‘Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes’ presents a riveting journey of choice, combat and conflict

March 5, 2025

By Josleiny Castillo
Staff Writer

With alliances, magic, war, and more, “Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes,” which was released on June 24, 2022, displays sensational storylines and intriguing conflicts no matter what path players choose. 

This tactical role-playing video game is an offshoot of “Fire Emblem: Three Houses,” which was released on July 26, 2019. It sheds light on what takes place in an alternate universe, with new interactions and battles awaiting. Whether the Golden Deer catch players’ attention, the Black Eagles make their call or the Blue Lions roar out, an adventure is always waiting on the other end.

The story begins with players taking on the role of Shez, a mercenary on a mission with their band. The player encounters the Ashen Demon (Byleth) during a mission and suffers a crushing defeat against the other mercenary crew, now possibly left for dead. Suddenly, when all hope seems lost, the user is saved by Arval, a mysterious entity that grants them new power. Swearing revenge against Byleth, the player joins one of the three student houses at Garreg Mach Monastery after encountering a trio of pupils while surviving alone in the wild. This choice of association determines the story’s direction.

Later on, in the academy, the player becomes involved in the affairs of their chosen house, forging bonds with classmates and participating in missions across Fódlan. Tensions among the nations—the Adrestian Empire, the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus and the Leicester Alliance—escalate. The user’s interactions with house leaders Claude, Dimitri or Edelgard reveal their motivations and foreshadow the conflict involving the revelation of the player being linked with Those Who Slither in the Dark. Their classmates view this as suspicious because this organization threatens the continent of Fódlan. So, when Lady Rhea, the primary church’s Archbishop, closes the Officer’s Academy, the user spends the next few years proving themselves to their peers and earning their trust, landing a place as a retainer to their faction leader.

Players must prioritize upgrades that will provide the greatest benefit, often forcing tough choices about which characters or facilities to invest in.

The story leaps forward several years as the continent plunges into war, and the player becomes a key figure in their house leader’s campaign to unite or conquer Fódlan.

Through Scarlet Blaze, the Black Eagles route, Edelgard declares war against the Church of Seiros, seeking to dismantle its control over Fódlan. In this timeline, players support Edelgard’s mission to reform the continent. On the other hand, Dimitri seeks to restore order and justice to Fódlan through Azure Gleam, the Blue Lions route, confronting both the Church and Edelgard’s forces. Lastly, in Golden Wildfire, the Golden Deer route, Claude aims to unify Fódlan while uncovering the truth about its history and the role of the Church, leading them to dig deeper into the depths of Fódlan’s unusual formation.

Battles, political intrigue and growing bonds with allies shape the player’s journey. In the meantime, they continue their rivalry with Byleth, whose actions and allegiances vary depending on player decisions.

“Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes” excels in blending strategic depth and role-play with the fast-paced, Musou-style combat of the Warriors series. Players take control of characters in real-time battles to accomplish objectives, fight waves of foes, and seize strongholds. They are encouraged to take advantage of enemy weaknesses for tactical benefits as the classic Fire Emblem weapon triangle—axes, lances, and swords—returns. Based on their class, characters have distinct fighting techniques and skills that can be enhanced or modified as they advance in the game. Combat becomes more exciting and varied with special attacks, combinations and an Awakening Mode. These aspects are convenient and easy to use, making the experience more enjoyable.

Still, some mechanics could be more understandable, such as camp management, which can become challenging due to the number of systems and decisions players need to balance. Each facility in the camp plays a crucial role in unit progression and preparation for battles, but effectively managing all these elements can be overwhelming, especially for players new to the genre or those aiming for optimal performance. 

Another difficulty lies in resource allocation. Crafting weapons, training units, upgrading facilities, and unlocking abilities all require gold and materials, which are limited. Players must prioritize upgrades that will provide the greatest benefit, often forcing tough choices about which characters or facilities to invest in. For example, deciding whether to enhance the Blacksmith for better weapons or the Training Grounds for class progression can significantly impact a player’s long-term success.

While this can be challenging, the game provides several tools and systems that mitigate the potential difficulties, making it more approachable for players. For one, the game offers tutorials and clear explanations for most systems, ensuring players understand how to use facilities and prioritize resources effectively. The progression is gradual, with new camp features and upgrades unlocking over time, which helps prevent players from feeling overwhelmed early on.

This detailed and exciting game is among my favorites in the Fire Emblem Franchise. The bond players create, the user’s decisions and even the paths and fates are amazing. Therefore, this remarkable game earns a 9.5/10.

SCREENSHOTS BY JOSLEINY CASTILLO