Should I play Fire Emblem: Three Houses or Engage first?

To answer the question directly, if you value story, characters, and worldbuilding, it’s recommended to play Fire Emblem: Three Houses first, as it offers a more comprehensive and engaging narrative experience. However, if your primary focus is on gameplay and strategy, then Fire Emblem Engage might be the better choice, as it introduces new combat mechanics and Emblems that enhance the gameplay experience.

Overview of Fire Emblem: Three Houses and Engage

Both Fire Emblem: Three Houses and Fire Emblem Engage are excellent games in the Fire Emblem series, each offering unique experiences that cater to different aspects of what fans of the series enjoy. Fire Emblem: Three Houses is renowned for its deep story, well-developed characters, and immersive worldbuilding, making it a great starting point for those invested in narrative and character development.

Key Differences and Recommendations

Fire Emblem Engage, on the other hand, excels in gameplay mechanics, introducing Emblems that allow for more strategic depth and versatility in combat. It’s a celebration of the Fire Emblem series as a whole, gathering main characters from twelve games, making it a treat for long-time fans. The choice between the two games largely depends on what aspects of the Fire Emblem series appeal to you the most.

FAQs

General Questions

1. What is the main difference between Fire Emblem: Three Houses and Engage? The main difference lies in their focus areas, with Three Houses emphasizing story, characters, and worldbuilding, and Engage focusing on gameplay and strategy.
2. Can I play Fire Emblem: Three Houses first before Three Hopes? It’s recommended to play Three Houses before Three Hopes to avoid spoilers and fully enjoy the narrative impact of Three Houses.
3. Is Fire Emblem Engage worth playing? Yes, Fire Emblem Engage is worth playing, especially for its innovative combat mechanics and the inclusion of Emblems from past games.

Gameplay and Difficulty

4. Is Fire Emblem Engage hard or easy? The difficulty of Fire Emblem Engage can vary; for experienced players, Hard mode is the standard and recommended difficulty.
5. How long does it take to beat Fire Emblem Engage? The playtime for Fire Emblem Engage ranges between 30 to 50 hours, depending on the player’s pace and level of engagement with side activities.

Characters and Romance

6. Can you romance in Fire Emblem Engage? While Fire Emblem Engage doesn’t have traditional romance options like marriage, players can form close bonds with characters through Pact Rings.
7. Does gender affect romance in Fire Emblem Engage? No, gender does not limit romance options in Fire Emblem Engage, offering a more inclusive experience.
8. Who is Byleth best paired with in Engage? Hortensia is a good match for Byleth due to her mobility and the benefits she receives from Byleth’s buffs.

Series and Game Specifics

9. Is Fire Emblem Engage more difficult than Three Houses? The difficulty comparison between Engage and Three Houses can vary based on the player’s experience and the specific challenges each game presents.
10. Does Byleth appear in Fire Emblem Engage? Yes, Byleth from Fire Emblem: Three Houses appears in Fire Emblem Engage as one of the Emblems.
11. What is the benefit of playing Fire Emblem Engage? One of the benefits is the relaxing pace it offers, allowing players to attempt chapters at their leisure without the time constraints found in Three Houses.

Starting the Series

12. Which Fire Emblem game should you play first? For new players, Fire Emblem Awakening is often recommended as a starting point due to its engaging story and gameplay.
13. Is Fire Emblem: Three Houses worth buying? Yes, Three Houses is worth buying, especially for its engaging story, deep characters, and immersive world, making it a great introduction to the series.

Miscellaneous

14. Can you not marry in Fire Emblem Engage? In Fire Emblem Engage, the traditional marriage feature is not available, but players can give Pact Rings to form close bonds.
15. Why doesn’t Fire Emblem Engage have traditional romance options? The romance system in Engage is designed differently, focusing on Pact Rings and allowing for more flexibility in character relationships, reflecting the game’s unique approach to character interactions and bonds.