as the protagonist takes on the skills and combat arts of their chosen Emblem Ring. In ?a fashion, it is similar to the Persona mechanic in the series of the same name �except instead of Pixie or Nekomata, you have Celica or Byleth.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIWPFmnu4Vk

As they grow alongside their chosen Fire Emblem rings, the protagonist will inherit weapons, skills, and spells from this roster?? of classic characters, while building up overdrive abilities and all-new ultimate attacks, defined by the classic characters you have chosen to grow alongside. Six rings are featured in this trailer (Sigurd, Celica, Corrin, Lyn, Byleth, and, of course, Marth. But maybe there will be more rings to be discovered, (or purchased), as the quest continues.

Fire Emblem Engage launches January 20, 2023 on Nintendo Switch.

The post Fire Emblem Engage trailers teaches the ways of ‘Emblem Rings’ appeared first on Destructoid.

He needs no introduction

It's hard to believe that Fire Emblem Engage is already coming in January, but Nintendo seems dead set on that soonish release date: and is steadily showing off more of the game (albeit on the official Fire Emblem Japanese Twitter account). Amid the sprinkling of gameplay (more so than the trailer) we've gotten so far, the latest set of clips includes gameplay of a series star. New Fire Emblem Engage Marth footage is out thanks to the series' Twitter account, and? gives us a better look at the hero in a?ction.

Here is the full introduction/mini character bi?o from the inaugural tweet (translated/cleaned up), which also reveals his Japanese voice actor:

"Marth (CV: Hikaru Midor?ikawa) is commonly known as 'The Beginning Heraldry', and is a noble and charismatic hero among heroes. He is the ?prince of the Altea Kingdom, located in the alien continent of Archanea,"

We get to see how guest characters seem to appear in Engage, and Marth is reconfirmed as a sword user in this entry. There will als?o be some story elements involved with the summoned heroes, including the below conversation with the main character.

If Engage pulls this off, and manages to bring in some of the most celebrated characters in this series' lengthy history, it cou??ld lead to som??e explosive moments. Ideally the team actually manages to make these portions sing: and elevates them over a fanservice-like inclusion.

Fire Emblem Engage Marth footage:

//twitter.com/FireEmblemJP/status/1575757841?809408000

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Over on the game's Japanese Twitter account

Fire Emblem Engage was announced roughly a week ago, and it's coming out in January. Naturally, a lot of what the game has to offer is a mystery, but we do know that it features a new polarizing protagonist design, and will allow players to summon classic characters from the series. It really feels like a lot of the gaps are filled in already. We know t??he full release date (January?? 20, 2023) and that it'll be roughly 15GB in size. We also have a bit more to go off of than the initial trailer reveal thanks to some Fire Emblem Engage gameplay strewn about the Japanese Fire Emblem Twitter account.

All sorts of things can be discerned from this footage, including movement ranges (which will likely carry over to the final build, given that it's out in a few short months), animations, map design, class nuance, sound effect quality, and Japanese vocals. Plus, we even get a look at some downtime and character dialogue! This latest batch includes a young-ish character voiced by Kohei Amazaki, described as a guardian who assists the divine dragon. We got a look at another guardian, voiced by Yoji Ueda, last week.

It'll be hard to top the tri-story nature of Three Houses for many fans (though I know there are people who will be happy to get back to basics), but I'm hopeful for Fire Emblem Engage. There's bits and pieces I dig so far, namely the idea of m??ining nos?talgia; I just hope it's done well from a gameplay perspective.

//twitter.com/FireEmblemJP/statu?s/1572858487??335534593

//t?witter.com/FireEmblemJP/s??tatus/1572858738834292738

[Thanks Jeff!]

The post Nintendo dropped a handful of F??ire Emblem Engage gameplay cl?ips appeared first on Destructoid.

The next Fire Emblem isn't that far off

Nintendo is known for kicking off their Nintendo Directs with style, and announcing Fire Emblem Engage is no exception.

Shown off with a brand new very detailed accompanying trailer, we get a sense of the dragon-based conflict with??in this game world, as well as some gameplay to boot. Here's ??the full description of what to expect:

"In a war against the Fell Dragon, four kingdoms worked together with heroes from other worlds to seal away this great evil. One thousand years later, this seal has weakened and the Fell Dragon is about to reawaken. As a Divine Dragon, use rich strategies and robust customization to meet your destiny �to collect Emblem Rings scattered across the world and bring peace back to the Continent of Elyos. Summon and fight alongside legendary heroes from past Fire Emblem games, like Marth and Celica, and add their power to yours in this new story. The turn-based, tactical battle system the Fire Emblem series is known for returns with a fresh cast of characte?rs you can customize and Engage with to carefully craft your strategy."

Ha! That bit about summoning prior heroes is such a great way to pack in some nostalgia, and sell the game in a variety of ways with all sorts of key art from classic characters. It's out on January 20, 2023. As a reminder, it's been three years since Fire Emblem: Three Houses.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ExaJIB5Phk

Nintendo also announced a Fire Emblem Engage Divine Edition

The special edition for the game will include the actual game itself, a steelbook, art cards, and an art ??bo?ok.

The post Nintendo ann??ounces Fire Emblem Enga??ge, out in January appeared first on Destructoid.

You Can't Teach That

Koei Tecmo has proudly announced that its hack 'n' slash epic Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes has passed one million sales and shipments since its launch on Nint?endo Switch back in June.

A joint production of Koei Tecmo, Nintendo, and developer Omega Force, Three Hopes sees new hero Shez brought under the wing of the Garreg Mach Monastery. Choosing tutelage under the banner of one of Fire Emblem's "Three Houses" �The Black Eagles, The Golden Deer, or The Blue Lions �Shez and their newfound allies against the might of the Empire. Three Hopes, as the name de?notes, offers three distinct but interconnected tales?? depending on the player's school of choice.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=f91wvxXAEXw

Once out on the battlefield, Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes features the typical hack 'n' slash action that one would associate with Koei Tecmo's Warriors titles. Considered a major improvement on 2017's Fire Emblem Warriors, Three Hopes has won acclaim from both critics and the Fire Emblem fan community for its wide roster of playable characters and engaging combat, though it has also been criticized for its repetition and lack of technical growth over its Warriors brethren. For the most part, however, Three Hopes is considered a success, and an absolute must-play for Fire Emblem fans.

Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is available now on Nintendo Switch.

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Zuh?

As Nintendo continues to remind us that life is fleeting, and so is the 3DS eShop, they just happened to pop in this week and tell us that not everything is going to go the distance. In fact, while the 3DS eShop is set to be destroyed on March 27, 2023, at least one game will be removed earlier than that: Fire Emblem Fates. Yep, the Fire Emblem Fates eShop version's days are numbered.

Via a new tweet from Nintendo UK, we now know that Fire Emblem Fates will be wiped from the 3DS eShop on February 28, 2023. There's a twist, though.

So because of the way Fire Emblem Fates was designed, you can't access all of the DLC until you've finished Chapter 6. To accommodate for that, you can buy the DLC for it through March 27, 2023. Yeah, it's weird. Nintendo essentially sees this as a grace period, so people don't buy the core game, then get locked out of DLC entirely. Now, after buying Fates, you have roughly a month to access the DLC.

The whole thing is odd, and the workaround needed to ensure that people don't get locked out just begs the question: with Nintendo's coffers, why not just keep the eShop running longer? This seems like it's bending over backward to accommodate a first-party gam?e that's still seemingly selling, so why not allow that legacy to co??ntinue unfettered?

Ah?? well, this is the digital future many people warned you abo??ut over a decade ago!

The post Nintendo says Fire Emblem Fates will be removed from the eShop a month before the store ??goes offline appeared first on Destructoid.

600 Platinum Points via My Nintendo

A My Nintendo Fire Emblem Warriors reward is coming soon, but don't get too excited! For 600? platinum you'll net a memo pad.

Announced by way of My Nintendo news, the reward will contain "full color images" of both versions of new protagonist Shez, as well as several key characters in the narrat??ive (including members of the titular "three" houses). Ty??pically it takes roughly 1-2 weeks for these rewards to go primetime.

Here's the full description from Nintendo:

"Jot down battle strategies, take notes, or simply doodle 'til you drop with this full-color memo pad themed after the new Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes game for the Nint?endo Sw?itch system. Its pages feature stunning character art of new protagonist Shez (both male and female variants), Arval, Edelgard, Dimitri, and Claude."

Currently the listing is not live. In fact, if you click on it, it'll bring you to this random printable Triangle Strategy box art cover page. But having followed rewards like this closely for some time, I wouldn't expect it to sell out instantly. In fact, several recent rewards like the Mario Strikers bag and the Switch Sports cooling towel are still up for grabs. Stranger things have happened in terms of items running ou?t of stock, but this one should be fine within a 24-hour window of going live; at least.

[Update: And the Fire Emblem Warriors reward is live! It's 600 Platinum.]

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The team started building Fire Emblem Warriors 2, then pivoted

According to a new interview via Nintendo Dream magazine (translated by Nintendo Everything), the Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes team had a different idea in mind for the follow-up to the original.

This notion is straight from the production team (including producers Yosuke Hayashi and Hideo Suzuki), who stated that they had helped work on Three Houses with Nintendo and Intelligent Systems, right after Fire Emblem Warriors development ended. After that lengthy and fruitful partnership between the three entities, they proposed a direct sequel for FE Warriors.

Hayashi recalls that it was originally titled "Fire Emblem Warriors 2," but everything pivoted when the concept of slotting the game into the Three Houses universe came to ligh?t. The decision was a no-brainer becau??se of the "good reception and the setting," which made it an obvious choice for a sequel. The collective says it was "what the audience would want the most," and I think they nailed it!

Suzuki also muses a bit on how it all came to pass, and the decision to downplay other parts of Fire Emblem history was made to focus entirely on Three Houses:

"It ended up as the phantom proposal (laughs). The direction may have changed, but we’re fans of Fire Emblem: Three Houses, so we were more glad than anything to have the opportunity to create a Warriors title in that setting."

To put it bluntly: good! The first Fire Emblem Warriors didn't really have the same oomph, as it attempted to juggle a lot. The storyline wasn't nearly as cohesive as it could have been, and the idea to tackle a parallel universe with Three Hopes was a smart plan. It helps differentiate the original Switch strategy game completely, while provid?ing a new take on the world.

The post Originally, Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes wasn’t going to have a Three Houses focus appeared first on Destructoid.

"Fixed an issue..."

Nintendo just put out a minor Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes patch coinciding with it?s day one release today, and it's thankfully fairly lean (having to grab a gigantic content patch right after getting the game would have been annoying).

It fixes, say it with me now, some issues! A few of them are even "rare!" The main one that sticks out is a problem with the save screen, which is also referred to as a "rare" problem: but one that even one total person would find devastating. You can re??ad the full list here on ??Nintendo's official site, or below.

Personally, I haven't encountered any of these issues pre-launch, so folks should hopefully be good to go with it installed. Ideally, if a day one patch is in the cards, the powers that be will swiftly fix anything other people find as well. In a game as big as Three Hopes with as many party variation?s and missions, someone will likely fin?d something the team missed.

Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes patch version 1.0.1 (Released June 23, 2022)

• Fixed a rare issue where the game sometimes freezes at the end of an event.
• Fixed a rare issue where the game sometimes freezes when moving from Base Camp to the War Map.
• Fixed a rare issue where, after selecting a file to save to on the save screen, the screen does not change and progress is blocked.
• Fixed an issue where progressing certain battles in certain sequences causes the player to get stuck and prevents progress.
• Fixed an issue where using a Partner Special at certain times causes the Partner Special to not end and prevents progress.
• Fixed an issue where the switch Lock On target control does not work when controlling the game with the left or right Joy-Con held horizontally.
• Fixed various other issues to improve comfort of gameplay.

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Tea time for Warriors

When we last left Fire Emblem Warriors, it was but the learner. Now, with Three Hopes, it is the master.

Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes (Nintendo Switch)
Developer: Omega Force
Publisher: Nintendo
Released: June 24, 2022
MSRP: $59.99

My review process with Three Hopes was a bit of a rollercoaster.

At first, I was worried. Some of the more rote elements of the Warriors formula shined through the brightest at the start, and during the prologue, before most of the systems come into play, it wasn't grabbing me as much as I'd hoped. But then another five foundational mechanics came into play. And another five. And...you get the picture. A few chapters in, the game really starts to take shape, and ??I ??was hooked.

Three Hopes kinda never stops throwing stuff at you, which is going to appeal to a certain kind of person and scare others away (namely folks who don't dig Warriors combat wholesale). But the Fire Emblem formula is back and better than ever in the Warriors framework, allowing players to forge relationships with characters and accompany them ??into battle with upgraded equipment...and upgraded friendships.

If you're coming in having played the strategy-minded mainline Three Houses, you're definitely going to get more out of it. Given that this is an alternate timeline where you're controlling a mysterious mercenary named Shez and fighting against the prior protagonist of Byleth, it inherently has a lot of fan service and some alt-history type stuff to gasp at and enjoy. Once again, you'll be able to see how your favorite ??(or most-hated) characters end up, and r?evel in their success or failure.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=f91wvxXAEXw

But it's also totally fine to come in completely blind. The narrative picks up with Shez (the new main character) meeting the members of the three titular houses, allowing you to once again choose your allegiance. From there the story once again diverges into three paths, ?and you're in it at the ground level, following their journeys, twists, turns, and?? emotional growth arcs.

There's so much to tackle with this game, it's almost impossible to convey how much there is to do without getting too long-winded. The class system is in, with a wide variety of strategies to tackle. You can select between three difficulty settings at the start and toggle permadeath (if you've played Warriors ga??mes before and like micro-managing your party, I advise selecting hard mode right away). Equipment is highly customizable, as are skills, and the "X counters Y which counters Z" asks playe??rs to diversify their classes and strategies.

You have access to a camp in nearly every chapter, which is a hub you can run around in (or fast travel around for convenience) to purchase items, equipment, army support, and pick up supplies from your convoy [if I was explaining this in person I'd be taking a big breath right now]. You'll also be able to micromanage your team, bond with them through excursions or chores, cook and hang out with them, ??upgrade your base, chat, train people, unlock new classes, allow other characters to bond with each other through activities, and exchange gifts: I missed a few menial things, but for brevity's sake, it's time to move on. Clearly, the simulation element is still very much present, and so is the b??readth of things and people to unlock.

The game is broken up by chapters via a battle map, with medium-sized zones collected together with points of interest, optional sidequests to partake in, and a "s??tory mission" at the end that triggers the next chapter transition. While it's not quite a unified "world map" (it's a series of chapter-based micro-maps), it makes sense given the focus of the war-torn narrative where territories and alliances are ever-changing, and you can replay old missions from a camp NPC options menu.

The Warriors combat system is still intact, with the regular attack/special attack combo system (triggering a single attack then pressing special is one move, attacking twice then pressing special is another move, and so on): as well as two linked "spells" (or weapon-based strokes/abilities), a special ability linked to a meter that generally blows everyone up, and a default potion consumable that gets recharged every scenario. Shez can transform and go Super Saiyan. That's pretty much it, as many of the hard-hitting decision points come directly from the abilities of your chosen class, and the actual events that carry out in the missions themselves (more on that in a moment). It's a shame that many enemy elites have ridiculously long "wind up" attacks, as much of the combat difficulty comes with? managing multiple enemy units at a time; or dealing with the meta-elements of a battle (like loss conditions).

The game seems to have an uncapped framerate, staying roughly around 30FPS, docked, while hitting targets higher or lower depending on the amount of action on screen. It's likely not going to win over the "anything less than 30 FPS is never acceptable" crowd, but I found the entire game very much playable (including in portable mode), and more stable than a few other IP-focused Warriors games on Switch.

With that in mind, there is room for a lot of tension and tactical nuance. On harder difficulties decisions matter a bit more, and deciding to acquiesce in a side quest at the right time can turn the tide of battle, or make things a lot less dicey in t?erms of triggering your loss condition (like a key general dying). The team does a good job of spicing these up, adding in contraptions, secret entrances, last-second enemy ambushes, and more. There's even micro-narratives like "this thief is trying to steal a treasure chest...kill them, get the key, and take it yourself," and you can link up with teammates on the battlefield to do double-supers.

A lot of the easy facilitation of those on-the-fly encounters stems from the handy warp mechanic, where you can whisk yourself away to any friendly part of the battlefield three times in total per level. Not only is this a godsend in terms of curbing wasted time running across an entire map, but it also adds a bit of flavor to your character as a whole, and can help facilitate some very close shave dramatic moments. Commanding each individual unit or issuing army-wide orders is another level of conv??enience.

There's flashes of mechanical brilliance in Three Hopes, that show how the game's combat could have further differentiated itself from the games before it; but Omega Force doesn't fully commit. Specific levels have concepts like "no dodging" as a forced challenge, which, on higher difficulties, showcase some more moment-to-moment subtlety. Builds can sometimes get as fine-tuned as utilizing a cursed sword that poisons you: while circumventing it by upgrading your healing capabilities. It's almost there in terms of evolving the Warriors baseline, but it's not quite enough? to get people on board if you're not a fan.

But again, the meta-elements of Three Hopes were the aspect I enjoyed the most, and did the most work winning me over. In big battles, you can use select "strategies," some of which need to be unlocked by completing more of the chapter map. These scenarios range from "bribe someone to unlock a door for you," to "hire extra mercenaries,?" to "convince an enemy general to join your side." The latter is easily the most impactful gambit, as characters literally jo??in your party and become playable/part of your army.

In true Fire Emblem fashion, I'd end up recruiting people that became my new favorite person. When you add someone to your crew in Three Hopes, it also sometimes unlocks new narratives, conversations, and activities to do with them: amid the more obvious combat implications of getting to use them in future fights. It's a ton of fun, and before long I had the classic moment of having too many people I liked on my side to possibly fit in any given skirmish. Like past IP-based Warriors games, you can also pay in-game gold to level up anyone, so no one theoretically gets left behind even if you aren't actively using them (and newcomers inherently join at higher levels). There's a ton of voice acting in Three Hopes: a frankly insane amount I might add, which adds to the allure of all of these aforementioned par??ty members both? in and out of combat.

There's some stuff I can't talk about here to avoid spoilers, but it's obvious that Three Hopes is massive, and there's a lot to discover and unlock. One playthrough should run you 15-20 hours (more if you decide ??to explore the full map of each chapter and do sidequests), and that's one house/storyline, with some wild curveballs. The game is predicated on multiple playthroughs, with a little extra un?lock pepper grinded out on top. An "extras" section in the main menu is also a treat, as you can rewatch story cutscenes with either version of Byleth or Shez.

The more I played Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, the more I became invested. Every five chapters or so is about the cadence that I felt my excitement steadily rising, and I'm happily working on another playthrough to check out an additional path, more story, and more characters. While the core Warriors gameplay likely isn't going to completely win over folks who have already tried to get into it, those of you who do enjoy it should have a ton of fun with Three Hopes.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

The post Review: Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes appeared first on Destructoid.

Leaks of an unannounced Fire Emblem are out there

Screens and details about an unannounced Fire Emblem have been leaking out online. A few different parties now allege there is a new Fire Emblem in the works, with screenshots purportedly showing an early? version of the game.

Earlier this week, Nintendo insider Emily Rogers shared some details about the "new" Fire Emblem game. And not long after Reddit user u/miasmadelta shared more, backing up the report of a brand new Fire Emblem and sharing some screens.

The reports say that the new Fire Emblem is indeed a new entry in the series, not a remake. Rogers claims that it's a collaboration between Intelligent Systems, Koei Tecmo, and Gust. She also says it's been finished for over a year. It also has a gimmick that lets players summon Fire Emblem characters from the past to their squad.

The Reddit user backs up the idea that it's been completed for "quite some time". To add a little more credence, Eurogamer reports that it understands the project to be real.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADaRsEhTB70

Blue skies and a battle

The last mainline release in the Fire Emblem series was 2019's Three Houses. The Nintendo Switch series debut was a pretty rousing success, garnering both critical acclaim and sales. While there was the re-release of Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light in 2020, a new strategy game has yet to crop up since Three Houses.

Aside from the strategy, Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is due to launch next week. It's in the Warriors line of games, so expect big crowds, strongholds to capture, and 1,000-hit combo musou action. It's fun, from what I've played of the demo, but it's not the tactical strategy of the mainline Fire Emblem games.

The time seems ripe for a new Fire Emblem, especially as tactical RPGs as a whole are surging. Triangle Strategy launched this year, Front Mission remakes are on the way, and a Tactics Ogre listing leaked as well. If this is truly the Year of Tactics, I hope these leaks indicate Fire Emblem won't miss the party.

The post Details on a new Fire ?Emblem reportedly leak out online appeared first on Destructoid.

The demo is out now, the full game is out on June 24

Following a vague Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes demo listing last week, Nintendo pulled the trigger yesterday, and made the whole thing available straight off the eShop. There's a few important things to note though that are worth pointing out specifically.

Progress from the Three Hopes demo can be carried over to the full game

This one was obvious to anyone who already played a similar demo from the Koei Tecmo/Nintendo partnership, but it's worth explaining regardless. Downloading and playing the demo will? allow you to carry over progress to the full version once you've bought it.

The Three Hopes demo nets you 100 platinum points for My Nintendo rewards

Nintendo has started incentivizing game trials with platinum points, and Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is the next one in line for that offer. If you play it through July 31 (note this is even after the game is fully out) you can nab 100 platinum, which can be used for digital or physical rewards (plus shipping for the latter). As is typical with offers like these, you just need to download it, and fully boot the game up (it should pop after you reach the title screen). You can use those rewards to pick up some new Zelda: Breath of the Wild icons.

As a reminder, if you want physical rewards, you can find our full Platinum Point guide here, which has been updated with details on weekly missions: bookmark it for when you need quick points for a reward. A handful of points is incredibly easy to get, as that’s basically just 15 minutes with Super Mario Run, or a quick sign-on to the 3DS or Wii U 3Shop. Also remember that any shipments are bundled together, so you can pay a flat rate for multiple items instead of paying it each time. Just know that items go ou??t of stock on My Nintendo frequently, and some are never restocked.

The post PSA: Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes demo progress carries over, nets 100? Platinum appeared first on Destructoid.

Claude's band of misfits are back

Nintendo has published the third faction spotlight for its upcoming musou crossover Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, featuring the Golden Deer. And? yes, they're all here.

Today's Three Hopes trailer shows off the Leicester Alliance, better known as the Golden Deer in Three Houses. Claude and Hilda were already confirmed, but today's trailer makes it certain that all Deer will be feared in Three Hopes.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNllTZWziQc

If you couldn't tell, the Deer were my first and favorite playthrough of Fire Emblem: Three Houses. And it might be my favoritism talking, but these designs and combat kits are fantastic. Ignatz blots paint on the screen while he fights. Marianne unleashes the pow??er of her animal pals. Hilda smashes stuff with her axe. It's all great.

A full house

With all three factions now shown off, we also now know for certain that every student from Fire Emblem: Three Houses is in Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes. That's a hefty lineup. I guess the question now is whether any of the faculty or side characters get a slot, too. Between teachers like Shamir and Manuela, and longtime Fire Emblem mainstays like Anna??, there are still?? plenty of options.

Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, if you're catching up now, is a musou game collaboration with Omega Force. It's one of several that Nintendo's done now, and Three Hopes looks to follow in the footsteps of the most recent one, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. What I mean by that is Three Hopes is a seemingly alternate-timeline approach to the story of Fire Emblem: Three Houses, where new protagonist Shez teams up with one of the three major factions.

How this comes together, especially with Three Houses protagonist Byleth now an aggressor and the "Ashen Demon," will be neat to discover. I'm just happy all the Golden Deer are here, and all three houses will be taking the field in full force. Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes hits Nintendo Switch on June 24.

The post Fear the Golden Deer in latest Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hope??s trailer appeared first on Destructoid.

Edelgard and co. get some new duds

The next faction spotlight for Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is here, and i??t's all about Edelgard and the Black ??Eagles.

The Adrestian Empire is the banner they'll be fighting under, but Three Houses players will remember this motley crew as the Black Eagles. Edelga?rd is here, of course, but in today's trailer we get to see all the former students in action.

There are some neat touches here, considering the variety of skillsets in the Black Eagles. Two little aspects I dug were Do??rothea using singing as a weapon, and Petra's ?big attack utilizing a bow (since she is an Assassin class when you fight her in other houses' campaigns).

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EGQ3oKDcj0

Two houses down, one to go

That's two of Fire Emblem: Three Houses' big factions down, one left to go. It looks like since we have Black Eagles and Blue Lions covered, the? Golden Deer will be the last crew to get a spotlight.

That said, it's impressive to see how every student in each house is a full-on playable character in Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes. With just the three hou??ses ??and protagonist Shez, that's 25 characters.

I'm curious to see if we get any of the school staff or the endearing basement goths from the Ashen Wolves campaign.?? And I'd be really surprised if Anna, the series' long-run?ning "mascot" merchant, doesn't also make an appearance.

I'm hopeful (ha) that Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes will turn out as a pretty good musou game, as the Nintendo crossovers have run the gamut. The Hyrule Warriors side has been generally solid to pretty darn good. But Fire Emblem Warriors missed some of that spark.

With a laser focus on just Fódlan and the world of Fire Emblem: Three Houses, maybe Three Hopes can make the Warriors side click. Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes hits Nintendo Switch on June 24.

The post Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes trailer shows off the Black Eagles’ new looks appeared first on Destructoid.

Dimitri and the Lions are back

The next Nintendo musou crossover is just around the corner, as Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes closes in. Today, Nintendo spotlights one of the factions the protagonist can side with in Three Hopes ??u?nder the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus, a.k.a. the Blue Lions.

The Kingdom of Faerghus is one of three nations in Fódlan, the setting of both Fire Emblem: Three Houses and its upcoming Warriors spinoff Three Hopes. It represents one of three routes in the original game, and it looks like Three Hopes is taking a similar approach, having the protagonist She??z side wi??th one of the three nations once again.

In today's trailer, we get to see the Blue Lions of Faerghus in action. It basically serves as a roster confirmation for many of these fighters, but it's interesting to see how warriors like Ingrid and Ash fight. Also, we'd seen glimpses of Dedue befor??e, but now ?we know. It is Deduesday.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpCxRE7xCAg

As for the rest of the bunch, hopefully we'll get some confirmation soon. We've seen Claude and Hilda from the Golden Deer, and Edelgard and Hubert from the Black Eagles. With all the Blue Lions in the Three Hopes lineup, odds seem good we'll at least see every student t?ake the fi??eld.

War of the Three Houses

Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is both the second Warriors crossover with Fire Emblem and, seemingly, an alternative timeline story for Three Houses. Basically, it seems like Three Hopes will be to Three Houses what Age of Calamity was to Breath of the Wild.

Hopefully the time between has given Omega Force and Team Ninja some time to work on the formula. While Fire Emblem Warriors had some cool ideas, it also fell a bit flat compared to Hyrule Warriors.

With the underpinning story and world of Fire Emblem: Three Houses, maybe the massive army-slaying action genre will click with this franchise. Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes launches for Nintendo Switch on June 24, 2022.

The post Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes spotlights the Bl??ue Lions in new trailer appeared first on Destructoid.