Fire Emblem Fates Released Soon on 3DS in Europe

Fire Emblem Fates, the trilogy of titles in the popular Fire Emblem series, begins its release on the 20th of May, exclusive to Nintendo's 3DS systems. The game is coming in three different flavours, with a decision system that extends as far as which version of the game you purchase. The turn-based RPGs will see players choosing to side with the Hoshido family they were born to, the Nohr family they were raised by, or forge their own path in one of three unique campaigns in Birthright, Conquest, and Revelation respectively.

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.

Those who want even more content have the option of purchasing Map Pack 1 via the Dragon’s Gate, accessible after the completion of Chapter 6, from day one of launch. The 11 downloadable maps that make up this pack will be released periodically from launch through to July, providing a series of extra challenges, opportunities to gain more experience and money, and even recruit a new character. Late July will also see the launch of Map Pack 2 in Europe, which will include another six downloadable maps, providing plenty of content to keep strategy fans busy throughout the whole summer. An additional free piece of content will also be made available during the distribution of each Map Pack.

If you can't decide which version you want, there's also a a Limited Edition version, 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 9th June. 

In addition, if you're a My Nintendo members and you've been collecting up those gold points from Miitomo then you can get a 10% discount on the game in exchange for 20 Gold Points. The discount applies between now and June though, so you'll need to be quick on the draw if you want to get the best price.