Best Fire Emblem Games According To Metacritic

Highlights

• Fire Emblem games offer varied gameplay experiences while remaining true to tactical RPG roots, appealing to a wide audience.
• Metacritic rankings showcase the best Fire Emblem games, with titles like Awakening and Three Houses standing out for innovation.
• Spin-offs like Fire Emblem: Heroes and Warriors provide fresh takes on the series, expanding gameplay options and accessibility for fans.

For over 30 years, the Fire Emblem series started as a unique tactical JRPG where the lives of the units are at risk as they head into battle. It would follow lords like Marth, Seliph, Roy, Ike, Lucina, and many others to witness their stories unfold as they overcome the wars they endure.

Each Fire Emblem title takes an exciting approach in presenting its gameplay while making it stay the same throughout time. Some titles outdo others, but that is what makes them fun to play. Including spin-offs, here are the best Fire Emblem games of all time, according to Metacritic.

Updated April 27, 2024, by Michael Llewellyn: The Fire Emblem series remains one of the most popular Nintendo franchises thanks to its accessibility in the challenging tactical turn-based JRPG genre. Moreover, veteran players can adjust the difficulty, switch on permadeath, and increase some of the game’s replayability. Fire Emblem: Awakening helped push the series into the mainstream backed up by iconic Fire Emblem characters appearing in the Super Smash Bros series. This list is updated to include specs for each game and adjustments to the rankings.

18 Fire Emblem Heroes

Metascore 72

Fire Emblem Heroes is a free-to-play mobile title launched in 2017 for Android and iOS. It follows in the same tactical role-playing game footsteps as its predecessors and incorporates characters that have appeared in various entries throughout the franchise.

The game features microtransactions offering a Gacha-style system to receive new characters. Fire Emblem Heroes continues to receive additional updates, adding new features, chapters, and extra characters to keep the game fresh and inviting for all players. While Fire Emblem Heroes features significantly smaller-scaled maps than traditional entries in the series, this free-to-play release can be a solid introduction for series newcomers with little to no experience with tactical RPGs.

17 Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & The Blade Of Light

Metascore 63

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light was the first Fire Emblem title, and the protagonist was none other than the now fan-favorite Marth. This game not only kickstarted the Fire Emblem franchise but has been credited with popularizing the tactical role-playing genre.

It was first launched in Japan for the Famicom but was later ported to Nintendo Switch for Japanese fans in 2019. Fortunately, the West can now get their hands on this groundbreaking title as well, as it was finally localized and recently released for Nintendo Switch, though for a short period only (until March 2021).

While Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light is now considered one of the most bare-bones entries in the series, lacking mechanics that are now synonymous with the franchise, it got the ball rolling through its blend of RPG character progression and tactical gameplay. Additionally, it should be noted that the recent Switch port includes various quality-of-life improvements, such as the ability to fast-forward the admittedly slow speed and rewind turns. As a result, it deserves a higher spot than the free-to-play Fire Emblem: Heroes.

16 Fire Emblem: Warriors

Metascore 74

Fire Emblem: Warriors brought the dream of making a Dynasty Warriors game with Fire Emblem characters come true. The Warriors-style gameplay offers mindless fun as the protagonist beats thousands of enemies until the timer runs out or the goal is achieved.

Fire Emblem: Warriors does have the downside of only featuring characters from Shadow Dragon, Awakening, and Fates, but that can lead to possibilities of another game. The Nintendo Switch version is crisper and fast-paced, thanks to its improvements in performance.

15 Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes

Metascore 80

Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is the second title from Omega Force – the studio behind the Dynasty Warriors series. The story is set in the same world as Fire Emblem: Three Houses but features an alternate timeline with a new lead protagonist named Shez. Similar to Three Houses, the player can choose different classes. Each class has a unique storyline and characters to interact with, giving it replayability.

Like the Dynasty Warriors games, Three Hopes is a hack-and-slash action game. However, it includes Fire Emblem-like mechanics that fans will enjoy. The tactical elements merge with the furious action, making it one of the best Warriors titles in years. Despite the alternate timeline, Three Houses fans will love the opportunity to interact with their favorite characters again.

14 Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore

Metascore 81

Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore is a crossover JRPG with Fire Emblem and the Shin Megami Tensei universes. It plays more like an Atlus game, or more specifically, a Persona title with elements of the Fire Emblem series like the Weapon Triangle and Mirages which represent characters from the Fire Emblem series.

Fans will also encounter villains from the Fire Emblem series as boss characters, like Gangrel from the much-loved Fire Emblem: Awakening. While Tokyo Mirage Sessions is available on the Wii U and the Switch, the Switch version includes extra content like the EX dungeons which rewards players with new costumes for the characters to wear in the main story.

13 Fire Emblem Engage

Metascore 80

The latest entry, Fire Emblem Engage, launched in 2023. It divided fans because it focused more on gameplay than the lengthy dialogue and romance featured in Fire Emblem: Three Houses. Fans of its predecessor were left disappointed that many of the key selling points of Three Houses were missing, and fans of Engage embraced the return to tactical gameplay over drama and dating mechanics. Visually, the series has never looked better, with stunning character models and colorful designs.

Engage’s story resembles a Saturday morning cartoon show from the 80s and 90s. Yet it is still – for the lack of a better term – engaging with a likable cast of characters and outstanding tactical gameplay. The expansion, Fell Xenologue, takes fans to an alternate reality with more characters and battles to participate in.

12 Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows Of Valentia

Metascore 81

Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia is the perfect definition of a love letter to the game it is based on. Director Kenta Nakanishi played Gaiden many times and cherished the memories of his father playing with him before he would eventually pass away. It was clear from Shadows of Valentia‘s presentation that plenty of heart and soul was put into it. Ranging from beautiful visuals, breathtaking music, and fleshed-out characters, Nakanishi’s father would be proud of his son for remaking a cherished game.

While the faithful map design of Shadows of Valentia can sometimes work against the game, featuring a somewhat lackluster map design compared to other releases in the series, this entry did introduce the revolutionary Mila’s Turnwheel. This allows players to redo turns, potentially fixing mistakes without requiring an entire chapter to be replayed.

11 Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon

Metascore 81

Remaking what is also somewhat of a remake was a farfetched idea, but Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon managed to land well on Metacritic. The West was finally introduced to Marth, and while it is not dialogue-heavy and only rudimentary, at best, Shadow Dragon features many difficulties and encourages replayability.

The graphics are dated and not the best for the Nintendo DS, but for a traditional Fire Emblem experience, Shadow Dragon is a must-try if someone can get their hands on a used copy. While Shadow Dragon was the first entry in the series to omit a support system since the release of the Japan-exclusive Thracia 776, the game broke new ground by offering fully realized multiplayer for the first time in the series, greatly expanding on what was previously possible in Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade.

10 Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones

Metascore 85

Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones is a spiritual successor to Fire Emblem Gaiden, featuring two branching paths and giving players access to grind at free will. Considered by many players to be one of the most accessible games in the series, the eighth entry is very welcoming and gives a different kind of gameplay. The Sacred Stones is very popular for speed and LTC runs and has even been the base for many Fire Emblem ROM hacks. It was first launched for the Game Boy Advance and was ported to 3DS and Wii U.

While many other entries in the series are connected to at least one other Fire Emblem game in some capacity, The Sacred Stones is a standalone experience set in an alternate timeline. In addition to featuring two distinct routes that provide the game with an additional layer of replayability, The Sacred Stones has a branching promotion system that was later revisited in several entries, such as Awakening and Fates.

9 Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn

Metascore – 78

Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance would have been fine without a sequel, but Radiant Dawn’s release for the Wii was still greatly appreciated. The Western version suffers from a mistranslation concerning the difficulty options, leading to bad early reviews. Instead of Normal, Hard, and Lunatic, the localized version has Easy, Normal, and Hard. But if someone is a fan familiar with Fire Emblem, then Radiant Dawn will show them how brutal it can get as they switch from different teams.

A direct sequel to Path of Radiance, Radiant Dawn features a data transfer system that allows players to directly import information from its predecessor if they have completed it. Rather than utilizing a traditional narrative structure, Radiant Dawn uniquely shifts the perspectives throughout the campaign, allowing one to control characters of the various sides of a single conflict.

With a massive roster of units, through the flexible and customizable item forging and skill systems and creating strategies that cater to their playstyles. Due to its significantly above-average difficulty, Radiant Dawn is an excellent choice for veterans looking to test their skills. It placed higher than its Metascore here because Radiant Dawn is a fan favorite with significantly better mechanics than the Warriors-style games and several GBA titles that preceded it. Furthermore, its story is among the best in the series when played with Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance.

8 Fire Emblem: Path Of Radiance

Metascore 85

Ike remains one of the most popular characters in the entire series. Path of Radiance offers a strong story, enjoyable gameplay, and an excellent array of characters. It is also beginner-friendly and appealing to hardcore players (for the Japanese version).

Unfortunately, Path of Radiance is rare and sold at high prices from places like Amazon and eBay. But for what this game has to offer, it brings an unforgettable journey for the growing mercenary. Thanks to the forgiving difficulty and memorable story, it is an excellent choice for newcomers to the series and Fire Emblem veterans.

7 Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright

Metascore 86

Fire Emblem Fates is the fourteenth entry in the franchise and was the first to offer a split release. Each version has a unique story and focuses on a different gameplay style, so although released under the same banner, players would need to play all the titles to get the complete experience.

Birthright was one of the initial two versions available at launch, where the protagonist is aligned with the Kingdom of Hoshido. Birthright‘s gameplay is similar to that of Awakening in that players will find it easier to gain both gold and experience points, making it a better choice for those still new to the genre.

6 Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest

Metascore 87

On Fire Emblem Fates‘ release, the other version available was Conquest, where the protagonist is aligned with the kingdom of Nohr. The gameplay in Conquest is less rewarding for the player than Birthright, making it more difficult for those unfamiliar with the franchise. As well as fewer rewards for each map completed, there are additional objectives to take on, and sometimes the maps have a limited number of turns.

Fans perceive Conquest as the more old-school experience, which is likely why it scored slightly higher than its counterpart. While the difficulty of Conquest may be offputting for some, the game is regarded for having some of the most rewarding map designs in the franchise, making it a must-play for those well-experienced with Fire Emblem.

5 Fire Emblem Fates: Revelation

Metascore 88

Revelation is the third scenario of Fire Emblem Fates, though it was not available at launch but was launched two weeks later as DLC. It can not be bought as a standalone entry, as players require a copy of either Conquest or Birthright to play Revelation. Revelation sees the protagonist decide not to align with either of the kingdoms in the game. It mixes the two previous versions in terms of gameplay with rewards and experience of Birthright.

Due to sporting a massive roster of characters from both Conquest and Birthright, this iteration of Fates is a solid choice for those wanting to prioritize the support system. Unfortunately, the core gameplay and story are among the most polarizing entries in the series.

4 Fire Emblem Fates: Special Edition

Metascore 88

Fire Emblem Fates is somewhat of a controversial title. With mechanics similar to Pokemon-Amie being removed from international releases, being able to marry brothers and sisters, and having a story so ridiculous that memes came to life, the gameplay makes Fates incredible.

The Fire Emblem Fates: Special Edition offered all three titles in one edition and was well-received by fans. Conquest is the perfect classic experience with a fantastic map design. Birthright fits those still new to the franchise, and Revelation does a mix of both while giving everyone a happy ending – the less said about that route, the better.

3 Fire Emblem

Metascore 88

Fully known as Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade, the seventh entry was introduced to Western audiences after the attention brought to the franchise by Marth and Roy, including in Super Smash Bros. Melee. Out of the Game Boy Advance titles, this is considered the best of the three.

Lyn Mode can be annoying if someone is familiar with how the game works, but it introduces what kind of characters Fire Emblem brings and how they’ve grown attached to them. To this day, it remains one of the best titles to start if anyone wants to get into Fire Emblem.

With one of the best tutorials in the series, the game’s Hector-focused story and various difficulty options make this entry a solid choice for those looking to experience Fire Emblem for the first time. “Hector Hard Mode” also makes this game worthwhile for those looking to challenge themselves.

2 Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Metascore 89

Fire Emblem: Three Houses set up expectations and delivered them nearly perfectly. With a morally gray story, fascinating characters, and moreish gameplay, the 16th entry outsold its predecessors by a long mile. People to this day are still dissecting the characters’ motives, making excellent cosplay and fan art, and the voice actors became heavily involved by displaying their gratitude to voice the characters. Despite the delayed dates, Three Houses is one title many gamers will remember for a while.

Distinct for immediately setting players on one of several routes based on which house they choose to teach at the beginning of the game, Three Houses is the most customizable entry in the series. Due to a dynamic and flexible class system that allows players to train each of their units exactly how they want, teaching them various skills and having them qualify for the game’s diverse classes, players can design their ideal army and form their unique strategies.

1 Fire Emblem: Awakening

Metascore 92

Known as the entry that saved the franchise, Fire Emblem: Awakening made a return to Western audiences for the Nintendo 3DS, and the timing for both that and thriving sales in Japan was all it needed to continue the franchise to this day. Awakening might not be the top-selling Fire Emblem game, but its legacy is something to admire for saving a franchise from ending. The game had a lot of love put into it despite some imperfections.

Set in the distant future of Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon, Awakening features many fan-favorite mechanics from previous entries in the series, such as the branching class system of Sacred Stones. Additionally, the game redefines the support system, causing characters married through the system to have children that are each recruitable units in their own right, in a design reminiscent of Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War‘s second generation.