Pineapple on 07 February 2016
For the most part, every Fire Emblem game is standalone, so you don't need to have played any other game to understand what's happening. Fire Emblem Fates has no real connection to any other Fire Emblem game.
Awakening (the 3DS one) is the one with the highest universal appeal, and probably the one that does the best job of introducing a new player to the series.
It's not my favourite game in the series, but it's an excellent game, and the best starting point.
