Omega Force is certainly in a unique position – as stewards of the long-running Warriors series, it has had the opportunity to work on a wide range of intellectual properties from Zelda to Gundam. Today though, we’re taking a look at Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, which shares the world and stylings of the incredibly popular Fire Emblem: Three Houses. I was curious to learn how the change in setting has affected the gameplay this time around and whether this Switch game performs better than the pretty but famously low-frame-rate Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity.
Before we get into the performance, let’s talk about what the game is actually like. Three Hopes is a Warriors game through and through – complete with massive stages to explore, enemies to decimate and special moves to unleash – but it also expands upon the formula by being the most narrative-driven Warriors game I’ve played. The story follows a mercenary named Shez that joins one of the titular three houses, with the choice effectively changing the trajectory of the story which is told with character conversations after each scenario and in camp sequences where you can run around and interact with your team. In battle, there are also changes – you now have access to a map which allows you to send key units to attack enemies and accomplish objectives. Overall, it’s a more nuanced and complex take on the Warriors series that feels surprisingly satisfying.