THE GOOD:- Grid Map. Great for Strategy Fans like me.
- Tons of Characters to use.
- Many different Classes
- Over 28 Chapters
- Most Cut-scenes are very nice
- Ability to skip most cut-scenes
- Good Storyline
- Great Replay Value
THE BAD:
- The Voice Acting isn't that great.
- Few Cut-scenes with Vivid Graphics
SUMMARY:
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance is quite simply put, a great game. There's been many Fire Emblem games made in Japan already, but few have actually been released to America. When you do come across a game like this, you just have to drool. It's sheer fun and replay value, along with the unwanted Rareness, is enough to make anyone exited at its sight.
Gameplay - 10/10
Simply Fantastic. Sure, there's no action, because this is a Strategy Game. However, even people who might have over looked Strategy in the past should be able to come and enjoy this game. There are 29 Levels, or Chapters. The Battling is done on a Grid Map, like a Checker Board. Each Map allows you to chose a certain amount of characters to send out. You'll gain more characters as you progress through the game. Some of which are hidden, and some of which you can only recruit by talking with a certain member of your current party, usually the Leader, Ike. There are also many character classes, and when you reach Level 21, you get a Class Change, and become level 1 of the next Class. Meaning a Lance Knight would turn into a Paladin. There are also simple strategic things in this game as well. The weapon lay-out is sort of like a game of Rock Paper Scissors. Swords are stronger against enemies who wield an Axe, Axes hold the advantage over Lances or Spears, and Lances triumph over Swords. Also, before engaging an enemy in combat, a data screen will show you how much damage you will do, and your chance to land a hit, as well as how much damage your enemy will do to you. Use this wisely so that you don't let your units die, because if they do, they're gone forever. They might still show up in the cut-scenes, but you can never use them again in battle. However, if Ike, the leader dies, you lose and must begin the Chapter over.
Graphics - 9.5/10
The Graphics are nothing under the category of "bad", but there are few cut-scenes that actually have truly good Graphics. The rest fall under an average category. If you're someone who is put off by bad Graphics, don't turn away from this game, because the Graphics aren't horrible at all, and the game has plenty more to offer as well.
Music - 9/10
I can't say I payed special attention to the music. When you're in a game like this, you usually just get absorbed into the gameplay and the music is just background noise. For me, I don't really think about it too much, but the music does work well with the levels. Even if you do care about the the music, this game should meet your expectations.
Story - 10/10
The Story is really about a War-Torn Land. The King of Daien tries to erupt the continent into Chaos for other means of destruction. The Story unravels in a good fashion as you progress through the game.
Overall - 38.5/40
Overall it's a great game. It may have a few minor flaws, but the main reason it lost any points at all was because of the Voice acting. To me, that really isn't a big deal, as the game doesn't have many cut-scenes with Voice Acting anyways. They could have put in some captions or something, but you won't ever not know what's going on. The game has been out for a while, and it's a bit hard to find, but if you ever see it around, pick it up. I strongly recommend getting this game, because it has some great things all around, but you'll most likely have to order it through the Internet. It's a fantastic Strategy RPG, and definitely something you don't want to miss out on. Even if you've never played Fire Emblem before, this is a great place to start!
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