After a Fire Emblem: Three Houses which we particularly appreciated in 2019, Intelligent Systems called on Omega Force (Koei-Tecmo) to design not a sequence like Persona 5 Strikers or a prequel likeHyrule Warriors: Age of Calamitybut rather what appears to be an alternate version of the timeline we experienced playing as Byleth. So we have already been able to play this Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes for a few hourswhich takes up the popular cast of the last episode and its universe, this time with a gameplay placing us at the heart of the action since we embody the officers during battles musoo, knocking out scores of enemies with devastating attacks. Apart from two main trailers, the presentation of the three main factions (Adrestia, Faerghus and Leicester) and some details scattered on the networks, we were not sure what direction this episode would take. Well, we were pleasantly surprised by our debut.
This Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes has all the ingredients to satisfy you!
To start, you have to see this Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes as three additional scenarios in addition to those of Three Housesexcept that this time we embody a mercenary named Shez (editable) whose actions will influence the story. Following the introductory battle against the Mercenaries of Jeralt, our character crosses swords with the Ashen Demona.k.a Byleth, whose gender and name we can also choose, but which above all seems much more ruthless than when we controlled it. When all seems lost for Shez, a mystical being namedArval causes a transformation giving us the ascendancy for a few moments, which is worth being spared. As Sothis, he will then interact via internal dialogues, acting as a commentator on our choices. Always during the Prologueafter an ellipse of 6 months, we are entitled to a situation reminiscent of deja vu, since Shez crosses the road toEdelgard, Dmitri and Claudius as they are chased by bandits.
Shortly after, a choice that will define the course of our game is offered to us, that of integrating one of the three classes: the jet eaglesthem sapphire lions where the golden deer. Yes, instead of being a teacher of Garreg Mach, we become a student. But it’s only temporary and really quick as a passage, because the events in 1180 follow one another very quickly before a two-year ellipse occurs ! And that’s where it ends Prologue and the real game starts with the choice of scenarios Crimson Inferno, Azure glow Where golden furnacewhile we end up general in the army of one of the factions and that Fodlan dark in war.
The action therefore takes place at a time not covered by the original game, which is quite good for bringing a breath of fresh air, in addition to highlighting characters from the lore some of which were only mentioned. And obviously, many familiar faces return in addition to our comrades with time-altered designs. Overall, the first hours act as a tutorial with a lot of elements of gameplay to swallow. Nothing bad, if you have already touched a musoo and at Three Houses, you’ll soon be on familiar ground. The grip is quite instinctive and the action fluid on the screen in mode Portablea real pleasure on our OLED Switch. Without going into too much detail, each character has various more or less powerful offensives, including abilities related to the durability of the weapon (it is restored after each battle), a warrior skill when the gauge is full, a Awakening or the effects ofEmblem can be triggered. A dodge and a parry are also there to protect yourself, and it is obviously possible to lock an important enemy among the mass of troops, as well as to collect loot in the environment and once certain targets have been beaten. Classic. And, yes, the giant monsters are back!
Each member of the roster (a priori 40 characters in total) has a starting class and can unlock new ones by earningXP and having the proper seal, Shez being for example a Flugel wielding two blades at once. The enemies are also more or less sensitive to certain types of weapons or magic, respecting the strategic aspect of the license. In combat, we can at any time give orders to other generals to perform certain offensive or defensive actions. Secondary objectives being at times proposed in the middle of battle, managing everything alone would be very risky after all. On this subject, it is possible to detach our Joy-Con and have fun in local cooperation if the desire tells us.
As Three Houses with its monastery as a hub, Three Hopes makes us wander around the base camp between each mission accessible via a war map. There, everything is there, with merchants, a training ground or our personal quarters. It is possible to improve the morale of our comrades and strengthen our bonds by performing three-way tasks or by cooking them good meals, these actions consuming activity points. You must have figured it out, all the original game management part is present again, for our greatest pleasure. In addition, the buildings can be improved, their development costing materials recovered over the battles. Each chapter has a main mission on the map, with other clashes to be fought beforehand to capture the territories step by step. And it is possible to replay them, enough to spend many hours leveling up all these beautiful people, even if it is possible to pay ECU to catch up with our best unit. A whole list ofExploits to achieve also promises to increase the meter if you are completionist.
Japanese dubbing enthusiasts can blow, it is possible to select the language of Mishima or English from the main menu, as well as listen to the music of the game, review the cutscenes and scenes of the plot, as well as the interactions when two characters are close enough. Fans of the license can on their side configure their game as in Three Houses by selecting a global difficulty (Easy, Normal Where Hard) changeable at any time, a game mode between Beginner and Classicthe latter leaving our characters for dead if they fall in battle from the Chapter 4 (it’s daring for a production of this type)as well as a playing style with on one side Gradually to have access to all the strategic information and on the other Fast and effective if you want to focus on the action. As for the visual part, the game is also in line with Three Housesincluding very clean, and we did not find any concern for frame rate notable so far. Otherwise note the support of amiibo offering up to 5 gifts per day, bonuses if you have a save of Fire Emblem Warriors Where Three Houses on your console and the presence of 8 save slots.
Our first impressions: strongly!
Did you love Three Houses? Do you also like getting in on the job against hordes of not-so-smart enemies? Then this Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes has all the ingredients to satisfy youespecially since some elements of the lore are deepened. However, we are curious to see if it will be possible to use the entire cast within the same game once all these beautiful people have been unlocked, the starting choice limiting, among other things, those that can be used in the same save game.
You can pre-order Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes on Amazon for €47.49.
| Alexandre SAMSON (Omega Law) Responsible Corrector – Editor | ||
| Addicted to Assassin’s Creed and Destiny, great fan of RPGs and passionate about video game experiences in general. Reader of comics (DC) and various manga (One Piece!). Chemist by training and Whovian at heart. | ||
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