For such a little gimmick , the Nintendo Switch has definitely pack a strong punch , particularly when it comes to challenging and refined RPGs . Many fans would fit in that the Switch has redeem some of the best phantasy RPGs in the modern era , with its two champions beingBreath of the WildandFire Emblem : Three Houses .

But , between these two games , which one is the next-to-last fantasy RPG on the system ? From their respective chronicle to their cast of characters of characters , there are quite a few arguments to be made for either plot depending on what matters most to the thespian !

BOTW: Better Pacing

Breath of the Wildtakes a very custody - off approach to tempo ;   much like in sandbox games likeThe Elder Scrolls V : Skyrim , the player could have a well - rounded experience with this plot without ever touching the main plot .

While the plot is by no means shoddy , it ’s ultimately a dependable game for lease the player settle their own pace . By line , Three Housescan be overwhelming with how rapidly it moves , and how much is expected to be done within each game arc . The game is always moving forward and can be fair linear at times , and , while players can peck which line they follow , they ultimately have more control withBOTW .

FE3H: Complex Characters

Three Housesis a character - drive game and would be nothing without its memorable cast of students and stave for the player to get to do it . The reference help the histrion decide everything from which family they stop up choosing , to which junto they side with , and even who gets paired off romantically .

As well as this , each character is written attractively , with hidden depths that never fail to surprise and endear them to the player , and even the least pop fiber have fans who are willing to guarantee for their complexity . WhileBOTW ’s persona are n’t exactly one - dimensional ,   even those with the salutary character arcsdon’t have much staying power .

BOTW: Masterful Soundtrack

Both games have soundtracks that are moving and emotive , yetBOTWoutclasses many games by having a   account that would make even a veteran maestro swoon . There is a invariant motif in each song , heavily emphasized by the pianissimo , and this motive is able to elicit whatever mood the biz find ’s itself in — from a easy drive through the fields , to a sudden , tense encounter with a Guardian .

Very few games are capable to pull off this sort of fluent marking so well , which putsBOTWin a class of its own . That enounce , Three Housesdoes have some pretty memorable tunes such as the ever - memorable " God Shattering Star . " It just is n’t quite on the same musical level overall .

FE3H: Memorable Fights

While the structure ofThree Housesmight have harmed its tempo , it definitely was a blessing to its scrap . Nearly each and every fight has a subplot to it , and even the optional auxiliary fight are rife with challenges that are fun to complete and stick in the player ’s mind long after . It ’s really no wonder so manyFire Emblemfighters were put inSmashgiven   how fun their motion are !

Some fights are particularly fondness - breaking , especially the ones where students are force to agitate old friends . This kind of aroused toll in combat is unique toThree Houses , whereas , inBOTW , there is no real indication that Link feel any sort of self-reproach for his action at law . Then again , he does n’t have much effort to feel remorse , but it would tot up a degree of complexity to his fights thatBOTWlacks .

BOTW: More Expressive Protagonist

candidly , both Link and Byleth have some work to do regarding stretching their facial muscle , but even though both protagonists have canonical reasons why they ’re fairly stoical , Link still manages to out - emote the ever - serious Byleth .

Meanwhile , players get to see Link respond to reasonably much everything , and he has a across-the-board range of verbalism from disgust to elation — emotion which are typically tied to his acquisition as a chef — andeven more viaBreath of the Wild ’s many   retention cutscenes .

FE3H: Magic Mechanics

Despite the fact that both are fantasy game , there ’s a surprising lack of magic options inBOTW . In fact , Link ca n’t even cast any spells . He ’s splash around with magic in previous games , and it would have been a merriment option for players to essay in a game that innovated in so many other areas .

Byleth , on the other hand , is complimentary to learn any discipline the musician wishes with a predisposed natural endowment for Holy magic right from the start . Some patch are in earnest overwhelm , which can make the histrion finger like a power - athirst wizard , particularly with glass canons like Lysithea . It ’s a fun way to experience the game thatBOTWsorely leave out out on .

BOTW: Less Fanservice

In this linguistic context , " fanservice " can be defined   as make characters overtly sexualise , even if their intention is relevant to their backstory . BOTWdoesn’t do this nearly as much asThree Houses , which   makes the plot a bit more approachable to   lover who might feel uncomfortable with overtly lean kit .

While it ’s nowhere nigh as risque as other games in the literary genre , Three Housesdefinitely features more than a few fanservice element , and gamers looking to avoid that may enjoyBreath of the Wildmore as a result .

FE3H: Intriguing Story

BOTW’sstory cultivate , but by no means is it complicated . It follows   a authoritative hero ’s journey   fairly much to the book , with Link going straight from his 100 - class sleep to saving the kingdom . While players can mess up around with the order of the tale , it in the end finish up in the same place with Princess Zelda saved and the Kingdom freed from Ganon ’s clutches .

By contrast , Three Housesis all over the post with a story that would put even some accolade - winning novels to pity . It ’s full of layers that most video games do n’t even examine to establish , and each route is pull off in a agency that build upon the others . Such a feat of storytelling would be difficult for even the best game studio to displume off , butThree Housesdid so in coon .

BOTW: Soulful

Part of what makesBOTWso special to instrumentalist is just how quiet it is .   The game hinges on the player doing things on their own terms , which allows players to experience its unique world in a direction that feel whole , introspective , and even melancholy at times .

But , that ’s what gives the secret plan its soulfulness ; it   call forth familiar feelings not by cluttering the world with thing and sound , but by recreating a sense of stillness , solitude , and aloneness . There is something beautiful to that , which   can be compared toother video biz masterpieces likeShadow of the Colossus .

FE3H: Replayability

One ofBOTW ’s bountiful fault is that it ’s hard to play back , if only because many of its solid detail — such as explore new landmarks , or fighting a genus Bos for the first time — fall back their luster after their initial encounters . It ’s an incredible game everyone should play , but many find themselves ineffectual to keep play it from scratch after all ’s been said and done .

This is whereThree Housestruly shines ; it was plan to be played over and over again . The game desire players to question their option and allegiances , then go back and lead off from another slant . Players have to grapple with thing like " how do I prevent Ferdinand from dying " and " was Edelgard really right , " and the lulu ofThree Housesis it let them fully respond these question for themselves .

NEXT : Top 10 Best LGBTQ+ Endings In Fire Emblem Three Houses

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