Fire Emblem Shadows — mobile spin-off mixes tactics with social deduction

Nintendo’s new mobile spin-off, Fire Emblem Shadows, is available now on iOS and Android. The free-to-play title blends the series’ tactical roots with social-deduction mechanics: after battles, players vote to identify a treacherous disciple of shadow — the vote changes how the next encounter plays out.

Gameplay

Players lead groups of archetypal heroes (royals, rogues, etc.) through an underground labyrinth. Rather than directly controlling characters in combat, you watch their planned paths across the map and deploy spells to damage enemies, heal allies, or grant buffs as they move. Early battles can feel hands-off, but difficulty and complexity ramp up as you progress.

Roles & Voting

At the start players choose to be a disciple of Light or a disciple of Shadow. After the initial battle, a vote determines who players suspect is the treacherous disciple of shadow — the outcome affects the difficulty of subsequent battles.

Progression & Monetization

You earn upgrades over time, and Nintendo offers a season pass that unlocks premium rewards for players advancing through either of the game’s two storylines.

How it compares

Unlike Fire Emblem Heroes, which leaned closer to the series’ tactical battles (with gacha mechanics), Shadows takes a more hands-off strategic approach and adds a social twist. If popular, it may receive similar long-term updates.

Download

Available for free on iOS (App Store) and Android (Google Play).

Original reporting summarized from multiple sources.