Fire Emblem Fates: Special Edition

 3DS
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 385 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 272 out of 385
  2. Mixed: 55 out of 385
  3. Negative: 58 out of 385
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  1. klkevinkl
    Feb 20, 2016
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's important to note that this is the only way to get all three games physically and the only way to get the full experience of the game. The 3DS just does not come with enough storage space if you want to get all three digitally since it would take more than half of the default SD card and basically if you have even one game on it, it might not be enough space. The biggest problem is that the three games barely function as one complete story. Both the Hoshido and Nohr routes end setting up for a final story arc that never occurs and it is only in the Revelations arc that it is partially addressed because they deal with the man/dragon behind the scenes manipulating everything. The game heavily emphasizes choice, but the only possible way to get a choice is through the special edition. The other two versions of the game lock you on a path and you don't really ever get to make that choice until subsequent runs through the game at which point the new routes that show up for an extra $20 becomes the leftover option. If you opt for gameplay more than story, then you won't mind, but as someone who heavily depends on the story to sit through a game, I found it very disappointing. Hopefully, they will release something like DLC to finish the final story arc of Birthright and Conquest. Then we can at least have a satisfying conclusion to Birthright and Conquest parts of the story.… Expand
  2. BJBlasco
    Feb 19, 2016
    4
    I would rate this higher because of the gameplay but the voice direction done in this game is terrible its a shame too because I am fond of many of the actors in it come on nintendo treehouse get it together. Not to mention some of the changed dialogue I mean pickle jokes? Really?
  3. jlplatten
    Feb 26, 2016
    0
    This 0 is for Nintendo allowing scalpers to hijack the Special Edition copies and reselling it for 300% of the retail price. Congrats if you got a copy of the special edition. If you didn't, don't give these scalpers a penny.
  4. Retz
    Apr 2, 2016
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The game is afflicted with lazy writing that seemingly took a step back from Awakening. Everything from the basic plot to the character dialogue throughout the game is riddled with plotholes and contradictions which seem to exist only to shoehorn the overarching story across all 3 games. It's a campy, naive, and weak installment for the series as a whole. I wasn't expecting Pulitzer Prize winning writing, but I also didn't expect the writing to be this poor.

    Missions can get extremely samey and lack variety, this is less so for Conquest and Revelations, but Birthright really drops the ball on it and I can't seem to understand why. I know they wanted Birthright to be friendly for new players, but that doesn't mean that the level design has to be incredibly boring and repetitive. Separating games also feels like a giant cash-grab by Intelligent Systems and no one seems to be overly bothered by this shrewd business tactic.

    Added features new to the series that were brought into these games often bloat the playing experience and conflate more content as being quality content. For instance, while the new castle/invading aspect of the game was a great addition to the series, the addition of things like Lily's alter, "my Unit's" private home, and other features tended to become tedious obligations for the player as they progressed through the story. The hot springs and "petting" feature was also a let down in this regard as they didn't add much to the game or character backgrounds. I had expected some additional dialogue outside of the one-liners that are provided for you. There are no real rewards for maxing out a units "hearts" in the private home and the hot springs is a poor excuse for fan service...which becomes a rather overbearing theme here. Finally, while I could go on for much longer, one more disappointment is the lack of A+ dialogue/scenes and platonic relationships that had existed before Awakening's time. It seems odd that the developers seemingly didn't think anyone would want to see that kind of thing, yet allow Units to reach A+ for the sole purpose of combat and re-classing benefits.

    For good qualities? I think the combat and the actual gameplay were very well done. There are some tweaks made to the pairing system that make it worthwhile to actually think about pairing or not pairing units together and also slight alterations towards the weapon system that had added more variety to the combat.

    If you are already a fan of the series, I doubt any review will dissuade you from purchasing all three games. However, if you are new to the series and do not particularly enjoy isometric strategy games or games that contain anime-style animations and aesthetics, then I would suggest that this game is not good enough to change your opinion.    … Expand
  5. night4
    Apr 8, 2016
    4
    As a long time Fire Emblem fan, I was really looking forward to this title, especially after Awakening. However, the game feels flat.

    For one, they nerfed the heck out of Nosferatu, which, I'll admit needed to be toned down a little. But there are other nerfs too, and it feels like the fun has been nerfed out of the game. The whole "garrison" thing is unnecessary, time-consuming,    As a long time Fire Emblem fan, I was really looking forward to this title, especially after Awakening. However, the game feels flat.

    For one, they nerfed the heck out of Nosferatu, which, I'll admit needed to be toned down a little. But there are other nerfs too, and it feels like the fun has been nerfed out of the game.

    The whole "garrison" thing is unnecessary, time-consuming, and unrewarding. And the romance stuff is just silly. Not to mention, why add same-sex romance if you've only got ONE option for a partner?

    For the first time in any Fire Emblem game ever, I just stopped playing and didn't go back.    … Expand
  6. Eiennai
    Feb 22, 2016
    0
    While the gameplay is really great, the removal of mini games, the awful voice acting and the cut dialog makes Fire Emblem Fates story an unenjoyable mess that is not worth your time.
  7. ZeldaLegend
    Dec 25, 2016
    0
    I have, at the moment, no time to give a full review on all aspects, or explain why I dislike this game.
    regardless- Fire Emblem Fates is a disgraceful steaming lump of **** and the most deplorable cesspool of lazy, shamelessly and shoddily slapped together writing with characters more forgettable than a night of heavy drinking. Awakening set up the pinnacle of the art that is Fire    I have, at the moment, no time to give a full review on all aspects, or explain why I dislike this game.
    regardless- Fire Emblem Fates is a disgraceful steaming lump of **** and the most deplorable cesspool of lazy, shamelessly and shoddily slapped together writing with characters more forgettable than a night of heavy drinking. Awakening set up the pinnacle of the art that is Fire Emblem, and Fates is nothing more than the equivalent of a rom hack tailor-made for weebs and to falsely advertise 'player choice'. Any true Fire Emblem fan can say with absolute truth, that this game fails on every level as a Fire Emblem game.
    seriously- **** this game.    … Expand
  8. Razor7557
    May 3, 2020
    1
    This is a perfect example of how a game can be ruined by inept idiocy of a localization studio, who thinks they know better than original creators, so they rewrite entire script to make it "funnier"... in turn making all characters into complete meme-spouting morons.

    Only reason it's not getting a 0 is because gameplay is still fine. Nonetheless, definitely the worst Fire Emblem to be    This is a perfect example of how a game can be ruined by inept idiocy of a localization studio, who thinks they know better than original creators, so they rewrite entire script to make it "funnier"... in turn making all characters into complete meme-spouting morons.

    Only reason it's not getting a 0 is because gameplay is still fine. Nonetheless, definitely the worst Fire Emblem to be ever released.    … Expand
  9. EirasOpinions
    May 26, 2023
    3
    Just play Awakening this game is kinda doodoo. Story is lame, characters aren't too interesting, please Just play Awakening

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best 3DS Game of 2016
10
#10 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2016
18
#18 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Nov 7, 2016
    80
    Pure Japanese turn-based strategy comes in three versions with different quality. The game would thrill all brave players but can also bore those who will go through it with the seatbelts fastened. [Issue#267]
  2. CD-Action
    Aug 21, 2016
    85
    A brilliant tactical RPG that easily pulls you into its world with charming dialogues, memorable character designs and perfect soundtrack. [08/2016, p.75]
  3. Games.cz
    Aug 11, 2016
    90
    Although Fire Emblem Fates is slightly larger and more complex than its predecessor Fire Emblem Awakening, it fails to ignite a same level of a boundless enthusiasm, because both games are just too similar. All and all it isn´t anything bad. On the contrary, it’s still a top turn-based strategy with a great focus on RPG elements. You hardly find some better games on 3DS.
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