The Fire Emblem series seemed to take an enticing step forward with Fire Emblem: Three Houses on the Nintendo Switch. It took the franchise's classic, strategy-RPG formula and built its fairly simple character support system into a more Persona-like balancing act of time, resources, and relationships. It also offered a branching story that gave the game replayability without retreading the awkward, multi-release debacle that was Fire Emblem Fates on the 3DS. It was excellent, and well-received enough to justify its own Warriors-style side game. It represented a potential Fire Emblem evolution. The newest series chapter, Fire Emblem Engage ($59.99), is a step back from that ambition and settles into a much more stock Fire Emblem experience. The turn-based strategy and RPG elements that have been present since Fire Emblem’s beginnings on the Famicom are here, as well as a new feature that lets you equip (not recruit) famous series characters to your team. Unfortunately, this Ninten...
Fire Emblem Engage recalls earlier series entries by hitting familiar tactical notes, but it augments them with a cool, new team-up system. Its multiplayer modes need work, though.
Lengthy single-player campaign; Enjoyable strategy-RPG elements; Useful Engage feature
Lacks the previous game's social depth and branching paths; Limited and baffling multiplayer modes