Fire Emblem: Three Houses Set for July, Details Revealed
Nintendo devoted a portion of its recent Nintendo Direct presentation to upcoming tactical RPG Fire Emblem: Three Houses. In addition to providing details about the game’s story, Nintendo announced that the game will be released worldwide for Nintendo Switch on July 26, 2019. The game will available in standard physical and digital editions as well as in a special Seasons of Warfare Edition that includes:
- Physical copy of Fire Emblem: Three Houses
- SteelBook case
- Soundtrack selection CD
- Hardcover art book
- 2020 calendar
Fire Emblem: Three Houses puts players in the role of a mercenary who is recruited to be become an instructor for the Officer’s Academy at Garreg Mach Monastery. The monastery sits in the middle of the continent of Fódlan, inbetween its three main powers: the Adrestian Empire, the Kingdom of Faerghus, and the Leicester Alliance. It is the home of the Church of Seiros and the Knights of Seiros, which aims to maintain order in Fódlan.
The Officer’s Academy is split into three houses, each representing one of the continent’s powers: the Black Eagles for the Adrestian Empire, the Blue Lions for the Kingdom of Faerghus, and the Golden Deer for the Leicester Alliance. Players choose one of these houses to lead the students of. Each house has its own leader of high standing in their respective nations. Edelgard, heir apparent of the empire, leading the Black Eagles; Prince Dimitri leading the Blue Lions; and Claude, heir of family in charge of the Leicester Alliance, leading the Golden Deer.
Students of the Officer’s Academy are expected to travel across the continent and gain real battle experience on missions such as defeating bandits or suppressing rebellions. Players can tutor their students, increasing their ability with magic or weapons, or learning new skills. Students can also interact with each other and strengthen their bonds, resulting in support options in battle.
I would have never expected this game to go down the “cast goes to school” route, but I guess I shouldn’t be. I have lots of thoughts on the trailer and other things revealed, but I’ll save them for later. Besides, I imagine there will be more information forthcoming now that we have a release date. I will say that I was really hoping Byleth wouldn’t be an Avatar/My Unit. Fire Emblem main characters already have a dearth of personality, save for a few exceptions, without them also being a self-insert. Oh well, I’m sure there will be plenty of characters for me to love.
Thankfully, while it was somewhat delayed, July 26 is not so bad of a release date.
@ StrawberryEggs – I agree with several of the reservations you lay out. Fire Emblem is my favorite series, but I was more excited for this game following last year’s E3 trailer than I am after the recent Direct.
Moving Fire Emblem in the direction of a quasi-Persona or Trails of Cold Steel formula does not feel like a good fit for the series. In addition, I shared your hope that we would move on from the Avatar main character and return to the days of a strong, defined protagonist. Sure there will be plenty of memorable characters, but after Awakening and Fates, the series would benefit from another Roy, Ike or Marth.
Perhaps my opinion will change as we learn more.
I appear to be more upbeat on the academy idea than many. How well that works kind of depends on how the setting is built to handle it and if the main/supporting cast is strong enough; it feels a bit closer to a Cold Steel-side of that, which is more likely to work (in that it seems more for flavour than basis the entire game around á la Persona). The one thing that might swing it either way is how the three routes work together (or not).
At least it isn’t “unpopular high school kid is transported into fantasy world where he becomes the most powerful person in existence”.
Please don’t give IS any ideas about a Fire Emblem Isekai. D:That’s what fanfiction is for.