A worthy console successor to the beloved handheld strategy-RPGs?

User Rating: 9.5 | Fire Emblem: Souen no Kiseki GC
By seaward12 | Review Date:
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance is yet another worthy installment in Intelligent Systems' venerable strategy RPG series. The text-heavy presentation is definitely not for everyone, but the well-tweaked strategy gameplay, long quest (40 hours is not an inflated estimate), challenging missions, and rewarding storyline are worth every penny. The game's highest difficulty setting is a tough nut to crack. If you're not up to the task, know that there's no tangible reward for getting through it -- then again, you're probably not bringing back snow from the peak of Mount Everest either. But you'll remember the experience for years to come.

It's taken a few months to bring this game to the US, but the wait paid off. The crash bugs plaguing the Japanese release are gone and the translation is competent all around. If games like Advance Wars and Ogre Battle are your cup of tea, do yourself a favor and play this game. If you haven't tried your hand at strategy RPGs, it's the perfect time to give Fire Emblem a chance. Embrace the drought. Take the Path of Radiance.

Presentation
The intuitive menus are a winner, but the far too infrequent cel-shaded CG clips have you wishing for more -- as do the oodles of silent, text-based conversations 6/10

Graphics
The graphics aren't bad, but the stiff animations are a step below what we're used to from this franchise. The character art and CG scenes are excellent, however 7.5/10

Sound
Great music, as usual. Good to hear Nintendo has dug up more realistic sounding flute, brass, and string samples. 8.5/10

Gameplay
Fire Emblem remains one of the smoothest playing strategy RPGs around. The game balances depth while avoiding the needless tedium found in many other titles 9.5//10

Lasting Appeal
Don't expect things beyond the single-player adventure like multiplayer or unlockables -- but the quest is so long, you'll probably be all emblemed out by the end of the game anyway. 8.5/10

Overall: 9.5/10

My Verdict: Must Buy :)

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