Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, the musou-style spinoff of the popular Fire Emblem: Three Houses, offers a surprisingly compelling experience. While it deviates from the traditional tactical gameplay, it captures the charm and spirit of the Fire Emblem franchise, creating a unique blend that stands on its own merits. This review explores how Three Hopes successfully integrates the fast-paced action of Koei Tecmo’s Omega Force with the rich characters and narrative of Fire Emblem.
fire-emblem-warriors-three-hopes-shez-new-cropped-hed.jpgShez, the new protagonist, takes center stage in Three Hopes, adding a fresh perspective to the familiar story of Fodlan. Unlike Byleth, the protagonist of Three Houses, Shez is driven by revenge against the Ashen Demon. This sets the stage for a new storyline that intertwines with the events of Three Houses, offering both familiar and unexpected twists.
Instead of retreading the path of the 2017 Fire Emblem Warriors, Three Hopes fully embraces the world and characters of Three Houses. The introduction of Shez and the altered dynamic between the protagonist and the three house leaders creates a compelling narrative that feels both fresh and respectful to the source material.
23-ashen-demon-bmp-jpgcopy.jpgShez’s journey begins with a fateful encounter with the three house leaders, Claude, Dimitri, and Edelgard. This pivotal moment diverges from the original story, establishing a new path for Shez and shaping the narrative of Three Hopes. The player’s choice of house significantly impacts the unfolding storyline, adding replayability and depth to the game.
Three Hopes excels in incorporating the social elements of Fire Emblem. The base camp serves as a hub for interacting with characters, offering gifts, and building relationships. Expeditions with individual characters replace the traditional tea parties, further deepening the bonds between Shez and their allies.
fire-emblem-warriors-three-hopes-screenshot-1.jpgBeyond character interactions, Three Hopes offers a robust gameplay loop. Training, resource management, and tactical upgrades add layers of complexity, making it more than just a hack-and-slash adventure. These elements provide strategic depth and enhance the overall experience.
The combat, while familiar to Fire Emblem Warriors, features added variety and connections to the narrative. Character-specific Warrior Gauge effects, such as Ignatz’s painting-inspired attacks, add flair and personality to the battles.
fire-emblem-warriors-blue-lions-new-cropped-hed.jpgWhile the sheer number of battles can become repetitive in the later stages, the core gameplay remains engaging. Achieving S-ranks in battles provides additional rewards, incentivizing strategic play and mastery of the combat system. However, the repetitive nature of some objectives can feel tedious at times.
Despite its departure from traditional Fire Emblem gameplay, Three Hopes retains the essence of the franchise. The blend of musou action and Fire Emblem’s narrative depth creates a compelling experience that will resonate with fans of both series. While not a perfect replacement for a mainline Fire Emblem title, Three Hopes offers a fresh and exciting take on the world of Fodlan.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes released for the Nintendo Switch on June 24th. A digital code was provided by the publisher for the purpose of this review, and it was reviewed on a Nintendo Switch OLED.
