Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave appears to be Nintendo’s most ethnically diverse game yet, with an unusually broad range of skin tones among its cast. That makes an awkward visual choice stand out even more: several dark-skinned characters appear noticeably pale and ashy rather than convincingly alive.
Three of the four principal heroes are people of colour. Cai and Leda have lighter brown complexions, while Queen Theodora has a significantly deeper skin tone. Theodora is a compelling character design: powerful, elegant and ruler of a desert nation. Yet her rendering gives her skin a grey, powdery appearance that undermines the character.
Theodora is not the only character affected. Her retainers Tobias and Bonaparte have a similar pallor, as shown in their character reveals. Players can also give Eshmel, the game’s fifth and true protagonist, an ashy skin tone through the character creator, alongside options such as hairstyle and body type. The game’s customisation system otherwise appears to offer a meaningful range of skin tones.
Tobias and Bonaparte are examples of how the issue extends beyond one character model. It is difficult to read the effect as a deliberate artistic choice when the surrounding cast demonstrates much more natural-looking brown skin.
A frustrating inconsistency
Representation is valuable, particularly in a major Nintendo-published role-playing game. If Theodora and her retainers were the only brown characters in the story, their poor rendering would still be worth criticising, but their presence would at least represent a rare step forward.
What makes the decision more frustrating is that Intelligent Systems has already shown it can depict brown skin successfully. Characters from previous Fire Emblem entries provide clear examples, as do numerous characters within Fortune’s Weave itself.
The game’s official character posts have introduced a wider range of brown-skinned figures, including Esmeralda, a strong fisher’s daughter from a coastal village; Nathan, a renowned general of the Arago Kingdom; and Buccaneer, a veteran warrior who has served Leda’s father for many years.
More diversity deserves more care
This broader spectrum suggests that the rendering of Theodora, Tobias and Bonaparte may be intentional. If it is, the game should provide some explanation. If it is not, the contrast highlights how important consistent review and reference should be when developing character models across a large cast.
Fortune’s Weave is not required to be perfect to make progress. Its larger, more varied cast is welcome, and the customisable protagonist is an encouraging inclusion. But representation works best when characters are treated as people rather than visual exceptions, and that includes giving darker skin tones the same care applied elsewhere.
For more coverage of games, hardware and the wider enthusiast scene, browse RETROCADE’s Arcade Blog and arcade videos. Readers planning a dedicated gaming setup can also compare options in the Arcade Machine Buying Guide or explore arcade machines and compact bartop arcades.
Leave a Reply