Nintendo’s Newest Fire Emblem Is a Sprawling Book of Stories

The latest entry in Nintendo’s Fire Emblem series, Fortune’s Weave, is a sprawling tale of interconnected stories. Unlike previous games like Fire Emblem: Three Houses and Fire Emblem Engage, Fortune’s Weave focuses more on its epic narrative than on battles. The game follows four distinct characters from the region of Dagda and its Rome-like capital city, Dagsion. Players start as an enigmatic ambassador named Eshmel, who undergoes a bizarre time travel transformation and evolves into a bird.

The game’s four characters each have their own backstories that are explored over four overlapping tales. These characters include a reckless boy, a moody warrior, a bold queen, and a vengeful dancer. The narrative is heavy on gladiatorial battles with various rogue candidates that can be recruited to the player's side, alongside side quests, battles, and item discovery spread across maps in the region.

The game may feel repetitive at times, as it often revisits story beats shared by all four tales. However, players can skip ahead between the parallel stories at any time.

Though some may feel overwhelmed by the game’s length and the abundance of characters, Fortune’s Weave offers a rich, immersive experience that captures the spirit of a modern Fire Emblem game. Despite not being a huge Fire Emblem fan, the reviewer found themselves drawn into the game’s intricate storylines. The game's storytelling is reminiscent of a fantasy novel, complete with long cutscenes and deep character development.

For those willing to invest time, Fortune’s Weave provides a rewarding experience that is unique to the Switch 2’s exclusive library.