This was my introduction to the Fire Emblem series and SRPGs and I can say this was such an enjoyable time for me. I'm always cautious of games that try to manage a lot of characters and although this game is by no means an exception to that as some characters are far less interesting than others, there are more positives than negatives in that regard. The amazing story and my time with the students customizing classes and testing different party strategies far outweigh the fairly repetitive map designs and by the end of every story, the flaws never really bothered me or impacted my experience in any way.

I'll be brief.

Aren't hobbies supposed to pass time, instead of filling it? What it means to finish a game? Specifically, I almost never finish at 100% of progress games for lack of practicality, but if you consider the games I play, like Tactics Ogre, and their inane prerequisites for a 100% clear, you can see where I come from. One thing is achievement hunting, one thing is saying "yep, there's nothing else left in this for me". Hope I make sense.

Why then does Fire Emblem: Three Houses, or as the fans call it, 100% Walkthrough, ALL ROUTES, keep locking content behind routes? I understand the need to have a complex and definitive experience, with no clear canon, but the clumsiness and game design show another picture. There's three routes in the game, of which ... only one could be considered necessary. Repetitiveness of gameplay loop between monastery trips, fun for the first five minutes, and recycled battle maps can do only so much good for enjoyment.

I felt like I had to play this game just to be done with it and it's not a good indicator of enjoyment and fun. I stepped back, took a break from games altogether, came back last week and cleared all routes. It's frustrating, yes, because there's merit in it. There's a sparkle of good characterization, clear understanding of what makes a good Fire Emblem, but then it's snapped back to reality thanks to awkward choices.

Here's a couple examples:

- I feel like this game is bloated with content, while keeping to a single route and developing that single one Blue Lions would've done wonders, it would've addressed so many odd moments in the other routes as well. No spoilers, but if you know, you know.
- There was no need to choose the route to pick so early in the game. I hope you enjoy playing the same 10-12 chapters each new game!! when there's also BUILT IN a way to borrow units around your level. Huhhhh let me PLEASE have all units have that standard build and let me skip half the game please.
- Map design is barren. There are probably two or three good maps, and while other games in the franchise like Awakening like to at least present you a set piece, Three Houses really likes to put you through unimpressive ground and grass textures all the time.

These kind of flaws really shine through once you realize, in order to experience the full brunt of the game, you have to play through all three four routes. It leads to confusion, it leads to frustration; for goodness' sake choosing the Golden Deer faction because you like their characters (fair enough) is paramount to NOT understanding important plot points because it takes for granted that you've played the other two routes, and now you're ready for a third point of view.

I understand where the love for the game comes from. The soundtrack is stellar, the game's very accessible and the battles and classes are very hands-off, reward experimentation and being able to influence units' growth is also very fun. The characters and themes of the game give a lot of think about and offer interesting counterpoints to each other in their support conversations and there's no clear best or worst unit in terms of balance, characterization (except a very dull middle aged man) and build. Still, no reason to put permadeath when all characters are supposed to be important, but you do you, "Intelligent" System, this kind of game design doesn't incentivize iron man runs, at all.

I don't want to be bitter, I think I liked this game. I'll talk about the DLC in another review, at least I'll be able to skip all the monastery chicanery and jump straight to the maps, which made me not want to play the game ever again after 200 hours.

just played nothing but this game for a week straight, [picked golden deer]. and it was very very fun.

i think this game was a little too ambitious with all the stuff you can do, as its a little overwhelming.. [especially with the next game, engage, being a lot simpler].

all of my problems are just tiny things that are annoying over time, [weapon durability and how the level up screen pops up SUPER often and takes like 5 seconds, istg by the end of the game i wasted an HOUR just because of those screens..]

very very fun, can recommend, especially [prepare for a niche group of people that i happen to fall under..] for people who want to get into the series, and have played the persona games.

Facilmente a minha melhor experiência com a franquia, o jogo me conquistou desde os primeiros minutos, curti muito como foi feito o sistema de Reclass e a parte de dar aula é uma ideia do caralho, ajuda e facilita pra cacete em como ser criativo com as builds dos personagens. Em relação dificuldade, o jogo não é difícil, tem no máximo 3 capítulos que exigem algum mínimo esforço mental, o resto é andar pra frente e bater, sem muito mistério (Pelo menos na rota que eu peguei).
No futuro quero rejogar já que existem outras 3 rotas para eu explorar ainda, a historia é boa e sinto que deve melhorar muito com a DLC e o conteúdo das outras rotas.

"I have been dead, more or less..."

A touching game with an emotional story and a lovable cast, my first play through was Blue Lions, and I loved it. Dimitri's development is incredible, and as someone who also always wanted to help people, the feeling of hopelessness and being powerless really makes you bitter and hateful. That's why I resonated so much with Dimitri; he's the nicest guy who just wants to help, but life doesn't make that easy. That's why you get so angry, and it's so easy to stop smiling.

Claude is the sanest of the three main characters. I also resonate with him, but not that much. Still, he's lovable and literally wants to end racism.

Edelgard... well, I hate her and won't ever play her route; I refuse.

This one is a dozy, and for reference I only played Blue Lions like 2 years ago. It's a good game by all means, but it felt dull at times. Like I'd say 75% of the game is spent doing stuff around the monastery and the other 25% is actually playing Fire Emblem.

Characters are, fine? Edelgard was weird. Like your step-brother is sitting here offering you mercy after trying to kill you for 5 years, and after you turned into a giant monster and tried to kill him. And what does Edelgard do? Chuck a knife at the guy, promptly getting her killed. It makes no sense!

Other than repetitiveness and odd story choices, it's a fine game.