Fire Emblem: Cindered Shadows Review - Should You Buy It?

[@benington1]

I have to strongly disagree with the Aelfric criticism, while yes he isn't imposing or threatening, that's the point. Aelfric isn't a chaotic evil mastermind, he's a good guy by heart but his creepy unrequited love for Sitri lead him to a bad path, and that's pretty much what we got. Criticizing Aelfric for not being imposing but rather being a creepy priest is like criticizing Makalov for being a dick, that's what the character is supposed to be. There are a lot of things wrong in this DLC, a character being the way they're intended to be isn't one of them.

[@sorayamontenegro2113]

Totally agree. I will also add that the video kind of gives off the idea that a villain should necessarily be sympathetic or imposing, which is not the case.

[@LelouchViKoikoi]

I think it is more geared to his behavioural shift, he feels like a Disney villain. "Oh, my true motives have been found out, time to act super mean and angry and loud!"

[@kao123456654]

@@LelouchViKoikoi Not really. His motives weren't 'found out'-he revealed them when the time was right. He wasn't super angry and mean and loud, he was pretty consistent the entire way through the DLC with his soft spoken and fairly calm attitude.

[@gladiatordragon9219]

Yeah, he was made to be a man of honor who lost his way. Keep in mind that we hardly spoke with him beforehand.

[@Ryodraco]

Indeed, Aelfric is very much supposed to be someone you pity for what his obsessions have done to him, not someone you find intimidating or even necessarily sympathetic.

[@janleibacher914]

After completing Cindered Shadows, Sitris name finally is on her grave stone at the grave yard

[@janleibacher914]

@@Midna78 Ye, her Name and how long she lived is now written on it

[@isaac3000]

@@Midna78 You should read more dialogue in games with dialogue, you miss out on a lot if you don't

[@byletheisner2160]

Midna78 lol same

[@umbrasteelraven1310]

Also Aelfric arives at her grave and give you something, but I don't remember when and what Item you'll become from him.

[@troybaker3556]

No mention that Sothis curiously is as absent as Jeralt?!

[@xith1349]

oh yeah that's super weird

[@YriOffTheNet]

Troy Baker Judging by the day/night maps I'm guessing this takes place over 3 days so Jeralt was probs on a mission and I guess Sothis slept but like why

[@nahte123456]

Yeah that felt even worse then Jeralt to be honest. At least with Jeralt you can say he just wasn't around at that point out on a mission. Heck you can even say he might have been there at the start and simply left just before the whole 'kidnapping' thing went down. But Sothis is RIGHT THERE, she is watching and hearing everything, nothing? They are trying to revive her that doesn't take her interest at all? Not even a "I don't want to be revived if it hurts others", nothing? I had avoided spoilers before beating it and by the end I was half convinced Sothis was about to become playable, there is a green haired body right there, a ritual to put Sothis into a body, and Sothis' soul is involved. Instead not even a mention.

[@kellyjohana516]

@@nahte123456 When was the chapter where Sothis realized that she had the same name as the Goddess? This might be before that.

[@Charlotte_Dardenne]

LOL I didnt know that

[@arcflamearcanum7579]

To be fair I think Aelfric not really giving off the "evil villain vibes" you were describing was definitely intentional. Hell even Yuri pointed it out during the ritual where he described that being evil was just not in Aelfric's character at all. Aelfric has good intentions, but is simply going about it in a misguided way due to his love blinding his rational thought and thinking. The final map theme being titled "At what cost" being perfect evidence for this. Because yeah he succeeded in his ritual, but the beautiful woman he was in love with has been reduced to a mindless beast along with him... He's no Narcian, Black Knight, Edelgard, or Nergal. He's just misguided. I can understand why that maybe wouldn't make for a compelling villain for some, but that's all subjective at the end of the day. For me, seeing how crazy he was and what he did to Sitri (who is absolutely adorable...) was enough to get me invested in this story.

[@mareczek00713]

Edelgard - I'll topple Rhea to bring new era of peace and destroy crest system deciding peopke value at birth - evil. Aelfric - I'll sacrifice lives of 4 people to ressurect my waifu that never loved me. Aaaaaand you call Edie evil despite the fact his wish was selfish while she abdicates, stripping herself of rule and social status.

[@floricel_112]

@@mareczek00713 also, why are the Black Knight and Nergal here? One was just a man doing his job and repaying a debt, and the other was a man who lost himself and his purpose to darkness. His own purpose at first, much like Nergal's, was noble: reunite with his family; but because of the power of darkness that overwhelmed him, he became a shadow of his former self, nothing but a beast craving power

[@hedgehoundable]

@@mareczek00713 Well, Edelgard ended up killing a lot more than 4 people and teaming up with the people who ruined her life, let's be real.

[@mareczek00713]

@@floricel_112 well, TBH Hitler's original goal were prosperous Germany and joining SS to repay a debt to a nazi would be wrong. Those were evil. That's the thing - Edelgard can be called misguided as peaceful attempts at destroying crest system would be opposed by nobles (since they carry crests) so Edelgard goal would create a loss to people able to start wars, effectively making war necessary, she just seized initiative, making her misguided by influence of TWSITD as there likely could be options of stealth ops, subterfuge, espionage wars etc, where TWSITD likely painted picture of only wars as they intended to use war to exact revenge on Nabatheans (four of which, if we include Byleth, still exist). In turn, Narcian was evil, BK served a goal he knew was evil to repay a debt while Nergal and Aelfric did evil stuff for selfish goals. In all of those villains, only Edelgard effectively renounced selfishness by abdicating, despite the fact she, bu her own doctrine of merit, deserved to rule with Byleth, as they were only two people able to change the world to that point, but she acknowledged nobody that did what she did deserved to rule, showing conscience in evil actions, doing evil to create something new and not only destroy. TLDR - IMO, in all vilains you mentioned, only Edelgard is a misguided idealist.

[@mareczek00713]

@@hedgehoundable Well, Edelgard created a better world for everybody while other villains hurt more than they benefit, let's be real.

[@cooperchamberlain196]

So maybe the DLC was lacking, but I can't get past "I love my new rat children".

[@noahkirschtein8169]

i bought it for yuri first, new content second LMAO

[@lughemblem]

Mangs, the Ashen Wolves have no recruit requirements after the game says you've unlocked them.

[@Mangs1337]

Good to know.

[@connorbell7301]

I feel like the side story isn't worth it by itself, but the content that carries over to the main story does justify the price. Four new characters, all with unique timeskip designs, two new paralouges, and a ton of new supports make it really solid as a whole in my opinion.

[@FieryMeltman]

But the whole game is only $60. From what you're saying, it's far less bang for your buck.

[@l.n.3372]

I agree it offers more than enough content for a playthrough. The problem is that most people have finished all 4 routes by now. If you're afraid of getting burned out, then you might be on the fence because this DLC is best when jumping immediately into a new playthrough afterwards. As someone who has played this game 11 times in 6 months, I really want the DLC but can't bring myself to slog thru monastery in part 1 again. So I'll wait until I feel like a new playthrough before picking up my ashen wolves.

[@runehood6682]

I'm more disappointed that all new characters weren't s-support for both male and female byleth. I really wanted to do a s-rank with all of them since they grew on me. (Female Byleth player with a male Byleth on the side.)

[@abc4781]

Agreed

[@cazaclaw3775]

I gotta disagree with your opinion of Aelfric, I dont think every villian has to be imposing. Aelfric is just a sad man with some serious problems with obsession driving him to do some awful things, as a villian I think he comes across almost as a person that could really exist. Agree with most of your other opinions on the story though

[@zant41]

Yeah, people always want big and menacing villains for some reason. Aelfric is fine as a villain and his motivations are pretty clear, I liked it.

[@lughemblem]

Aelfric is an Incel villain who could really exist. I'm angry the final map isnt him shooting up Gerreg Mach.

[@josephpanno6816]

Eh being an incel villain isn't anything new to FE, look at Hardin for example. Hardin's WAY saltier than Aelfric (he literally starts a continent wide war, and accepts an artifact of pure evil due to his lack of coochie) and thus harder to take seriously, especially as a main villain.

[@cazaclaw3775]

@@josephpanno6816 oh yea its definetly not new i just dont think its make him a bad villian, he defiantly doesnt feel like a standard main FE villian though but i dont think he was really supposed to

[@avaliantsoul5408]

He seems kinda similar to Lyon and Nergal

[@Swordsmaster]

I like it, but it does feel very lacking in some ways. I don't regret getting it though.

[@partyharry7585]

Yeah... after 5 routes of the game and this dlc drops, I lost the mood to play the game anymore sadly. But on a Positive note, I really am enjoying see Ike and Greil do their thing, can't wait to see how they turn out at the end of the game! Greil looks so cool fighting with the Black Knight...

[@lukehittle5795]

Wait what do you mean Ike and Greil?

[@notbart3145]

I wish they had an ending where all the three lords can work together to fight Those who slither in the dark, who should be the true villians

[@zenkichihitoyoshi9513]

While I do agree about your complaints on Jeralt, since he's in the gamefiles (with personal quotes and everything) the DLC story takes place after chapter 5, a little after Byleth getting the Sword of The Creator since it's mentioned by Edelgard that "last month's incident" was the one regarding the holy mausoleum. In this time window, Jeralt was on Captain's duty, when he returns the whole Remire Village situation happens and so on. But yeah, would have been nice to have interactions between Jeralt and Byleth and also dialogues about Sitri... it felt good but rushed. I wonder if the developers had to cut things, I remember the DLC being advertised for April (?)

[@CzZion]

Long story short: Byleth and crew find a hole in the ground leading to a cuck's hideout where he's trying to bring his favorite e-girl back to life, but fails to do so because the g-fuel he stole from his "students" causes him to turn into a rip-off demon king.

[@Harias_VI]

“Flock”

[@pankeki3601]

It's a shame that you felt this way because I personally loved the hell out of the story this DLC gave us.

[@spencershilling5845]

I don't believe the story is as bad as you say as it perfectly serves it's purpose. The purpose of the plot in the sidestory is to introduce you to the new characters and expand on the existing lore. What remains of the plot while it has a few lows (notably how awkward the bantering between the lords and balthus was at the very start probably beginning the bad impression). Spoilers Yuri functioning as a semi-traitor genuinely caught me off guard, and it was cool to see such a normally calm collected and in control character be put in a such a position. Aelfric was super obvious and the story probably would have been better with a more standard clear villain as it didn't have the time to properly develop a traitor plot especially given the tropes history in fire emblem.

[@AzureRoxe]

Yet, just like he mentioned in the video before you clearly stopped it to write your comment, it could've been done far better and it HAS been done better in previous Fire Emblem entries. Aelfric being super obvious is HORRIBLE in a game where the whole point is that neither of the Three Houses are right and neither are wrong, the whole point is that it's not obvious at all. The way they reach the Abyss is also a literal giant hole in the wall, that's beyond lazy.

[@nojo7564]

AzureRoxe this game just has a different approach comparing Aelfric to Orson is still comparing apples to oranges they may both be delusional villains deadset on getting their love interests back but Aelfric gets a set up, that interacts with the people around him to make you sympathize with the people of the Abyss and try to make you see the vindictive and delusional person he is. Orson is a depraved lunatic who would stop at no cost to get his wife back. The two situations don’t even have similar pay offs since Aelfric gets stopped and turns into a demonic beast in the middle of his ritual while Orson gets defeated.

[@Ryodraco]

@Thatsnotmyname Indeed, him being an antagonist was not supposed to be a surprise. Heck even the characters themselves (namely Constance) figure it out to some degree well before he actually reveals his intentions. The story is really not nearly as bad as Mangs makes it out to be.

[@daosxion776]

@@Ryodraco But that's Mangs in a nutshell, he always over exaggerates the faults of story elements either for cheap laughs or because he himself didn't pay as much attention to it as he would another fire emblem game. Not to mention that Jake whenever he appeared wasn't the most open or attentive co-host to the game.

[@LCardosed92]

I understand that issues with the dlc, but let's be honest, this DLC was an a big step up compared to previous Fire Emblem DLCS from the past. Echoes DLC had less content and was very expensive. Cindered Shadows is the only DLC where you can interact with characters that can actively play thorough the main story, something that previous entries didn't manage to do. Not a super impressive DLC, but still definitely a step up compared to previous games.

[@avaliantsoul5408]

biggest regret of my life was buying the season pas for echoes. rip my money

[@BHox01]

While that may be true, "better than total dogshit" shouldn't really be an accomplishment. The bar has been set so low by previous games that passing it seems like a good deal by comparison, instead of just a better deal.

[@DavidJohnson-mo7fq]

@@avaliantsoul5408 of your life? I mean, have you lived in isolation since birth?

[@DavidJohnson-mo7fq]

It could've been a lot better, but yeah, this certainly beats fates DLC. Maybe Awakenings too, but I did enjoy the whole return to the future thing.

[@avaliantsoul5408]

@@DavidJohnson-mo7fq first off, exaggeration exists. second off, I bought the bundle of the game and DLC season pass for like, $120, at the same time i bought my 3DS for $200. the combined total was like $340ish with tax, and I have yet to find another game on 3ds worth buying, so really, its the whole purchase not just the season pass, that i regret.

[@geenobe9941]

9:46 funny thing is that Jeralt's death is only really super predictable because A) it's fire emblem, dad's drop like flies, and B) He's inspired by Greil, a dad who died.

[@spacedoyster7686]

The thing I like most about the DLC are the new classes. Those add a lot of replay value, too, by giving us some new classes to play with that fill in some of the gaps in the other endgame classes. Although, it's a shame half of them are for girls only.

[@runehood6682]

Thats more becaude there were more male classes. And Ive been saying it... why the hell didnt they make the new characters liable to S-rank for both male and female Byleth? I mean its a dlc not the main game, go freaking crazy. I also wish with the class meetings that the Ashen Wolves appeared

[@amanasd26]

I think it's worth it for the characters alone, and consider the rest of it to be a bonus.

[@darklight6921]

are they even good though? felix is the real king of grapling.

[@megangarcia6279]

dark light well it’s not like you only get the new characters but also new classes you can put your other characters into. Having abyss in the main game gives you a lot of new opportunities that enrich the game, especially for someone like me that likes having magic on units whenever possible.

[@hanzou1238]

I feel like the odd person out when I say that I actually don't mind them recycling maps as long as they have a reason to be in the same place twice. The only issue I have with it is when they decide that the map is in 2 different places. Like the map that the Marianne Paralogue and the Petra/Bernadetta Paralogue happen in. For Marianne's it is in the Alliance but for Petra's it is in Brigid. Also the only requirement to recruit the students is to progress far enough in the DLC for each one.

[@Anonymous00616]

Yeah I wasn't impressed with map 3 but I feel the other 6 ranged from pretty good to fun, they say they don't appreciate the detail warriors mode brings but complain endlessly about the maps having the same details even when you experience them entirely differently.

[@ceruleanvoice3538]

Wow I never realised the Marianne and Petra/Bernadetta paralogues were the same map. Now I think about it, it's just flipped 180° with a covering of fog. I've played 8 runs of this game, 6 with Marianne, and I somehow missed that.

[@escotanner]

Honest opinion: I like the Ashen Wolves. They're all interesting characters and their supports are neat. Cindered Shadows, while fun, was lacking; especially in the story. I, like some others, felt that Jeralt should've been playable during this because: 1. It has to do with his wife 2. It would've been some nice bonding time between him and Byleth. I'm also kinda sick of IS using the betrayal arc again. I think Aelfric should've been the villain from the start and as the story progresses, we get tidbits of his past with Sitri, but what do I know? For the whole DLC, up until Cindered Shadows, it was lackluster. Anna has no supports, all we got were costumes for most of it and we don't even get to play with the animals; we just feed them. If we could buy the waves separately, I would've just bought the ones with Anna and the Ashen wolves and be done with it. So is the dlc worth buying? It depends on the person. If you really want the Ashen wolves, then you should buy it. If you don't care that much, don't spend your money on something you're going to regret buying. Of course, I didn't have to buy the whole dlc because I found an unused gift card in a parking lot so I don't feel too ripped off.

[@l.n.3372]

I'm interested to see what Ghast says to compare to Mangs and Chaz. I primarily watched Ghast 12 hour stream and I enjoyed watching it and his experience playing. Perhaps it's colored my own view to watch someone clearly enjoy the mode vs Chaz and Mangs/Cyan who were critical while playing.

[@MicksUp]

criticism is always beneficial being "yeah man it's all good let's be friends and accept everything" is not beneficial, it's just being blind and passive towards products which you buy with your money and that you expect to be actually worth the price

[@firecraft7032]

@@MicksUp It is, but too much can invade someone's enjoyment.

[@MicksUp]

@@firecraft7032 if you're so sensitive to the point you feel attacked or your enjoyment of a product invaded by someone else's opinions, that's not that person's fault

[@sakutaro3musik486]

I love the DLC and the Story ^-^

[@firecraft7032]

@@MicksUp You do realize your the one being defensive right? You were pretty antagonistic in your first comment, and your second comment you're immediately attacking me. Its ok if you don't like the dlc. Everyone has opinions on the internet. Sorry if I inadvertently insulted your opinion though.

[@LoneFenrir]

"Should you buy it?" Aka "Does Cindered shadows stand on its own because everything else in the season pass is minor additions to the base game"

[@Stachelbeeerchen]

3 statboosters plus Sauna.

[@juansolerXD]

@@Stachelbeeerchen and a unit you can't interact with

[@johnny733]

One gripe I had with the story was the inclusion of Rhea and her explanation of Byleth's mother at the end of it. This of course takes place before the Sothis merge in Chapter 10, but in the main storyline, Byleth is still unaware of their mother's backstory by the time the hair color change occurs. Right before they find Kronya in the forest, Rhea almost explains "your mother was my-" before Alois interrupts her to report on Kronya's whereabouts. Byleth would have been dispatched to the Sealed Forest immediately following this and getting the Sothis merge. There would be no time between this conversation with Rhea in Chapter 10 and the beginning of the forest mission for the Cindered Shadows side story to take place, thereby meaning that it takes place before this conversation occurs, and likely before Jeralt dies. Rhea explains in that same conversation in the main game that Byleth's mother implored her to save the child's life (the same thing she says at the end of CIndered Shadows). This would mean she redundantly explained the circumstances twice for no reason if one is to somehow consider the DLC story to be canon. TL;DR if one accepts Cindered Shadows as canon, the timeline reads as: Byleth gets the Sword of the Creator > Cindered Shadows storyline > Rhea explains Sitri's backstory IN DEPTH at the end of this side story as well as explaining how much she loved her > Jeralt dies and Byleth speaks to Rhea for comfort > Rhea explains Sitri's death AGAIN with far less detail of the night she died than when she explained it in Cindered Shadows > Byleth goes to fight Kronya and Solon > Super Saiyan hair color change

[@TheIvoryDingo]

Cindered Shadows is weird in regards to canon. While the events that happened aren't canon, the stuff that was revealed during it (everything regarding Sitri, Aelfric, the Four Apostles, the Ashen Wolves, etc) certainly is.

[@RosegoIdFox]

1:25 I went down in the 2nd chapter and they all said yes immediately I just feel like everyone was expecting a whole new route when it was very clear that was not going to happen and that it was a side story

[@emblemwarrior11]

I noticed that too. I think their requirements are eliminated if you actually beat Cindered Shadows. It's just a hypothesis though.

[@kao123456654]

@@emblemwarrior11 You HAVE to beat Cindered Shadows to even recruit them, and they recruit immediately. If you try to recruit them it'll literaly say "You must beat cindered Shadows Chapter 6 to recruit Yuri" etc

[@irritantegast2131]

@@kao123456654 each character has different recruitment. After beating chapter 2 I could unlock constance

[@charlyj1321]

legends come and go but the fables of bylethma and his conquest will never fade

[@MinniMaster]

I think, overall, it was pretty fun. The unique gameplay experience with fixed classes felt like traditional FE where you had to learn each character’s strengths and weaknesses, and I enjoyed that. They also weren’t kidding when they said it’s harder than the base game. The story isn’t anything special and doesn’t stand up to Part 2 of the base game, but it really isn’t that bad. If you go in with the right expectations, I think you’ll enjoy yourself. Learning more about the world and Byleth’s mom, as well as seeing the interactions between new and old characters was my favorite part, of course. Is it worth the price tag? That’s for you to decide, but I found it pretty alright.

[@Clarisaxx22]

I really disagree with Chapter 5 being meh due to reusing a map. To be fair, the chapel ruins was only used in the main game for Chapter 9 (the one Jeralt dies in.) The map had unused heal tiles and a ballista originally, so I find it perfectly fine to reuse the map in a different way than just "Rout the demonic beasts." Just my hot take, but I find it slightly unreasonable to be disappointed in reusing maps.

[@porci751]

the map was used once in the story yes, but it was one of the most common ones for misc battles, it was only against demonic beasts, but I think most of us know that one inside and out by now. In my opinion, considering that this DLC seems to be focused on the new characters and the missions, since most other aspects of the game are left out, it seems entirelly reasonable to expect new maps

[@Raven-2000]

@@porci751 i've never seen that map used for misc battles. are you sure you're not thinking of the red canyon?

[@ceruleanvoice3538]

Is nobody going to talk about the presence of Metodey in this DLC and how he reacts with various people including Edelgard? I can't see a single reason for him to be there. (Side note: for those who don't know he's voiced by Todd Haberkorn)

[@emilstoqanov3270]

To justify his existence is my guess

[@Eliwood29]

I do wonder why Sothis never pitches in about anything seems strange for her to be silent the entire time but overall i had fun with he DLC and am going through the main story again to try out the Ashen Wolves and gotta say Constance/Balthus C support is the best thing ever as Gatekeeper shows up in it.

[@azureaether1661]

You would love constance's s support if you like her c support with baltie

[@czar17_28]

I think its fair to point out that although the price tag is heavy compared to the base game, I believe the Season Pass offers us the best bargain that any FE DLC has ever given us. 4 characters with actual supports, 4 classes, and a complete side story (however lacking). That being said the Season pass itself probably offers little in value for most considering half of it is comprised of outfits and stat boosters, which offer nothing if you don't like the outfits or play without extra boosters, and Anna brings nothing to the game other than another body without personality. I'll buy it one day for my new waifu Hapi so I can have both her and Petra but it'll probably be with a giftcard or extra Nintendo points.

[@MicksUp]

as i already said under another person's comment "praising very low quality chocolate and saying it's better than shit isn't really a compliment"

[@czar17_28]

Mick's Up I don’t care? I’m not really praising anything. I’m simply pointing out it’s probably the best deal we’ve gotten when it comes to DLC

[@kellyjohana516]

Oh. Someone agrees with me that Byleth should've been introduced to the Ashen Wolves in the timeskip blank. Seriously, I still don't buy that the river just brought him down the mountains.

[@jonahj9519]

For a twist villain that everyone saw coming a mile away, I thought Aelfric. You say he should be more like Orson, but like, what exactly about Orson is so much better than Aelfric? Sure, the semi-alive corpse was pretty creepy, but aside from that I’d say their characterization is pretty similar. Aelfric gives off these sufficiently creepy vibes.

[@ajch22]

I think there's something that should be pointed out as well. The missions of Cindered shadows feel very different from the ones of the main game. The main game, for the most part, is just "defeat all enemies on the map", but on the DLC there's times where you you need to set aside that instinct of killing everything onscreen and actually find a way to do what you are asked before "Byleth or one of the Ashen Wolves falls in battle"

[@sirkoopa2412]

I disagree. Its really just killing all the enemies. You'll naturally complete whatever requirement the game throws at you along the way. While at the same time you're killing whatever is in your way. Thats how I felt at least. I still had fun but feel the ideas the devs had weren't well executed. I feel alot of the maps could of played differently but don't in the end cuz you really are just routing the enemy. Though the game makes you believe theres more to it when thats not the case.

[@papersonic9941]

Most of the main game's missions are Defeat Boss, there really aren't that many routs aside from the auxiliary battles

[@SasaLunafey]

I knew that Aelfric was evil because he looks like a shrek villain

[@lsrrr3857]

I know the 4 of you would die, and thats a sacrifice I am willing to make

[@pumpkinlemonadezero9995]

My thoughts exactly. I personally had a blast playing it and the addition of the new characters (which are all fantastic just like you said) and classes really gets me excited to try them out in the main game. Though I do agree that the side story really could have been better. The maps were a lot of fun to me, but on paper they are really lazily designed and definitely hadn't a lot of effort put into them. I found the story to be extremely enjoyable, but only because I had my expectations lowered anyway so I kind of ignored the dumb stuff and was actually pleasantly surprised by the Yuri twist. All in all I would say that the additions to vanilla 3H in form of the characters and classes is absolutely fantastic, while Cindered Shadows is a mess in every way but still manages to deliver a great experience for those who accept it for what it is. This DLC was a huge waste of potential, but certainly neither of my time nor my money. Everyone who can spare the undoubtedly unreasonable price of 25 bucks and loves 3H should absolutely go for it, but if you decide to stay away from it you are not missing much. That would be all, I wish you all a good day

[@DaysforDaays]

Pumpkinlemonade Zero thank you! Your comment helped me make my decision 😌

[@Goremize]

12:00 not just that, but the story could have then revolved around explaining how you were able to merge with Sothis (whose missing in the DLC for some reason) Maybe you like drink from the Chalice of Beginnings and that's what gives you the power to do so later when you need the power up and save everyone. And drinking it is what caused you to go into a Coma for many years. So you fall into the Abyss, meet the 4 new characters and the story goes from there, till you drink from the Chalice, pass out and the 4 new students look after you instead as you rest, which can then join you and ya know, know who you are. And looking after you for so long also plays into their own freedom from the Abyss. It really makes no sense that on new games after this DLC you can just "meet" them and they don't know you and enter the abyss as if the whole story beat of the place was an alternate timeline but then you also get the Chalice item, which breaks the game in half even on Maddening.

[@CrystalSanchez094]

honestly, the idea of byleth falling into Abyss right before the time skip and meeting the ashen wolves that way that mangs said is a really interesting and more fun idea than the garbage we have gotten.

[@zant41]

Not in my opinion. It wouldn't make sense at all. First, you're supposed to be asleep during these five years, not chilling in underground tunnels. Second, The Abyss is a series of underground tunnels where people live when they have nowhere else to go. Byleth fell into a literal abyss but not The Abyss.

[@CrystalSanchez094]

@@zant41 or maybe having the Ashen wolves ending up finding Byleth after the battle and the people of the Abyss to take care of him/her idk it's just me liking the idea of mangs really it doesnt really mean it HAS to happen

[@Mangs1337]

@@zant41 The rules of how things progress could easily be changed for convenience of the story. It’s not like we have to stick with Byleth sleeping for 5 years. We could just as easily say he woke up after 4 and spent 1 year in the Abyss. You can change things to fit the narrative, you don’t have to be stuck in the framework the game sets for you.

[@irritantegast2131]

@@Mangs1337 I think it's more for own interpretation. I personally think byleth woke up again because it was time to stop the war. After all, sothis is a God that watches over fodlan. So she decides to wake byleth up

[@liamwilson7549]

After beating the Cindered shadows side story and then jumping in on my save file at chapter 5 on black eagles, the characters seemed to forget entirely that I existed. The side story immediately became a filler episode of an anime that in no way actually exists in the actual storyline. While I was annoyed by this, I completely understand why. It would have required rewrites of the entire main storyline as a whole.

[@evrys3221]

I thought the maps were fun and I got a lot of enjoyment out of experiencing the new classes before trying them in the main story to get a good idea of how they will work. I think the main draw of the dlc is their inclusion in the main story along with the new classes. For people like me who still have maddening playthroughs to do, I think it's well worth to have some new units to spice up your teams and new classes to play with. I waited on this DLC specifically to do my Maddening runs.

[@pikagammerpluspizza7478]

If Three Houses is a popular Anime Ashen Wolves is that Anime's movie

[@gligarguy4010]

Really can't tell if that's good thing, because whether its movies are better than the series itself really varies on the anime. For example, the DBS movies are far superior to its anime.

[@GamingNightsNeoMasaki]

Probably due to development time and budget again, but yeah I agree on potential not fully utilized in this DLC. Despite its short chapters, I still like the concept of what they're going for.

[@Arthaen]

I just want to add about your ability to predict that story. That's not an issue with the story, that's a by-product of your consumption of the medium. You've seen so many stories, played so many games, that you picked up a lot of the cues without issue. Someone who isn't as familiar with the genre isn't going to guess the plot from the start like you and Cyan did. So I'd chalk that up to your extensive experiences, and not the story's failed telling. You can't say a 'story is bad' because you're bringing in knowledge from other games to aid in your deduction. That's not fair to the story. That being said, the story SHOULD have been better tied into the main game. Agree with you there.

[@mauricioalonso2157]

If you can predict a story from the beginning, then it's not a well told story. While most of the times you know who wins and loses and have a general idea of what happens, knowing the hows and the whys is what make a story interesting, in this DLC the how and the why were just telegraphed to you from the beginning. I've never played 3H since I don't have a switch and I still guessed most of the events. Kinda spoilers from here on. The benefactor being evil is just a trope and nothing at all was done to divert from it, they just did everything as it was supposed to be, the mystery of who was behind the attacks was the most obvious choice and the reason spelled out to you since the first narration with the whole chalice thing, the only detail left out was Byleth mom, but once you found out about her, you know that it's going to be to revive her. The thing with mystery in ANY media, is that the player will try to read into it and figure it out, it's the fun thing of it, the main game actually handled it very well putting clues and indirect hints, then doing some reveals here and there, many things were unpredictable, this DLC was just lazy.

[@kao123456654]

@@mauricioalonso2157 It's Fire Emblem. If you've seen the story for one Fire Emblem game, you've seen them all. It's not a problem exclusively with the dlc, it's a problem with IS being fucking garbage story tellers. Even Three Houses, their magnum opus, they couldn't resist adding a dumb shadowy organization responsible for everything behind the scenes.

[@Mangs1337]

Nah I think I can lambast them for lacking creativity. Sure I've read a lot of books and played a lot of games, but there's still things you can do to avoid showing your entire hand early on.

[@qazentro4444]

Not worth $25 at all, but I still enjoyed it, it had some creative maps (not the designs, but conditions) where each unit that was at your disposal had a clear cut purpose, and each map complimented them nicely, as none of them felt useless. Due to every enemy and most allies having a breaker skill, it felt almost like I was playing a pre-TH FE as well, and it was rather refreshing. It feels like an expanded approach to SoV’s Rise of Deliverance DLC, where you had only specific units to use that didn’t level and had pre-ordained equipment. Cindered Shadows, besides having the units actually level, feels very same in that way. I will say, the story isn’t bad, just not what I’d call groundbreaking. Sure, it’s not amazing, but saying it has “Fates-level-cringe” is blowing it WAY out of proportion. Certainly isn’t as good storywise as Rise of the Deliverance though. All-in-all, has some good, and has some meh. Also the Cindered Shadows map theme is fire.

[@Stuntmachine14]

I wish it was $15 or $20 for the pass. I enjoyed my time, but it was imo overpriced.

[@qazentro4444]

@@Stuntmachine14 Yeah, have to agree.

[@TheIvoryDingo]

I personally thought $25 was a fine price (though tbf I consider prices for DLC differently than prices for full games) as long as you don't just consider the sidestory, but also what was added to the main game with 4 new units, 4 new classes and a couple of new facilities in Abyss as well as the other waves of the DLC (though I suppose your mileage may vary in regards to that).

[@CosmicToad5000]

“If there was a route you hadn’t played yet” Yeah haha bout that, went into main game planning to finally go SS or CF, ended up spending 20 mins on the house selection screen trying to decide whether to replay Azure Moon or Verdant Wind. The DLC is worth it to any hardcore 3H fan imo. It feels less pointless than the fates/echoes/awakening DLC (to me, having a brand new storyline is more interesting than just playing out previous events, save that for the trial maps like in FE12) and it really enhances the main game as well. Getting Best boy, Actually interesting Raphael, Clair’achel & just-a-really-good-character-I-have-no-funny-name-for to the main story was worth it enough to me, but I guess I’m just easy to please. My only gripe is that having half of the new classes genderlocked was dumb and Valkyrie feels like a waste of a slot since we already have dark/holy Knight and that could’ve gone to something not actually in the game like a FE4 Baron style armored mage (why wasn’t this Edelgard’s emperor class...) or an infantry lance class. The innat extra range is interesting but mounted mage is nothing new. But we all know the best part of this DLC is the Abysskeeper and his complex love story with the backup Knight. New OTP.

[@teecee1827]

I am just happy I could make my Annette a brawler who launches destructodiscs. And of chapter 4 clutch map. And Constance.

[@cesarzielinski6392]

But you didnt mention the Supports! (7 hours) and the Timeskip

[@prof.laytonfan764]

Forgive me if I’m wrong, but I think you failed to mention that completing conserved shadows also allows you to reclassify your students to the new classes the Ashen Wolves have. If anything, that could also be a good reason to consider buying the dlc because it gives a little more variety with your students and playstyle

[@andrewlesniak8018]

"Stay awhile and listen!" Okay Cain. Diablo 1 stream when?

[@msytb]

It will always, always, always bother me that Nintendo has now made a game called Three Houses that has 4 houses in it.

[@noahkirschtein8169]

the ashen wolves “house” isn’t exactly a house tho. they aren’t part of the academy, and don’t have their own route. they have to join one of the three houses’ classes in the main game if you recruit them so-

[@bluebabii9975]

I read a comment before about how great it would be if the Silver Snow route followed a refined plot of CS... spoilers Where Byleth wakes up 5 years later in the abyss and had to go through the discovery of finding out who his mom was and what Rhea has done to him. And the final battle would be against the Umbral Beast possibly fused also with the Immaculate One or smth. I thought it was a neat idea that I read and now I really wished it was that way!

[@tonymack]

Playable jeralt and him interacting with the party and aelfric would have been pretty cool. But I guess I can see why they didnt do it.

[@dylc3373]

For the price (it being locked behind the season pass, not being purchaseable alone) it's a toss up. I didn't intend to buy it but I wanted to support IS in hopes it would lead to something better *cough*tellus remakes*cough*. I think you hit the nail with you're review Mangs. What I did really enjoy was the difficulty and different map win conditions. An escape map, pull a specific lever, chapter 6 and 7.. this dlc could have been a lot better if Byleth was a better protagonist. The inclusion if Sitri should have had more impact. His sad love life was impact full by my view, and him loving Sitri almost to a fault where he sacrifices his love as long as she's happy was something I enjoyed however the story is flawed since his aim is to revive a woman he loved while her love is alive... My hope, again, is that something greater is born from the support however I think the dlc should be stand alone and at least half the price.

[@Draylin41]

I feel like they missed an opportunity to have some supports between the three lords and their flunkies. It didn't have to be anything super substantial but well, none of those characters have supports with each other when recruited to another house so it would have been fun to have them for this dlc mode.

[@ZackYXW]

The DLC should of taken inspiration from XC2: Torna as that DLC was really good for being the same price as Cindered Shadows.

[@mattiaberti9160]

To be honest I'd hardly consider Torna a DLC. It was basically its own new game, that could also be purchased as DLC if you had already Xenoblade 2.

[@Flamelance_Accendo]

@@mattiaberti9160 Well technically.. you can download it and it's content.. so it's DLC...... lol

[@bdizzle7072]

Reasonable perspective. I'd tend to agree. The main thing I have for this dlc positive (outside of the positives mentioned in the video) is that length wise and content wise it's way ahead of most dlc for other games. A 7-chapter dlc with maps as long as this runs people 8-10 hours on a standard playthrough. Compare that to something like the Kracken dlc for the Surge which is an hour pushing an hour and a half and there's definitely a better value here. That as well as the potential 40 hour boost from another standard playthrough with fresh materials, characters, and Abyss utilities in the main game ESPECIALLY the roster quest which lets you get better student gift insight and fixes the teatimes definitely makes this worth it in my mind just for the quality-of-life improvements even if the story is sub-par. Adding the new auxilliary maps, sauna, Anna, the destiny lady, and all the small things makes the pack overall a great purchase even if you aren't happy with the side story by itself

[@Melancholy_Scholar]

The timeskip idea is interesting, but it also could've been as simple as only allowing you to recruit them after chapter 5, AKA after the story of Cindered Shadows and Rhea's pardon.

[@Mary_Studios]

Yeah I was thinking well what if you just had it be where you could only recrute them at a certain time like you can with members of the church. Would have been a great idea.

[@quinnmcdonald3763]

The characters were amazing but the reused maps and story overall was trash. I agree with Mangsy Wangsy.

[@josedrodriguezpina2527]

Honestly, I'd like to hear your take on the Ashen Wolves within the main story if you get the chance. After reading their supports and all, I'm left thinking that most of them (except Yuri) would have ended up in a place like Abyss regardless of Alfric.

[@N0T4K0P]

I dunno if it's because I'm too early here but am I really the only one who liked everything about Cindered Shadows? I liked the maps and the limitations imposed on customizing characters, I really liked the Nier Automata reference (robot named Simone), I loved all the 4 Ashen Wolves and, lastly, I had major eargasms hearing the music (it sounds like an Ace Attorney soundtrack, which is a big plus for me). (Oh, and now we also have Abysskeeper-kun)

[@emiliel4539]

Nah you're not alone, I really don't understand the complains, especially regarding the writing/story. I mean it's predictable, but that doesn't make it bad... And the maps felt fun and actually challenging. I'll admit the rest of the paid DLC stuff was hot garbo, but this wave in particular was way worth getting for me, no regret to end up on that note

[@darkstorm2579]

I rather enjoyed Cindered Shadows and it’s content.

[@irritantegast2131]

I'm two months late, but you are not alone. It has amazing value and the characters are great. The missions are fun too. And it included lots of cg pictures, which are actually my favorite thing in the game. I just love to see these images I don't know why lol. I don't really listen anymore to the community. I went in CF with low expectations, but I enjoyed lots of it. Although some plot points were very rushed.

[@xeernfayero6450]

But, Mangs, the DLC makes it so that Byleth's mom's name is actually visible on the tombstone, so that alone is worth the price.

[@Gerd0]

I loved the final boss of this DLC. It's one of the bossfightest boss fights we've had in this franchise. And the map theme there is amazing. Honestly, that and chapter 4 alone are enough to leave me satisfied with Cindered Shadows.

[@AzureRoxe]

Very disappointing really, especially since this is flatout mentioned to be like a 4th house, yet really isn't. It has the same incomplete feeling that some of the normal Three Houses have.

[@alsaiduq4363]

Even if 3H feels incomplet, still a really good game dispite of it. It's kinda similar to Kotor2, incomplete game for sure but all other aspect are so good that doesn't feels bad. But to its really bad to a DLC to feel incomplete.

[@AzureRoxe]

@Weston Meyer It's been advertised as a 4th house, not just a sidequest.

[@MultiGamer212]

Mangs, cindered shadows takes place directly before chapter 5 but after chapter 4 just so you know

[@wolfgod6443]

Let me recruit Rhea and Jeralt as part of the side story and I'll say it's a must have for 3 Houses fans. Also I love Mang's idea of you falling into Abyss in the intermission. Although I don't think there's a good way of integrating the story at that point in the game, I would love an extra story where you're escaping Abyss with the Ashen Wolves. They can still reuse the underground maps if they really want, I'm not picky. Just spice up the enemy layouts and we're good to go.

[@naiRISE766]

The statue that let you buy 3 Devil Axe through renown is probably enough for Mangs to buy it.

[@hoorenglish5732]

I’m still kind of glad I guessed Aelfric to be the villain (because I have a somewhat blind trusting faith in most characters). Since he did refer to the kids as a flock...even though they are called the ASHEN WOLVES. And, in a way, I guess you could say Yuri and Aelfric were kind of wolves in sheeps clothing in their own ways.

[@Draylin41]

The one thing you kind of seemed to glossed over was the four new classes we just got. Unless I'm mistaken, can't you just unlock those for anyone who meets requirements in the main game? Granted I'm only five chapters into the dlc and haven't looked at doing another normal playthrough yet but that should liven things up at least a little yeah? It is still a shame that both of the new mounted classes are gender locked though.

[@derry1231]

Wait wait wait I’m gonna stop you at 10:30. “He’s not creepy or imposing like a villain should be.” Isn’t that the point though? Like one of the fire emblem fan base’s biggest gripes with Celica is that Jedah is an untrustworthy, mustache-twirling villain, but then all of a sudden the villain in cindered shadows isn’t villainous enough? I think you missed the mark on that particular critique Mangs

[@derry1231]

I think one of the cool things about cindered shadows and Three Houses in general is that most of the “villains” aren’t really seemingly villainous from the exterior and that’s kind of the whole point. “Normal-looking” people can be just as villainous as one that’s decked out in gaudy Nazi-garb

[@Mangs1337]

I'm not saying every villain needs to be a Manfroy or Jedah, but I thought that Alfreic was overall very forgettable, I think his design was a big part of it, he looks like a generic NPC in a videogame. I think having an unremarkable villain is never a good thing.

[@derry1231]

Mangs eh I disagree. I think this goes back to my original point - “normal-looking” and even “forgettable” people can be just as villainous as people like Jedah. If this were the main game would this be a problem? Yeah for sure, since we don’t want a normal villain. We kind of want someone decked out in black and red who’s 6 and a half feet tall and can turn into a giant dragon. But when it comes to DLC, it’s not really that big of a deal and it honestly would have been unnecessary had they attempted to setup a stereotypical FE villain. I think over analyzing and harsh criticism can be useful for game devs, but I think you went a little bit overboard in your critiques since many of your issues with the DLC weren’t really that big of a deal.

[@DEATHxTHExKIDx1]

I think it's worth it. 10hrs of gameplay, new characters/classes to mess with in the main game. I finally had a reason to playthru Silver Snow.

[@BoydTheMilkmanX]

10h is being very generous. I cleared it in 5 hours on Hard and I'll be frank the few new maps that were added are some of the most poorly balanced in the game.

[@neor2354]

I love the DLC. It felt like a DLC story and just new stuff for us to consume but it really was quite a good time playing it! The story, while lacking huge depth (honestly not necesary for me in a dlc) you really see how the people in Abyss have their own struggles. I personally love Abyss' design and track, could have been bigger as Mangs said but it was really nice to see an underground totally different from the ordinary happilly doodely grounds of Garreg Mach or it's warfare period of sorrow, hope and doubt! I would have even paid more, but that's just me... I hope we get another dlc somehow, but I'm sure others just want to move on into the next Fire Emblem and I understand, but Three Houses became my favourite and this DLC is the chocolate ground for my primary white cake that is the normal game.

[@BoydTheMilkmanX]

If you'd have paid more you clearly haven't put a lot of thought into it. Even if you enjoy it there are serious problems with the price.

[@irritantegast2131]

@@BoydTheMilkmanX what you are saying is utter Bs. If someone liked something a lot why would they not like if they go "more in depth"?

[@bigjavi8375]

Aelfric and Orson can be good friends

[@twilftw]

nah i think the reason they couldnt get jeralt back was voice actors. over all this dlc felt like an anime filler movie were they replicate stuff that apperes in the anime.

[@FoxyAreku]

I don't think I will ever understand the sentiment that it isn't worth it, compared to other DLC packs from other games it offers a boatload of content and is more than worth the price. Only time it wouldn't be worth it is if you just don't like three houses that much. I also thought the story was fine. It is predictable but that's really the only bad side, there's no real plot holes for once and I think that's amazing as every FE story is always riddled with them.

[@alsaiduq4363]

I mean if you compare this to Witcher 3 DLC , Asassin Creed DLC , Xenoblade 2 dlc or even older games dlc like Fallout New vegas dlcs , this DLC is really lacking ... 6-10 hours gameplay (with reused maps), 4 new units , 4 classes (2 gender locked) , lackluster story and bunch of cosmetic stuff.. For 25 ? Eh.

[@avaliantsoul5408]

@@alsaiduq4363 even compared to Skyrims dlc. A whole new continent (although smaller than the main game) filled with quests and new enemies and friends. new weapon sets and armor sets. a solid-ish campaign and all for like, $20. Hearthfire was meh, yes. but both Dragonborn and Dawnguard were pretty packed EDIT: not to mention FE's history of DLC is not a good comparison, because "better than" shitty deals isnt all that great.

[@FoxyAreku]

@@alsaiduq4363 You left out Anna, the sauna, several paralogues in the main story that expand on the world, quests, activities like item farming from the animals, new battalions with unique effects, music, being able to pick your character endings, an NPC inside Abyss that helps with your character stats, new supports, and a whole lot of really gorgeous artwork. It's really just so much stuff. I'm pretty sure I didn't even list it all here. I don't blame people for forgetting some of it though, the game as a whole is so massive that it's scattered all over the place and some of the things you get are easy to overlook.

[@alsaiduq4363]

@@FoxyAreku Anna is just another unit even worse than most because dont even have supports, paralogues sure give you that , quests are mostly filler , the new actives are fine but Dinner Hall + training still most optimal , supports of the Ashen Wolves enter into the 4 units part and battalions fine but this could be free aint big deal. Most of this could be very well free updates.. Then selling the side story as $15 as dlc standlone. Like New Vegas DLC.

[@FoxyAreku]

@@alsaiduq4363 Expecting things to be free is the definition of entitlement. You can justify it however you want, but it doesn't change that it is a lot of content that extends the life of the game for anyone who enjoys playing it.

[@billclintonsmagicbeefarm]

At least the music they added is really good, to nobody's surprise. The new map themes are bangers, and Abyss exploration theme is my new favorite for exploration themes, and the cutscene music is jamming too.

[@dylc3373]

Aside from everyone having their own perspectives the dlc does good and bad in select areas. Putting in the right perspective imo the dlc starts out well, it's down fall is that most players have probably completed 1 ~ 4 playthroughs prior to playing the dlc. Put in the right perspective it's not outside the relm of possibilities for claude to find a hole in the wall at a monestary where you and the other 24ish students have never explored before, especially if we consider this starts after chapter 5. Where the dlc falls in the beginning is where I stated that most players have probably completed the game already as the main game plays out naturally without the wolves making the beginning seem lack luster. I didn't notice the reused maps but that doesn't quite damage anything for me as we've had reused maps before. The wolves aside from yuri are almost 1 note and comparable to other characters we have, balthus is so similar to raphael, hapi to bernedetta, and constance to ferdanan. Yeah they're a bit different but to similar to make them stand out. Character development could have been implimented a bit better. My favorite part were the different map objectives and that hard felt difficult after relying on 15 use pulse to fix my impulsive mistakes. FE stories have been pretty easily telegraphed so it was almost no brainer that we would see a traitor and who it would be however I think Alfrec being evil for the reason he is evil was a good turn even if flawed. A man so in love he sacrificed his love for his lover to be happy was awesome to see in a character since it's so relatable then being misguided to bring her back to live after a 10ish year plan. Byleth throws a dent into his plan since Jeralt is now back at the monestary. But Alfrec aside, the issues about Jeralt are note worthy until it's put in the right perspective (which this dlc does not do thus causing the issue) where Jeralt is away on a mission. Now post these events I haven't seen any new interactions w/ Byleth and Jeralt yet so again the same problem of the game plays out like nothing happens. The real concern, imo and looking at it through a select perspective, is the lack of sothis and her thoughts. The dlc serves best as a side Story that doesn't quite support the main story and I believe it should support the main story more. Looking back at previous dlc, the deliverance dlc did it better for SOV, so I don't think this is a step up in terms of dlc just yet. If anything a level step at best. As per my previous rushed comment, I supported this simply because I want better FE in the future, I don't want to see a "awakening is going to be the last title in fire emblem" again. This dlc is ok or good for die hard FE fans, and not quite for those just starting the series sadly. Hopefully 3h will see more and it will be bigger and better. 5* out of 10

[@blankblank6214]

Jeralt should have both showed up and been playable due to the story event's

[@LordWallace]

Fates level writing? Damn if that's true I'm gonna be pretty let down, even if it is just a side story. I'm one of the many that doesnt need to be convinced that 3H is great and I already bought the pass so I'm gonna play it either way eventually but honestly from all I've heard this needed a $10 price cut and sold on it's own to be worth its weight.

[@Shazam1998]

Fates level writing is just wrong. People just can't get over the fact that not every villain needs to be super super deep or badass to work.

[@Ethan-nl2wg]

BeautyIncarnate [Lukas] exactly I don’t think mangs quite knows how big saying something is fates level actually is

[@LordWallace]

@@Ethan-nl2wg I do remember him throwing that descriptor around rather loosely for 3H main story, when imo nothing in main 3H is that.

[@jeremykountz644]

I enjoyed it and didn't really feel like I wasted that much my money, but I really think the whole pass should have been price at 18 bucks. And the this DLC should have been sold on its lonesome for 15 bucks for those who only wanted this. The other stuff in the pass really is only worth 3 bucks or so in my eyes.

[@BoydTheMilkmanX]

Fire Emblem has always had bad DLC practices. Overpriced bullshit content. Pay $4 for a single map, pay $10 for a map pack that's 1/5th of the games price really and get 3 maps a story written by an intern. It's bullshit.

[@lamyaislam4118]

Slight Correction with recruitment. I was able to recruit all the Ashen Wolves after chapter 2. I don’t think I even had sufficient requirements for anything. They just joined when I asked them to

[@wuxiagamescentral]

Is it me or is Yuri basically Lorenz in the animations

[@ultamaflare]

I think I should point out mangs suggestion as to where it should be places would make even less sense than the current iteration. For one all plot points involving the monastery are basically undoable as it is currently under attack/destroyed at the time skip part. The next point is that you still have the problem of after you come back to the main game the Ashen wolves would still have no recollection of your adventures nor would there be any chance of Rhea giving them their freedom. As yet another point at that moment Claude, Hilda, Ashe, Linhardt, Demitri, and Edelgard are not useable since well...they are now at war with one another. Also to be frank, I very much disagree with your thoughts about making the plot like Orsons subplot. Being blunt, that thing was dumb and feels more like the game trying to make us pity how insane he has gone. With the story as it is now I feel it more expresses how confused and shaken the man was. The woman he loved, who he knew died, was laying in abyss in a place far from anyone's view, and what's more she did not decay at all? For someone completely invested in their religion to discover a lie like that is enough to make anyone mad. Tl;Dr the suggestion made may not work and Orson was not sympathetic.

[@brandondaniels1941]

I thought it was extremely disappointing that Jeralt wasn't playable during the final two chapters

[@PokeballEX]

This would have been an insta-buy for me if Dimitri and HIlda got a support chain and paired ending out of it. It's my favorite 3H ship despite them never interacting once within the game.

[@Mojo1356]

While it is disappointing that we didn’t get a lot of interactions between the lords, I’m happy with the lore we got. I feel that this story served as extra lore (like the GD and SS routes focusing on the lore more)... that said, Rhea lovers might not be too happy with this lore though.

[@juliatarantino4411]

my main issue is that as somebody who already has 270+ hours plugged in (finished all four routes + an extra maddening run of blue lions) I'm not inclined to do another whole ass play through of the game based only on the incentive of recruiting the extra four characters, which really bums me out because I think each character was really fun to play with in the side story with the new classes/abilities (Yuri's foul play specifically and the dark flier class as well) and would've loved to use them main game but considering I've already played it 5 times i'm not really tryna spend 40-50 hours on a 6th just to replay the same maps/story with a few character replacements or class adjustments. at this point in time im sure this is the case w a lot of players so it really bums me out i can only use these new additions for about 6-10 hours of gameplay . just going to spend hours watching all the new support convos on youtube instead lol

[@johnclopez96]

Is funny cause after reading this I just stop playing three House and tell myself is it really worth it since I beat the cindered shadow (took me about 8 hours) and I already spend 320 hours complete all 3 house and silver snow so I was nah I think beating cindered shadow was enough for me I'm just gonna move on 😅

[@nathanbreadboi9223]

I know this is probably not very realistic and probably won't happen but I hope that in the next Nintendo direct they go like ha you thought that THIS was the true cindered shadows no this is the real cindered shadows. And the way to unlock it is to play through all three routes and have the second and third play through be new game + of the previous routes you played and finally play through the abyss mode and complete any of the other routes with the ashen wolves and then start of one more new game+ after they release the update. And then it shows sothis talking about how you've experienced all the sides of time. But then says she can sense one more final side of time and it will involve the current ashen wolves and a few extra students from the abyss as new characters and they will make a bigger ashen wolves. And then you experience a brand new three houses story involving all of the ashen wolves' personal struggles or vendettas and you can recruit whoever you want and you will be able to have all the Lords work together against a brand new villain. And before the main antagonist and when all the Lords work together you can choose which main Lord to fully support and the other two will view this as a betrayal. You can make this important choice post timeskip but the ashen wolves will be there for you as you helped them through their vendettas and strifes. But also the ashen wolves will probably be in deep shit of there own post time skip. Anyways this is just wishful thinking I just really want more from this dlc and I want a story like this

[@darkstorm2579]

I doubt that’s ever going to happen. First off, those requirements are a little confusing and the three lords working together kind of degrades TH’s story. I know you mentioned choosing to support one of lords fully and the others viewing it as a betrayal but that doesn’t make any sense.

[@nathanbreadboi9223]

@@darkstorm2579 yeah it is very confusing. I admit that I explained it badly and some of the stuff is very pointless so sorry for being confusing 😔😔

[@darkstorm2579]

@@nathanbreadboi9223 It's alright.

[@ghieldian]

So in order to recruit the Ashen Wolves, we need to complete the side story, then create a new game or do we go back to the side story option on the main menu?

[@Shazam1998]

Create a new game

[@ghieldian]

BeautyIncarnate [Lukas] ✌️

[@rotcalex2011]

I agree with having the story being connected to the main game via the 5 year gap is really what they should have done. I really dislike how Byleth is just 'sleeping' for 5 years. Plus with the main part of the Monastery being abandoned until they reunite in 5 years, Byleth could be in Abyss and everyone could still believe them to be dead. Oh well, I only expected to play the mode once and I at least enjoyed it. Give it time, the fanfiction writers will find creative ways of implementing the story into the timeline somehow.

[@Dragonboy55564]

I actually disagree that it would be best to put the Cindered Shadows during the 5 year time skip. First of all, that would introduce plot inconsistencies (because you're retconning the fact that Byleth has been asleep for 5 years as mentioned in part 2), and it would give you FAR less time to actually play with the Ashen Wolves in the main game (since they would be part 2 exclusives), meaning that they would feel far less like full fledged students, especially on a shorter path like Crimson Flower. The whole point of the time skip is to introduce sudden, jarring and sweeping changes to the whole world of Fodlan without the influence of Byleth. If you could play through the five years, that impact would be greatly reduced since the world would be changed before your very eyes in real time, and Byleth would have had a major influence on the world during that time. I'm also fine with the focus on the Ashen Wolves, because the main lords get plenty of screen time in the main game as is, even if it is understandable that more interactions are desired. Unless the DLC was at least 3+ chapters longer, there isn't enough time to put character development towards non-Ashen Wolves characters without hurting the new students, who had just enough character focus to not feel like cynically tacked on characters like Anna. Adding Jeralt would force the plot to revolve around him, which would also hurt the impact of the Ashen Wolves. And while the plot is predictable, I would argue that it's far more serviceable than Fates, and isn't really that bad. It's not the greatest plot, but it's good enough to let a character occasionally shine, like Yuri.

[@CheapShotFail]

If you're just playing the game normally and haven't grinded out a ton of playthroughs, selling all your stuff for renown is a really nice addition. Lets you customize your team by buying back class mastery/skill levels and just being able to focus on playing the game instead.

[@AlejandroRodolfoMendez]

In the subject the chalice why not revive jeralt and give it like a aum stave or something?

[@thelonelydragon8998]

Because the chalice doesn't actually revive people

[@AlejandroRodolfoMendez]

@@thelonelydragon8998 I know but there isn't something that do that either.

[@MarineSimmer]

my only issue with the dlc is that it should have had a few more chapters because i needed more development and I wanted to care for the 4 a bit more

[@jonunciate7018]

Much as I enjoyed exploring the monastary in three houses, I appreciated being able to play fire emblem without the persona/Hogwarts stuff. The resource management and class restrictions while not to difficult, even on hard, reminded me of classic fire emblem and it was refreshing. The story was laughably predictable but I hope they make more like that.

[@jonunciate7018]

Oh, and before someone says you can skip all that in the base game, that's out of the question on maddening difficulty without new game plus...

[@KingKP96]

I think the 25$ price is to high for this by itself. I think the maps were fun save for the final boss (I hated that last fight, getting your units shifted around the map randomly is tedious not challenging), the soundtrack is good, and the new units are fantastic to play with but it just leaves a lot to be desired. Abyss is a cool place and I wanted to explore it more but there really isn't any substance to it. Honestly I think the Season Pass would have been better if they had done multiple smaller DLC's in an episodic side-story like fashion. Give us Anna & Jeritza plus an entery into the Abyss in the first part, Constance & Balth in the second with more focus on conflict and building the Ashen Wolves and Byleth in the lore, then finish with Hapi & Yuri and the conclusion of the story. Add like four new maps per-dlc and boom you have a full story fleshed out without each update being to much content but more then enough at the end to tell a good side-story.

[@oliveralexander3086]

I haven't play Silver Snow yet so I'm gonna play it with the Ashen Wolves and treat Yuri as a lord (and marry him of course).

[@maramba32]

As someone who liked three houses and is on my top 5 now. Its half worth it and not tbh. Characters and new classes are a big plus but the side story is a bit meh. Though the mother of byleth is pretty interesting

[@FrozenAXL]

I am in chapter 3 and didn't do Abyss yet, if I do it at chapter 5, will I get to recruit them?

[@sirkoopa2412]

You will be able to yes. One thing to keep in mind is that you get the ability to recruit the characters one by one as you progress through abyss. The further you progress, the game will let you recruit one of them or more than one in the main story. I think the order is constance, balthus, hapi, then yuri. By the time you unlock yuri, you've beaten the abyss already.

[@FrozenAXL]

@@sirkoopa2412 Thank you for the detailed reply :) I plan to finish it in one go once the time feels right.

[@sirkoopa2412]

@@FrozenAXL No problem. Also one last thing I forgot. They can only be recruited in part 1 of the main story.

[@greendevotion]

Maybe next time they could make a dlc that actually fits in the story being told... They should have made it a full house, the main lords and the other student trio didn’t add much to it in my opinion. Would’ve loved to see some new students 🤷🏽‍♀️ I understand that they had some connection with the ashen wolves but it could’ve been better

[@FinalFinale]

Are the new classes(Trickster, War Monk, Dark Flier, etc)accessible for your units in the main story?

[@ThirdBlade]

I agree with everything Mangs said about how predictable the plot is tbh. The thing is there's really no one else that can really play the villain other than characters with actual portraits and because the 4 students of Ashen Wolves aren't likely the villains that leaves Aelfric and honestly he had villain vibes coming from him, not the "I'm evil" vibes but more like "I'd commit murder to do this" vibe imo. Also the mom thing was so obvious the moment they brought it up, heck they care more about her here in the dlc than the actual game by giving her a name.

[@tHeWasTeDYouTh]

you should literally buy it just for the final boss music. IT IS SO GOOD! song is called At What Cost