Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave review

Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, developed by Intelligent Systems and released September 17, 2026 on Nintendo Switch 2, has received critical acclaim and cemented itself as a landmark entry in the tactical RPG series. The game currently holds an 89 on Metacritic and 90 on OpenCritic, with perfect scores from major outlets including IGN, Eurogamer, and TheGamer.

The game ranks as the second-best reviewed Fire Emblem title ever, tied with 2019’s Three Houses, though it falls short of the all-time critical champion, 2013’s Fire Emblem: Awakening, which scored 92. Critics are near-unanimous in praising Fortune’s Weave’s scope and ambition. The narrative draws inspiration from Breath of the Wild with its demon-king premise, incorporates social elements reminiscent of Persona, and features interconnected, interlocking RPG systems alongside deep character work and compelling storytelling.

The game is consistently described as massive and sprawling, with multiple paths to progress and extensive customization options for team-building. Reviewers highlight the strategic depth of its battles, protagonist writing, and abundance of side content, though some note pacing issues and design quirks—particularly the single save slot. Despite these minor criticisms, critics found the game deeply engrossing, with several reviewers reporting they couldn’t stop playing far longer than intended.

Nintendo’s emphasis on open-ended design translates effectively to Fire Emblem here. The consensus positions Fortune’s Weave as not only the series’ new peak but potentially one of Nintendo’s best releases in years, representing a triumph of ambition successfully executed across combat, narrative, and systems design.

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