“Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest” is not cruel for the sake of being cruel; it expects greatness from its players. The trick is earning that greatness. It thrives most when it’s putting players in difficult positions, forcing them to fight off a seemingly insurmountable force with only a ragtag group of soldiers. “Conquest” makes these moments hit even harder because the soldiers you command are not just nameless units but people with personalities, capable of falling in love with one another, becoming your BFF or dying because you made the wrong play. “Conquest” tells an alternate version of the story seen in “Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright.” Instead of your hero siding with the noble nation of Hoshido, you fight alongside the warriors of Nohr. “Conquest” is more than just a harder version of “Birthright.” It creates a consistently tense journey with few lulls.