Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest
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About Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest
Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest is a tactical role-playing game developed by Nintendo SPD and released in June 2015 for the Nintendo 3DS. It serves as one of the two primary storylines available at launch, distinct from its counterpart Birthright. The narrative follows Corrin on a brutal path where they must fight against their own blood relatives to secure their birthright throne. Players engage in turn-based combat across a fantasy world filled with warring nations and magical creatures. This version emphasizes difficulty and strategic depth over the more accessible approach found in the alternative route, offering a challenging experience for those who want to test their tactical skills without hand-holding.
Gameplay
You spend each session moving units on a grid map where positioning determines survival. Combat is strictly turn-based, meaning you plan your entire move sequence before executing it. Each character has a weapon triangle system where swords beat axes, axes beat lances, and lances beat swords. You must manage unit health carefully because permanent death can occur if you do not use revival items or retreat in time. Conquest removes the safety net of grinding experience points freely. Mission objectives are stricter, and rewards for completion offer less gold and XP compared to other paths. You need to complete Chapter 6 in either game version before unlocking additional story content or DLC. The multiplayer mode allows you to test your team composition against others online.
What Players Think
The PlayPile community rates this title highly with an IGDB score of 85.1 based on 104 ratings. Metacritic users gave it a solid 87 out of 100, reflecting broad critical approval despite the steep difficulty curve. Average playtime for a full run sits around 35 hours, though many players spend extra time refining their party strategies for the hardest maps. Review snippets frequently mention the punishing nature of the Conquest path as a key feature rather than a flaw. Community moods skew serious and focused, with players often discussing specific unit synergies and weapon mastery in forums. Completion rates remain high among dedicated fans who appreciate the narrative weight of fighting your own family.
PlayPile's Take
Conquest is worth playing if you want a tactical challenge that demands careful planning rather than brute force. The game costs standard retail price on the eShop, and there are 40 achievements to track across your playthrough. I recommend this path for veterans who find standard RPG difficulty too easy. It strips away the safety of grinding and forces every battle to matter. The story remains engaging even when the gameplay feels punishing. Skip this version if you prefer a casual experience or struggle with permadeath mechanics.
Game Modes
Single player, Multiplayer
IGDB Rating
85.1
RAWG Rating
3.8
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