Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a strategic role-playing game (RPG) developed by Intelligent Systems and Koei Tecmo for the Nintendo Switch. Released in July 2019, the game quickly gained popularity for its engaging storyline, complex characters, and innovative gameplay mechanics. As a player, you are not only tasked with leading your army to victory on the battlefield but also with nurturing and guiding a group of students as their professor at the prestigious Officer’s Academy.

Game Overview

Fire Emblem: Three Houses takes place in the continent of Fódlan, which is divided into three rival nations: the Adrestian Empire, the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus, and the Leicester Alliance. Each nation is home to a different house at the Officer’s Academy: the Black Eagles, Blue Lions, and Golden Deer, respectively. Players must choose one house to lead and support throughout the game, each offering a unique perspective on the overarching storyline.

The game is divided into two main parts: the Monastery phase and the War phase. During the Monastery phase, players have the opportunity to interact with students and staff, participate in various activities, and undertake missions to build relationships and improve their characters’ skills. The War phase focuses on tactical battles where players must lead their units strategically to achieve victory and advance the story.

Storyline and Characters

One of the standout features of Fire Emblem: Three Houses is its intricate storyline and well-developed characters. The game delves deep into political intrigue, personal relationships, and the consequences of war, offering a rich narrative experience for players to immerse themselves in. Each character has their own motivations, backstories, and growth arcs, adding depth and complexity to the overall plot.

Main Characters:
– Byleth: The player character and protagonist of the game, a mysterious mercenary who becomes a professor at the Officer’s Academy.
– Edelgard, Dimitri, and Claude: The house leaders of the Black Eagles, Blue Lions, and Golden Deer, respectively, each with their own goals and struggles.
– Sothis: A mysterious girl who shares a special connection with Byleth and plays a crucial role in the story.

Gameplay Mechanics

Fire Emblem: Three Houses combines traditional RPG elements with strategic gameplay mechanics to create a unique gaming experience. Players must manage their units, plan their movements carefully, and make strategic decisions both on and off the battlefield to succeed.

Key Gameplay Elements:
1. Class System: Characters can be assigned to different classes with unique abilities and skills, allowing for customization and specialization.
2. Skills and Abilities: Characters can learn and master various skills and combat arts to enhance their effectiveness in battle.
3. Weapon Triangle: The classic rock-paper-scissors system of weapon effectiveness adds an extra layer of strategy to combat.
4. Tea Parties: A quirky mini-game where players can invite characters to tea and engage in conversations to deepen their relationships.
5. Exploration: The Monastery phase allows players to explore the academy grounds, interact with NPCs, and complete side quests to gain rewards and strengthen bonds.

Combat System

The combat system in Fire Emblem: Three Houses is turn-based, with players taking control of their units on a grid-based map. Each unit has a set range of movement and can perform various actions such as attacking, using items, or casting spells. Combat revolves around positioning, unit placement, and exploiting enemy weaknesses to gain the upper hand.

Battle Elements:
– Strategy: Planning your moves ahead of time and considering terrain bonuses, unit supports, and enemy placements are crucial for victory.
– Permadeath: In classic Fire Emblem fashion, units that fall in battle are lost permanently unless playing on a casual mode that disables permadeath.
– Divine Pulse: A unique feature that allows players to turn back time a limited number of actions per battle, useful for undoing costly mistakes.

Academy Life

The Monastery phase of Fire Emblem: Three Houses offers a refreshing change of pace from the intense battles, allowing players to focus on character development, building relationships, and engaging in various activities around the academy.

Activities in the Monastery:
– Tea Parties: Invite students and staff for tea parties to bond and unlock new dialogue options.
– Lecture: Teach students to improve their skills and gain support points to recruit them to your house.
– Fishing and Gardening: Relaxing mini-games that provide resources and rewards for the players.
– Support Conversations: Deepen your relationships with characters by engaging in support conversations that reveal more about their personalities and backgrounds.

Player Choices and Consequences

Fire Emblem: Three Houses is renowned for its branching storylines and player choices that significantly impact the outcome of the game. Throughout the game, players will be faced with moral dilemmas, alliances to forge, and critical decisions to make that shape the fate of Fódlan and its inhabitants.

Consequences of Player Choices:
– House Selection: Choosing which house to lead will result in different storylines, character interactions, and endings.
– Support Levels: Building relationships with characters through dialogue and activities can unlock support bonuses and influence the story.
– Critical Decisions: Certain decisions made during missions and story events can lead to diverging paths and consequences for the player and their allies.

Graphics and Soundtrack

Visually, Fire Emblem: Three Houses shines with its stunning art style, detailed character designs, and beautiful environments. The game’s aesthetics bring the world of Fódlan to life, immersing players in its vibrant and diverse landscapes.

The soundtrack of Fire Emblem: Three Houses is equally impressive, featuring a mix of epic orchestral tracks, emotional ballads, and upbeat tunes that enhance the storytelling and gameplay experience. The music sets the tone for battles, emotional moments, and character interactions, adding depth and atmosphere to the game.

Multiplayer Features

While primarily a single-player experience, Fire Emblem: Three Houses does offer some multiplayer features for players to enjoy. Through the online functionality of the Nintendo Switch, players can engage in various activities such as sharing and receiving battalions for use in battles, comparing progress with friends, and participating in online events and challenges.

Multiplayer Activities:
– Recruitable Battalions: Players can recruit battalions from other players to assist them in battle, adding a cooperative element to the gameplay.
– Online Rankings: Compete with friends and other players to climb the online rankings and showcase your tactical skills.
– Exchange Items: Trade items and resources with other players to help each other progress in the game.

Review of Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Fire Emblem: Three Houses has garnered critical acclaim for its engaging storytelling, deep characters, strategic gameplay, and replay value. The game offers a compelling blend of strategy, role-playing, and social simulation elements that keep players invested in the world of Fódlan from start to finish.

Pros:
– Rich storytelling and well-developed characters.
– Strategic gameplay with depth and complexity.
– Meaningful player choices and consequences.
– Gorgeous visuals and captivating soundtrack.

Cons:
– Slow pacing in the Monastery phase for some players.
– Limited multiplayer features compared to other games in the genre.