The newly announcedFire Emblem Engagelooks to bring back a number of classic elements of theFire Emblemtactical strategy series. Combat will be grid-based, players will have a large roster of recruitable units to select from, and at least one playable character will be able to turn into a dragon in battle. However,Fire Emblem Engagewill also be trying something brand new for the main seriesFire Emblemgames: the ability to summon in battles characters from pastFire Emblemtitles. Fans have been quick to make comparisons with the mobile gameFire Emblem Heroes,which features a similar summoning-based plot and combat system.
Fire Emblem Engagewill introduce a new world, Elyos, and a new roster of characters to recruit. However, these characters will be able toteam up with pastFire Emblemheroesby summoning them via the Engage system.Heroesalso centers around a summoner who, when the land they fight for is put in danger, partners with characters fromFire Emblemtitles past. Fans wonder if the similarities between the two games are coincidental or ifEngagemight borrow significantly fromHeroeswith the two games sharing a much deeper connection.
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Heroes Also Focuses on Summoning
Fire Emblem Heroesstars the player character as a “Summoner” who travels from the modern world to the kingdom of Askr. The Summoner uses the mysterious gun Breidablik to summon Heroes fromFire Emblemworlds. These Heroes join Askr’s army and fight against the realm of Embla, another country with a Summoning system that desires to conquer Askr. Throughout the six years the game has been in service, characters from all main seriesFire Emblemgames and several spinoffs have become available to summon. In addition, a number of original characters have been created forFire Emblem Heroes,many drawing inspirations from Norse mythology.
LikeHeroes, Fire Emblem Engagewill feature an original setting that is forced to rely on summoning heroes from other realms to combat a looming threat. Protagonist Alear, a Divine Dragon, and their allies are able to use a series of rings to summon heroes of legend. TheseFire Emblemcharacters can grant their wielders new skills and attacks in battle;Engagecharacters can also draw on their summons' powers and take on a new physical appearance. The reveal trailer forFire Emblem Engagedconfirmed that summonable characters will include Marth fromFire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light,Sigurd fromFire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War,and Celica fromFire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia.
Engage Should Prioritize Character Interaction More Than Heroes
In the early years following its release,Fire Emblem Heroesreceived criticism for not doing enough with the concept of summoned heroes. Although characters from different games could fight together on the battlefield, the mobile game’s various modes featured minimal interaction between them. Later,Fire Emblem Heroesaddressed the issue by adding gameplay elements and modes events such as Forging Bonds and Harmonic Heroes, which allowed characters from different games to converse with one another. Some heroes from different games even became summonable paired together, such asEdelgard fromFire Emblem: Three Housespaired with Altina fromFire Emblem: Radiant Dawn.
Engageshould not make hero summoning gameplay only, and should also include social elements that allow theEngagecharacters to interact with their summoned Emblems and the summoned characters to interact with each other.Supports, a mechanicthat has appeared in a number ofFire Emblemgames, could feature conversations between the summoned characters from different games should they return inFire Emblem Engage.Alternately, a hub location similar to Garreg Mach Monastery fromFire Emblem: Three Housescould serve as a spot for characters to meet up and talk.
Heroes Isn’t The Only Game Causing Comparisons
In addition toFire Emblem Heroes,fans have noticed similarities betweenFire Emblem Engage’sgameplay mechanics and those of otherFire Emblemspinoffs. The concept ofFire Emblemprotagonists being summoned to another world and fighting to protect it appeared inFire Emblem Warriors,a musou-style spinoff. The protagonists ofTokyo Mirage Sessions #FE,a collaboration with Atlus, featured original characters pairing up with heroes fromFire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of LightandFire Emblem Awakening.The characters used these summons, called Mirages, to defeat enemies in battle.
The depth of similarity betweenFire Emblem EngageandFire Emblem Heroeswill likely not be revealed until the former game’s release in early 2023. Fans are also speculating that the cast ofFire Emblem Engagemay appear as summonable characters inFire Emblem Heroes,further strengthening the connection between the two games. Ascharacters from the spinoffFire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopeswere just added toHeroes,it is likely thatEngagewill be next.
Fire Emblem Engagewill release on July 24, 2025, for the Nintendo Switch.
