I have never played a game quite like Fire Emblem Echoes before, and I understand that I also never will again.
For my first Fire Emblem game, this game has left a deep impression on me in countless ways- it absolutely flourishes in every major area I can think of a tactical JRPG wanting to succeed in. I’m fairly certain my experience with future Fire Emblem games is all downhill from here, but I’m so happy I was able to experience this game the way I did. I don't care.
There is a deep implicit bias throughout my playthrough and this entire review that is worth noting for many reasons- a close friend, who happens to consider this his favorite game of all time, replayed this game alongside my first playthrough, guiding me, discussing with me, and honestly giving me the most perfect first playthrough experience one could ever ask for. His passion for this game is so palpable and contagious. I feel so blessed to have experienced this with someone who cares so deeply for a video game and wanted to show me exactly why- and so blessed that he trusted me to share this passion with. So I hope you can understand why I, too, consider this one of my favorite games of all time.
I’d first like to briefly touch on the artistic direction given to this game as a whole. I have so much love and respect for illustrator and character designer Hidari, whose work the entirety of this game’s identity revolves around. I could not have come up with a better choice of artist. The harmony the art direction achieves with the gameplay, the story, and even the technical limitations of the 3DS is undoubtedly an achievement. The relative sophistication of the character designs and setting are unexpected of a Fire Emblem title, and so deeply appreciated. The maturity the art direction provides gives the narrative a sense of legitimacy it thrives in.
Though my usual protocol is to talk about a game’s soundtrack last, I think it needs to be front and center alongside the art direction. Like Hidari’s impeccable work on the art of Fire Emblem Echoes, this game’s identity also hinges on its soundtrack. JRPGs are known for their robust and often orchestrated soundtracks, but I believe this is on another level even among its contemporaries. At many moments, this soundtrack feels truly flawless. This game should always, no matter what, be played with the sound on, if nothing just for the beautiful weaving of the game’s main leitmotif throughout your journey.
Finally, it’s time to speak about the gameplay of Shadows of Valencia. I’m unable to offer valuable comparisons to other Fire Emblem games, or even to other tactical JRPGs, due to my inexperience with both, so I’m going to judge the gameplay on purely its own merits. And, by my account, the gameplay is incredible. For reference, I played Echoes on normal difficulty with no permadeath, as deliberated by my friend and I to be the best experience for a new Fire Emblem player. From the moment you start playing a map you realize how addicting it is. This game has mastered the sense of micromanagement and control in a way that makes every battle feel genuinely satisfying to overcome. Fire Emblem has had many years and many generations to perfect its core mechanics, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise, but I was consistently impressed with how silky smooth the battles felt to navigate. Every choice intentional, every enemy balanced- as someone with a very heavy background in Pokemon, I was taken aback by how pristine the core mechanics felt to use; Fire Emblem is a much more methodical design. Most importantly, there was not a single moment in this game where I felt that a battle was unbeatable. To me, that is one of the strongest signs of a well designed video game in any genre or series. My friends' coaching, while invaluable in helping me understand the mechanics and meta of this game in a way the text alone does not provide, I didn’t find to make the game easy at all. In many cases, my pitfalls actually came from having too much information on the game’s mechanics than I probably should have for my skill level, resulting in being too conscious of things like turn count and specific strategies and not comfortable enough with how my units work and what each classes excel at. At every turn, the depth of the gameplay astounded me. I am not the type to talk about specific gameplay instances in reviews, but I do think it’s worth noting the interesting and often despised map gimmicks of Celica’s route- the ships, deserts, and swamps that she and her army navigate. I enjoyed these a lot. Of course there is frustration there, but it’s not unintentional- where Alm’s route plays map design very straight to allow the player full control of their army, Celica’s maps offers a, in my opinion, welcome departure from the free micromanagement of an open field. With her abundance of ranged attacking units and trio of pegasus knights, once crossing the Regelian border especially, the maps offer tough love, and become an enemy in their own right to overcome- something that ties in narratively to Celica’s journey through Valentia.
With that, we arrive at the story of Fire Emblem Echoes. For all the game’s triumphs, this one is the most beautiful to me. I will play many games in my future with a stunning art direction. I’ll play many games with a beautifully arranged soundtrack, and many more with gameplay systems so satisfying I dread setting my console down. I’ll play games that my friends want to share with me, and spend many more hours talking with people I love about a game we enjoy. I’ll play so many games with stories that captivate me. But I will never play a game quite like Fire Emblem Echoes again in my life.
It’s difficult to explain why this game’s story is so special compared to the countless power struggles of wars and gods in the history of the JRPG. And I understand why someone jaded playing this game would see little value or importance in the path this narrative takes. But Shadows of Valentia is a story that expects something from the player. If you are willing to listen, and engage in good faith, you will receive so much more in return. Fire Emblem Echoes has so much to say about both gods and man, how they influence each other, how they inspire each other, and how they tear each other to the ground. And what the solution to this struggle looks like for a young generation of people who have watched this ongoing battle shape the lives they live. It delivers these messages through well written characters- where they come from, their actions, and their relationships with others, from the most insignificant NPCs to the two characters spearheading this narrative- the Bearers of the Brand, Alm and Celica. These two’s relationship, and its juxtaposition to the relationship between the worldviews they stand for, is fascinating, and provides a strong foundation for a story. The depth given to Alm, Celica, and the fantastic cast of supporting characters in both the protagonist and antagonist’s parties, aided by surprisingly competent voice acting and the undeniable charm of the 3DS’s pre rendered cutscenes, make this story enjoyable all the way through. Despite two glaring stumbles (a woman in Alm’s party and a woman in Rigel’s royal court), every supporting character is written with some complexity and growth, and it shows. Where Alm’s story reaches enjoyable and dramatic, though somewhat conventional, heights, Celica may be one of the most interesting characters I’ve ever met in a video game. Her story is so compelling, and despite a few writing slip-ups towards the end, her journey ends up a fantastic character study and a beautiful narrative. The biggest issue with this game by far, in any area, is Celica’s antagonist falling short of the complexity and nuance her story requires- though in the end, she still shines through as something deeply special. There is little more I can say without beginning to discuss specifics, but it should be clear that I feel this game’s narrative is something special, and I’m doubtful I was able to do it justice in this short paragraph. What was able to do it justice, however, were the hours upon hours my friend and I spent just discussing the game, its story, everything we loved and everything that frustrated us. For a game’s narrative to inspire that kind of conversation is an undeniable triumph. And I suspect we were not the only ones doing this kind of analysis out of pure love.
Throughout my hours with Fire Emblem Echoes, I experienced a kind of love for a video game I don’t think I’ve ever had. Completely captivated throughout the six months it took me to work my way through. I knew before the first chapter was complete that this would be one of my favorite games of all time. But I didn’t know it would be going toe to toe with Breath of the Wild for the number one spot. I saw this game, slowly, carefully, live up to all my expectations, one by one. That is something I will never experience again.
I had a very emotional connection to Heritors of Arcadia for YEARS before I ever bought the game because of someone I was very close with when I was younger. It, embarrassing it may be, has been a constant that was with me through something difficult I experienced when I was young. Watching, and participating, in the making of a story I had heard sung countless times unfold before my eyes was an absolutely unforgettable experience. An experience that can only be achieved in the medium of video games.
For my first Fire Emblem game, this game has left a deep impression on me in countless ways- it absolutely flourishes in every major area I can think of a tactical JRPG wanting to succeed in. I’m fairly certain my experience with future Fire Emblem games is all downhill from here, but I’m so happy I was able to experience this game the way I did. I don't care.
There is a deep implicit bias throughout my playthrough and this entire review that is worth noting for many reasons- a close friend, who happens to consider this his favorite game of all time, replayed this game alongside my first playthrough, guiding me, discussing with me, and honestly giving me the most perfect first playthrough experience one could ever ask for. His passion for this game is so palpable and contagious. I feel so blessed to have experienced this with someone who cares so deeply for a video game and wanted to show me exactly why- and so blessed that he trusted me to share this passion with. So I hope you can understand why I, too, consider this one of my favorite games of all time.
I’d first like to briefly touch on the artistic direction given to this game as a whole. I have so much love and respect for illustrator and character designer Hidari, whose work the entirety of this game’s identity revolves around. I could not have come up with a better choice of artist. The harmony the art direction achieves with the gameplay, the story, and even the technical limitations of the 3DS is undoubtedly an achievement. The relative sophistication of the character designs and setting are unexpected of a Fire Emblem title, and so deeply appreciated. The maturity the art direction provides gives the narrative a sense of legitimacy it thrives in.
Though my usual protocol is to talk about a game’s soundtrack last, I think it needs to be front and center alongside the art direction. Like Hidari’s impeccable work on the art of Fire Emblem Echoes, this game’s identity also hinges on its soundtrack. JRPGs are known for their robust and often orchestrated soundtracks, but I believe this is on another level even among its contemporaries. At many moments, this soundtrack feels truly flawless. This game should always, no matter what, be played with the sound on, if nothing just for the beautiful weaving of the game’s main leitmotif throughout your journey.
Finally, it’s time to speak about the gameplay of Shadows of Valencia. I’m unable to offer valuable comparisons to other Fire Emblem games, or even to other tactical JRPGs, due to my inexperience with both, so I’m going to judge the gameplay on purely its own merits. And, by my account, the gameplay is incredible. For reference, I played Echoes on normal difficulty with no permadeath, as deliberated by my friend and I to be the best experience for a new Fire Emblem player. From the moment you start playing a map you realize how addicting it is. This game has mastered the sense of micromanagement and control in a way that makes every battle feel genuinely satisfying to overcome. Fire Emblem has had many years and many generations to perfect its core mechanics, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise, but I was consistently impressed with how silky smooth the battles felt to navigate. Every choice intentional, every enemy balanced- as someone with a very heavy background in Pokemon, I was taken aback by how pristine the core mechanics felt to use; Fire Emblem is a much more methodical design. Most importantly, there was not a single moment in this game where I felt that a battle was unbeatable. To me, that is one of the strongest signs of a well designed video game in any genre or series. My friends' coaching, while invaluable in helping me understand the mechanics and meta of this game in a way the text alone does not provide, I didn’t find to make the game easy at all. In many cases, my pitfalls actually came from having too much information on the game’s mechanics than I probably should have for my skill level, resulting in being too conscious of things like turn count and specific strategies and not comfortable enough with how my units work and what each classes excel at. At every turn, the depth of the gameplay astounded me. I am not the type to talk about specific gameplay instances in reviews, but I do think it’s worth noting the interesting and often despised map gimmicks of Celica’s route- the ships, deserts, and swamps that she and her army navigate. I enjoyed these a lot. Of course there is frustration there, but it’s not unintentional- where Alm’s route plays map design very straight to allow the player full control of their army, Celica’s maps offers a, in my opinion, welcome departure from the free micromanagement of an open field. With her abundance of ranged attacking units and trio of pegasus knights, once crossing the Regelian border especially, the maps offer tough love, and become an enemy in their own right to overcome- something that ties in narratively to Celica’s journey through Valentia.
With that, we arrive at the story of Fire Emblem Echoes. For all the game’s triumphs, this one is the most beautiful to me. I will play many games in my future with a stunning art direction. I’ll play many games with a beautifully arranged soundtrack, and many more with gameplay systems so satisfying I dread setting my console down. I’ll play games that my friends want to share with me, and spend many more hours talking with people I love about a game we enjoy. I’ll play so many games with stories that captivate me. But I will never play a game quite like Fire Emblem Echoes again in my life.
It’s difficult to explain why this game’s story is so special compared to the countless power struggles of wars and gods in the history of the JRPG. And I understand why someone jaded playing this game would see little value or importance in the path this narrative takes. But Shadows of Valentia is a story that expects something from the player. If you are willing to listen, and engage in good faith, you will receive so much more in return. Fire Emblem Echoes has so much to say about both gods and man, how they influence each other, how they inspire each other, and how they tear each other to the ground. And what the solution to this struggle looks like for a young generation of people who have watched this ongoing battle shape the lives they live. It delivers these messages through well written characters- where they come from, their actions, and their relationships with others, from the most insignificant NPCs to the two characters spearheading this narrative- the Bearers of the Brand, Alm and Celica. These two’s relationship, and its juxtaposition to the relationship between the worldviews they stand for, is fascinating, and provides a strong foundation for a story. The depth given to Alm, Celica, and the fantastic cast of supporting characters in both the protagonist and antagonist’s parties, aided by surprisingly competent voice acting and the undeniable charm of the 3DS’s pre rendered cutscenes, make this story enjoyable all the way through. Despite two glaring stumbles (a woman in Alm’s party and a woman in Rigel’s royal court), every supporting character is written with some complexity and growth, and it shows. Where Alm’s story reaches enjoyable and dramatic, though somewhat conventional, heights, Celica may be one of the most interesting characters I’ve ever met in a video game. Her story is so compelling, and despite a few writing slip-ups towards the end, her journey ends up a fantastic character study and a beautiful narrative. The biggest issue with this game by far, in any area, is Celica’s antagonist falling short of the complexity and nuance her story requires- though in the end, she still shines through as something deeply special. There is little more I can say without beginning to discuss specifics, but it should be clear that I feel this game’s narrative is something special, and I’m doubtful I was able to do it justice in this short paragraph. What was able to do it justice, however, were the hours upon hours my friend and I spent just discussing the game, its story, everything we loved and everything that frustrated us. For a game’s narrative to inspire that kind of conversation is an undeniable triumph. And I suspect we were not the only ones doing this kind of analysis out of pure love.
Throughout my hours with Fire Emblem Echoes, I experienced a kind of love for a video game I don’t think I’ve ever had. Completely captivated throughout the six months it took me to work my way through. I knew before the first chapter was complete that this would be one of my favorite games of all time. But I didn’t know it would be going toe to toe with Breath of the Wild for the number one spot. I saw this game, slowly, carefully, live up to all my expectations, one by one. That is something I will never experience again.
I had a very emotional connection to Heritors of Arcadia for YEARS before I ever bought the game because of someone I was very close with when I was younger. It, embarrassing it may be, has been a constant that was with me through something difficult I experienced when I was young. Watching, and participating, in the making of a story I had heard sung countless times unfold before my eyes was an absolutely unforgettable experience. An experience that can only be achieved in the medium of video games.