The Nintendo Switch is starting the year off strong with the release ofFire Emblem Engage, the latest entry in Nintendo’s strategy RPG franchise. With the last mainline game,Fire Emblem: Three Houses, released in 2019, a follow-up title has been a long time coming. Although the franchise has received spin-off releases such asFire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopesin the time since, fans itching for the series to get back to its roots will be glad to see reviews for this title seem to suggest just that.
WhenFire Emblem Engagewas first announced in a Nintendo Direct back in September 2022, it immediately earned attention with its showcase of iconic returning characters from the franchise in the form of Emblem Heroes. The game looked like it would deliver fanservice in spades while emphasizing the series' more nuanced tactical elements.Fire Emblemgames tend to review fairly well, especially the more recent entries, so the bar forFire Emblem Engageis already quite high.
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Fire Emblem Series Metacritic Review Scores
The current reigning champion of theFire Emblemseries isFire Emblem Awakening, sitting at score of 92. As the game that arguably saved the series and ushered in the modern era ofFire Emblemgames, it’s no surprise to seeFire Emblem Awakeningsitting at the top. The predecessor toFire Emblem Engage,Fire Emblem: Three Houses, holds second place with a score of 89, with most other entries in the series situated somewhere around the 80s. The following average scores are pulled from Metacritic; releases exclusive to Japan such asFire Emblem GaidenandFire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblemare not included here.
Excluding the re-release of the originalFire Emblem: Shadow Dragons & the Blade of Light, most games are solidly in the 80s range. The spin-offFire Emblem Warriorsgames tend to be a bit lower, as is the mobile titleFire Emblem Heroes. However, the core titles rarely drop below 80, with only a few rare exceptions.
Fire Emblem Engage Reviews
Although generally positive, reviews forFire Emblem Engagehave it currently sitting at a Metacritic score of 82 out of several dozen critic reviews, putting this latest entry in the franchise just above remakes likeFire Emblem: Shadow DragonandFire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia. This score makes sense given many critics have likened it to older entries in the franchise with its stripped down social elements and emphasis on hardcore tactical gameplay. While this may be disappointing for some, it’s still a good score overall and a positive sign for fans of the classic titles.
Fire Emblem Engagecontinues the trend of mainline entries scoring in the 80s, despite being on the lower end of that range. Whether future entries continue down this path still remains to be seen. However, this release bodes well for theNintendo Switch in 2023, as it’s a solid showing from the console’s first major game of the year.
