Nintendo surprised fans today with a new trailer for upcoming musou-style Fire Emblem spinoff Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes. After several weeks of consistently releasing trailers on Fridays, this extended two-minute Wednesday trailer for Fire Emblem: Three Hopes was quite unexpected - and also revealed the return of some quite unexpected characters as well as a demo that is free to download and play.

Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is a spinoff of previous main series title Fire Emblem: Three Houses, which released in 2019 and told the story of a conflict in the divided land of Fodlan. It will explore an alternate story that is expected to significantly differ from the events of the original game. Previously, a series of three trailers had revealed that all members of the Black Eagles, Blue Lions, and Golden Deer would return as playable characters. With so many playable characters already revealed, fans were unsure if any more would be announced prior to the game's release.

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However, Nintendo revealed today that a fourth house will be joining the fray: the Ashen Wolves, underground dwellers who first debuted in the Fire Emblem: Three Houses' Cindered Shadows DLC. Unlike the other houses, the Ashen Wolves consist of only four members: Yuri Leclerc, Balthus von Albrecht, Constance von Nuvelle, and Hapi. In the original game, the Ashen Wolves reside underneath Garreg Mach Monastery and possess powerful Crests formerly thought to be lost to history. If the player completes their side story, they can be recruited in any of Three Houses' main routes and have their own Paralogue stories and Supports with other students.

Only the four Ashen Wolves were confirmed to be playable in this new trailer, but several other previously unseen characters were confirmed to be making a return appearance in Three Hopes. The new trailer included Church of Seiros members Seteth and Flayn, mercenary archer Shamir, Kingdom of Faerghus noble Rodrigue Fraldarius, and Jeralt, the father of previous protagonist Byleth. Possibly the most unexpected moment was the inclusion of Rhea, archbishop of the Church of Seiros, taking to the battlefield dressed as Saint Seiros herself. Rhea, Rodrigue, and Jeralt were all NPC characters in Three Houses; many fans hope that Three Hopes will see their playable debut.

In addition, a demo of Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is now available to download and play for free on the Nintendo Switch via the online store. The demo will cover the entire introduction of the game, allowing players to experience up to chapter 4 of the Scarlet Blaze, Azure Gleam, and Golden Wildfire routes. Should players later choose to purchase the full game, all progress from the demo will be carried over.

Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes will release on June 24, 2022 for the Nintendo Switch.

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