Ive Celine it all.
Engage is impossible to assess without comparisons to its predecessors thanks to its premise.
Unlike in the 2017 mobile spin-off, Heroes, you aren’t directly summoning them into this world.
Each lord’s spirit is instead housed within an Emblem ring, granting the wielder significant power.
My free time is thankful, yet this also feels like a step back.
Comparatively, events and character motivations are very black-and-white.
Tired tropes like an amnesiac protagonist facing an ancient returning evil don’t do this any favours, either.
It’s often predictable, but Fire Emblem Engage is helped along by some sharp character writing.
A strong group of supporting characters reinforces this, too.
Between each chapter, I’m reminded structurally of the 2012 3DS entry Awakening.
However, skirmishes are entirely optional, so nothing is impeding you from exploring.
No matter your pick, Engage doesn’t diverge from the combat basics.
This is traditional turn-based tactical combat wherein you’re eliminating individual commanders or routing enemy forces.
You’ll find some classic touches, too.
Select units can be recruited mid-battle if the right person speaks to them, or by completing certain paralogues.
After disappearing in Echoes and Three Houses, the weapons triangle returns with a fresh twist.
Hitting enemies with the correct weapon now inflicts breaks, which prevents them from counterattacking.
Great for picking off individual foes but it cuts both ways, so don’t get careless.
They’re all welcome changes, but what truly elevates Engage’s combat are its Emblems.
Emblems provide units significant versatility without mandating a full class change or further overstacking an already sizable roster.
One of my highlights of Fire Emblem Engage comes after each fight when Alear can freely explore the battlefield.
Items are scattered about, there’s local NPCs, and adoptable animals for your base.
Everything looks cleaner, the environments are more detailed, and a pleasant soundtrack backs that up.
Once you’re finished taking in the local sights, you have a choice.
There’s plenty of meat to that campaign too.
This time, any ally with A-rank support has a special scene.
Supports extend to Emblems too, but they’re disappointingly slim.
Usually, there’s a short line of dialogue each way, and that’s it.
I won’t spoil these, though I enjoyed the self-reflection these moments provide.
For older fans, it feels like reminiscing with an old friend.
