Engage's best written character - Hortensia

Now I know that people are going to stamp their feet that hortensia looks and sounds dumb but in this video I will try to convince you that hortensia is actually one of the better written characters in fire emblem engage.

#fireemblem

[owen-tvdt]

"I'm a princess, and that means I must keep smiling. Forever."- hortensia-rosado support.
Hortensia displays a startling level of emotional maturity.
Veyle laughs when Hyacinth dies and this has scarred Hortensia, but in Hortensia's support with Veyle she doesn't blame her, but she still acknowledges that she'd rather not be around Veyle because she can't look past those memories. She chooses not to hate her but tries to find some option that brings her peace instead of lashing out. In a more light hearted example she tells Clanne to make her a fan club, but upon being told that she didnt "earn it" she accepts it, thanks him for being honest and then leaves him be. Theres a level of self awareness and sadness to her where she really just wants to try her best in her own abrasive colorful way to lift and support people, but she herself is unsure if she's enough. She gets comfort from Fogado who feels to same way about his own role, and Ivy and Lindon do assure hortensia on her worth and her contributions to those around her. She's a surprisingly fleshed out character, and this is kind of a recurring theme with several other characters in engage too. So at this point if a person says a game's story and writing is trash I don't fucking trust them- this stuff is great. They feel human.

[mauricesteel]

4:29 if you are seeing this exact conversation, at this angle with no Lyn in sight, that means that Hortensia is about to get Astra Stormed, which means she will see her father after this round is over.

[TheChildofAuraReborn]

It actually makes me sad that people don't like Hortensia, because honestly out of all the royals and their siblings, she easily has the most depth and personality. I was instantly drawn to her because her intro into the game wasn't the stale widespread "OMG YOU'RE THE DIVINE DRAGON?! I LOVE YOU AND WANT TO HAVE YOUR BABIES!!!1!" reaction, and her being antagonistic made her interesting. She's practically one of the ONLY characters where you actually had to work in order to be her friend, and even in your supports with her she treats you more like a friend rather than an object of worship. Not to mention she probably has the biggest arc in the game, and it comes beautifully full circle if you have her fight Hyacinth's corpse in Chapter 17. There were not a whole lot of characters I liked in Engage, but Hortensia was one of them and tied for my absolute favorite.
Plus I actually like her character design and while I don't like her English VA (I played the game in Japanese since there was a chunk of VAs I didn't like), her Japanese voice was adorable and also went full-out with the voice acting. Her scream after Hyacinth was eaten was just raw despair.

[grayfox]

Another thing about Hortensia I love, is her friendship with Rosado and Goldmary. Many of you might not know about it, but those two are not OFFICIALLY her retainers, they're just her best friends from when she was at academy, but they will fight by her side to protect her like if they were retainers. You can also tell how close they are to her if you see their support conversations.

[SilverLinin_]

"wow this is such good character writing and hortensia loves her father so much!"
Father precedes to crit her.
Classic engage.

[hgnbfc]

Hortensia's role in chapter 10 is why consider that chapter to be the emotional climax of the game's narrative. Most of the villains you fight in Engage are just doing their duty as a general in the opposing army just trying to get in your way, but Hortensia actually has personal investment in the conflict of Chapter 10 believing that you killed her sister and you're here to also potential kill her father and ruin the life she worked so hard for. I want to believe Hortensia being the first line of defense in chapter 10, before even the corrupted husk of Morion, was an intentional choice to show just how intent she is to throw everything away to protect her last remaining loved one. Getting jumpscared by her being a moving boss and crit OHKOing my Alear with the quote "I just want my life back" made a hell of a first impression too.

[bropup]

The biggest plot hole in her story is that the way she dresses and talks makes ivy's mom want to kill her less instead of wanting to kill her even more

[maverick]

Guys find yourself a woman that loves you just like this man loves Engage

[VanguardCommanderAC]

Engage got the Leonie treatment from 3 houses on the surface it seems like it she was obsessed with Jeralt but if you look at her supports and background it explains why she see people like Jeralt as a idol. The earliest example for Engage is Alcryst, in mangs comment section I remember someone saying they bench him when they see him get on knees scene, yet again if you look at his supports and background he just as capable as brother in his own way but because he keeps getting compare to his brother by the nobles his self-esteem takes a drop, and seeing how he almost cause a diplomatic incident it make some sense he acted in search a way. Fire Emblem is know for having a lot "show, don't tell" moments that sadly get overlooked til it's too late.

[yesile]

I'm biased and liked the video within the first four seconds, but after watching, yes, like earned, without bias. I was someone who wrote her off before I played the game, because "ew, cutesy annoying young character, no thank you, " but she became my favorite once I got to know her. I think what sold me was that scene where she learns Ivy is "dead." Her being kind of smug, then the camera zooming in on her while her expression drops at the news was so memorable. Thank you, cinematography, for making that realization pop more than the usual talking heads. I think I'd still like her a lot without that, but that scene made me latch onto her as an interesting character a lot quicker.

I remember watching your old streams, and whenever you praised Hortensia, I was silently cheering (maybe once commenting; I don't remember). But for you to make a _video?_ Oh man. This is an early Christmas present.

I definitely did go out of my way to see that conversation with her dad, but then again, I'm a Hortensia fan, and also a fan of trying to find as much extra dialogue as possible. _(Also, cutting away RIGHT as he crit her is beautiful. Chef's kiss.)_

[johnzin]

For Hortensia vs her dad, I go out my way when I know they're related. Similarly with 3H. Though i definitely miss some, which I watch YouTube videos for lol

[Ardava-rf]

Engage characters are more charming than internets made it out to be.

[tyrandgg]

0:13 I'm not angry ..I just love her!

[CGFillertext]

The best characters in Engage are the silly girls that have dark layers to their life (Hortensia, Yunaka)

[redchicken]

Great video, glad to finally be recognising some of the peak fiction in Engage. Those who know about the Hort snort recognise that she is also one of the greatest combat characters in engage - though that might be a hard sell.

[nerothewateruser]

Engage can't get away with most of its cast not getting spotlight and being consigned to Supports for most of the insight on them, but Awakening, Fates, Blazing, Binding, 3H, the Tellius duology, all of them can despite having the same problem

On the same note, it can't get away with feeling like anime or fanfic but Three Houses and Blazing Blade, respectively, can. How curious

[JordiumZ]

Say what you want about the over all story of engage but if you dive into the characters interaction and supports the game is great I like Hortensia and Veyle support conversation

[phoenix]

Hortensia is a princess, so no suprise she is a fashionista. Now let’s talk about small framed women Panette and Marni. Why the fuck are they General and Berserker?

[mvjbass]

The Elusian princesses are the best characters in the game by some distance imo. The vast majority of Engage's cast are put to the side after their introduction. This applies to some lords too, like Timerra and Fogado.

Ivy & Hortensia get more time to develop as you face them as enemies a few times. In addition, they have more and better story moments in the Solm arc than the actual Solm lords.

They're both good characters, but I understand if people find them grating for one reason or another.

[Sothis-luwe]

Hortensia forgot her dad is a fire emblem dad❤