Platform: Nintendo Switch Playtime: 60-80 hours Genre: JRPG, tactical

Impressions: Addictive, story-driven, immersive Rating: 9/10

This is a game that you will play more than once.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses for Nintendo Switch is the game that keeps on giving. The end credits were accompanied by an instantaneous desire to start a second playthrough. What were the fates of the other characters? How did my on-game decisions shape the finale? What story arcs did I miss? I just had to know, and this was match point for the game.

At the outset of the story, the player is given the choice to support one of three characters, and by extension, one of three houses. This appears to be an innocuous decision, but ultimately it will determine the story arc your character Byleth is about to embark upon.

If you’re new to the franchise, expect tactical turn-based warfare on the battlefield, and plenty of relationship building and stories to delve into off the battlefield. It doesn’t hurt that there’s a side of romance and humour, served with item collecting.

The inclusion of three separate storylines (plus a lesser known fourth option) was definitely the highlight of this title, but other features also deserve a mention:

1. The main setting of the story, Garreg Mach, was an unexpected but very pleasant surprise. Its sheer size has no equal in the Fire Emblem franchise, and the option to roam, explore and discover places and people was a great addition.
2. The recruiting system added an interesting twist also. Traditionally the player would pick up new characters for their army at various points throughout the story, but recruitment in this game was much more action driven. If you want a character on your side, you have to work for it. You have more control over your team but there’s also a challenge in it, and this makes recruitment far more satisfying.
3. There’s no doubt fans of the series will appreciate seeing battles play out on the big screen for the first time. Visually, battles and cut scenes are striking enough that even new players are likely to take note.
4. Battalions. Well my, my, aren’t you an interesting one? In another first, you can recruit groups to your cause, or pay them as mercenaries. Your assigned battalions will aid you in battle, and each have unique skills that can be activated to cause damage or give you an advantage.
5. Fire Emblem games traditionally include a class system that gives you a degree of choice about your characters’ growth and strengths, but in this game it was taken to another level. To get the most out of it you really have to focus your efforts on building your characters in different directions, but this was definitely a positive rather than a negative.

My second playthrough was much more thorough to an almost perfectionist extent, and the game rewarded me for it. My advice would be not to skimp on the character interactions/support feature – It’s not only entertaining and novel but also beneficial for your gameplay.

The story sets a steady pace, and really does a good job exploring what the idea of peace means when there are so many competing ideals, beliefs and motives at play. It succeeds in transcending the simple black and white, good vs evil trope, and creates a cast of grey, well-rounded and complex characters.

Now, who’s ready for a third playthrough?