Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave’s First Hour Is Wild

Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave is an epic intertwining story set in an Age of Antiquity that most closely resembles Ancient Greece. But! It is also a guns-blazing shiny metal futuristic sci-fi story, and judging by the social media reactions, a lot of people weren't exactly prepared for how hard it leans into that element right from the start. 

In the interest of not spoiling the game and abiding by certain embargo restrictions, we had to say mum about the first hour of Fortune's Weave when previews were published in August. By then it felt like a secret we were all sitting on, especially when a Fire Emblem-themed Nintendo Direct aired and didn't make even the slightest mention of how absolutely buckwild the first hour is. The review embargo was a little looser and I was able to mention in my Fortune's Weave review that the story essentially begins in the future. Even still, Nintendo and Intelligent Systems commit hard to the bit, and for those used to a more fantasy-based Fire Emblem, it can be jarring.

When you start this game you construct your version of Eshmel, Herald of the Pale Raven. Eshmel is essentially a living weapon made to battle the Demon King hordes. The supporting cast are the last remnants of humanity driven to the brink of extinction, fighting a hopeless war. Everything is glowing and futuristic, and characters have weapons that look and function exactly like guns--though they call them Salamanders. It's as if Fire Emblem got a sudden injection of cyberpunk. 

What's more, in your very first tutorial battle, the Demon King summons the Flame Lords against you. Cai, Dietrich, Theodora, and Leda are there, all with a telltale evil, purple glow. This is before the game has mentioned them in any way as the main protagonists, so if you haven't been following the advertising and you're going in totally cold--like I was when I first started it for my preview--this is a striking twist. You know from the start not just that Eshmel has to recruit the Flame Lords to humanity's side, but also, that if you don't, they'll end up working for the Demon Lord instead. Talk about stakes. 

Fans are getting their hands on Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave now, and the reactions to the first Fire Emblem to include guns--err, sorry, Salamanders--is something to watch. Check out a few of the reactions below:

"Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave is a sprawling masterpiece of a strategy RPG, building upon the successes of past Fire Emblem games with new interconnected elements, expertly designed combat puzzles, and an emphasis on flexibility and choice," I wrote in my review. "Nintendo and Intelligent Systems have topped themselves, making this the new high point to beat for future entries."