Nintendo releases Fire Emblem Shadows mobile game with social deduction and strategy battles

Nintendo has announced the release of Fire Emblem Shadows, a new mobile spinoff in the long-running Fire Emblem series. Available now for iOS and Android devices, the game introduces a blend of strategy mechanics and social deduction elements not previously seen in the franchise.

According to Nintendo, Fire Emblem Shadows features a system where three allies participate in each battle, but one is secretly a “treacherous disciple of shadow.”

Players can choose to align with the disciples of light, navigating through labyrinth stages, or take on the role of a disciple of shadow, working to deceive the others.

After the first battle, participants must vote to identify who they believe is the hidden traitor. The results of this vote determine whether the next encounter becomes easier or more challenging, adding an additional layer of unpredictability to the strategic format.

Victory depends on whether the disciples of light can expose the shadow within their group, or whether the disciple of shadow can successfully mislead their allies.

The game is free to play with optional in-app purchases. It follows the success of Fire Emblem Heroes, Nintendo’s other mobile entry in the series, which has remained popular since its launch in 2017 and continues to receive new updates and characters.

Nintendo also recently confirmed that Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, a new mainline entry in the series, is in development for Switch 2.

Fire Emblem Shadows is available to download now on the App Store and Google Play.