It has now been exactly 3 years since the game was [first released](https://youtu.be/8OwUB8gf5Ac) on the Nintendo Switch. This is the sixteenth main installment in the longrunning series, which only started coming out in the West with the seventh entry (with Blazing Blade for GBA) and only just broke into the Nintendo mainstream earlier in the decade (with Awakening and Fates). It was also the first mainline entry for a home console in roughly 12 years, and the last time they attempted it almost killed the franchise. And because the Switch was so successful, it was likely many a Nintendo owner’s first jump into the series.
You take on the role of Byleth, a mercenary who winds up becoming a new professor at an officer’s school and who must lead one of the titular three houses of students in turn based tactical gameplay, all while uncovering mysteries along the way. No matter your choice, the story is divided into two phases: the first half of the story is basically Anime Hogwarts, while the second half (AKA the war phase) is basically Anime Game of Thrones. The game was critically acclaimed upon release and eventually sold over 3 million copies worldwide, making it the new best selling entry in the series to date. Me personally, this has become one of my favorite Switch games, and I have logged over 400 hours into it across 5 playthroughs, with a 6th one coming up that’ll be Maddening Classic without NG+.
Ever since its release Three Houses has seen representation in other subsequent titles, such as Fire Emblem Heroes, Tetris 99, and WarioWare Get It Together. A [Dynasty Warriors spinoff](https://youtu.be/w5TrSaoYmZ8) was announced and released earlier this year, which is set in an AU and also features three branching storylines. Most notably, Byleth was added as a DLC character to [Super Smash Bros. Ultimate](https://youtu.be/2aqVlLlKkcg) in January 2020 much to the ire of Smash fans, who hated on the character before they even released simply because of where they came from.
Edit: Also just a heads up, please be mindful of spoilers while you’re discussing! Thanks!