Fire Emblem has seen something of a rebirth over the past several years thanks to the Awakening and Fates games. It’s not quite the hardcore strategy game it once was; perma-death is optional instead of mandatory, players cannot play themselves into a no-win situation, and more emphasis has been put on the characters and their relationships. Strategy is still at its core overall, but it’s just a bit more forgiving with more side-stuff to dive into. Fire Emblem: Three Houses looks set to continue this trend with its school setting and everything associated with it, and that might not necessarily be a bad thing.

(video by YouTube channel: Nintendo)

This time around the player takes on the role of a mercenary-turned instructor chosen by fate. Their job: choose the representative from one of the three main factions to train-up into a force to be reckoned with. This means getting to know them and their peers at the Monastery, guiding their development, and serving as their strategist in battle. Combat looks like it follows the classic Fire Emblem formula, but with the added flair of actual combat groups with leaders rather than a single unit seemingly defeating a whole army single-handedly.

Personally, I’m a bit tired of the school setting coming up in so many JRPGs, but am hopeful that all the extra systems will make the tired trope’s presence here worth it. Even if it doesn’t, more Fire Emblem is always a good thing, especially since we’ve been waiting a full four years for a new one (even longer for a proper console entry). I’m psyched, are you?

What’s your take on the state of the Fire Emblem series? Like it? Hate it?

Lede image from the Fire Emblem: Three Houses eShop Page