Every few entries Fire Emblem loves to reinvent itself. I wonder what new direction would be one I would enjoy.
Then I remembered something, I love Shadow Dragon. Shadow Dragon is the only Fire Emblem game I finished only for the sake of its gameplay.
I think I would love a Fire Emblem game that embraces the “Choose your own adventure” vibes Shadow Dragon has. Make a game designed around permadeath and dealing with the card you are dealt.
I think it will be a game centric on replay value and a game that has more content based on your gameplay than any other. Similar to games like Star Fox 64 I can imagine you getting maps based on how well you are doing. You are always going to the finish line, but if you are doing poorly you may have to do an easier map or you are offered an extra assignment that is sure to put you in good graces with powerful people.
It doesn’t tell much of a story but in return it focuses on allowing it to be your story. You can decide who your “retainers” aka “secondary cast members who always talk like Alfred in Engage who talks all the time despite me having benched him like 20 maps ago.” and that this also shapes your tale. When you asign the obligatory Anna as one of your retainers you can turn maps with a secret shops into maps where you can recruit another Anna. A bold character may allow you to skip maps.
Also make skills more simple as a system. I am annoyed by complex skill systems, I would love a simple Class Skill + Personal skill system. Also maybe do something like infantry having shove and maybe only mounted units having Canto to make the flier, infantry and mounted trio more fair.
But how do we develop something like this? Easy! We need to cut stuff. The story will be Shadow Dragon like, super simple, but doesn’t pretend to be more. The game will have the FE9 Base instead of a Somniel/Monestary with fishing minigame. And the roster will be more simple. Like I can imagine a giant roster, maybe even doing something like that all your characters start as generics and only if you actually use them they take of their helmet and become a real character. I have heard that idea somewhere and I feel like it would be great! Also add in the ability to make more My Units to just hire whoever you want and if actual characters to be revealed run out just add random “My Units”.
Also make supports a lesser system in this. Like everyone can support everyone, but only few pairings have conversations. Like I can imagine only the avatar supporting with other units in visual novel like cutscenes, allowing for you to talk with them sorta like Persona Social Links. The supports between others grow stronger, but you don’t hear them. Plus this would allow My Units to not be shafted Support Wise. I dunno, supports with My Units fade to black.
Give everyone a sexuality, I think it fits with the “Deal with the hand you are dealt” vibe if you find out your waifu is lesbian or if your husbando has a loving wife in his home village.
So yeah. This is my pitch. I hope it is neat.
TLDR: Expand upon the choose your own adventure elements of Shadow Dragon. Your choices and your performance shape your path through the game. This game won’t tell the best story by itself, but you are given the ability to shape the story to be your own, especially if you play on classic and allow your choices to be shaped by the hand that is the consequence of your actions.