Just back from a much-needed break in Japan and South Korea, laptop deliberately left at home. The mission was pure disconnection: diving, eating, and soaking in new places. It worked. I actually relaxed. Then I stepped back into work and got a jolt. The tech industry had moved a full year ahead in my absence. At least it felt that way.
The trip had its moments. Snorkeling in Okinawa was quiet and slow in the best way.
Tokyo and Yokohama were the opposite, also in the best way. The highlight was seeing Ado live in Yokohama. A synchronized crowd, that voice, and a stage show that never let up. Frankly, fucking awesome. For a few hours there was no industry news and no deadlines.
Back at my desk, reality hit hard. The backlog was real, and getting back into the flow took longer than I expected. The industry hadn’t waited for me. It felt less like coming back from a break and more like stepping into a future that arrived while I was gone.
So my thoughts went straight to Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, out on Switch 2 on 17 September 2026. Previews point to a bigger Three Houses-style game: tactical battles, relationships to manage, story choices that matter. Exactly what I want. It’s the kind of game that justifies a new console on its own. I almost bought a Switch 2 while in Japan, but region locks killed that idea. No matter. Nintendo already has my money.
To pass the time until release, I’ve been watching Mangs . His Fire Emblem lore and character videos pulled me back into the older games, which run fine on my phone these days. Few things beat a fandom that keeps a series alive like that.
Japan was a great escape. Back home, the industry keeps sprinting whether I watch or not. Luckily, Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave gives me the perfect excuse to finally buy that Switch 2. An expensive excuse, but an excuse.
I’m going for it.