Seems like I am making it a habit of reviewing games. This one is no execption. The latest purchase and addition to my library of Gamecube games, is the latest Fire Emblem.
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance stars a young up-start named Ike(Now you get the Tina reference). He is the son of the famous leader that the Mercenary company is named after. Mercenaries known by many surrounding villages for protecting the people in that area. As usual, their world gets turned up-side down by the suprise attack from another country. The defending country where the mecernary group was living in was unprepared for an attack. Long story short, it takes them on an epic adventure.
The characters in this game are really named weirdly. Ike out of all things was the funniest. Then came Mist(honestly…), and then Rolf. But the good thing is, the names get progressively better as you meet more fighters like yourself.
Is that a tree or a bush?
The game starts off with a FMV of Ike getting his but whipped by his old man. But it wasn’t the scenario that I was thinking about. IT was the style. Fire Emblem sports one of the best coats of Celshaded paint that I have EVER seen. It was almost like watching a fluid Anime show. The game models are that much off either. Even though they are a little too small to make out 100% detail, the amount of detail that you DO see however is nothing BUT small. They made the game models to look exactly like the FMV scene characters almost to a tee.
Viewing post battles are not half bad either. All characters begin talking via dialog, but all characters were hand drawn in the typical Fire Emblem anime style that many love sporting subtle mouth and eye animation. The Animation in fighting scenes however do look a bit off. But after 10 minutes of playing, it won’t matter to you. There is also an option to turn that confrontation screen OFF now when battles start to get a bit long. The game still manages to pull off some very nice effects even with the confrontation screen off so you won’t be missing too much on the graphics front.
Where do I begin again?
Often times you will feel that way at the beginning because there are a TON of things to learn about the game. Fortunately, you will get to experience the wise crack guide helper named Anna. She will help you to understand the many options and skills you can use to take on the new and improved AI while taking a crack at the dummy characters on screen–and sometimes you too. The AI is no joke when you start to progress. Unlike the GBA games where it can get a little repetitive with the same ol’ programmed tactics, the game’s AI will use the full force of the Gamecube’s processor. The game’s AI does however keeps you entertained as it tries to take you out like a normal human being would.
With that in mind. There is a slew of other scenarios that the game now puts you in. Instead of just seizing or killing whatever, you now have to defend and ESCAPE. That’s right, escape from harm as the hostile army tries to cut you down to size. Besides from a full 3D battleground of options, there will be a time where allies will try and talk to you and decide for themselves whether or not to join your cause.
Radiance as far as the eye can see.
So far, I am only an hour and forty-something into the game and it has been lenghty. So don’t think that you will be able to blaze through this game like many others. ITs gonna take you time and effort to beat it all. IF you are looking for a challenge in an RPG/Strategy game, this is where its at for Gamecube owners.
The Dawn of Sorrow is the FIRST Castlevania game for the Nintendo DS, which as of late has been getting a steady increase in 3rd party support. This game is one of the many top notch games coming for the little doppelganger. The game itself is the second one in which Soma(main character) has starred in. Normally this attention goes to the Belmonts(vampire hunter clan) but they took a back seat view to the handheld series so far.
