To start the year, nintendo will offer players a second Fire Emblem unreleased on its Switch, three and a half years after the release of the previous one, putting aside the Warriors spin-off appeared last summer. This Fire Emblem Engage has already been approached, allowing us to discover the first chapters and thus to take the temperature. From his opening anime style launching before reaching the main menu, to the catchy song, its vibrant artistic direction announces the colordenoting with the duller tones to which the license has accustomed us more. A bias that already seduces us. Note also that you just have to go to the options before starting a game to activate Japanese dubbing, English being the base, affecting said credits. On the other hand, you will quickly notice that the French localization is not based on the language of Mishima (with familiar voices), with long sentences sometimes coming out of nowhere while the character barely opens his mouth to nod… and d ‘usual name changes which remain quite light for the moment. These few points of detail being said, let’s move on to the essentials.
The confrontations on squared grounds take on a new dimension.
Without going into too much detail, we reserve this for our test, the scenario therefore makes us embody Alear (changeable name), the divine dragon with two-tone hair, who, following an intriguing prologue, emerges from a 1,000-year-old sleep, amnesia, and will soon be dragged onto the battlefields. Indeed, the mysterious Darkbron Fallen Dragon is back and Aberrations (kinds of undead) appear on the continent ofElyos. After a short reunion with our mother Lumerathe emerging quest is to get hold of the twelve Emblem Rings before the forces of a kingdom in the pay of the enemy, well aided by our guardians and allies to whom we come to the aid. The initial plot is quite crude, with obvious facilities, but engaging enough to make you want to discover moreespecially after seeing a dark dream of the past showing what we’ll call an evil version ofAlear.
The colorful cast already crossed also has a lot to do with it, allies as well as enemies, sprinkled with fan service with the return of more or less familiar faces depending on the relationship maintained with the license. In effect, marth, Sigurd and celica quickly invite themselves into our ranks, forming shock duos with their ring-bearers on the battlefield. With them, the confrontations on squared grounds take on a new dimension. In addition to their permanent help, we can therefore merge with for a duration of 3 turns, knowing that a gauge then fills up and that boxes allow it to be fully restored by placing the unit there. In addition to stat gains and the use of specific weapons, their attraction comes mainly from a special technique they have, which can be used once at each fusion, inflicting a lot of damage. Whether Sigurd impressed us with the range of his movements, especially combined with the rider that is Alfred, our favorite duo remains for the moment celica and Celinesimply able to teleport through the map then swing a Ragnarok devastating! As their ties with the wearer of the ring grow stronger, it is even possible to inherit techniques, but this comes at a cost.
The other members of the group are not left behind, because of the link rings in the likeness of other characters from previous games can be made at sleepywhich serves as a hub, offering some welcome bonuses. On the other hand, obtaining them made us wince, because we are faced with a system of gacha pure and hardrequiring Link Fragments and a good dose of luck. Plus, they come in four rarity levels, so good luck completing your collection. Fortunately, said fragments seem to be obtained quite easily, but we reserve our final judgment on this assertion. As a base of operations, sleepy otherwise no shortage of featuressome of which still leave us doubtful (accommodating animals, polishing the rings, taking care of Sommy, the waking phases), although providing interesting effects. Training sessions in the form of mini-games are also available, for example, to see if it does not tire you.
If you found the phases atAcademy too long in Three Houses, the pace of the game is much faster here, the chapters follow one another effectively, with a simple formula as in the past. We therefore alternate between exposure scenes that are not too long, a battle (the first ones act as tutorials) and “exploration” in a delimited area in the battle sets, where we can talk to our teammates and certain NPCs if we wish, in addition to gleaning some items on the ground. A world map is again included, with destinations unlocking as you go, some for side quests, the opportunity to level up, among other things. And if the ergonomics in combat have been revised upwards, with free movement with the stick in the blue zone, the most obvious is the return of the weapon triangle (sword > ax > spear > sword) coupled with the ancestry that the Arts on bows, tomes and daggers. The strategic aspect is reinforced, since breaking the guard by exploiting these weaknesses makes it possible to prevent counter-attacks. Intelligent Systems has also kept the option to revive fallen units in addition to a choice of three difficulties, so that everyone finds their benefit, and a plot-related artifact allows once again to go back in time with parsimony to modify our actions.
Our first impressions: Good!
Before concluding this quick overview, know that its graphics are very pleasant in mode Portable on the OLED model, although we regret the low display distance of the characters in exploration. With a lifespan that feels tight, a classic storyline that has potential, a charming cast of characters, a bit of nostalgia, and some interesting strategic possibilities, the foundations of Fire Emblem Engage are solid. If he manages to keep us committed for the long term, we will gladly pass the ring on his finger.
You can pre-order Fire Emblem Engage at €44.99 on Amazon.
| Alexandre SAMSON (Omega Law) Responsible Corrector – Editor | ||
| Addicted to Assassin’s Creed and Destiny, great fan of RPGs and passionate about video game experiences in general. Reader of comics (DC) and various manga (One Piece!). Chemist by training and Whovian at heart. | ||
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