#and all other FEs run on flat gimmick characters

[holdharmonysacred]

Started writing a post about unit blorbofication and story depth in FE in light of the latest round of past FEs VS 3H VS Engage discourse, someone remind me to go back to writing it later when I get my brainpower back.

[gascon-en-exil]

I don’t think they’re any question that I’m with the general consensus on Azure Moon being the best route overall. It’s strongly character-driven and succeeds at it (minus a gaping Avatar-shaped hole that apparently still appeals to some people regardless), its structure feels the most natural in comparison with the other two anti-Imperial routes, and even though it ignores entirely elements of the bigger picture it manages to be the most thematically resonant, on its own and as a reflection and commentary on past FEs. 

But which route do I think is the worst?

This wasn’t an easy determination to make, at least not as easy as it was for FE14 and its alleged golden route that raises as many questions as it answers and anchors its distinctive gameplay around tedious gimmicks and a setting even more half-baked than Fates is generally. No, I had to do some thinking about this one.

It’s not Verdant Wind, even though the Deer are my least favorite house overall. Claude is just too well-realized of a character, and it’s the go-to route for all most of the big questions about Fódlan’s worldbuilding. It’s not Crimson Flower either, as controversial as that route is. I don’t agree with Edelgard or even care strongly about her one way or the other, but there’s no denying that CF is unique among the routes for presenting its own story rather than the same story three times over with slight variations. The structure is completely different and the shortened length affects gameplay fairly drastically. It’s also wonderful for characterization, as just about everyone in the cast - whether they’re siding with or against Edelgard - gets material that they don’t get to work with in the other routes. Ferdibert, the Dimidue Camus act, Felix’s yearning angst, Claude and Hilda enacting Yied, Bernadetta becoming less annoying, Marianne kind of going off the deep end, Rhea as an enraged Seiros, the anguish of Seteth and Flayn...and so on and so on. I love that you can pull so much great content out of CF even while acknowledging that it’s a villain route with some truly screwed-up morals, to the extent that I feel like Edelgard’s diehard apologists taking it entirely at face value are missing out on some of the best parts.

That just leaves Silver Snow - perhaps not coincidentally the route I’ve saved for last in both my first and second runs through each. It’s not bad, certainly not Revelation levels of bad, but it really lacks a strong identity. It’s not Rhea’s route when she’s only in the last two chapters, and it’s not, as the fandom still tends to call it, the church route when both AM and VW see more nuanced discussion around what it means to ally with the church. It’s just VW without Claude with a different final boss, and Byleth as a solo protagonist falls hilariously flat even with Seteth and most of the Eagles doing their best to prop up the self-insert at every turn. I do like getting to see the Eagles struggle in story cutscenes with invading their homeland and fighting Edelgard (and Hubert - this parenthetical brought to you by Ferdinand), as well as the differences in Rhea’s endgame exposition compared to VW that prioritize Byleth and all the wacky magical incest. That’s just not enough to propel it over either of the other two, or to recommend multiple playthroughs unless you’re looking for the hardest challenge Maddening has to offer - which I certainly am not.

[mon-qi]

First Impressions of FE: Three Houses

no spoilers, up until chapter 6 (?), under the readmore

I LIKE THIS GAME A LOT. Which is good, considering how afraid I was that the FE Switch would be more of Fates. I like how it took some neat features I enjoyed in Echoes (time turner, fully voiced), did away with some I didn’t like in Fates (buying several games for three routes, really?) or general trends lately (just... fanservice. Ofc this game isn’t free of it but it’s very tame) and added/developed some others - I LOVE having a base that I can actually run around in and enjoy some downtime with characters.

I think the biggest problem I have with the game right now is actually it’s biggest asset, and that’s the freedom you have with a lot of things. Spending time at the monastery (or not!), doing missons, leveling, reclassing is all great but for someone like me who doesn’t know what consistency and TAKING YOUR DAMN PICK is, it’s a bit overwhelming. That’s entirely on me though, no hate, I actually love it.

Speaking of choices, after a loooooooong time deliberating which house to choose before the game launched, I finally went with the Black Eagles for my first run, though I was extremely tempted for the Blue Lions too. (actually I cheated and began a save for each house and THEN just went and started on the Eagles save). Deers go last for me because their characters don’t interest me as much -yet- and I’m ... I don’t know, maybe I’m tired of it bc of meme oversaturation. (wich is silly, I haven’t even seen much memes about the house, just people claiming their house IS the meme house. If you wanna convince me you gotta deliver!) Same goes for Claude actually, when at first my instinct was that he’d be a no-brainer first pick for me, now I’m just like. What is this dude. What is his deal. I’m curious to find out but that is a story for later.

Anyway, while I liked Dimitri the most as far as house leaders go, I’ve got no regrets sticking with Edelgard because I LOVE her thoroughly skeptic and “screw this church and crest nonsense” nature. Her no-bs attitude is actually very relatable - not as relatable but amirable is the fact that she tries very hard despite her shit position. I just love characters like that. Also female axe lord is still good.

My thoughts on the eagles:

Petra: a favourite! From her artwork and face I thought she’d be super stoic but she’s not. Serious and dedicated yes but actually very friendly, even gentle! I like her not-native speaker gimmick and how hers actually reflects my own experiences with not-native speakers of my own laguage. Also has cool looks and much-needed physical attack!

Hubert: alright, he’s not as funny as I was hoping he would be - he kind of is, but in a different way than expected. Like his obvious villainous appearance and his threatening aura are kind of hilarious FOR NOW but I’m curious to see if/how he’ll develop through supports/timeskip. Not my favourite but not terrible either.

Linhardt: his hyperfocus-but-only-if-it-interests me and screw-everything-else-I’m-bored attitude is extremely relatable, just as him just saying stuff that sounds like the wildest and most critical-sounding crap but with no malice at all. Also love how he actually manipulates people all the time, but in the most harmless ways and only to be left to his hobbies or sleeping.

Dorothea: I know she was an immediate favourite for many and I was okay with her at first but after the first few supports, honestly? I don’t like her much, for several reasons her attitude annoys me, so she’s probably my least favourite Eagle as of yet - BUT - I have high hopes she is a character who will grow on you and show development through her supports.

Ferdinand: I had no opinion of him at all at first glances aside from his notes seeming hilarious but also extremely flat. Man, I was wrong, and pleasantly surprised because through his supports he’s steadiy growing on me! They take an interesting angle at “nobility” with him and I’m excited but also scared about how the timeskip will treat him.

Caspar: BABY, one glance at this bouncy little kid and I immediately adopted him. He is adorable. Edelgard asked me to protect him bc he’s a little too fired up and I swear I will. I just wish he’d level STR a bit more, hilariously he’s doing GREAT in the classroom. What happened here.

Bernadetta: oh my god, the ANXIETY. Partly hilarious but sometimes it gets a BIT much for me. I still really like her though. She’s turning out to be an EXCELLENT archer, as I expected from a terrified little girl in a Fire Emblem game. I hope her supports turn out well too!

aside from the Eagles, I like A LOT of other students too and am hoping to recruit a few. I was a bit shocked that Felix wanted to join me right away (yet still has not lol) and the way he phrased it but since I wanted him anyway that’s fine by me. I wish I could recruit Ashe and Lysithea (because they’re cute, lol), Sylvain and Lorenz (bc I need cavaliers and also Lorenz talking to Ferdinand must be hilarious) and Dedue but that one’s impossible. I was set on trying to get Ingrid at first but I think I might replay the latest chapter and invest in a different character. Decisions, decisions... watch me recruit nobody at all :,(

Hanneman is my favourite teacher for obvious reasons, I just like Nerds.

I am not sure what the general consensus on her is but I also like Sothis. Gotte love how she adressed the fact that children are being sent to war, lol.

I wated to say so much more but it’s left my mind. Time to play some more!