The PROBLEM with Fire Emblem Engage's character designs

Fire Emblem Engage and Fire Emblem Heroes (feh) both have one thing in common,and that's the fact they both feature everyone's favourite toothpaste coloured lord. Join me as I dissect these character designs in a 3 minute long rant that also features unfunny memes in the background.

[eddiec]

Damn not even the design for Lapis could escape the wrath of Fin. Rip my waifu.
I always knew what the design for Panette was about because I live in LA so the culture of the Day of the Dead is familiar to me. But if you don't live in an area with a large Spanish-speaking community you would think the design was silly too.

[Hiyapartyz]

I’d also like to say that the designs are really detailed…too detailed. It feels like random things are crammed into the design out of nowhere just to say that it’s a detailed design. From the top of my head: the spikes on Ivy’s gloves, LUMERA OMG. Look at lumera’s back; it’s a monstrosity of a mess. And so on. And then you have Boucheron who looks like he’s from an FE game. Engage’s designs are so polarizing tbh

[Wiifanbro]

That infamous line from chapter 22 is probably the hardest I've ever laughed at a Fire Emblem game.

[CoqueiroLendario]

Why the character designs of engage are bad: No Arden.

[Finnland]

Just wanted a quick upload to let you guys know I'm not dead, hope you enjoy the low effort content.

[danielv]

Shadow dragon/new mystery and 3houses for me have the peak art style and character desing (3 houses and some characters of new mystery) for fire emblem

[cyndit]

You're right. Seadall absolutely should have had less clothes.

At least it's way better than Fates, where Nohrian girls are all just in thongs.

[MeleysRQ]

See there is a difference between Anime design and Gacha design, Engage has the latter one where they try to crump as much as possible in a design to make the png more appealing for people, while anime tries to be flashy but easy to animate, at least that was the idea before and that is why engage character design feels so bad, not to mention the characters themselves being just plain out bad and boring.

[duoanimata]

I 100% agree with the characters being literally their design and some of them being weirdly offputting. Also one of the main things I don't like about the newer fire emblems is the cel shading, it makes everything too clean for a game series that's supposed to be medieval or old/fantasy themed.

[hadoukenfighter]

I think the best point you have in this video is that "the character's design are their entire character" which is more spot on then it has any right to be.
I don't think there is a game in the series that matches Engage in that regard, there are games that this applies too, but none on the exact same scale, and I mean that in a not so great way because as you said before, it reminds you of the story, and while you can always press start to skip the story, you can't skip how these character's look.

[Nate-msbe]

One thing Three Houses got perfectly that I wish other games got right is the style. Yes there are no shortage of people with anime hair, but most everything else from the architecture to the armour are clearly inspired from actual designs from the mid to late middle ages. Many of the designs are very grounded, and what I think many a weeb is incapable of understanding is that character designs don't have to be over the top or immodest to be cool, and this goes not only for Fire Emblem but for other series like Fate. The only thing cooler than flashy armour is functional armour. It's for this reason that Dimitri's designs are literally perfection. His armour isn't too bulky, covers his entire body while also showing his character development. More characters should be like Dimitri and wear proper armour.

[BulbaWhat]

Diamant and Vander are some of the few characters in Engage with good designs imo. Not only do they look pretty cool but they feel the closet to looking like a Fire Emblem character, instead of a Gacha character

[maskolino]

but what if Sigurd is wearing armor underneath the suit? Even though it's very silly.

[Tiggster-qrmw]

So… your problem with Engage’s designs are… things that, by your own admission, also apply to the designs of other FE games?

[Cinderace]

I personally do adore the art style of fire emblem engage. I would love their design whenever I get my hands on the game 😊

[ivanbackfromthecardshop]

I feel like the point youre making implies people would like the designs if the writing was just better which i dont think is true because people hated the desins well before they could judge the story lol. Maybe that supplies extra hate buts its not main reason

[AzumarillConGafasBv]

The actual reason they're bad is because they don't look like Arthur, Justice prevails!

[mysteranonymous]

Me who stumbled upon Fire Emblem Engage: what the hell is this game design

Me after playing: I am now certified Engage defender

[saintekweena]

2:29 I think the music also suffers from this, especially the main leitmotiv. This problem is also present in fates, where I can't listen to the good tracks because the leitmotiv reminds me of the horrendous story

[smoltrans]

2:49 I'm pretty sure that panette is supposed to be designed after Dia de Los Muertos decorations