fire emblem: fortune's weave is going to be the clair obscur: expedition 33 of 2026 #gaming

Announced at the September 12, 2025 Nintendo Direct, Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave is Intelligent Systems' next tactical RPG, exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026. The trailer teases the "Heroic Games"—a massive arena tournament where warriors fight for wishes from the mysterious Divine Sovereign (possibly adult Sothis or Nabatean). Four protagonists—Cai (flying rider), Theodora (noble spear user), Dietrich (high-level myrmidon with Hero's Relic Answerer), and Leda (beast-summoning songstress)—hint at intertwining routes like Three Houses' houses, with free-roaming hubs, Gambits, Combat Arts, and new "Blaze Arts" gauge system (HP-costing powers). Ties to Fodlan abound: Crests (Fraldarius, Noa), Demonic Beasts, pristine Sothis throne—speculation runs wild as prequel/sequel. TheGamer's fresh take crowns it 2026's Clair Obscur: Expedition 33—the indie JRPG that exploded with emotional casts and parry combat, sweeping TGAs after Engage's "forgettable" story flop. If Fortune's Weave nails layered characters (beyond Engage's misses) and refines battles, it could dominate like Clair's 5M sales/9 awards. X/Reddit hype builds (Serenes Forest analysis: 4k+ views), though early Direct backlash called it "underwhelming"—now fans crave its revenge/family saga in a desert arena, guns/gauntlets, weather effects. No date yet, but 2026 RPG king?