The simplification of a once formative strategy franchise. Three Houses is about one thing: Dating lovable anime people. This sole focus leads to dozens of hours of busywork, with even battles being used as a device to strengthen relationships.

There is, luckily, some payoff in the deepened bonds, with some truly charming moments for plenty of the interpersonal relationships. Almost every character is worthy of love and attention. The meat of the combat, however, quickly becomes a routine action. Poor scaling makes characters capable of one-shotting literally any supposed threat except for the very last enemy.

Three Houses isn't a "bad" game; there's enjoyment in helping to build the world, one monastery visit at a time. However, it could've done with a ton less of these chores or shortened its run to fewer than 80 hours, so that it would have the replay value it alludes to having.