Fire Emblem: D'aaaaaaaawww... I Mean... Awesome

For my first post, I want to share my thoughts on Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance and Radiant Dawn.  The Fire Emblem series usually does stand-alone games, and I still nostalgically remember my excitement when Radiant Dawn, a direct sequel to the GCN's best strategy game, was released.  Even more so when the absolutely adorable thief, Sothe, grew up into one sexy badass.

I love that half-shirt.  <3  And I'm a sucker for green hair.

But let's start at the beginning.  If you've ever picked up a controller of any kind, you've probably played Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and that's where you know Ike.  I'll save it for a different rant, but Ike is completely undeserving of being an SSB character.  He's essentially and over-enthusiastic Boy Scout with a sword and a relatively cliched character development.  Moreover, he's a speed fighter.  All those big, heavy attacks from SSB?  Yeah, that's not Ike.  There are a ton of more interesting characters they could've used, but Ike's appearance in SSB did get more attention for the Fire Emblem series (although Marth and Roy did first, and were both better characters).
And that brings us to Path of Radiance.  The game stays true to Fire Emblem style.  It's a turn-based strategy game where each unit is a fully-developed character with a complete plot line.  And all characters are not created equally.  Notice how you're not using Astrid?  You never will.  But don't worry; she's a girl, and not even hot, so it's okay.  (Seriously, almost every female in this series will completely suck, because apparently women belong in the kitchen.)  I will warn you, though, be careful with your characters; if they're defeated even once (Crits SUCK!), you lose them forever, meaning you lose out on their plot line.  And the reason that's bad is simple...

The most emo strategist you'll ever see.

This game is completely homoerotic!  Ike himself is only vaguely charismatic, but when you add in his not-so-subtle bromance with emo-tastic strategist and mage, Soren (and I love my emo boys), you get a lot more character depth and a full-fledged case of the d'aaaaaaaaaawwwwws.  And they're not the only male/male couple.  (Google Sothe x Tormod for some quick online sexiness.)

It's the differences between Soren and Ike that really highlight the rest of the game's plot.  Ike starts as the son of a simple mercenary, but through good intentions and deus ex machina, he gets pulled into the war of the Mad King Ashnard of Daein, who is secretly trying to awaken a dark god and plunge the world into chaos.  The slightly cliched backstory for Ike isn't particularly interesting, but as he gets pulled into the politics of war between rival races of humans and beastmen, his ideological differences between him and Soren make a story about racial differences and politics really pop.  By the end of the first game, if you're even half as sensitive as I am (and I'll admit I'm a total wimp when it comes to things like this), you'll be crying.

One minor plot in Path of Radiance is Sothe's search for someone he cares about.  In Radiant Dawn, we find out that he was searching for his friend, Micaiah, a silver-haired healer in a world where... well, people can't just heal without magic.  She raises eyebrows for that talent, which makes things difficult for Sothe, her protector, as he leads her forces in protecting Daein a few years after you crushed them as Ike.  This is instantly a strong point of the plot.  You were trained to hate these guys, and all of a sudden, they're sympathetic characters because the cutest member of your team has grown into a stud, and he's got someone to fight for.  What remains even more interesting is that as the world gets plunged back into war, you play as every army in the game.  Even the non-combatants from the previous game become playable.  With a higher level cap and new weapons, you experience the war from all points of view.  No spoilers, but even a certain powerful enemy you thought you killed is back, and this time, he's on your side.  (But don't waste any exp on him; he's max level.)  Every character has a motivation, and they're almost all worth protecting.  Except Meg.  That worthless bitch deserves anything she gets.  The game culminates on one of the most epic moments of video game history.  I won't give away any spoilers, but you'll be packed with adrenaline.

Limiting available adjacent squares protects the unit.

As for the gameplay itself, if you're a strategy fan, you won't be disappointed.  Terrain and spacing plays a huge role.  You're forced to fight smart, because enemies will target your weaker units and take them down, eliminating them from the remainder of the game.  This can be extremely frustrating, but if you're patient and smart about it, you'll make it through.  Add in healing tactics, a weapon effectiveness triangle, and some terrain benefits, and you've got a lot going on, but the game summarizes it for you before you commit to an attack.

All in all, the Fire Emblem series raises the bar in strategy games, and Path of Radiance (GCN) and Radiant Dawn (Wii) will provide hours entertainment.  Even more after a few failed missions or resets from character loss, but it shouldn't ever get too frustrating, unless you have the balls to play it on Hard.  Be sure to play through Radiant Dawn more than once.  The plot changes slightly on the second play through.

For some solid RPG style strategy, an unduplicated combat system, and some of the cutest anime boys you'll ever see, check out Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance and Radiant Dawn.

D'aaaaaaawwwwwwwww!

PARTY NEWS:

And for those of you in or near NYC, check out Splash on Tuesday, July 12th!  It's the next edition of my gaymer party, Twink Tuesdays: Gayme Night, but this one is special because we're celebrating my birthday!  (Don't ask how old I am.  <-_-">)

Twink Tuesdays: Gayme Night: A Very Nerdy Birthday
18 to play, 21 to drink
Splash Bar (50 W. 17th St, between 5th and 6th Ave)
10:00 - 4:00
Featuring Wii Sports, Super Mario Wii, and Super Smash Bros. Brawl!  (game line-up subject to change)

Bring me presents, bitches!