Review: Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave

I like to think of myself as a hardcore Nintendo fan, but every year I’m reminded how many beloved, critically acclaimed franchises the company has that I have barely touched. It says a lot about the depth of Nintendo’s catalogue, and how much I still can discover.

Before Fortune’s Weave, my main exposure to Fire Emblem was largely ignoring its characters in Smash Bros., so I had little idea what to expect. After 30 hours, I still feel as if I am only scratching the surface, but I need to draw a line somewhere or I would never write this review.

The story follows four heroes competing in the Heroic Games, a tournament where the winner is promised a wish. Their individual stories gradually connect to a much bigger conflict involving a demon god and the fate of the world.

You start as a customisable protagonist who travels through time to guide these heroes towards a different future. It is an ambitious structure, and the ability to move between the four storylines rather than commit to one immediately gives the adventure a strong sense of scale.

I split my hours between Dietrich and Cai, and by the time you read this I’ll probably be deep into Leda’s story.

FIRE EMBLEM GAMEPLAY

The turn-based combat is where I expected to struggle most, yet it became one of the game’s highlights. Battles require careful consideration of positioning, terrain, unit classes and weapons, with Combat Arts and the protagonists’ Blaze Arts adding further tactical depth.

I don’t typically gravitate towards games like this, except for the two excellent South Park titles, so it was good to move out of my gaming comfort zone.

There is plenty to learn, and the game expects you to engage with its systems rather than simply charge towards the nearest enemy. It can feel overwhelming at first, but the satisfaction when it clicks is peak, as the kids say.

Combat is only part of the experience. Between battles, you can train, recruit allies, build relationships, undertake quests, explore dungeons for resources and buy mostly mediocre equipment, well, that’s how I felt in early game but I’m sure that will change.

I might also be spoilt because of how generous Splatoon Raiders is with weapons. There is always something to do in the game, like Fortnite dailies without the pressure of having to log in daily.

Not every activity is equally satisfying, but because many are optional, it rarely feels like the game is grinding for the sake of padding. There is a significant amount to do, but not in a way that feels cheap or lazy. I could automate a battle or skip certain activities, so it feels more like choice than compulsion.

It also made me reconsider my relationship with tactical RPGs. I might even give Mario + Rabbids another chance, which is probably not something I would have said before playing Fire Emblem.

Visually, though, Fortune’s Weave is less convincing. The graphics are serviceable, but they are also underwhelming for a Switch 2 release, and I expected more from it. The characters themselves are beautiful, it’s the rest of the game that feels a bit underseasoned.

VALUE FOR MONEY

Fortune’s Weave is an enormous undertaking, and its sheer scope could easily be intimidating. I recently started watching The Rookie, and there is a strange parallel here: eight seasons should feel like an overwhelming backlog, but instead they feel like a reliable constant, provided I continue enjoying myself.

That is increasingly how I feel about this game. There is so much left to explore that I am not particularly concerned about reaching the end quickly. I expect to keep returning to it.

It retails for R1469 on the Nintendo eShop.

FINAL VERDICT

Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave is an ambitious, content-rich tactical RPG. Its interconnected stories, strategic battles and sheer variety make it easy to invest dozens of hours without exhausting what it has to offer.

The volume of systems and activities can occasionally feel excessive, and some players may find the commitment daunting. The visuals are also more functional than impressive, which is disappointing for a Switch 2 release.

After 30 hours, I cannot give a definitive judgement on how effectively everything comes together by the end, but I’m confident enough to score it now. I may come back and adjust in a few months. For now, I’m jumping right back in.