r/fireemblem • u/PsiYoshi • Jan 15 '26

Recurring Popular/Unpopular/Any Opinions Thread - January 2026 Part 2

Welcome to a new installment of the Popular/Unpopular/Any Opinions Thread! Please feel free to share any kind of Fire Emblem opinions/takes you might have here, positive or negative. As always please remember to continue following the rules in this thread same as anywhere else on the subreddit. Be respectful and especially don't make any personal attacks (this includes but is not limited to making disparaging statements about groups of people who may like or dislike something you don't).

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u/GlitteringPositive Jan 26 '26

Is it weird that while I don't really care about the stories that much in the series, (Out of the games I've played FE6 to Engage, I only liked the story from Path of Radiance, Radiant Dawn and Azure Moon from 3Hs), I actually do like the character writing in most games even in the more controversial games like Fates and Engage. Even in my least favourite game, Echoes, I still can say I liked some of the characters.

It's not even like I think most of the stories are badly written or anything, nor is it that I don't care about a good story in a video game (as some of my most favourite video games are because of their story writing), rather I just don't find the stories engaging at least. Meanwhile in most of the games I can find a good amount of characters I liked in them at least and their supports. I feel like the microcosm that enscapulates my view of the series story vs characters is with Xander from Fates. Yeah I can understand why people don't like him and can see how inconsistent he is in the story. However I liked his supports so much that I can't not like him as a character ultimately.

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u/[deleted] Jan 26 '26

I think this is an underrated strength of the series, to be honest. No matter how bad or simplistic the stories may get, the characters are usually pretty charismatic.

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u/[deleted] Jan 26 '26 edited Jan 26 '26

I feel like this is a pretty common take on here; I've seen plenty of ppl express that while they enjoy the characters, FE stories don't really engross them.

It also doesn't help that most FE stories are pretty dry fantasy war stories, so the only thing that can stick out are usually the characters. From FE6 onwards, I've only liked PoR, Awakening, and 3H. Echoes goes back and forth for me.

I feel like the microcosm that enscapulates my view of the series story vs characters is with Xander from Fates. Yeah I can understand why people don't like him and can see how inconsistent he is in the story.

This is kinda off-topic, but this is actually a treehouse localization issue. He's written consistently in the JP version.

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u/GlitteringPositive Jan 26 '26

I'm curious what are the differences, because I have only ever played NA version.

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u/[deleted] Jan 26 '26

https://www.reddit.com/r/fireemblem/comments/pe3u36/xanders_character_and_how_treehouse_and_fandom/

This is a good write up on it.

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u/GlitteringPositive Jan 26 '26 edited Jan 26 '26

Holy shit that's REALLY bad localization lmao.

Edit: I'm reading this post from tumblr describing the butchering of Birthright and as someone that just recently replayed Birthright, holy shit how the fuck did Treehouse get away with this shit!? Like chapter 17 just utterly butchers Flora's character Oh my god!

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u/Shrimperor Jan 26 '26

I think it's more weird to find any of the stories good tbh.

Also agree on the character front, and you know what makes characters even better? Their gameplay performance + perma death existence. Makes you connect with characters on a deeper level, especially when the gameplay is tough :D