4 Games to Play Like Fire Emblem That Aren’t by Nintendo

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Nintendo recently announced *Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave*, the newest installment in the popular *Fire Emblem* strategy series. While the series has evolved over time, this game—designed exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2—could be its best yet and bring fans together. However, with a release not expected until 2026, players are likely looking for a similar tactical experience to enjoy in the meantime. While revisiting older *Fire Emblem* titles is an option, some may prefer something completely new, and luckily, other developers offer games in this genre as well.

I’ve always loved Fire Emblem because it’s not just about moving units around a map – it’s about the fact that your choices *matter*. If a character falls in battle, they’re gone for good, and that really makes you care about them! Plus, the stories are so good because you actually get to know the characters and become invested in their relationships. It’s tough to find games that nail both the strategy and the story so well. But if you’re a Fire Emblem fan like me, these four games will definitely hold you over until *Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave* comes out next year.

4) Unicorn Overlord

I just finished playing *Unicorn Overlord*, and honestly, it feels like a lost Fire Emblem game! It was made by Vanillaware and published by Atlus, and came out in 2024 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, and Switch. If you’re into deep tactical RPGs with a focus on building relationships between characters – like the Fire Emblem series – you absolutely need to check this one out. The art style is gorgeous too!

Similar to games in the *Fire Emblem* series, *Unicorn Overlord* emphasizes strategic battles, character development, and building relationships between characters. However, *Unicorn Overlord* differs in its approach to combat. Instead of turn-based battles, it uses a real-time system. This introduces a new level of strategy, requiring players to carefully position their units and consider the terrain. Players must make quick tactical decisions as the enemy advances, making each battle feel dynamic and urgent.

Like the *Fire Emblem* series, *Unicorn Overlord* tells a story filled with themes of honor, uprising, and political maneuvering. The game’s characters – from proud knights to unlikely rebels – feel real thanks to well-written conversations and optional quests that help you connect with your troops. This, along with the game’s class system, results in a diverse army of units, each with unique abilities, personalities, and motivations, giving you plenty of strategic options.

If you enjoy the adventure, strategic gameplay, and compelling stories of the Fire Emblem series, you’ll likely love Unicorn Overlord. It’s a well-made and ambitious game that offers a similar experience. While the developers haven’t announced a sequel yet, this first game is a fantastic tribute to the genre and shows that Nintendo isn’t the only studio capable of creating such a game.

3) Lost Eidolons

Ocean Drive Studio’s *Lost Eidolons* clearly draws inspiration from the *Fire Emblem* series, but with a fresh, updated look. Instead of the typical anime style, it features more realistic graphics. This independent game is available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC, and confidently competes with Nintendo’s popular series. Players have generally enjoyed it for its clever and difficult battles, relatable characters with both strengths and weaknesses, and a compelling world driven by politics and personal desires.

I’m really getting into this game! It’s about Eden, who leads a group of mercenaries as an empire starts to fall apart – which, as a Fire Emblem fan, feels right at home. What I love is that every battle feels huge, like a real war. You have to think carefully about where you move your troops, how you use your resources, and make smart tactical decisions. The battlefield itself – the terrain and how you arrange your units – really matters. Plus, you can customize each character with different classes, weapons, and skills, which adds a ton of depth. It definitely rewards you for taking the time to plan things out and try different strategies.

Lost Eidolons successfully recreates the strong sense of teamwork and impactful decisions found in Fire Emblem. Building relationships with characters is important, both in battle and through personal connections – these bonds can boost abilities or even blossom into romance. However, characters can be lost permanently (though this feature is optional), and difficult moral choices throughout the game will significantly affect the story and the fate of your forces.

While it might not be as refined as Nintendo’s games, *Lost Eidolons* is an impressive first effort from Ocean Drive Studio and a strong competitor to the *Fire Emblem* series. Plus, players can continue their adventure in the sequel, *Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch*, which adds roguelike features for a fresh and exciting experience.

2) Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark

Similar to *Unicorn Overlord*, *Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark* offers gameplay that’s reminiscent of *Fire Emblem* but with its own unique touches. The game draws inspiration from classic tactical RPGs like Nintendo’s *Fire Emblem*, as well as Square Enix’s *Final Fantasy Tactics* and *Tactics Ogre*. It’s a great indie RPG for fans of the genre, and you can find it on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

In Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark, you play as Kyrie, an Arbiter who works to keep the peace in a vibrant fantasy world. The game features a story driven by challenging, turn-based battles fought on stunning, hand-drawn maps. To succeed in combat, you’ll need to carefully consider your unit placements, the terrain, and any environmental dangers.

One of the greatest strengths of *Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark* is its depth. With over 20 classes and hundreds of abilities, the game lets you create customized characters that match how you like to play. This encourages trying out different approaches and changing your tactics, adding a lot of strategic options that fans of games like Fire Emblem will appreciate.

Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark shares more similarities with the recently remastered Final Fantasy Tactics than with Fire Emblem. Unlike Fire Emblem, it doesn’t include character relationships or permanent character death. However, it offers a compelling story with mature themes, political intrigue, and strong characters, alongside deep and engaging tactical combat. If you’re a fan of strategy RPGs and are looking forward to Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, Fell Seal is a great choice.

1) Dark Deity 2

If you enjoyed *Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance*, *Dark Deity 2* is a great choice. The developers at Sword & Axe LLC specifically drew inspiration from that era of the *Fire Emblem* series. It’s available on both PC and Nintendo Switch. While there’s a first *Dark Deity* game, the sequel isn’t a direct continuation and is significantly improved. However, if you’re a fan of tactical RPGs, the original *Dark Deity* is also worth playing.

Dark Deity 2 really stands out with its charming retro pixel art, tactical grid-based battles, and focus on character relationships – it feels like a classic Fire Emblem game, but with updated features. The developers, Sword & Axe LLC, have enhanced the game with better graphics, more challenging maps, and a more detailed class system. Unlike most Fire Emblem games, Dark Deity 2 offers a built-in randomizer and extensive campaign customization options, giving players complete control over their experience.

As a big fan of *Dark Deity 2* (and the first game!), I’ve been thinking about how they handle losing units in battle. It’s not quite permadeath, which some people really want as an option, but instead characters get permanently wounded – meaning they lose a stat. Honestly, I’m torn! Some players love this system, and I get why. It adds a really interesting layer to strategy, especially when you’re deciding which units to risk. It feels familiar to games like *Fire Emblem*, but different enough to make *Dark Deity* stand out. It’s a unique way to manage losing troops, and I appreciate that.

If you enjoy classic *Fire Emblem* games and their older graphics, you’ll likely appreciate *Dark Deity 2*. It intentionally recreates the look and feel of games from the Game Boy Advance, with pixelated characters and traditional stat displays, but updates the gameplay for a modern experience. It’s a loving tribute to the *Fire Emblem* series while also forging its own identity.

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2025-10-14 18:17