Is Fire Emblem Engage a Sequel to Awakening? Unpacking the Connections and Differences
No, Fire Emblem Engage is not a direct sequel to Fire Emblem Awakening. While it carries the torch of revitalizing the franchise and shares thematic similarities, its story, characters, and world are entirely its own. Think of it as a spiritual successor, inheriting the spirit of Awakening’s success rather than continuing its narrative.
Awakening’s Impact: Setting the Stage for a New Era
Before diving into why Engage isn’t a sequel, it’s crucial to understand Awakening’s monumental impact on the Fire Emblem series. In the early 2010s, Fire Emblem was on the brink of cancellation. Sales were dwindling, and the future looked bleak. Then came Awakening, a game that not only revitalized the series but catapulted it to new heights of popularity. It introduced or refined many elements that became staples, including:
- Casual Mode: Removing the permanent character death mechanic (optional) made the game more accessible to newcomers.
- Marriage and Child Units: Expanding the strategic depth and character customization options.
- Strong Character Focus: Making the cast relatable and memorable, fostering player attachment.
Awakening’s success saved the Fire Emblem IP, and its influence can be seen in every game that followed, including Engage. But influence doesn’t equal direct continuation.
Engage’s Story: A Standalone Adventure
Fire Emblem Engage tells its own story centered around Alear, the Divine Dragon, who awakens after a thousand-year slumber to confront the Fell Dragon, Sombron. The narrative unfolds in Elyos, a continent threatened by Sombron’s resurgence. To combat this threat, Alear must gather the Emblem Rings, each containing the spirit of a legendary hero from past Fire Emblem games.
This premise is distinct from Awakening’s storyline, which focused on Chrom and the Shepherds’ fight against a resurrected Grima. While both games involve dragons and ancient conflicts, they are set in different worlds with different casts and overarching narratives. Engage is a self-contained story, designed to be enjoyed without prior knowledge of other Fire Emblem titles. The Emblems allow players to enjoy characters from games like Awakening without having to follow the direct story.
Shared DNA: A Celebration of the Series
While Engage is not a sequel, it undeniably draws inspiration from Awakening and other Fire Emblem games. The return of mechanics like the weapon triangle, the strategic grid-based combat, and the focus on character relationships are all hallmarks of the series.
More significantly, Engage acts as a celebration of the entire Fire Emblem franchise. The Emblems are drawn from across the Fire Emblem games, allowing fans to interact with and fight alongside beloved heroes like Marth, Sigurd, Celica, and yes, even characters from Awakening, like Lucina.
However, this inclusion is purely fan service and strategic gameplay. Lucina and the other Emblems are not integrated into the story in a way that directly ties back to their original games. They are powerful allies who enhance Alear’s abilities but do not alter the core narrative of Engage.
The “Sequel” Misconception: Fates and Beyond
A potential source of confusion arises from the fact that Fire Emblem does have direct sequels and related entries. After Awakening, Fire Emblem Fates was released, and in many ways is considered a successor to Awakening’s model. While not a direct sequel in terms of story, it builds upon the mechanics and concepts introduced in Awakening, offering multiple story paths and a deeper focus on character relationships.
Games like Fire Emblem: Three Houses and Three Hopes are also stand-alone stories within the same universe, and similarly expand on mechanics created by Awakening’s success.
The Fire Emblem franchise has never followed a strict, linear timeline. Each entry is designed to be accessible to new players, with recurring themes and mechanics that connect them all, but with independent narratives. Engage falls squarely into this category.
A Future Forward, Not a Retread
Ultimately, Fire Emblem Engage is a testament to the series’ enduring appeal and its ability to reinvent itself. While it acknowledges its roots and celebrates its history, it charts its own course with a new story, new characters, and a fresh perspective. Engage is not a sequel, but a new chapter in the Fire Emblem saga. It’s a game that welcomes both veterans and newcomers alike, offering a unique and engaging experience that stands on its own merit. To keep up with games and ways of learning, check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Fire Emblem Engage: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Fire Emblem Engage, designed to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the game and its place within the Fire Emblem series:
1. Is Fire Emblem Engage connected to other games?
Yes, but only in a thematic and fan service way. The story of Engage is entirely standalone and independent from the events of previous Fire Emblem games. However, the inclusion of Emblems allows characters from older games to make an appearance, providing a nostalgic nod to the franchise’s history.
2. Is Fire Emblem Engage a mainline or spin-off title?
Fire Emblem Engage is a mainline title despite its all-star cast of characters from Fire Emblem past.
3. What is Fire Emblem Awakening?
Fire Emblem Awakening is a game that was released on the Nintendo 3DS in 2012 in Japan and 2013 in the West.
4. Is Fire Emblem Engage a sequel to Fire Emblem: Three Houses?
No. While both are mainline Fire Emblem titles, Engage is not a sequel to Three Houses in any fashion. They share no story connections or recurring characters (aside from Byleth as an Emblem).
5. Where does Fire Emblem Engage fit in the Fire Emblem timeline?
Engage takes place 1,000 years after a war between the citizens of Elyos and the Fell Dragon. Since the different realms and games are so separate, it is difficult to know where to place it in terms of any overarching timeline.
6. What do I need to know before playing Fire Emblem Engage?
The core gameplay of Engage is similar to other Fire Emblem games. Understanding the weapon triangle, managing your inventory, utilizing the Draconic Time Crystal (to rewind turns), and experimenting with character skills are all essential for success.
7. Can you keep playing Fire Emblem Engage after beating the game?
Yes. After completing the main story, you can continue playing on your save file. This allows you to complete any missed content, explore the world map, and further develop your characters.
8. Is Fire Emblem Engage more difficult than Three Houses?
Difficulty is subjective, but many players find Engage to be more challenging than Three Houses, especially on higher difficulty settings. This comes from the level design, and amount of strategy.
9. Can you marry in Fire Emblem Engage?
There is no marriage in Fire Emblem Engage, but you do give a Pact Ring, similar to a bond ring.
10. Is Byleth from Fire Emblem: Three Houses in Fire Emblem Engage?
Yes, Byleth appears in Fire Emblem Engage as one of the Emblems. Byleth is the Emblem of the Academy in Fire Emblem Engage.
11. Will Edelgard be in Fire Emblem Engage?
Yes, Edelgard is in Fire Emblem Engage as one of the Emblems. She appears alongside Dimitri and Claude in the Three Houses Emblem Ring.
12. What is the gender difference in Fire Emblem Engage?
There are no significant gameplay differences based on the gender you choose for Alear.
13. Is Fire Emblem Engage censored?
Some changes have been made in the English version of the game regarding gendered language and romantic relationships, which some players perceive as censorship.
14. Is Fire Emblem Engage connected to Fire Emblem Heroes?
Yes, Fire Emblem Engage has cross over with the Fire Emblem Heroes series.
15. Why is Fire Emblem Engage so different?
The inclusion of Emblems is the biggest and most obvious difference between Engage and previous Fire Emblem games. The game also focuses more on core strategy, similar to the older Fire Emblem games.