Best Games Like Fire Emblem

Key Takeaways

• Fire Emblem has a wide range of games in the series, with earlier releases available on various Nintendo platforms.
• Dark Deity and Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga are similar games that offer squad-based tactical gameplay and character recruitment.
• Triangle Strategy, Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together, and Langrisser 1 & 2 are other notable games similar to Fire Emblem in terms of gameplay and story.

Many gamers who purchased Fire Emblem: Three Houses or Engage on the Nintendo Switch might be on the lookout for similar games. The formula of squad-based tactical gameplay, blended with RPG elements, and being set in a fantasy world is not unique to the Fire Emblem series.

Games in the Fire Emblem series are fantastic examples of this type of gameplay, but many similar titles are just as good – and a few are even better. Coming from both Western and Eastern developers, some of the best games like Fire Emblem elicit a lot of what makes this series so iconic.

Updated November 30, 2024 by Blaise Santi: It’s been over a year since the release of Fire Emblem Engage, the most recent installment of Nintendo’s signature tactical RPG series. Nintendo has yet to confirm a future installment for the series, meaning that diehard fans might be running out of things to do in Fire Emblem games for Switch.

Luckily, this list is chock full of amazing titles that Fire Emblem fans will especially fall in love with, like these five new inclusions, which are all available to play on consoles that the Fire Emblem series has thrived on. Be warned though! These titles may be massive time-sinks for the more addict-prone of the Fire Emblem community!

1 Xenoblade Chronicles X

An Underrated Wii U RPG Is Heading To The Switch

The Xenoblade Chronicles franchise shares a lot of common ground with Fire Emblem, as both are first-party Nintendo series with representation in the Super Smash Bros. games. However, Xenoblade Chronicles X is the most underrated of the franchise, due to its Wii U exclusivity (up until the recently-announced “Definitive Edition” releasing for the Switch in 2025).

While this series is a far more straightforward open-world action RPG than Fire Emblem has ever been, Xenoblade Chronicles X feels especially tactical, as players can change between classes, alternate through a selection of party members, and even control a customized avatar. Hopefully, the title gets the respect it deserves when it re-releases from OG fans as well as newcomers.

2 Bravely Default 1&2

Fairies And A Class System Reinvent The JRPG

The first Bravely Default game was released on the 3DS in 2012, and despite being a more traditional JRPG with turn-based battles, it shares a lot of similarities with Fire Emblem in its job system, as well as the overall setting inspired by European fantasy. Its sequel, Bravely Default 2, released for the Nintendo Switch in 2021, expands on these formulas for a much more enjoyable experience.

For those who have sunk countless hours into games like Fire Emblem Awakening, Bravely Default is like a logical next step. Even the art style feels reminiscent of the more recent era of Fire Emblem games, though even compared to those, Bravely Default and Bravely Default 2 center more on magic users and fairies, things that are present but rarely major parts of Fire Emblem stories.

3 Codename: S.T.E.A.M.

American Folklore Gets Its Own 3D Tactical RPG

This tactical RPG came to the 3DS in 2015 from developer Intelligent Systems, who have been behind the Fire Emblem franchise from its start on the Famicom to Engage on the Switch. Codename: S.T.E.A.M., gameplay-wise, is very reminiscent of the Fire Emblem formula, albeit utilizing a third-person point-of-view, smaller four-person teams, and an attacking mechanic requiring recharging.

Aesthetically, Codename S.T.E.A.M. differs greatly from Fire Emblem, taking visual inspiration from comic books and steampunk. The playable characters are all figures from American folklore, literature, and history, including Henry Fleming, Tiger Lily, the Cowardly Lion, and John Henry. Fire Emblem series amiibo can even be used to unlock Marth, Ike, Robin, and Lucina as playable units.

4 Invisible, Inc.

The Premiere Espionage RPG

A fan of the Fire Emblem franchise may take one look at Invisible, Inc. and, understandably, see no resemblance to the medieval flair of the Nintendo franchise. However, the games are very similar in terms of gameplay. Invisible, Inc., released in 2014 for PC and since ported to the Switch, PS4, and mobile devices, combines turn-based tactical RPG gameplay with the futuristic world of espionage.

What’s especially similar between the two titles is Invisible, Inc. strongly incorporates the permadeath function that’s exclusive to higher difficulty levels in the Fire Emblem franchise. Instead of recruiting an army for each mission, however, players select only two agents to start every mission, though they can free and recruit more as each mission goes on.

5 Wildermyth

For Those Who Love Collecting Party Members

Wildermyth, like many titles on this list, is a tactical RPG with a strong emphasis on characters. Each game of Wildermyth begins with players choosing four characters to adventure with, making each playthrough different from one another as procedurally generated levels may alter relationships between party members and influence each other’s growth as individual units.

Released in 2021 for PC, the game recently saw a port to the Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S in 2024. There’s also plenty that players can do in between each mission, though what they choose to do may affect their preparation. This is very similar to the gameplay of Fire Emblem: Three Houses, in which players have set tasks to complete as teachers around the Monastery.

6 Tactics Ogre: Reborn

A Remake Of A Classic TRPG That’s Perfect For Fire Emblem Fans

Tactics Ogre is one of the most underrated SRPG series of all time, and fans were glad to see one of the best games in the series receive a remaster with updated gameplay and visuals. Let Us Cling Together is an excellent title that deserves more attention, and Tactics Ogre: Reborn will let players enjoy the best version of this game.

It’s one of the best games like Fire Emblem that players can check out. The voice acting gives the story more oomph and ensures that this SRPG will have a lasting impression in the minds of fans. The pacing of this title can be a bit wonky at times, but that’s an easy problem to ignore for people who get invested in this amazing title.

7 Marvel’s Midnight Suns

A Superhero Tactical RPG Made By XCOM’s Creators

Marvel’s Midnight Suns is a game of two halves that can split fans down the middle. The developers of the XCOM strategy games have excelled when it comes to letting players enjoy a marvelous strategy game with their favorite superheroes, but the other half where players interact with the heroes to improve their abilities can be a tough pill to swallow because of the middling writing.

However, in terms of games like Fire Emblem, people can’t go wrong if they choose to enjoy the qualities of Marvel’s Midnight Suns. It’s one of the best turn-based strategy games players can check out, with the deck-building mechanics combining the strategic qualities of the game with a fair bit of randomization to spice things up.

8 Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp

Packages The First Two Advance Wars Games In A Fun Package Perfect For Fire Emblem Fans

A lot of strategy games tend to be underrated, and Advance Wars is no exception here. The series started as a colorful and exciting war game on the Game Boy Advance, encompassing numerous qualities that will endear it to fans seeking out games like Fire Emblem. However, while the game made waves at launch, it wasn’t talked about all that much as the gaming industry evolved.

Thankfully, the remake of the first two Advance Wars games was a much-needed way for both old and new players to experience the magic of this series and what made it so special in the first place. Players must utilize their units properly, use the terrain to their advantage, and exploit unit weaknesses to come out victorious in every battle.

9 Unicorn Overlord

An Excellent Tactical RPG Developed By Vanillaware, One Of The Most Underrated Developers Around

Unicorn Overlord is a pleasant surprise that took the SRPG scene by storm. The game certainly looks interesting, but most people didn’t expect it to be such a fun title, with fans of the genre savoring this stellar game. Vanillaware doesn’t miss, and this title is a great example of the same.

The large-scale battles in this game, where everything moves in real-time, add a level of tension to each combat scenario, making it important to issue proper commands to ensure victory. The game’s classic tale of war, strife, and unity is told well and serves as a great backdrop for the many wars that are waged in the game’s combat system.

10 Tyranny

A Deep CRPG Where Being Evil Is The Goal

There’s no denying that the battles in Fire Emblem take place on a large scale, with entire empires and nations at stake in some wars. So, it’s easy to see why some fans of the series would want the stakes of these battles to be toned down a bit without losing the inherent strategy goodness present in such games.

CRPGs can step in to save the day here, with Tyranny being one of the most unique titles in this genre. The game’s exploration of evil is fascinating and very much unlike the goody-two-shoes RPGs that the market is rife with, as players are not only cast as the villain but encouraged to be villainous. Fire Emblem‘s morality can become a bit monotonous at certain points, which is why players would love a game that lets them explore the other side of the coin in a nuanced manner.

11 UnderRail

A Hardcore CRPG That Takes No Prisoners And Requires Pristine Tactics

• Platform(s): PC
• Developer: Stygian Software
• Release Date: September 24, 2013

A throwback to the CRPGs of the past, UnderRail is a game right up the alley of fans who want combat to feel more personal and strategic. Players who loved the original Fallout games will feel right at home in a title where a single misstep can lead to a character’s death, with the game rewarding ingenious and unique strategies in combat.

UnderRail is a game that requires a fair bit of thought in every combat scenario, which is something Fire Emblem fans are quite familiar with. A single misstep can have dire consequences and force players to reload an earlier save, with the learning curve being pretty brutal until players finally get a hang of how this game works.

12 Into The Breach

A Brilliant Sci-Fi Turn-Based Strategy Game From The Developers Of FTL

Into the Breach is a game where players control humans who wear giant mechs and fight back against an invasive army of monsters who are slowly eradicating humanity. The Vek are fearsome opponents who can destroy the three mechs players control if they aren’t careful.

Each failed run in Into the Breach is a lesson on what not to do, something that FTL players are quite familiar with. The roguelike mechanics are executed with great panache, making it clear why Into the Breach has such a dedicated fanbase, even if the title didn’t make waves the same way that FTL did.

13 Dark Deity

A Game Reminiscent Of Classic Fire Emblem Where Characters Form Bonds Over Successive Battles

• Platform(s): PC, Nintendo Switch
• Developer: Sword & Axe LLC
• Release Date: June 15, 2021

This game resembles earlier Fire Emblem games in nearly every way. The graphics are reminiscent of the 16-bit era, with animated sprites, and simple battlefields presented in a top-down view. Like Fire Emblem, numerous characters can be recruited, each with attack and defensive capabilities.

Dark Deity also allows the player to form bonds between characters during battles via dialogue. This bonding will make characters perform better when fighting together. The story is a tad generic, but games like this are more about tactical combat than the story.

14 Symphony Of War: The Nephilim Saga

A Shockingly Good Turn-Based Strategy Game Made In RPG Maker

• Platform(s): PC
• Developer: Dancing Dragon Games
• Release Date: June 10, 2022

Not every game needs to be made using Unity, Unreal, or Godot. For Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga, developer Dancing Dragon Games used the RPG Maker game engine. Many reviewers used this fact as a caveat during their review, with many seeming shocked that such a high-quality game could be made using RPG Maker.

Players can organize their army into several units, with each unit having some customization options (like formations). The interface is simple and intuitive. The retro-style graphics look fantastic. Finally, the squad-based tactical combat is on par with nearly every game on this list. Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga is worth playing, even if it is a bit derivative of games like Fire Emblem, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Shining Force.

15 Super Robot Wars

Strategic Gameplay In A Sci-Fi Setting

Super Robot Wars has been around since 1991, with the most recent entry (Super Robot Wars 30) in the franchise being released in 2021. When a gaming franchise has been around this long, it usually has a large fan base, and at least a few of the titles are probably worth playing.

Admittedly, some fans of the Fire Emblem games might be turned off by the futuristic/sci-fi setting instead of the sword and sorcery setting. If the setting isn’t important, then players will find the experience of playing Super Robot Wars very similar to Fire Emblem. Sadly, licensing issues have prevented many games in the series from getting a North American release.

16 Triangle Strategy

A Great Turn-Based Strategy Game Made In The HD-2D Engine

Triangle Strategy has a lot going for it. For starters, this game was developed and published by Square Enix. Square Enix has built a sterling reputation for producing quality role-playing games. There are several games on this list from Square Enix, but Triangle Strategy is perhaps the closest to Fire Emblem in terms of gameplay.

Battles in Triangle Strategy are presented in a top-down isometric view. Players have to keep various factors in mind during a battle, such as weapon range, terrain bonuses, penalties, and whether there are spellcasters in the opposing force. Fans of the Fire Emblem games will not be disappointed with Triangle Strategy.

17 Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together

A Revival Of A Classic Strategy Game

Tactics Ogre is the sequel to the cult classic SNES title Ogre Battle, and even though it was not originally given a North American release, it was later released for multiple systems. Upon playing Tactics Ogre for the first time, gamers might notice a similarity to the classic PlayStation game Final Fantasy Tactics. That’s because it was developed by some of the same people.

This game was quite advanced for the time, incorporating elements such as 3D battlefields in which terrain could affect a character’s performance. This was quite revolutionary for a 16-bit game. The plot of Tactics Ogre is engrossing as well. It was later given a remastered and slightly different version for the PSP; however, most gamers prefer the original.

18 Frozen Synapse 1 & 2

Amazing Visual Design Separates This Strategy Game From The Rest Of The Pack

The Frozen Synapse games have a distinctive visual presentation that sets it apart from every game on this list. The playstyle of these games is also a bit different. The graphics in these games resemble old vector-style graphics, or, better yet, the display of a thermal imaging camera.

In Frozen Synapse, the player issues commands to the entire squad during the preparation phase. Then, they watch the results play out during a turn that lasts a few seconds before stopping for another preparation phase. The player can set waypoints for each soldier, as well as attack vectors. This franchise is a bit different, but it’s no less fun.

19 Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked

A Shin Megami Tensei Spin-Off Game With Tactical Combat

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked takes place in present-day Tokyo, so it isn’t a sword and sorcery-themed game like the Fire Emblem games. The plot involves an invasion by demonic forces; it is up to the player to help the protagonist and his companions defeat them.

The battles and role-playing elements in Devil Survivor are very similar to those in Fire Emblem. Each playable character can control two demons; there are a lot of available replacement demons if one of these demons dies. Overclocked is an enhanced version of the original Devil Survivor, highly recommended for players.

20 Langrisser 1 & 2

A Fun Strategy Game With Branching Storylines

This entry is for the remakes of Langrisser 1 & 2, though the originals for the Sega Genesis are just as entertaining and challenging. The Langrisser games feature branching storylines, so multiple playthroughs are necessary if players want to experience all that they have to offer. The remakes feature some very well-drawn, anime-style, characters.

As with the Fire Emblem games, characters (and their accompanying soldiers) move in a turn-based fashion across maps during combat. In Langrisser, the fights are impacted by the terrain features and the types of soldiers in a unit. The individual fights are fast-paced, well-animated, and never get tiresome to watch.