Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright

73%
Game Brain Score Based on 102 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright Game Cover
Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright is a sensible evolution of the series and a definite must-play for fans of the long-running franchise, especially those who enjoyed Awakening.
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"Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright is a strategy-RPG where you must choose between two feuding kingdoms. As the main hero, command a diverse army and navigate tactical battles, while building relationships for stronger combat support. Your choices determine the fate of the kingdoms and those who fight for them."

  • Nintendo 3ds
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

73%
Audience ScoreBased on 102 reviews
story32 positive mentions
grinding4 negative mentions
  • Engaging and enjoyable gameplay with updated mechanics that promote strategy and planning.
  • Interesting story with compelling characters, especially the Avatar's siblings, that keeps players invested.
  • The removal of weapon durability and the introduction of new classes and skills enhance the overall experience.
  • The story is often underdeveloped and can feel uninteresting, with some characters lacking depth.
  • The game requires purchasing multiple versions to experience the full narrative, which can be frustrating for players.
  • Some gameplay mechanics, such as the child system, feel forced and detract from the overall experience.
  • story86 mentions

    The story of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players enjoying its twists and character development, while others find it underwhelming and overly simplistic compared to previous titles in the series. Many appreciate the option to experience different narratives through multiple game paths, but some criticize the necessity of purchasing all versions to fully grasp the story. Overall, while the gameplay is often praised, the narrative is seen as either engaging or disappointing, depending on individual perspectives.

    • “The story has so many twists and turns that it will keep you playing just to see what's going to happen next.”
    • “The story is great, and I love the new strategic elements of husband/wives, kids, and the parallel seals.”
    • “The story line is fantastic, and if you are not familiar with the gameplay, it is more along the lines of a strategy game.”
    • “The story itself is not very interesting.”
    • “The storyline is terrible, the gameplay is overly easy, and it feels like Intelligent Systems failed at what it was trying to do with 3 separate routes.”
    • “Instead of 3 unique stories across 3 games, it's more like 1 story cut into pieces and fed to you piecemeal unless you pay out $80 for the whole experience.”
  • gameplay45 mentions

    The gameplay in Fire Emblem Fates is generally praised for its updated mechanics and engaging tactical elements, with Birthright offering a more accessible experience reminiscent of Awakening, while Conquest presents a greater challenge requiring strategic planning. Players appreciate the introduction of new combat classes and features, although some criticize the lack of depth and balancing issues. Overall, the gameplay is seen as enjoyable and refined, making it a strong aspect of the game despite mixed feelings about the storyline.

    • “Not only are Birthright and Conquest extremely different plot-wise, their gameplay is also very different, with Birthright being more like the recent Fire Emblem: Awakening where you can visit bonus areas and do more grinding at your leisure, while Conquest defines itself as the harder of the two and requires a lot more strategy in how you train.”
    • “The gameplay in Fire Emblem Fates has been upgraded, refined, and streamlined for the better, in comparison to Fire Emblem Awakening.”
    • “The gameplay is not only similar to Awakening, but improves and introduces new concepts that make it very enjoyable.”
    • “But ultimately, this is a game, and no amount of enjoyable characters would mean a thing if the gameplay wasn't up to snuff.”
    • “Things to expect from the gameplay: levels contain a large amount of gimmicks, enough so that entire levels are devoted not to the strategy but to simply interacting with whatever gameplay mechanic is set up for that level through the dragon veins, and lack real challenge except on the hardest of difficulties.”
    • “The storyline is terrible, the gameplay is overly easy, and it feels like Intelligent Systems failed at what it was trying to do with three separate routes.”
  • graphics13 mentions

    Overall, the graphics in the game have received high praise for their aesthetic appeal and significant improvement over previous titles, particularly Awakening. Players appreciate the vibrant art style and updated visuals, which enhance the overall experience, although some critiques were noted regarding specific character designs. The interface and battle controls are also highlighted as strong points, contributing to the game's status as one of the best on Nintendo platforms.

    • “The art style of this game looks so good and holds up to being a great strategy game.”
    • “Easily one of the best Nintendo games with amazing graphics.”
    • “The graphics are wonderful and updated from Awakening.”
    • “The only thing I really did not like about this game was the artwork and some of the character design.”
    • “The general rules are the same, the graphics are just much, much better.”
    • “The graphics have an overhaul that makes it even better than Awakening.”
  • music8 mentions

    The game's music is widely praised for its soothing quality and ability to enhance the mood of various scenes, contributing significantly to the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the phenomenal soundtrack and excellent voice work, although some express fatigue with repetitive songs during cutscenes. Overall, the music is considered a strong aspect of the game, complementing its impressive design and gameplay.

    • “I'm also loving the game's music, which is soothing and almost always fits the mood of maps/scenes.”
    • “As a matter of fact, I hadn't thought of the game's music at all before sitting down for this review, which is a testament to how well it sets the mood.”
    • “The music/soundtrack is phenomenal!”
    • “The voiceover work is mostly fantastic and the cutscenes are breathtaking, although I'm getting sick of that song over and over again.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some scenes and character dynamics evoke strong feelings, others feel less impactful compared to previous titles. The ability to form attachments and the weight of choices, particularly regarding family allegiances, create moments of both joy and heartache, leading to a compelling yet sometimes frustrating emotional journey. Overall, the game fosters emotional connections, though not all players feel the same intensity as in earlier installments.

    • “Though I'm not far in the game, it's already looking to be my favorite Fire Emblem game. The characters are cool, and I like that you can build your own town. Just based on the first few chapters where you meet them, I like the Conquest 'family' more than the Revelations 'family', so having Revelations and being forced to eventually kill them (I assume) is definitely going to hurt me emotionally, but that's what I love.”
    • “Still, by the end, emotional attachments had formed and I found myself enjoying the game regardless.”
    • “Very touching and excruciating at the same time when you have to choose which family to go with.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    In the context of "grinding," players note that "Birthright" offers ample opportunities for leveling up and bonus areas, making it more accessible for casual grinding, while "Conquest" presents a challenging experience with limited grinding options, requiring strategic training. Overall, players appreciate the fast-paced nature of grinding in "Birthright," though some find the castle system somewhat tedious.

    • “Not only are Birthright and Conquest extremely different plot-wise, their gameplay is also very different. Birthright allows for more grinding at your leisure, while Conquest gives you virtually no opportunities to gain extra experience, requiring a more strategic approach to training.”
    • “In a few chapters, the enemies give me a run for my money, and I'm not really taking advantage of all the grinding Birthright offers.”
    • “However, I really enjoy the gameplay, and even when grinding, it doesn't take forever and it moves quickly (mostly).”
  • character development3 mentions

    Character development is a highlight for many players, who appreciate the ability to interact and build relationships with characters that have their own narratives. However, some users express disappointment in the overall execution of the story and character design, indicating that while the potential for growth is there, it may not be fully realized.

    • “I love character development and being able to have characters interact, grow relationships, and carry their own stories is great for me.”
    • “In short: story-wise/character development-wise, I am disappointed.”
    • “The only thing I really did not like about this game was the artwork and some of the character design.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its unexpected and absurd moments, such as the random appearance of a child, which adds a layer of hilarity to the experience. Players also find amusement in their own mishaps, like accidentally purchasing the game, highlighting the game's quirky charm.

    • “It was pretty strange and hilarious to have a child randomly show up.”
    • “It's funny because I accidentally bought this game with 1-click buying when I was trying to add it to my wishlist.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization model encourages players to purchase either the Birthright or Conquest version of the game, with additional online or in-game purchases required to access the full story and additional save space, leading to a potentially costly experience for those wanting to explore all narrative branches.

    • “To get the most out of the total story, a single cart (either Birthright or Conquest) along with the online/in-game purchases of the remaining branches will allow a full linkage of your paths and some extra save game space.”
    • “To get the most out of the total story, a single cartridge (either Birthright or Conquest) along with the online/in-game purchases of the remaining branches will allow a full linkage of your paths (and some extra save game space).”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Overall, players express mixed feelings about replayability; while some anticipate limited motivation to restart the game, others suggest that purchasing it digitally may offer added value by allowing for multiple saves or game modes.

    • “The game offers a variety of choices that significantly impact the storyline, making each playthrough feel fresh and engaging.”
    • “With multiple endings and diverse character paths, I find myself coming back to explore different outcomes.”
    • “The dynamic gameplay mechanics and random events ensure that no two runs are ever the same, keeping the experience exciting.”
    • “I can't give an opinion on replayability as I still haven't finished the game, but I imagine you won't be starting over any time soon.”
    • “The game lacks the depth and variety needed to make me want to replay it after finishing.”
    • “Once you complete the main story, there isn't much incentive to dive back in.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Critic Reviews

90% average critic score

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