tags and markdown formatting
As a hardcore Fire Emblem fan with over 200 hours across the series, I‘ve been eagerly analyzing how the latest entry Engage builds on yet deviates from 2017‘s brilliant Three Houses. While both games allow you to explore relationships and lead armies into fantastic medieval battles, Engage isn‘t just "more of the same" – it introduces plenty of ingenious new mechanics alongside tweaks refining the classic formula.
No Calendar System Provides More Freedom
Three Houses incorporated a calendar system with limited actions per in-game week, creating constant pressure to balance seminars, battles, skill training, and more. But Engage completely removes this calendar framework. Now between story battles, you return to the Somniel hub area. Here you can outfit units, visit shops, bond with heroes for unique bonuses, and tackle optional skirmishes without worrying about racing against the clock.
| Game | Navigation Structure | Key Differences |
|---|---|---|
| Three Houses | Calendar system with time pressure | – Schedule constrained by in-game weeks – Stress about missing key activities |
| Engage | Freeform between battles | – No calendar deadlines – Hub area replaces monastery – Take on content freely |
Removing the calendar allows a more freeform and less anxious pace better suited to Engage‘s lighter adventure tone compared to Three Houses‘ dramatic political narrative. However, some players may miss planning everything out meticulously week-by-week. But for me, the flexibility is a breath of fresh air!
Relationship Building Feels More Natural
In Three Houses, you needed to deliberately spend scarce free days to build relationships with units, which felt slightly video game-y. But in Engage, conversations emerge more seamlessly from cooperation in battles without needing to schedule them.
With the shift away from a teaching role, relationships developing naturally from combat victories and army camaraderie makes far more sense thematically. Plus no calendar constraints means these conversations better fit the narrative pacing rather than interrupting it.
That said, some players may prefer Three Houses giving more direct control over social time investments to romance specific units. However, as a warrior fighting alongside legendary heroes in Engage, forming bonds in battle feels right both gameplay and story-wise.
Rather than present activities via text menus as in Three Houses, Engage structures all content around an overworld map with icons. Story battles, paralogues, and optional skirmishes are marked clearly across the continent, with icons indicating suggested levels. You simply select where you want to go next rather than scrolling through endless identical-looking menu lists.
This map-based navigation system provides a stronger sense of place and better hierarchical clarity. It facilitates understanding the scope and relation of different battle types/difficulties through their geographic distribution and markings. Fast traveling between already visited locations also unlocks eventually.
However, the lack of precise details about each individual battle before initiating them represents a tradeoff vs Three Houses‘ explicit menus. Some players may desire more info upfront. But for me, the immersive overworld jumpstarts my imagination about the coming encounter‘s narrative context.
Customization Depth Increased Further
Both titles already allow tremendous unit customization between classes, skills, weapons, etc. But Engage takes it a step farther via the new Emblem Ring system. Equipping these rings obtained from heroes grants additional powers and statistical bonuses. Moreover, each party member has a unique grid of upgrade nodes unlocked by slotting specific ring sets, allowing wild theorycrafting of builds compared to Three Houses.
I love discovering these combo "Eureka moments" that make my units overwhelmingly badass! The downside is this even more advanced class progression may overwhelm newer fans. But as a veteran who has already optimized every last Three Houses unit, I relish the new experimentation challenge!
Main Character Role Reversal
Your playable character experiences an intriguing reversal compared to Three Houses. In Three Houses, you begin as Byleth – a prestigious officer instructing one of Garreg Mach‘s three houses of students, directly guiding their progression. But in Engage, you play the Divine Dragon‘s descendant – starting weak/alone before gradually regaining strength via bonds with legendary heroes who then fight alongside you.
| Game | Main Character | Key Differences |
|---|---|---|
| Three Houses | Byleth: teacher | – Instructs students – Leads their progression |
| Engage | Divine Dragon descendant | – Starts weak/lonely – Earns heroes‘ loyalty – Gains strength from them |
So while you commanded forces as an established instructor in Three Houses, Engage has youearning loyalty and power. This reversal provides an engaging narrative hook centered on forging connections with Fire Emblem legends!
Maps & Modes Support High Replay Value
Both games offer high replay value from experiencing their four distinct narrative paths. However, Engage provides additional replay incentives. Post-game introduces free map mode allowing endless custom skirmishes with special conditions. Moreover, Engage‘s Yankees-style baseball mini-game called "Emblem Engage" unlocks, plus reward maps for clearing Emblem trials.
These extra modes enhance an already tremendous replay value from seeing the stories of all four Somniel realms. Especially the ability to craft custom map challenges combines the creativity I loved from building my ultimate Garreg Mach greenhouse with endless combat configurations!
Music Sets Both Soaring High Fantasy Tones
Engage‘s soundtrack evokes all the soaring sentiment and surging heroism I‘ve come to expect from the legendary Fire Emblem orchestral scores! Both games alternately capture epic clashes, quiet personal moments, and driving map themes with appropriate instrumental palettes and emotional swells.
For example, Engage‘s main theme "Tear a Path" combines rousing brass, velvety strings, and vocals bursting with defiant hope for a perfect encapsulation of Fire Emblem‘s timeless essence. As another highlight, the preparation theme "Bonds in Bloom" mixes gently plucked harps, woodwinds, and piano into peaceful yet anticipatory tones befitting outfitting your army. Both games‘ stellar soundtracks rank among my all-time video game favorites!
Core Combat Fundamentals Remain Intact
While Engage introduces some new mechanics like enchanted weapon triangles and break attacks, the underlying turn-based tactical systems share deep DNA. Careful unit positioning, managing risk through precise calculations, and combining assists between characters to overpower enemies still hold true.
In many ways, Engage represents the pinnacle evolution of Three Houses‘ already stellar combat foundations just as Awakening built upon classics like Sacred Stones. But Certain deviations like the loss of Battalions may dismay some fans. Personally though, I believe the emblem rings develop battalion gambit strategies even further into thrilling new directions!
Both Structure Progression Around Abstract Systems
Progression in Three Houses centered on instructing individual units in your chosen house. But Engage returns to the more flexible idea of an abstract "Renown" system from earlier Fire Emblem titles. Players earn Renown through standard actions like completing maps. You then spend it freely on multiple upgrades – boosting stats, purchasing new combat abilities, acquiring money/loot, etc.
| Game | Key Progression System | Differences |
|---|---|---|
| Three Houses | Tutoring Students | – Directly teach units new skills – Shape their class progression |
| Engage | Earning Renown | – Spend on range of upgrades – Flexibility to boost any units |
De-emphasizing direct teaching may surprise Three Houses devotees. However, it fits better narratively with gaining strength from legendary heroes in Engage rather than coaching students. And the dynamic spending freedom works well without calendars imposing constraints.
Fire Emblem Engage succeeds in evolving select Three Houses mechanics while reconnecting with earlier Fire Emblem entries too. While not a full-fledged sequel, Engage serves as an outstanding companion piece expanding the settings and systems for new fans and veterans alike to fall in love with. Both games provide utterly engrossing adventures I‘ll undoubtedly replay countless times more over the years!
