Media: Video Game (available only for Nintendo Switch)
Approx length: ~35 hours for one route (out of four), but NG+ makes subsequent playthroughs faster. If watching a Let's Play, the time will be even shorter since you can skip battles.
Where to find it: You'll probably have to order it online if you want to play it with a physical copy, since it's not reliably stocked at video game stores. It's also available on the eshop. There is a demo for it available if you would like to try it out before committing! The story is a bit slow, but it is very representative of the gameplay.
There are also Let's Plays available on Youtube! I do not have any particular recommendations for those, but I am reasonably certain that there are Let's Plays for all the choices and routes, as well as the character side stories.
What is it, in summary?: A strategy JRPG with branching choices where you do not technically make the choices; you must convince your party members to vote for the choice you think the party should take. The choices made also affect your future persuasiveness to your party members-- if you argue for the pragmatic choices, you become more persuasive with pragmatic arguments, and it will be difficult for you to suddenly pivot to morality-based arguments and be persuasive to your party members.
That's the gameplay; the story is about a continent where salt and iron are the major resources. There are three countries-- Hyzante controls salt, Aesfrost controls iron, and Glenbrook controls neither but is a breadbasket nation. Previously, a very long war raged across the continent because of salt and iron, but there is now a tentative peace. Of course, that peace becomes shattered by Archduke Gustadolph of Aesfrost, who conquers Glenbrook to take control of a particular mine that had been a joint venture between the three nations. Our protagonist, the son of one of the main lords of Glenbrook, becomes embroiled in this political intrigue that spreads across the continent and ignites a second war.
What do you love about it?: I love the characters, and the choices! So often the choices are between two bad things, and it rarely feels like the game is condemning you for taking one of the choices it offers. Because of how the choices branch, there are lots of routes you can take before you get to the big final choice of which ending you'll have. There's also a golden route you can get by meeting special conditions! That one's my favorite. It has a lot of side characters that are a lot of fun. I also love the way that making different choices shows you different sides of the characters. I also really like the tactical gameplay-- each unit is unique with unique abilities and uses.
What sort of things are you likely to request for it?: I am definitely going to request fic of Cordelia and Avlora, the princess of Glenbrook who would be made a puppet by its conquerers, and the enemy general who conquered her country but becomes persuaded to offer her loyalty solely to the conquered princess. I love how they both inspire each other, and I find them super super shippy. Cordelia is physically weak but becomes determined to take back her country because of Avlora's words to her. Avlora initially judges Cordelia as weak and unfit to rule, but sees her change and become stronger and eventually devotes herself to Cordelia and promises to help her free her country.
Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfill your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?: While a general knowledge of the plot is probably necessary, Avlora and Cordelia aren't main characters in the game and thus their scenes can be watched and you can get the important info!
Content warnings (ie, rape, incest, racism, gore/violence): Fantasy racism and slavery
Triangle Strategy
Media: Video Game (available only for Nintendo Switch)
Approx length: ~35 hours for one route (out of four), but NG+ makes subsequent playthroughs faster. If watching a Let's Play, the time will be even shorter since you can skip battles.
Where to find it: You'll probably have to order it online if you want to play it with a physical copy, since it's not reliably stocked at video game stores. It's also available on the eshop. There is a demo for it available if you would like to try it out before committing! The story is a bit slow, but it is very representative of the gameplay.
There are also Let's Plays available on Youtube! I do not have any particular recommendations for those, but I am reasonably certain that there are Let's Plays for all the choices and routes, as well as the character side stories.
What is it, in summary?: A strategy JRPG with branching choices where you do not technically make the choices; you must convince your party members to vote for the choice you think the party should take. The choices made also affect your future persuasiveness to your party members-- if you argue for the pragmatic choices, you become more persuasive with pragmatic arguments, and it will be difficult for you to suddenly pivot to morality-based arguments and be persuasive to your party members.
That's the gameplay; the story is about a continent where salt and iron are the major resources. There are three countries-- Hyzante controls salt, Aesfrost controls iron, and Glenbrook controls neither but is a breadbasket nation. Previously, a very long war raged across the continent because of salt and iron, but there is now a tentative peace. Of course, that peace becomes shattered by Archduke Gustadolph of Aesfrost, who conquers Glenbrook to take control of a particular mine that had been a joint venture between the three nations. Our protagonist, the son of one of the main lords of Glenbrook, becomes embroiled in this political intrigue that spreads across the continent and ignites a second war.
What do you love about it?: I love the characters, and the choices! So often the choices are between two bad things, and it rarely feels like the game is condemning you for taking one of the choices it offers. Because of how the choices branch, there are lots of routes you can take before you get to the big final choice of which ending you'll have. There's also a golden route you can get by meeting special conditions! That one's my favorite. It has a lot of side characters that are a lot of fun. I also love the way that making different choices shows you different sides of the characters. I also really like the tactical gameplay-- each unit is unique with unique abilities and uses.
What sort of things are you likely to request for it?: I am definitely going to request fic of Cordelia and Avlora, the princess of Glenbrook who would be made a puppet by its conquerers, and the enemy general who conquered her country but becomes persuaded to offer her loyalty solely to the conquered princess. I love how they both inspire each other, and I find them super super shippy. Cordelia is physically weak but becomes determined to take back her country because of Avlora's words to her. Avlora initially judges Cordelia as weak and unfit to rule, but sees her change and become stronger and eventually devotes herself to Cordelia and promises to help her free her country.
Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfill your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?: While a general knowledge of the plot is probably necessary, Avlora and Cordelia aren't main characters in the game and thus their scenes can be watched and you can get the important info!
Content warnings (ie, rape, incest, racism, gore/violence): Fantasy racism and slavery