Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave for Nintendo Switch 2 begins with a full-on sci-fi adventure, a drastic departure from the series' typical medieval fantasy setting. The first hour features laser pistols, giant laser turrets, implied artificial beings, and crashed spaceships, hinting at a deeper story that was only teased in the recent Nintendo Direct.
Early Impressions and Gameplay
After the prologue, the sci-fi elements barely reappear in the first 10 hours, but the game raises surprisingly deep questions about religion and faith. The familiar Saturday morning cartoon dialogue and thin character work remain, yet the preview left a strong impression. Players were allowed to play up to Chapter 5 of Part I across four main characters, though the total number of Parts is unknown.
The game is packed with features, content, and plotlines, sometimes overwhelming players with information. Despite some unclear details, it proves enjoyable and engrossing, more so than 2023’s Fire Emblem Engage and 2019’s Three Houses. Three Houses serves as a template, set in the same universe with references to Fódlan, but prior knowledge isn't required.
Story and Characters
Unlike Three Houses, where players choose one of three characters, Fortune’s Weave lets players switch between four protagonists. The true protagonist, revealed in the Nintendo Direct, travels back in time as a dove to change the fates of four characters who can save the world. Each has unique abilities: Leda summons demons with her guitar, Queen Theodora has a magic arm that will drive her mad in 10 years, Cai has a magic gem in his palm, and Dietrich wields a sword with a storied past.
The early chapters differ per character but converge on a capital city hosting a months-long fighting tournament, overseen by gods portrayed as normal humans. The setting has a Roman influence, with gods pursuing their own agendas.
Combat and Mechanics
Combat remains turn-based on a grid, simple in controls but tactically deep. Weapon degradation is more critical, and combat arts damage weapons. Each lead character has a unique magic move. The system appears simple but reveals depth, especially with more class types. Battles are snappy, even with large enemy counts.
Permadeath is optional, and characters don't die but are removed from the roster. Players can toggle permadeath by replaying the prologue. Recruiting new allies is key, though many potential allies are already tied to other characters. The game hints at a dating sim but opts for a sub-Persona style bond system.
The tone is inconsistent, mixing low-level swearing and executions with lighthearted moments. The script could elevate the game but currently feels like a low-rent anime with basic voice-acting. Between tournament battles, players have free time to explore the world map, do sidequests, or train. Some story quests feature third-person dungeons with Dragon Quest-style battles, where enemy targeting isn't controllable.
Despite the overwhelming number of ideas, Fortune’s Weave is more enjoyable than expected, and the preview left a desire to play more. If this is only Part 1, the future looks promising.
