By Source, Fair use https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=60178247

There are very few these days that I'm so hyped at to even consider pre-ordering or even buying in the launch window.... Mainly, this is due to the fact that the launch price is pretty steep and you aren't 100% sure that the game will be everything that it is blown up to be... plus, the fact that I have a hefty backlog of games that haven't been played or completed. So, all of those things push me in the direction of the wait until a sale... I think the last games that I bought near launch were last year, FrostPunk and also BattleTech (both on the PC), but since then nothing... despite lots of temptations!

Anyway, today... I finally succumbed. I the Fire Emblem series since the DS days, and it is a series that has lasted even longer than that (almost 3 decades?). Anyway, it's a pretty hardcore turn based tactics and RPG game where the death of your characters is pretty permanent... and there is a lot of development in the relationships between characters. So, definitely things that are right up my alley!

Now, the Fire Emblem series is going to launch on the 27th of July on the more powerful Switch platform... and trailers and preview reviews have started hitting the internet and my feeds. It's sort of hard to hide away from... especially if you are searching for the information! Don't tell me that cut-scene isn't completely awesome!

Now, Fire Emblem: Three Houses has a bit of a new take on many aspects of the Fire Emblem formula. There is a change from the classic paper/scissor/rock mechanic of the battles, but everything still takes place (I think) on a grid for the tactics portion of the game. The RPG section has been quite completely overhauled with the new setting in an Academy location.

You are the new teacher at the Academy, and you take one of the Houses under your wing and leadership for the game.... by setting the study schedule for the week, you are influencing the development of the skills of your charges... and there are dialogue/quest events to further develop and flesh out their relationships and characters. So, there is a heavy interactive RPG aspect to the development of your "units". The skill set and classing seems to be much more open than previous iterations... but this is from viewing and reading the previews, not from personal experience.

Well.. that is all said and done... I put my money down yesterday, and the game is pre-loaded onto my Switch. I just have to wait like a kid before Christmas until the 27th of July... only a few more sleeps to go!

Meanwhile, I can watch the various videos!... I'm trying to stay clear of the preview review ones... I don't want any spoilers... but the official teaser trailers are pretty awesome to drink in! NERD OUT!

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