Fire Emblem Engage moves away from the over 30-year-old tactical RPG series' tradition of using 2D character portraits by just taking advantage of its 3D models. The series is known for its intricate battle system, engaging storylines, and unique characters, with Fire Emblem Engage serving as one of the best-selling games of January 2023. As the series has progressed it began leaning more on 3D models instead of the traditional 2D sprite art, which has advantages and disadvantages.
The Fire Emblem series is known for each entry having a distinct visual style that evolves over time. The latest release uses 3D models for everything, including the character's portraits, to offer a more consistent, modern look. Fire Emblem Engage's character conversations have an extra level of immersion when characters look the same between battles and Supports, but some of the stylization suffers as a result.
Fire Emblem Engage Leaning on its 3D Models is a Double-Edged Sword
One of the leading advantages of using 3D models is consistency without as much effort on the developer side. In earlier Fire Emblem games, character art was drawn by different artists, resulting in a lack of consistency between entries like Radiant Dawn, Fates, and Shadows of Valentia. Using 3D models, characters will always have the same look, becoming more adaptable to different facets of modern gameplay.
Consistency is also important because the dev team does not have to spend a great deal of time creating new stylized art for each entry, and 3D models are more easily able to change their expressions through eye movements and different smiles - otherwise having to be drawn out in multiple portraits. More unique expressions can also help notable voice actors get absorbed in their Fire Emblem characters.
That being said, there are some disadvantages in using 3D models, particularly in the loss of personality that came from each game's own style. Having a blanket 3D model can also be a lot less detailed than 2D drawings that are given more focused fidelity. This can make it difficult for players to associate with characters as emotionally as seeing them in their own universe, which is a significant drawback in a series that depends heavily on its characters. That said, the level of connection between 2D and 3D portraits will vary by each player, especially when it's subjective who will become attached to which character. Some will certainly be happy with the expressiveness and movements using 3D models, but it should be kept in mind when deciding whether to buy Fire Emblem Engage or not.
Fire Emblem Engage using 3D models instead of character portraits is undoubtedly a big departure from the series prior, and it may be one of the features offered by Fire Emblem Engage that stays into the future. Only time will tell if Intelligent Systems' Fire Emblem series continues to lean on 3D characters for everything, but for now players will have to decide whether they prefer a new, modern look or go back to the 2D sprites and stylized portraits of classic titles.
Fire Emblem Engage is available now for Nintendo Switch.