GameCenter - Issue 65 - 48

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FAC T FILE
PUBLISHER NINTENDO
DE VELOPER INTELLIGENT S YS TEMS,
KOEI TECMO GAME S
PL ATFORMS S WITCH
RELE A SE DATE 07.26.2019

FIRE EMBLEM: THREE HOUSES

SCHOOL DAZE

T

hough long-running, the Fire Emblem
series has only recently developed a
following in the West. Once known
for its hardcore strategy RPG sensibilities-
mistakes could lead to the permanent death
of characters-the more recent installments
focus more on character development and
approachability, even offering characters who
fall in battle a chance at revival.
The series' latest, Fire Emblem: Three Houses,
delivers an even more unexpected twist,
though traditional grid-based tactical combat
still plays an important part. Set against the
backdrop of an elite officers academy, Three
Houses tasks players with instructing their
students in both war and life. Games of this ilk
aren't unusual in Japan and have even started
to find an audience in the U.S. If you've played

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100

BY MARC CAMRON

games like Persona 4 or The Legend of Heroes:
Trails of Cold Steel then you know what to
expect from the school portion here.
You play a character recruited to lead
one of the three titular Houses at the Fódlan
continent's Garegg Mach monastery. Located
in something of a no-man's-land in the middle
of the three kingdoms, the monastery also
houses the widely revered Church of Seiros.
Each House has a leader destined to rule their

48

respective kingdom, as well as several other
recruits. As a professor you must interact with
each of them, choose their skills, and train
them with the rest of their squad to make a
well-balanced fighting unit.
It's fun getting to know your students and
shaping their skills. Among your other duties,
you'll have to decide how to spend your free
days. There are many constructive activities to
pursue, but each one costs precious time, so

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Fire-Emblem-Three-Houses-Nintendo-Nintendo-Switch-045496593858/342785104

GameCenter - Issue 65

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of GameCenter - Issue 65