Fire Emblem: Fates — Everything You Need to Know About This Hidden Gem

If you’re a fan of tactical RPGs with deep storytelling, charged character relationships, and branching consequences, Fire Emblem: Fates deserves a spot in your must-play list. Released in 2017 as a sequel to Fire Emblem Awakening, Fates is more than just a sequel—it’s a refined evolution of the Fire Emblem formula that balances intense combat, strategic depth, and emotionally-driven narrative choices. Whether you’re revisiting the series or diving in for the first time, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about Fire Emblem: Fates.


Understanding the Context

A Justice Prodigy’s Journey

Fire Emblem: Fates follows SheERA, a charismatic and skilled justice apprentice from the Fire Emblem 1 universe, decades after the events of Awakening. Trained by the legendary Commander Krillin, SheERA returns to Tyr to confront new threats and uncover hidden truths about her past. Unlike many entries in the series, Fates centers on a single protagonist whose journey unfolds through skillful strategy, alliance-building, and personal growth.

The game introduces a fresh protagonist system: while SheERA leads most battles, players can switch to Alto, a battle-hardened warrior from Awakening, offering a different tactical style and unique backstory. This flexibility enriches the gameplay, letting players customize their experience.


Key Insights

Story and Themes

At its core, Fates explores justice, morality, and identity. Set in a world fractured by ancient secrets and political intrigue, the story weaves together murder mysteries, royal conspiracies, and prophecies that threaten to unravel Tyr itself. Themes of redemption, sacrifice, and the weight of legacy run deep, making every dialogue choice and battle decisive.

The narrative is enriched by full voice acting (for most regions), adding emotional weight to key moments. The writing balances action and introspection, ensuring players remain invested not just in surviving battles, but in shaping SheERA’s destiny.


Mechanics That Stand Out

Final Thoughts

Fates retains the iconic tactical RPG mechanics fans love: turn-based combat, party management, and strategic weapon usage—all while introducing refined systems to enhance depth.

Unique Mechanics

  • End Mode and Battle Control: Skillfully managing your battlefield in End Mode is critical. Positioning your party with care, combining abilities, and managing status effects can turn the tide of even the toughest encounters.
  • Faction and Alliances: Building loyalty through diplomacy and combat affects quests, available resources, and party morale—adding meaningful weight to how you interact with NPCs.
  • Idol Quests: A beloved feature returns, letting players recruit and nurture aspiring performers-turned-sword-wielders. These side missions explore entertainment, rivalry, and self-discovery—vital for unlocking hidden lore.
  • Evolutions and Upgrades: Customizing SheERA’s abilities through skill trees and evolution paths adds layers of strategic depth, encouraging players to tailor builds for different battle scenarios.

Expansive Content and Replayability

Fates delivers over 60 main missions across a richly detailed world, with multiple endings shaped by your choices. Every decision—from whom to trust, which alliances to forge, and which secrets to uncover—ripples through the story, making replay value a major strength.

Dynamic events, hidden dialogues, and optional collectibles reward thorough playthroughs, ensuring no two experiences are identical. Whether you’re a casual player or a completionist, the depth of content keeps the series fresh long after the final scene.


Visuals and Soundtrack

Visually, Fates elevates the Fire Emblem aesthetic with stunning landscapes, detailed character designs, and cinematic cutscenes. The soundtrack blends nostalgic themes with new melodies, perfectly complementing the tone—from tense battle themes to haunting quiet moments.