New release Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes has received praise for its combat system and depth, although it’s been criticized by some reviews for not being particularly innovative. The latest in the Fire Emblem series, the game is a spin-off of beloved mainline title Fire Emblem: Three Houses and is set in the same universe. While the new title has been met with somewhat divided reviews, for the most part Three Hopes seems to be a solid Fire Emblem spinoff title that most fans of the series will enjoy.
Although Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes shares a lot in common with the original Three Houses, the game’s combat system has been completely changed, with turn-based combat being exchanged for intense real-time battles in what’s called musou style, a term used to refer to hack-and-slash Japanese titles that feature large amounts of enemies. The game features new class skills and unique abilities that can unleash serious damage on the battlefield, particularly when synergized with a partner. Three Hopes does not offer the same romantic options as Three Houses, but it does still allow players to bond with fellow fighters and experience special cutscenes as relationships increase.
Reviews for Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes for the most part carry many of the same themes throughout. Reviewers have frequently praised the game’s musou combat system, story, and depth of mechanics, and in comparison with the last Fire Emblem Warriors title Three Hopes is considered a marked improvement. The balancing of the different core elements of the game has also received favorable opinions, but some reviewers have felt that the fact Three Hopes has not innovated anything about its core formula has detracted from its overall quality. Here’s a breakdown of what critics have said about Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes:
Laura Gray – 5/5 – Screen Rant
“Overall, Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is a stunning and immersive game, offering a satisfying combat system and delightful tactical strategy mechanics. The game is a great choice for those who enjoy real-time combat or past Fire Emblem titles, as well as fans of Fire Emblem: Three Houses. While it doesn’t utilize the classic, turn-based combat known of the series, Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes doesn’t need it to provide an action-packed and exciting gameplay experience.”
– Screen Rant
Chris Scullion – 4/5 – VGC
“Three Hopes is one of the best musou spin-offs released to date, combining its tried-and-tested gameplay with a level of story depth that was missing in the first Fire Emblem Warriors. Its sheer scope may be a bit much for players simply looking for a hack-and-slash action game, though.”
– VGC
PJ O’Reilly – 9/10 – Nintendo Life
“Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, in summary, feels like a solid improvement over its already quite impressive predecessor. It’s a game that manages to strike a beautiful balance between all the drama and strategy of Intelligent Systems’ series and the non-stop hack-and-slash mayhem that Omega Force is known for.”
– Nintendo Life
Todd Harper – Not Scored – Polygon
“It truly is fine, and all the proper elements are in place, but in many ways it’s also very expected and not particularly innovative. It makes me wonder, not for the first time, how much longer “it’s fine” will be enough in the world of Musou titles.”
– Polygon
Alex Santa Maria – 8/10 – IGN
“You generally know what you’re getting into when you boot up any Omega Force games, but Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes includes pleasant surprises. Unlike the original Fire Emblem Warriors, Three Hopes no longer feels like a musou game with references to another series layered on, but a true hybrid of Fire Emblem’s social gameplay and Warriors’ battles, and it works despite overstaying its welcome and missing the mark when it comes to the more intimate interactions.”
– IGN
Much of what the game’s reviews boil down too is whether a player enjoys Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes‘ mushou combat style. The large-scale style is not something that will appeal to all Fire Emblem fans, particularly those who prefer the turn-based nature of Three Houses. However, there’s also a fairly large reviewer consensus on the quality of the game’s story and the way it balances its mechanics, which may be enough to sway some fans into trying a new style of fighting. The game is also largely considered an improvement over the 2017 Fire Emblem Warriors game, meaning that players who were perhaps put off by the first entry should look to give the musou spin-off another try.
On nearly all fronts, Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes can be considered a triumph for the beloved series. Prior to release fans had mixed reactions over things like makeovers of Fire Emblem characters, and it seems small issues of that level make up the majority of reviewer problems with the title. While Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes doesn’t necessarily reinvent the series, it improves upon the previous Warriors title and provides an in-depth combat system and satisfying story that most fans will enjoy.
