Decide Your Own Fate In Fire Emblem: Fates
It is time to determine your fate as Fire Emblem: Fates is set to launch here on May 21 and on that day, players will get to choose by picking up either Birthright, Conquest, or Revelation, choosing to decide their own fate.
Both Birthright and Conquest are wholly different campaigns that contain unique challenges, and by accessing the Branch of Fate on the main menu, it’s possible to purchase the opposing path at a reduced cost, as well as Revelation when it launches on June 10, using Nintendo eShop funds.
For the first time in the Fire Emblem series, the player’s customisable avatar, Corrin, is the lead protagonist. Raised as royalty in the Nohr Kingdom, their life is forever changed when they discover that they were actually born to the Hoshido royal family, but were kidnapped as a child by the evil Nohrian King Garon. However, both nations are on the brink of war, and Corrin must now choose whether to help defend the kingdom they were born to, help reform the regime they grew up in, or reject both sides of the conflict in an attempt to broker peace between nations.
Each path that Corrin can choose – protecting Hoshido in Birthright, siding with Nohr in Conquest, or refusing to choose in Revelation – will change the story in significant ways, providing wholly different Fire Emblem experiences each suited to different play styles and player experience levels. Those who play Birthright will be able to take on the Challenge Maps, which allow players to earn experience and money whenever they choose, much like Fire Emblem: Awakening. As such, this path is ideal for newcomers, or those for whom Awakening was their first experience with the series. Conquest, however, contains a different cast of recruitable characters and does not have these Challenge Maps, resulting in more limited character growth and finances, and thus a tougher challenge more akin to older games in the Fire Emblem series, and is therefore most recommended for franchise veterans. The download-only Revelation path represents the ultimate challenge of the three paths, and will reveal the truth behind the war, and is thus recommended especially for those who have finished one or both of the other story paths. Revelation will also include the Challenge Maps and allows recruitment of all but two characters from the previous two campaigns, with one new character exclusive to the Revelation story.
Battles in the Fire Emblem series often see players take their small force of recruited soldiers against ever-increasing armies as they attempt to restore peace to their nation. Combat is turn-based, requiring careful planning as any false moves or failed attacks will see units become exposed and vulnerable to the enemy’s attack. Making strategy even more important is the fact that, should one of the player’s units be cut down in battle in Classic Mode, then they’ll either be killed off for good, or will become too injured to ever return to the battlefield to aid you.
To help players become the ultimate master of their fate Nintendo will be releasing a limited edition version of the game, featuring a Game Card with all three story paths included, an artbook, a landscape dual-sided poster and an exclusive SteelBook® case. This Limited Edition also lets players get their hands on the Revelation story path before it releases on Nintendo eShop at the later date of June 10. On top of this, there is also a limited edition New Nintendo 3DS XL Console available as well.
My Nintendo members will also be able to exchange 20 Gold Points for a 10% discount for Fire Emblem Fates ahead of its launch, with the discount applied for purchases from Nintendo eShop between May 21 and June 16. Those purchasing Fire Emblem Fates via Nintendo eShop in the first four weeks after launch will also receive a free download code for the Two Kingdoms theme.
Luke Henderson