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The latest Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia trailer tells you everything you need to know

By Cheryl Wassenaar

Still from Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia trailer "Two Armies." Image via Nintendo.
Still from Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia trailer "Two Armies." Image via Nintendo. /
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Still a little confused about the differences between Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia and previous games in the series?

Fire Emblem likes to change things up between releases. Even games set on the same continent have been known to change mechanics and add in new classes or weapons. Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia appears to be no different.

As the game will soon arrive on shelves, Nintendo has taken it upon itself to spell out how Valentia will differ from previous games in the series, like Fire Emblem Fates.

Below, you’ll find the trailer:

There’s quite a bit to unpack here. First, you’ll actually have two armies going at once — those of Alm and Celica, the main characters featured on the cover. Fans of the games released in English might be more familiar with this mechanic from Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, which actually switched between three armies at one point. However, Valentia is actually a remake of Fire Emblem Gaiden, and yes, it did the same on the Famicom, as explained by the fansite Serenes Forest.

Second, both Classic and Casual modes will return. If playing with permanent character death on makes you shy away from this game, Casual mode will bring dead characters back at the start of the next chapter, making things a little easier.

Additionally, Nintendo has also announced a Special Edition of the game. As of this writing, the Amazon listing does not let you place a pre-order, but it does reveal what you’ll get:

  • Three pins of Alm, Celica, and Marth
  • An artbook
  • A soundtrack CD
  • A very fancy box to put all of this in

Compared to the Fates Special Edition, you get more physical stuff, although Fates put all three versions of the game (Birthright, Conquest, and Revelations) onto one cartridge and gave early access to Revelations. Fates also had an artbook as well as a pouch for the New Nintendo 3DS XL, though. Still, the Valentia Special Edition would make for a fine piece in a Fire Emblem fan’s collection.

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Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia drops on May 19.