Time to sit down for another YvoCaro Plays. As always, these blurbs are mostly about the video games I’m currently playing. Unedited thoughts that spring up in my mind, mostly game related. And sometimes a random train of thoughts starting with the game and ending somewhere completely different!
If you like these bits of gaming thoughts you can find the previous ones here
A week ago I mentioned in my recurring ‘YvoCaro Plays’ article that I was finally playing Fire Emblem Three Houses. The game has been in my possession for weeks already, so it was time. One of our readers asked if I would follow up on my thoughts and discuss the game further in here.
So here goes….
I have an issue. Like I wrote last week, I’m a bit surprised they have expanded so much on the sim elements in the game. In theory, I should love it. I’m partial to simulation games and I love the battling in FE. So the fact that they have put such a lot of sim elements in the game shouldn’t be a problem for me.
You feel a “but” coming on, don’t you? Well, here it is: the game is not clicking with me. I really want to love it. I want to spend hours battling and leveling up my forces. I feel that instead I’m running around in the monastery doing chores that don’t mean much.
I think I’d feel better about the socializing part if I could actually do something. If I could sow seeds myself, water the plants and harvest them. If I could actually make a meal by combining the right ingredients or sing in the choir hitting the right notes.
As it is now, I can only really fish and other than that, every sim action is just pressing the A button once and it’s done. You could say that’s okay, as this isn’t a sim game but a strategy game. True.
Can the socializing part be too big?
I liked the socializing part in Awakening as it was mainly about the storyline. I wanted to know how the characters developed. I had them chat together and encouraged them to find the right mate. In Fates I felt they took it too far. Which caused me to let that social part of Fates slide, only to find out my army was too weak for the last battle.
So I’ve learned not to ignore the social part in Three Houses, but I find I’m doing the minimal. When I teach my students in Golden Deer I do the automated version. In the beginning I instructed them myself, but the fun wore off. I do the requests as quickly as possible trying to get to the end of the month. All of that, just so I can do some battle.
Maybe that’s the thing that’s bothering me: I feel there isn’t enough focus on the battles. Which makes me wonder: can I just let the requests and seminars slide? Or do I just have to buckle up and sit through the days of rest? And do I want to?
I do have Ni no Kuni pre-ordered, so I guess I already know what my next game will be. But will I keep trying this upcoming week, or give up now? What are your thoughts on Three Houses? What am I missing?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts after playing for a bit! In reading your views on previous games, it seems to me that we have similar desires for what we want from a game. It sounds like Three Houses is becoming more work than game – that a good portion of if feels like filler to you. Sounds to me like it’s time to play something else. As for me, when I do get my Switch (hopefully by the holidays), this game will not be on my “must get” list. Thanks again!
I do feel kinda guilty for not being enthusiastic enough about the game, as I know an awful lot of people adore it. Maybe it’s the timing, maybe it’s my mood…For now, I’ll hang onto the game and try getting into it at a later moment.
Don’t feel guilty. It’s very good to hear what you think about the game.
And that people shouldn’t just buy it because of the name and the expected tactical battle gameplay.