Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance

Fire Emblem: the Path of Radiance is a story about a young boy called Ike and his mercenary team. A kingdom called Daein invades the kingdom of Crimea and captures it, Ike and his mercenary company then set out on a large adventure to re-claim it and defeat the Mad King of Daein, Ashnard. On his adventures, he travels to many locations and meets many people. He befriends the Laguz (Laguz are people that can turn into an animal, but can also be a human) of Gallia. There are three types of Laguz: there are the felines, the birds and the dragons, they later help him re-claim his homeland. He also receives help from another Kingdom called Begnion.

This game is a strategy game, It involves complex strategical thinking in order for you to prevail. The game is based on chapters, every time you fulfil the requirements needed to complete the chapter, you proceed to the next one. There are a total of 29 chapters in this game, not including the Trial Maps, which can be unlocked if certain conditions are filled.

Every chapter, you choose which units you wish to send out to battle. In your turn, you may move all the units, one at a time. After you finish moving your units, it is the opponents turn, and they move their units. If two opposing units meet, they have a battle. After the battle, EXP is given to the participant. If a unit receives 100 EXP, they receive a level-up. In a level up, the units stats increase a little bit. The stats that increase depend on the stat growths that character has (and how lucky you are). The battle system allows the player to determine how much damage is dealt, and what their chance of hitting the opponent is. This is an excellent way of battling because it ensures that if the strategist does not calculate everything correctly, everything could go horribly wrong, and the strategist might loose a unit. Unfortunately, units that fall in battle can not be resurrected, that is why the strategist must think out all his moves carefully. This gives an edge to the game, and means that the player should always be concentrating on what happens.

In-between chapters, there is some storyline that the player must read. Also, after chapter seven, the player has access to the 'base'. Here, the player can prepare his/her units for the next battle. The story line is rather complex, and will enthral the player. It is a very complicated plot with a lot of twists. The sequel to this game 'Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn' continues the story line from this game (as not everything is explained in this one) except it is three years into the future.

There are many classes and units in this game, ranging from simple swordsmen to cavalry and there are even Pegasus-Riders! There are four Weapon classes in this game: Swords, Axes, Lances and Bows. Whichever are allowed to be equipped depend on the unit's class. Archers can only wield bows, fighters can only wield axes. There is also magic: fire, wind and thunder magic, along with light magic and staves. All mages are permitted to use wind, thunder and fire magic, however, it is best to specialise in only one. Some units can use staves and heal wounded allies, and they can even inflict status problems on the enemies. For example, a sleep stave could make an enemy fall asleep.

When a unit reaches level 21, they promote to the next class. Fighters become warriors, and use Axes (from before), but also gain the ability to use bows. Sword/Axe/Lance/Bow Knights become Paladins. On promotion, they choose a weapon they would like the be able to equip. For example, a promoted Lance Knight could choose to wield bows, swords or axes, or an Axe Knight could choose to wield Swords, Lances or Bows etc. When Mages promote, they become Sages, and gain the ability to use staves. When Priests promote to Bishops, they gain the ability to use the exclusive light magic; only Bishops are allowed to use it!

This game uses a rock-paper-scissors system. Swords have an advantage over axes, axes have an advantage over lances and lances are superior against swords. Keeping this system in mind can give the player an advantage while playing. Bows are separate and have no advantages or disadvantages against other weapons. The magic triangle is similar to that of the weapon triangle. There is a triangle between fire, wind and thunder magic, while light has no advantages or disadvantages against other forms of magic.

This game is very excellent, I have thoroughly enjoyed it and I would recommend it to anyone because it is a good game. I rate it 5 stars!