What do you expect? People have been pulling the game comparison card ever since this debacle started, even going so far to compare PKM to DQ11, a port from a game that had a much longer dev cycle and was originally meant for a higher system (and yes, I'm aware that DQ11 was supposed to come to Switch too initially, but they had that delayed as well
I'm going to humor the thought for a bit anyways just so that I have something to chew on while reception still comes out. While Pokemon has been removing content people generally liked, Three Houses has added the following changes to the franchises that fans have been asking for:
-A much more natural and open-ended Support System with nerfed in-game utility so that it doesn't overwhelm the gameplay with massive advantages.
-Attempts and experiments made for more engaging boss fights, introducing new mechanics and types of enemies that, if they don't succeed, at least set up the framework from something better in future installments.
-Units now have unique and distinguishable models at all times. While reclasses have generic bodies for all units, stuff like a character's core colors and body type is actually taken into consideration a bit when changing classes.
-Reclassing is much more complicated and requires more skill to navigate and take advantage of, meaning the game removes the grinding-for-skills-fest previous entries were.
-More objectives to accomplish during battle that break up the monotony of "Just kill all the enemies and maybe stand someone right there."
-A more balanced weapon system that gives the player what they want without granting tons of immediate advantage.
On paper, Intelligent Systems streamlined the Fire Emblem experience to remove a lot of the micro-managing. In practice? Man Fire Emblem vets love how complicated and deep the new mechanics in Three Houses are, and are especially impressed these things exist since the game initially seemed to be pandering to casual audiences.
The difference here is that there's options. Players can choose how they approach the game and it rewards all types of players in different ways for their own style of play. What's more is that they didn't have to force mechanics or limitations on anything that didn't already feel organic to the experience to accomplish this.
The downplaying of Three Houses in comparison to what Game Freak is giving us with Sword and Shield is immense. I don't think the games are DOA nor will they be the titanic failures that a lot of people are assuming they're going to be, but if we did try to make comparisons to other first-party Nintendo content (Fire Emblem being the most appropriate since it is Nintendo's "other" RPG franchise), it makes it clear there's a lack of content and polish.
And what itches the fuck out of me is that we know Game Freak has a tendency to shit the bed in programming and stuff. Every generation has some stupid ass malfunction that somehow got into the release of the game. (Bricking your save data in X/Y, anybody?) I understand not wanting people to be overly harsh, but if there was a Nintendo franchise not named "Star Fox" that needed the criticism right now, Pokemon is pretty damn sure my vote for the top of that potential list.
I know but why else change the format?) my theory is that Nintendo didn't really communicate their marketing strategy for the switch, causing game freak to pander to the GO crowd, the switch is a success to game freak's surprise as mentioned in articles by now and as a result.... this was rushed out in 3 years.
