Fire Emblem Engage is a proud celebration of all that came before it

Fire Emblem Engage feels like the tactical RPG game I've been waiting for, yet after a handful of hours in its presence I'm still unsure if I prefer it to Three Houses. It's a natural evolution for the series with a classic touch, building upon Fire Emblem's modern gameplay while taking cues from older entries. That might sound obvious when former protagonists like Marth are back, but this goes beyond the 12 familiar faces. Engage reminds me more of Fire Emblem Awakening, the 3DS entry that pushed the series’ popularity to new heights – and even if it might not yet trump Three Houses, after eight chapters I’m struggling to put it down.

Set on Elyos, you play as Alear, a divine dragon who's spent the last millennium sleeping after defeating the Fell Dragon, Sombron. With both sides awake once more, it's a race to recover the twelve Emblem rings, each housing the spirit of a former hero. Engage falls into some tired tropes like the amnesiac protagonist, though I'm currently enjoying its character writing. Alear's a charming leader, and there's a likable supporting cast, even if I do miss the moral greyness that made Three Houses (and Fates, somewhat) so intriguing. However, that's a likely consequence of ditching multiple routes for a singular campaign.

After clearing the first few chapters, Engage opens up and you can visit The Somniel, an airborne base that functions similarly to Three Houses’ Garreg Mach. Alongside a training arena and fitness minigames to temporarily boost stats, this is where socialising occurs. Alear can invite allies to meals, give them gifts, or even polish an Emblem’s ring to increase your bond. Don’t give me that look. Once you're ready to go, select a mission from the Overworld map and prepare for battle.

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