During this year’s PAX East, lots of new information was revealed about Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadow of Valentia, the reimagining of Fire Emblem Gaiden. A handful of new screenshots were shared, as well. [Thanks, GameSpot.]
In Fire Emblem Echoes, a world map will allow you some additional freedom to the game, as opposed to simply traveling from mission to mission. Dungeons can be accessed via the map and these areas abandon the top-down camera view, instead allowing you to explore through them in 3D and third-person. Engaging in battle in these dungeons takes you to the standard Fire Emblem battle, though you still have access to your squad and face multiple enemies as opposed to just a one-on-one fight. Also notable is the fact that Echoes is the first Fire Emblem game featuring full voice acting, excluding some very minor characters.
More changes in Echoes include the fact that archers have the ability to counter-attack from a single tile away, giving you more options in combat. Mages also expend a bit of their health to allow them to cast spells, forcing players to be a little more tactical with how they play.
Gamespot also noted that weapon durability is also not present in Echoes, as well as the support system during battles. Lastly, the weapon wheel does not exist in Echoes. However, there will be ways to gain an advantage in battles, though more detail on this was not shared.
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia is set to release in Japan on April 20th and internationally on May 19th, 2017 on Nintendo 3DS.