Strategy - check, Deep plot - check, Gameplay - check, Replay Value - Check.
I am new to Fire Emblem. Path of Radiance is the first game I played in the Series.
So, I would like to start off by saying to those of you, who are not familiar with The series and didn't play previous Fire Emblem games, like me - the plot of this game has nothing to do with previous games in the series!
Which is a good thing of course.
Unlike other RPGs,Fire Emblem is very special. It's not about exploring worlds and finding enemies to level you up.
The game it self takes place in battles only, each battle is a whole chapter and between The battles there are long dialogues and cut scenes.
Don't let this fact to chase you off! The battles are challenging they take time, patience and strategy. Also the exploring in Fire Emblem is in the battle field. You can find new Items, Weapons and even new characters to recruit to your party (!).
The battle field build from squares and each side can move all of his soldiers in his turn. Each Soldier can move differently, attack to different distance and range. So you better plan your move well and watch out not to make a wrong one! if one of your soldiers fall it will fall for good!
Trust me it's hard to lose a Character which you were close to and put big effort in. :)
Do not miss out Fire Emblem, You owe it to your self to check it out and it's a great addition to your GameCube collection.