Fire Emblem Fans Disagree on Two Things, And Fortune’s Weave Can Finally Fix It All

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The Fire Emblem series has a dedicated but often split fanbase. For years, these strategy RPGs have been praised for their challenging battles and compelling characters. However, with each new installment, small changes have created two main groups of fans. Some appreciate the deeper focus on character relationships and social elements, while others prefer simpler, more direct gameplay. Recent games like *Fire Emblem: Three Houses* and *Fire Emblem Engage* highlight this division, but the upcoming *Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave* on the Nintendo Switch 2 could be a chance to bring fans together again – that’s what I’m hoping for, at least.

With fans speculating whether *Fortune’s Weave* might be a prequel, I’m more interested in how the game will actually play. Will it focus on the relationship-building aspects introduced in recent games, or return to the series’ traditional strategic battles? Or could it do both – something Intelligent Systems hasn’t attempted in a decade – and finally bring all Fire Emblem fans together?

Merging the Series Into One Cohesive Vision

As a long-time Fire Emblem player, I’ve seen the fanbase really split over the direction the series has taken. It feels like it’s not just about which games we *like* best, but what we think Fire Emblem *should* be. A lot of people point to Awakening as where things started to change, bringing in a lot of new players. But honestly, the divide really blew up with Three Houses. It definitely upped the story game – the characters were way more developed, and the political stuff was really interesting. But, and this is a big but, the battles just weren’t as challenging or varied as they used to be. It felt like they sacrificed some of the classic tactical depth for a more story-focused experience.

Unlike some recent entries, *Fire Emblem: Engage* focused heavily on battles and streamlined the social elements. I especially enjoyed the ‘Engage’ mechanic – it wasn’t just strategically interesting, but also a fun nod to the history of the *Fire Emblem* series. Beyond that, the game offered well-designed, difficult battles, interesting maps, and gameplay that felt familiar and true to the franchise. The return of the weapon triangle really made it feel like a classic *Fire Emblem* game and delivered the kind of challenging combat fans wanted.

Both *Three Houses* and *Engage* had flaws. *Three Houses’* battles weren’t very satisfying, and *Engage* suffered from weak characters and a poor story. However, a new *Fire Emblem* game, *Fortune’s Weave*, could address these issues by taking the best elements from each title and satisfying both long-time fans and new players. By blending the core ideas of both games, we could finally create a *Fire Emblem* experience that appeals to everyone.

Intelligent Systems’ Next Chapter Might Please Every Era of Fans

The Fire Emblem series has been carefully balancing two things since the game *Awakening* brought it back from a slump. Each new release tries to strike a balance between challenging tactical battles and a focus on characters and story, but often goes too far in one direction. While *Awakening* saved the series and made it popular with a wider audience, some longtime fans feel it changed what made Fire Emblem special.

Intelligent Systems has a great chance with *Fortune’s Weave* to show how much it’s grown as a developer. I’m hoping the new game blends the story and characters of *Three Houses* with the fast-paced battles of *Engage*, and simplifies the relationship-building aspect. If the game takes place in the world of Fodlan, that’s a huge advantage, as players are already familiar with it. Being able to delve deeper into Fodlan’s history and different groups with improved combat would be fantastic for both me and many other fans.

Fire Emblem fans will likely be happy to hear that the game might bring back a traditional main character. Unlike recent titles where you create and play as your own avatar, *Fortune’s Weave* seems to feature a pre-defined protagonist named Cai, though this hasn’t been officially confirmed. While I enjoyed the stories of previous customizable characters like Byleth and Corrin, I’m looking forward to playing as a fully developed character, something I felt was lacking in the previous game with Alear.

Why This Game Matters for Fire Emblem’s Future

Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave could be the most successful game in the series so far, potentially marking a major shift for the franchise. Fire Emblem has moved beyond being a smaller, niche series and is now one of Nintendo’s key titles. While this is great news for fans, it also means the game will be under much more scrutiny and have higher expectations. With the series’ increased popularity, a disappointing release could really hurt its momentum, especially considering the previous game, Fire Emblem Engage, already sparked some debate.

I was caught between the two sides of the fan debate. While *Three Houses* had fantastic characters, like Dimitri, and a branching story that encouraged multiple playthroughs, I struggled with the battles. That’s why *Engage*’s combat felt so good – it reminded me of the older games. However, I didn’t enjoy *Engage*’s story, and many of its characters didn’t really connect with me.

Intelligent Systems has the opportunity to create a *Fire Emblem* game that captures the depth of *Three Houses* while also offering the polished and engaging gameplay found in other popular titles. If *Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave* succeeds, it could usher in a new era for the series and become a benchmark for future games.

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2025-09-21 23:13