Fire Emblem Fates

Fire Emblem Fates
Developer	Intelligent Systems
Publisher	Nintendo
System	Nintendo 3DS
Release Date	Birthright/Conquest JP June 25, 2015 US February 19, 2016 PAL May 20/21, 2016 Revelation JP July 9, 2015 US March 10, 2016 PAL June 9/10, 2016
Rating	ESRB: T

Fire Emblem Fates is the name given to a set of three tactical roleplaying games that were released for the Nintendo 3DS and collectively act as the fourteenth game in the Fire Emblem series. It is the first Fire Emblem game to be released as multiple versions. Two versions (Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright and Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest) came out first as physical releases, and each followed one side of a war between two nations. The final version, Fire Emblem Fates: Revelation, was released later as a downloadable purchase and follows the game's true storyline. In America and Europe, a Special Edition was also released containing all three versions and an artbook.

This was the second Fire Emblem game for the 3DS after Fire Emblem Awakening. It follows many of the gameplay features of that game and is set in its future.

Story

The game follows the story of a customizable avatar character, who is canonically known as Corrin. The two nations of Hoshido and Nohr are at war. Corrin had been born into the royal family at Hoshido, but was captured and raised at Nohr at a young age. During the beginning of the game, Corrin ends up caught in a skirmish between the two armies after uncovering a legendary sword called the Yato. Corrin is forced to choose between both sides, and their decision depends on the version of the game that is being played.

In Birthright, Corrin sides with Hoshido and battles against Nohr. In Conquest, they join Nohr in battle against Hoshido. In Birthright, Corrin refuses to choose a side and is labeled a traitor by both kingdoms. They end up on the run and seek out the true culprit motivating the war. In all three routes, Corrin is accompanied by Azura.

Gameplay

The game follows the standard gameplay of the Fire Emblem series, including several of the gameplay features introduced or popularized by Awakening. This game once again features a customizable avatar character for the player, and in addition to the standard three difficulty levels (Normal, Hard and Lunatic), there are also the options of Classic and Casual Modes from the previous game. Fates also adds a Phoenix Mode, in which fallen fighters are revived after just one turn. Another feature retained from Awakening is the focus on Support conversations and the possibility of the characters having children, who also act as playable units. This game also adds a feature known as My Castle, which is a base area where various functions can be held: including shops, farms and restaurants, and special character interactions could also take place there.

The three versions of the game follow different storylines and feature different types of battles. In Birghtright, there are extra opportunities to earn gold and experience, which makes the game easier for beginners. On the other hand Conquest limits gold and experience, making it a more challenging game. In Revelation, there is a balance between both styles.

Fates has both local and online multiplayer gameplay, in which two players' armies can battle each other across multiple maps. When playing online, players can take part in battles against random other players or select a friend to battle. The game is also compatible with the StreetPass feature, which can be used to visit another player's My Castle (and obtain items exclusive to different versions of the game), and with amiibo figures. Amiibos of other Fire Emblem characters could be scanned to make the respective characters appear within the player's My Castle. There, they can be battled three times to unlock them as a playable character, and it was also possible to obtain special items from talking to them before battles.

DLC has also been made available for purchase for the games. They include extra levels and three special storylines, two of which follow characters from Awakening.

Legacy

Fates received positive reception. Characters from the game would later be featured in Fire Emblem Warriors, and Corrin was incorporated into the Super Smash Bros. series as a playable fighter. Corrin was first made available as a playable fighter in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U, and they reappeared as an unlockable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Sequels

The game has not received a direct sequel. The next Fire Emblem game would be Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, a remake of Fire Emblem Gaiden that was released for the 3DS in 2017. The next original Fire Emblem game was Fire Emblem: Three Houses for the Nintendo Switch.