Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

Fire Emblem Echoes is the most refreshing installment in the series to date and another vital addition to the 3DS library. [Issue #28 – July/August 2017, p. 71]

Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia really surprised me. What I thought would be a simple spin-off game ended up being arguably the best Fire Emblem game I’ve played. There’s more than enough new things to spice things up for series die-hards, and newcomers will enjoy things like being able to turn off “permadeath.” With some of the best presentation on the 3DS, Fire Emblem Echoes is a must own for RPG fans.

Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia is an enjoyable game despite a few changes to the gameplay. While some strategic elements were eliminated, the game still maintains a lot of what made the series enjoyable in the past, plus throws in some new elements such as the third-person dungeon exploring. If you don't mind the strategy being dumbed down a bit, Fire Emblem Echoes is still a great game worth checking out for fans and first-timers alike.

This isn't only one of the best 3DS games, but it is also what the series needed. One of those games you cannot miss if you like the genre.

Despite being a remake, Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia is one of the most outstanding games to come to Nintendo 3DS this year. It's also one of the best deliveries of a Fire Emblem title thanks to the inclusion of novelties such as exploration in 3D and classic elements of the saga.

Fire Emblem has come to be one of Nintendo’s premier franchises, with Shadows of Valentia further cementing the series’ sterling reputation. This is some of the best storytelling and gameplay anyone could hope for on any platform, whether home or portable. Its presentation belies the fact that the game is running on a portable console, and the clever additions to the familiar Fire Emblem formula have yet again breathed new life into a series that has never been stagnant. There are other features waiting to be enjoyed, like the addition of Amiibo that bring new dungeons and fighters, a StreetPass feature, and more. It’s likely that other than Fire Emblem Warriors this will be the last time the franchise appears on 3DS, but it’s going to be a long goodbye—expect to sink many hours into this adventure. Alm and Celica have firmly cemented themselves into the ranks of my favorite Fire Emblem characters, and I hope that when the series transitions to Switch it will be half as entertaining as Shadows of Valentia.

Fire Emblem Echoes is the second best entry in the new generation of Fire Emblem games, ranking lower than Awakening, but higher than Fates. Tight storytelling, paired with challenging gameplay, makes for a thoroughly enjoyable experience, as accessible to new players as it is inviting to old. Watch out for tantalising-but-expensive DLC, and a bit of a nerf on older consoles. It’ll be hard for the next Fire Emblem to step out from under the Shadows of Valentia.

At its most thoughtful, the game uses the opposing philosophies of its lover protagonists, Alm and Celica, to color its warfare.

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.

Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia is unlike most other game in its series and offers a fresh take on the series' usual formulas. It's an interesting mix of seemingly weird components that all come to together in a delightfully satisfying way. It may not be for everyone, but Echoes is definitely an intriguing entry in a great franchise that might be just up your alley.

Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia is one of the best remake works we have ever played. It has a classic feeling, but it's also something new, considering the 25 years have passed since the launch of the original game in Japan.

Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia is a quality Fire Emblem game, no doubt about it. It’ll feel strange at first for those who started with Blazing Blade or a later title, but not in a bad way. Once you get used to its little quirks, any Fire Emblem fan will love this game. It’s got an engaging story, likable characters, and multifaceted gameplay that stands together with the rest of the series in some ways and sets itself apart in other aspects. Whether you were looking for a change of pace or just more Fire Emblem, this game is sure to satisfy.

The sheer amount of quality is impressive and delightful. You can see it in how the story, presentation and scenarios are set up which are on the top of their game. I flew through the game in 18 hours and am already ready for another playthrough. That being said, there are two knocks I have against the experience. The game felt somewhat on the easier side and the dungeons could've had a little more to do. Those are minor things in a journey that doesn't slow down from start to finish. If you’re here to be enchanted, Fire Emblem Echoes delivers in spades.

This entry goes to show that there's room within the franchise to make different looking Fire Emblem entries that still feel true to the series but which also dare to not only tread new ground, but to do so in a great way. It's a well rounded package that is well balanced to please the majority of its audience, like the entire trilogy of Fire Emblem Fates before it, but while keeping it all confined to just one game with the complete epic story being accessible just from buying this one piece of software instead of it being spread out, and that's something to be thankful for.

Quotation forthcoming.

Fire Emblem Echoes manages to make everyone happy: long time fans will appreciate the chance to play the second Famicom title (never released in the West), while newcomers will find the perfect game to start one of the greatest turn-based tactical series ever made.

A game which is both old and new. And that's why it works so well even after all these years.

It’s difficult to imagine executing a remake of a near 30-year-old experience more effectively and efficiently than Intelligent Systems has, applying just the right amount of refinement and new ideas to antique gameplay systems that clearly still work.

It’s hard to say if the changes made in Echoes will be for everyone, especially fans that may have started with the more recent entries. Even so, it’s refreshing to have a Fire Emblem game that feels so different, even though it’s actually a remake of a 25 year old game. The spirit and backbone of Fire Emblem is still present, and it’s an experience that only gets better the more you play.

Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia manages the remarkable trick of remaking one of the oldest entries in the series, and making it feel fresh. The major differences from the other 3DS games may take some getting used to, but long time fans will relish the return of some purity to the tactical action, while this is easily the best-told story the series has ever seen.

Proof that the 3DS still has life left in it yet, Echoes is a phenomenal Fire Emblem and a wonderful tactical title to tuck into.

Built around a captivating story told from two sides, the usage of a world map together with the classic style battle system makes Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia yet another must play game for the franchise.

Taken both on its own and as part of the larger Fire Emblem franchise, Echoes's unique elements help it stand out from its contemporaries. If you feel like you're up to a lengthy, engaging challenge, then Echoes will satisfy in spades.

Put aside any misconceptions you have about strategy RPGs, Shadows of Valentia demands your time and will make you feel good for it.

Quotation forthcoming.

Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia is an excellent strategy role-playing game with thrilling tactical turn-based combat with some gameplay omissions which may split the existing fanbase.

Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia is a worthy entry to the series, and it helps bring attention to one of the series’ oft-forgotten games. It might not have the impact of its two 3DS predecessors because its old Famicom roots still show through, but this is still a Fire Emblem game worthy of your time, especially if you want a glimpse into the history of the series. This is an old-school Fire Emblem, for better and worse, but mostly for the better.

Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia is a fantastic game, despite its shortcomings. Its fresh take on Fire Emblem mechanics and compelling narrative more than make up for its questionable DLC policies and missing online content. With rumor flying around that the 3DS is nearing the end of its lifespan, ending on Fire Emblem Echoes would be a more than fitting swan song for the powerful little handheld. I, for one, would welcome “Echoes” versions of other classic FE titles, such as The Blazing Blade.

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.

It’s funny how a remake of a game that never originally hit the West can feel like such a step forward. There are a couple questionable choices, like the removal of the weapons triangle, and series purists might grumble over some other changes like dungeon exploration, but overall Shadows of Valentia feels like the next great step in Fire Emblem.

Fire Emblem Echoes doesn't make a strong first impression, but keeps entangling the player fight after fight, for each hard-earned victory. It also brings to the table many ideas from the original title, and a slew of fresh air in a series that has seen four games in the last four years.

Shadows of Valentia is, at its core, not really much different than most of its console-based predecessors. It’s all about smart strategy, memorable characters, and a good story.

Intelligent Systems has done an excellent job of bringing a classic title forward into the modern age.

On the one hand Shadow of Valentia takes us back in time, paying homage to the golden age of JRPG, on the other hand the new gameplay features give a more modern feel to it. Shadow of Valentia is an atypical Fire Emblem that differentiates itself from the franchise in order to give a fresh approach to the genre.

This might be the most well-rounded and best Fire Emblem game on 3DS.

Overall, while I don’t feel at all qualified to really place this game above or below others in the series, I feel confident that it’s an interesting title for series veterans who never got to play Gaiden and newcomers alike. With a blend of old school and also lacking many of the modern nuances of today’s games, it gives players a straight-forward, yet stout challenge.

There’s no cooking, castle-building, marriages and other stuff that nowadays became synonymous with Fire Emblem series, but that oldschool brevity is actually a plus. Personal dramas and love story don’t take the narrative spotlight at every opportunity, cutscenes rarely last more than two minutes, and you don’t spend more time preparing for a combat than actually fighting. In a world of epic RPGs with laundry list of features, it’s nice to have a niche game with a narrow focus. [Issue#221, p.82]

Shadows of Valentia has a rocky start, but after that it turns into an amazing game that is not afraid of taking risks. It has a colorful cast that is off to an interesting sidestep instead of following a beaten path.

For newcomers, it's a good starting point, but for everyone else, the series probably needs a rest or at least a graphical overhaul, because despite being a good-looking 3DS game with excellent direction during combat, we have an alternative handheld console in the Switch now, which can do far better visuals. Over to you, Nintendo. [Issue#188, p.76]

Valentia's old-meets-new approach is an interesting twist on the series, with the juggling between two parties, free exploration sections and simplified combat balancing out the lack of relationship options and the occasional killer difficulty spike. While the next mainline Fire Emblem game will no doubt return to the more fantastical, romantic themes of recent games, Valentia has me hoping Nintendo continues to dig into the series' back catalogue for more modernised versions of unfamiliar classics.

Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia is an interesting, experimental and awkward game. When it shines, it really shines, but moments of iffy design both leftover from the NES era and baked into the new gameplay changes drag it down a little. It's a fun game if you're willing to look past some rough spots. It's different enough from other Fire Emblem titles that longtime fans are not necessarily going to love it, but it's also good enough that those who don't normally like Fire Emblem may enjoy it. It's a welcome breath of fresh air for the franchise, and it's a solid send-off to the 3DS for the Fire Emblem franchise.

Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia is in between Fire Emblem of the old days and the newer games. It misses a lot of elements that we love about the newer titles, but it still brings enough new elements to the table to keep things interesting.

After the explosively popular Fire Emblem Awakening, the expansive Fire Emblem Fates, and the mobile Fire Emblem Heroes, Fire Emblem Echoes is a welcome deviation. By stripping away some of the most familiar combat mechanics and digging into exploration and world building, Echoes satisfies in different ways than its immediate predecessors, and that satisfaction is more appreciated than expected. We’ve grown to deeply care about what we’re fighting for and relish the ways the game challenges our own Fire Emblem knowledge.

Sometimes unnecessarily frustrating and obsolete, but still top turn-based strategy with great emphasis on RPG elements. Fans of the series will be thrilled. And the others? For them, it's just another good reason for buying 3DS, and to try Fire Emblem finally. It's really worth it.

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. Robust, entertaining and perilously engaging, while it may still find itself tainted by contemporary RPG standards in its character cast-listing or adamancy in offering “more” for the pure sake of it, Fire Emblem’s own “remake” phase in the end pays off in ways both clear and subtle alike. Ways that will appeal to either end of the fanbase spectrum. Its core gameplay and the many grid-based maps may not have evolved as much (perhaps less so here), but it’s everything going on around the combat that makes Shadows of Valentia a game you’ll look to beyond the avid necessity of leveling up your units. An interesting detour if nothing else, Nintendo would be wise to look at Echoes’ many entertaining and delightful offerings when the series, inevitably, makes its long-awaited return on home consoles.

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.

Whereas Shadows of Valentia suffers from uninspired level design, it makes up for it with its twin armies, fun dungeons, and returns to form. 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 offers some really neat ideas for how the series could progress onto the Nintendo Switch now. Free roaming dungeons just has to become a thing. But the series has moved on from the kind of narratives that it used to tell, and just like Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon on the Nintendo DS was quickly forgotten within the context of the series, I don’t think people, a decade from now, will still be talking about Fire Emblem Echoes. It’s a game for the here-and-now, made to give the 3DS one of its last hoorahs with a major franchise before all of Nintendo’s developers move fully to the Switch.

It may not be a step forward for the series, but that’s never what it was supposed to be. Instead, it’s a noteworthy look at what came before that’s been revamped for a newer generation. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia is pretty damn fun.

Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia isn’t just an old game with a new coat of paint that brings everything from cinematics through to voice acting into a more modern age of gaming. It’s also a prime example of how the fundamentals of a classic game can still resonate today with newer audiences. Good game design stands the test of time, something that Shadows of Valentia has plenty of.

Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia is a nice way of playing Fire Emblem Gaiden but it fails to achieve the quality of the latest games of the franchise.

Far from the quick-and-dirty update it might have been, Shadows of Valentia is no Awakening, but an enlightening and worthwhile history lesson.

Fire Emblem Gaiden had explored different approaches, which appear even bolder through this remake on 3DS thanks to an absolutely epic staging, a more developed narrative and many modern gameplay adjustments, while staying true to the original Famicom version. Despite some relics from the past and a less strategic philosophy, Echoes : Shadows of Valentia proves that these pragmatic concepts are still relevant today, indeed for the future of the franchise.

Intelligent Systems takes the risk of not following the path opened by the successful Awakening and Fates, but instead travels to the past to bring back the old mechanics from the obscure 2nd entry in the franchise. The result is a game that diverts from what people associate with Fire Emblem, that feels fresh at the start, but gets tedious due to the continuous random battles.

Despite its strategic depth and craft, you can’t help but feel that Fire Emblem has had its run on 3DS. This isn't a criticism per se, and it’s more remarkable now than ever that the handheld console with a low-rent screen and barely any processing power is still able to churn out such deep and engrossing experiences. Intelligent Systems is likely looking to Nintendo Switch for its next big strategic adventure – but for now, Shadows of Valentia is great enough to warrant dusting off your indestructible little pocket toy for one last hurrah.

Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia brings the series back to its origins in several ways. Featuring a very captivating plot and cast as well as some new and welcome gameplay elements, it leaves the feeling that this game is putting Fire Emblem back on its original course. Even if some of its missions might feel uninspired and the combat excessive at times, this is still a very good omen for upcoming Fire Emblem games.

Fire Emblem Echoes Shadows of Valentia is a remake of the 1992 Famicom classic Fire Emblem Gaiden. The game is a must-have for Fire Emblem fans and tactical RPG fans alike. In short, it's a nice addition to every 3DS library.

Fire Emblem Echoes is not here to make waves in a tried and true formula–certainly not as a remake of a very old game. But it’s one of the most competent remakes that I’ve seen in years and more than enough for anyone wistfully longing for a new series entry.

Echoes is an intriguing, challenging throwback for strategy purists more than a crowd-pleaser. [July 2017, p.80]

On the battlefield, Fire Emblem Echoes: Shades of Valentia is a delightful look into the simpler combat of Fire Emblem’s past. Elsewhere, it carefully guides the series forward into new territory. There’s not as much depth as I expect from this series, but whether I was exploring 3D forests and caves in a series first or learning first hand why Fire Emblem’s early entries are considered a formidable challenge, it was usually good old-fashioned fun.

Echoes actually feels generic and plain especially because of its simple maps and mechanics, but a few redeeming features as dungeons and loots keep it fresh and interesting. Still, Fire Emblem veterans might find it too archaic and RPG-esque compared to Fates or Awakening.

Even though Shadows of Valentia lacks some of the cool ideas from the previous installments in the Fire Emblem series, this tactics game is very addictive. It’s head and shoulders above the dull Fire Emblem: Fates.

Finally we get our hands onto Fire Emblem Gaiden in Europe. With Fire Emblem Echoes : Shadows of Valentia Nintendo brings back to life what's only a spin-off in Japan. While not the newest of games it still offers a very good game to the tactical-RPG fan.

Shadows of Valentia is not a game like Awakening or Fates. It’s extremely old school and it shows in many aspects, but through its new content and great story it almost manages to be on par with the other games of the Fire Emblem franchise.

Fire Emblem: Shadows of Valentia is really fun and easy to play in short bursts — just like any good handheld game should be. Some of the new gameplay mechanics are cool, but it wouldn’t be a huge loss if they disappeared in the next installment.

Fire Emblem Echoes could have been held back by its need to usher the second iteration back into the fold, but it still feels like a fresh new entry. It is weaker than the last few games, but those bars were set so high that I won't hold that against it.

Shadows of Valentia is a mediocre tactical game, but a relaxing RPG. Whereas the best Fire Emblem games are like a steak you need to sink your teeth deep in to really appreciate it, Echoes is a popcorn that’s fun from the start but will not sate your hunger. [07/2017, p.66]

Fire Emblem Echoes provoked a multitude of emotions from me, not all of them positive. It's different than anything else in the series, and shows what happens when a developer feels like veering away from the established path. It's to the game's credit that I found it quite addictive and sank a lot of hours into it, plus much of what takes place is genuinely interesting. Yet some of the nasty tricks it pulls in the last battles were just infuriating. A somewhat mixed bag, but absolutely worth investigating by series stalwarts.

The perfect jumping on point for both new players and those wanting to fill in the gaps in Fire Emblem lore, although the game lacks the depth of more modern entries.

I both love and hate this game. The bulk of the package is so good that it's tempting to forgive its unbalanced difficulty. But alas, the combat comprises the majority of the game, putting Shadows of Valentia's more obnoxious qualities front and center. It's worth checking out, but be ready to be immensely frustrated.

To call Fire Emblem Echoes a step back for the series would probably be unfair. As a remake it works on a number of levels, showing off the series’ strange roots while also serving up an entertaining 30-hour epic fantasy. However, the brutal and dull difficulty and large amounts of necessary grinding left me feeling as frustrated as I was invested in Echoes’ offerings.

This is a game about sitting through cutscenes and playing battles. That gets tiring more quickly than a better-balanced game would — especially because Shadows of Valentia is committed to preserving those same dated systems. Its story was gripping enough to pull me through, but mustering the energy to sit through obtuse battles was Shadows of Valentia’s biggest challenge.

Tight and challenging combat aside, this remake feels like a step back for a series that with its previous few installments had begun moving beyond the clichéd storylines found here.

Fire Emblem has become one of the best RPG series in modern times, sadly Fire Emblem Echoes is the weakest installment so far. It lacks the depth from Fire Emblem Fates, and the combat system isn't nearly as fun.