The mobile gaming industry has come a long way in the last two decades. Starting with Snake on old Nokias, growing into shameless movie tie-in Java games, and evolving into fully-fledged mobile gaming experiences that imitate the graphics and gameplay of seventh-gen consoles, mobile gaming has proven to be a successful platform. Over the last few years, the industry's biggest publishers have started developing big-budget prestige titles for the mobile market, and Nintendo's Fire Emblem Heroes was one of the first.
Releasing in 2017, Fire Emblem Heroes seamlessly brings the turn-based strategy gameplay of Intelligent Systems' iconic series to mobile devices, managing to capture the essence of the franchise perfectly. While one of the core appeals of Fire Emblem Heroes is that it brings together beloved characters from across the Fire Emblem franchise, it also has its fair share of original characters like Princess Veronica, the game's central antagonist who has come a long way since Book 1.
The Story of Fire Emblem Heroes' Princess Veronica
The daughter of the recently-deceased Emperor of Embla, Veronica takes up the mantle of leading the Emblian Empire and chooses to continue her father's tyrannical legacy. At the start of Fire Emblem Heroes' first Book, Veronica has just invaded several realms, starting a war between the Emblian people and Askr. Though the Emblian Empire has greater numbers, the Askrans are not alone, being able to use the ancient Order of Heroes to summon allies from different worlds and time periods.
Veronica captures some of these summoned heroes and converts them to her side. She then uses the converted heroes to attack the Askran capital, and directly targets the Order of Heroes' summoning grounds. Though she is forced to retreat, Veronica manages to capture the Askran Summoner Kiran, who escapes soon after. Back in her own homeland, Veronica notices that an imposter has taken the form of her brother, Bruno. This imposter reveals themselves to be Loki, who offers Princess Veronica the power of the Tempest in exchange for control of the powerful tome Naglfar.
In Book 2 of Fire Emblem Heroes, Veronica makes a pact with Muspell's leader Surtr, and the two set out to conquer Askr. Upon hearing that Surtr plans on destroying Askr and its people completely, she intervenes, expressing her desire to rule over the conquered land. Before the confrontation gets worse, Loki steps in and defuses the situation. This peace doesn't last long as Surtr gives in to his rage and imprisons Veronica, planning to sacrifice her in the Rite of Flames. Veronica's brother Bruno comes to her rescue, and in a temporary truce, the Order of Heroes assists in the rescue.
Book 3 opens with Veronica finding out that Hel has invaded Embla. Upon discovering that the armies of Hel cannot be killed, Veronica hatches a plan to travel to Hel and kill its leader. To do so, Veronica turns once again to the Order of Heroes. As a team, the party head to an alternate-reality version of Embla in an attempt to find Hel's heart. The party manages to defeat Hel at the start of Book 4, and with peace momentarily returning to their world, Veronica sees an opportunity to check up on her brother. During her journey, Veronica discovers that nightmares have begun appearing across the realms, and she works with the Order of Heroes to defeat Freyja, beginning Book 5.
Veronica returns to Embla to find it being ransacked by Nidavellir soldiers, and with the help of her brother, this army is pushed back. Book 6 of Fire Emblem Heroes reveals that Veronica is bound by a blood curse to kill the Askr royal bloodline, and tells her Askran allies to leave her now that she sees them as friends. Veronica meets up with her old friend Letizia, who frames Veronica for treason to avenge her family. Though she spends time in prison, the Emblian people rally behind their princess, and she is set free. After marching on Letizia's homeland, Veronica chooses to spare her old friend, understanding that her father's assault on Letizia's family was unjust.
Fire Emblem Heroes is an ongoing game, and given its financial success Intelligent Systems is unlikely to discontinue the service anytime soon. Veronica still has a lot more story to tell, but fans will have to wait and see where it goes next.
Fire Emblem Heroes is available on mobile.