Fire Emblem: Three Houses Switch In-Depth Review: A Heartfelt Recommendation from a Decade-Long Player

Hello everyone, I'm Lao Wang, a Nintendo Switch gamer and reviewer with over a decade of experience. Today, I'm bringing you a strategy RPG that I personally adore – Fire Emblem: Three Houses. This game has been highly acclaimed since its release, but what makes it so good? What are its shortcomings? And how might it perform on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2? Next, I'll break down this title from various perspectives.

1. Fire Emblem: Three Houses Game Introduction

Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a strategy role-playing game co-developed by Intelligent Systems and Koei Tecmo Games, and published by Nintendo. As the 16th main installment in the Fire Emblem series, this title debuted on the Nintendo Switch platform and was officially released on July 26, 2019.

The game's story is set on the continent of Fódlan, a land ruled by three interconnected nations. Players take on the role of a professor at a military academy, choosing and guiding students from one of these nations, ultimately leading them towards the future. The game's plot is grand, filled with political struggles, personal grudges, and profound moral choices.

2. Fire Emblem: Three Houses Game Review

2.1 Gameplay: A Perfect Combination of Strategy and Development

The gameplay of Fire Emblem: Three Houses is arguably one of its biggest highlights. It perfectly combines strategic combat and character development.

In terms of strategic combat, the game continues the classic grid-based combat system of the Fire Emblem series. Players need to develop combat strategies based on factors such as terrain, unit type advantages, and character attributes. The game features a wide variety of unit types, each with its own unique skills and characteristics. How to reasonably match units and take advantage of the terrain is key to victory. In addition, the game introduces the "Crest" system, which can grant characters various special abilities, further enhancing the strategy of combat.

In terms of character development, the game introduces the "Officers Academy" setting. Players take on the role of a professor, guiding students to learn various skills and improve their attributes. There are three houses to choose from in the game, each with its own unique students and storylines. The player's choices directly impact the story's direction and the final ending. Character development offers a high degree of freedom; players can cultivate their students' various abilities according to their preferences, creating a unique combat team.

Potential Improvements for the Nintendo Switch 2: I personally look forward to playing an enhanced version or sequel of Fire Emblem: Three Houses on the Nintendo Switch 2. More powerful hardware means we can expect more detailed graphics and smoother combat experiences. Furthermore, nintendo switch2 first look also mentions that if the Nintendo Switch 2 can support higher resolutions and frame rates, the visual presentation of Fire Emblem: Three Houses will take a qualitative leap, and combat smoothness will also be significantly improved.

2.2 Graphics: Unique Style, but Slightly Rough

The graphics of Fire Emblem: Three Houses are unique, adopting a cel-shaded style, with character designs leaning towards Japanese anime aesthetics. While the overall visual style is good, the details are slightly rough, especially in handheld mode, where jagged edges are noticeable. The modeling of the scenes is also relatively simple and lacks detail.

However, the game's UI design is very clean and intuitive, making it easy to operate. The character portraits and CG animations are very beautiful, adding to the game's appeal.

Potential Improvements for the Nintendo Switch 2: Without a doubt, the Nintendo Switch 2 will have significant improvements in graphics. If Fire Emblem: Three Houses is remade or a sequel is released on the Nintendo Switch 2, the visual presentation will be greatly improved. Higher resolution, more detailed models, and smoother animations will all bring a better visual experience to players.

2.3 Sound: Grand Soundtrack, Powerful Voice Actor Cast

The sound design of Fire Emblem: Three Houses is excellent. The game's soundtrack is grand and atmospheric, perfectly complementing the game's tone. The sound effects during combat are also very impactful, giving players an immersive feeling.

In addition, the game boasts a powerful voice actor cast, bringing together many well-known Japanese voice actors. Their brilliant performances give the characters in the game vivid life.

2.4 Story: Twists and Turns, Thought-Provoking

The story of Fire Emblem: Three Houses is one of its biggest highlights. The game's plot is grand, filled with political struggles, personal grudges, and profound moral choices.

Players need to choose and guide students from one of these nations, ultimately leading them towards the future. Each house has its own unique storyline and ending. The player's choices directly impact the story's direction and the final ending.

The game's plot is full of twists and turns, making it thought-provoking. Throughout the game, players need to face various moral dilemmas and make difficult choices. These choices will directly affect the fate of the characters and the future of the entire continent.

2.5 Handling: Easy to Pick Up, but Depth Requires Exploration

The handling of Fire Emblem: Three Houses is very good. The game's controls are relatively simple and easy to pick up. However, mastering the game requires deep exploration of its strategy.

Players need to reasonably match unit types, take advantage of the terrain, and develop combat strategies. In addition, they need to reasonably cultivate their students' various abilities, creating a unique combat team.

2.6 Summary of Pros and Cons

Pros:

• A perfect combination of strategy and development
• A gripping, thought-provoking story
• Grand and atmospheric soundtrack
• Powerful voice actor cast
• High degree of freedom in character development

Cons:

• Graphics are slightly rough
• Some parts of the plot are slightly drawn out

3. Fire Emblem: Three Houses Game Guide

3.1 Beginner's Guide

• Choose a House: At the beginning of the game, players need to choose a house to join. Each house has its own unique story and characters. It is recommended that novice players choose the Black Eagles house, as the characters in this house are relatively balanced and the story is easier to pick up.
• Train Students: Players need to play the role of a teacher, guiding students to learn various skills and improve their attributes. It is recommended that novice players prioritize training students in swordsmanship, spear skills, and archery, as these skills are very practical in the early game.
• Combat Strategy: In combat, players need to develop combat strategies based on factors such as terrain, unit type advantages, and character attributes. It is recommended that novice players make more use of the terrain and avoid being surrounded by enemies.

3.2 Advanced Tips and Strategies

• Unit Type Advantages: Unit type advantages exist in the game. Spears beat swords, swords beat axes, and axes beat spears. Making reasonable use of unit type advantages can effectively increase combat power.
• Crest System: The Crest system exists in the game. Crests can grant characters various special abilities. Making reasonable use of the Crest system can further enhance the strategy of combat.
• Skill Combinations: Different skill combinations can produce different effects. Players need to reasonably combine skills based on the character's characteristics and combat needs.

3.3 Walkthrough for Specific Levels or Challenges

Due to the large number of levels, it is impossible to list them all here. But remember, flexibly using unit type advantages and actively using the terrain are key to clearing the game. Try different tactics and you will always find a breakthrough.

3.4 Best Equipment, Skill Combinations, etc.

• Swords: It is recommended to choose swords with the "Critical Hit" attribute.
• Spears: It is recommended to choose spears with the "Pursuit" attribute.
• Bows: It is recommended to choose bows with the "Range +1" attribute.
• Skills: It is recommended to learn skills such as "Swordsmanship LV5", "Spear Skills LV5", "Archery LV5", and "Speed +6".

3.5 Speedrun Techniques and Hidden Element Strategies

The key to speedrunning is efficiency. Try to avoid unnecessary battles and prioritize completing main quests. Making good use of teleport points can save a lot of time. In terms of hidden elements, there are some hidden characters and items in the game. Players need to carefully explore the map to find them.

4. Fire Emblem: Three Houses Game Recommendation

4.1 Game Score

Overall, Fire Emblem: Three Houses is an excellent strategy RPG. It perfectly combines strategic combat and character development, and the plot is full of twists and turns, making it thought-provoking. Although the graphics are slightly rough, the flaws do not detract from its merits.

• IGN: 9.5/10 (Link to be added)
• Metacritic: 89/100 (Link to be added)

Lao Wang's Score: 9/10

Reason: I personally love this game. It has brought me countless joys and emotions. It is a work worth playing repeatedly. The point deducted is mainly because the graphics do have room for improvement, and I hope the Nintendo Switch 2 can bring a better experience.

4.2 Purchase Advice

• If you are a strategy RPG game enthusiast, then Fire Emblem: Three Houses is definitely not to be missed.
• If you like development games, then Fire Emblem: Three Houses is also worth a try.
• If you have high demands for the plot, then Fire Emblem: Three Houses can also meet your needs.

nintendo switch2 price price predictions show that if you want to experience Fire Emblem in higher quality, you might want to wait for the Nintendo Switch 2, as there might be a bundled sale.

4.3 Cost Performance Analysis

The price of Fire Emblem: Three Houses is slightly high, but considering its rich game content and replayability, I think its cost performance is still relatively high.

4.4 New Game Release Information and Prediction Evaluation

There is currently no news about a sequel to Fire Emblem: Three Houses. But I believe that Nintendo will continue to release new works in the Fire Emblem series. I hope that on the future Nintendo Switch 2 platform, we can see more exciting Fire Emblem works. Considering the relevant information on nintendo switch2 compatibility, the new work should perform better on the Nintendo Switch 2.

5. Conclusion

In conclusion, Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a highly recommended Nintendo Switch game. It is a work that can immerse you in it and make you enjoy it. As an old player, I highly recommend that everyone try this game. I believe it will bring you a different gaming experience.

The future release of the Nintendo Switch 2 will undoubtedly bring more possibilities to the Fire Emblem series. I look forward to playing more exquisite, smoother, and more exciting Fire Emblem works on the Nintendo Switch 2! I hope my review can help everyone, thank you for reading!