Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia Reviews
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia brings a lesser known chapter in the franchise's history to the forefront. Its compelling gameplay, top notch presentation, and captivating cast of characters make it one of the best entries in the 27-year-old franchise.
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia proves that looking back doesn't mean missing something. In fact, this will definitely go down as one of the greatest Fire Emblem games in my opinion. Great characters, powerful story, challenging combat, this game has it all.
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia is a worthy entry to the series and a great way to hold you over until Fire Emblem comes out on the Switch, despite some questionable DLC policies.
The final Fire Emblem on 3DS is both different and familiar at the same time. Shadows of Valentia perfectly caps off the series' 3DS run with a thrilling adventure that pushes all the right buttons for a remake.
While it won't be for everyone, Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia is a fun remake that showcases the history of the series with a brand new look. Seasoned fans of the games will find themselves slightly out of it with missing mechanics, but as the game's difficulty has been toned down since the original, it will appeal to more players. A fitting last instalment for the 3DS, the game is worth a look for those craving tactical RPG battles, or for long-running fans wanting to see the evolution of the series.
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia provides the best of both worlds by serving up classic tactical gameplay in a modern, more visually pleasing presentation. Some fans might decry the absence of the Weapon Triangle and romance options. All in all, however, Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia does a commendable job in re-imagining an old game for today's times. It's a great example of a remake done right.
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, by no means a flawless entry in the nearly three decade-old franchise, may well be the closest the series has gotten to somehow finding a happy medium between past legacy and contemporary appeal.
Shadows of Valentia is a remake done right. The aesthetics are charming, the characters are lovable, and everything that made the original stand out is retained. Rather than mess with the base too much, Intelligent Systems stayed wholly faithful to the core of Gaiden — and with a few minor exceptions, it paid off. It was a joy from start to finish, and I found myself satisfied by almost every aspect along the way.
The game thoughtfully uses the opposing philosophies of its lover protagonists, Alm and Celica, to color its warfare.
It's 2017, and the 3DS is in its sunset years- but Fire Emblem Echoes stands as one of the best additions to its library yet, and one of the best games in a year that has so far been full of fantastic games.
It is a welcome step back from the previous 3DS Fire Emblem games as it focuses on a tighter narrative while providing us with a glimpse towards the future as Shadows of Valentia ventures into new territory with its explorable areas and fresh gameplay mechanics.
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia is a great remake of the classic Fire Emblem Gaiden of 1992. Its old mechanics and level design, works perfectly with a modern look.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
But how should you take all of this? If you are a regular Fire Emblem fan and have previously experienced the other Nitnendo 3DS adventures, you are going to have an absolute blast with Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia. However, without the high bar of quality we've seen in the previous two games, Echoes may not hook newcomers the same way.
Despite having many of the series' staple complexities stripped away, Shadows of Valentia proves a thoroughly enjoyable adventure. Those who found the Fire Emblem series too intimidating due to its difficulty and overwhelming depth need look no further for their accessible entry point to the franchise.
It’s great that Intelligent Systems and Nintendo is trying to further the genre, but this time they haven’t succeeded.
After looking to their past, Intelligent System has made a daring strike forward. The result is a resounding strategy experience, with Shadows of Valentia not only delivering a sensational remake but one of the greatest tales that the Fire Emblem series has ever told.
Fans of the series will find a lot to love in Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, and if the over complicated nature of the series acted as a deterrent to you before then there has never been a better entry to jump in on. Intelligent Systems takes a good game and adds an insane amount of polish.
More Fire Emblem you say? I won't argue.
Straightforward and sophisticated Strategy, which feels surprisingly fresh thanks to many new ideas and despite many well-known-mechanics.
Review in German | Read full review