“Fire Emblem: Awakening” is the latest in a long series of Japanese tactical combat games, and a game I recommend so highly that I think you should throw money at the game like doing so would give every orphan on Earth their loving parents back. If you weren’t aware that any games came before this one, don’t be surprised, as for some strange reason Nintendo of America likes to hide the “Fire Emblem” franchise like it is the adult section in a family video store. But unlike a grimy film featuring experimental schoolgirls, “Fire Emblem: Awakening” will only work your thumbs into a quivering stupor, as you will not want to put it down. I know I didn’t. Then again, I have played a few of the “Fire Emblem” games before, and wear my fanboyism upon my chest like General Patton rallying his troops. What makes this game so great, Vast Audience Whom Is No Doubt Holding onto My Every Word Like It Is The Second Coming of Chocolate Jesus? Well, I’m glad you asked, Candy-Worshiping Masses! Let me tell you!
The story looks like any number of prolific JRPGs at first blush, as a bunch of beautiful teenagers with fabulous hairstyles have to fight against the forces of Hitler-Satan armed only with the power of love and oversized weapons. Sarcasm aside, I actually like those kinds of games, and have played every “Final Fantasy” game to prove it (including the highly over-rated, terrible “Final Fantasy 7”). Also, talking about the story is a bit difficult, as there are a number of plot twists that are integral to the experience, and any allusion to it will turn me into that guy who likes to shout out the twist ending to “The Sixth Sense” because his parents didn’t hug him enough and he can only feel any glimmer of happiness by ruining beautiful things for other people. So, I’m going to give you its official synopsis:
“The story focuses on the trials of Chrom, the prince of the Halidom of Ylisse, and his companions during a turbulent era. When the neighboring nation of Plegia starts acting suspiciously, Chrom commands his band of soldiers–the Shepherds–to keep his country at peace. He encounters an unholy force called the Risen plaguing the lands and a masked swordsman claiming to be Marth, the Hero-King of legend.”
The plot makes heavy references to previous games in the series, which is a nice little goodness for the (previously) small niche of American players. But don’t worry, General Gaming Audience: you don’t need to have played any of them, as the game will happily explain everything to you. Not in a condescending way like some games though, which treat you like your favorite drink growing up was a lead-paint smoothie. Basically what I am saying is that I like the story, if that hasn’t become teeth-grindingly clear.
The control scheme to “Fire Emblem: Awakening” is simplistic, but not in a bad way. It wouldn’t feel out of place on a SNES or earlier generation Nintendo handheld. Move your units around the map with the D-Pad, and select from the menu of options with the A button. There is a bit more complexity to it than that, but that really comes down to periphery buttons that aren’t vital to the gaming experience. Combat is handled on a grid map, and when you move your soldiers into combat the camera zooms in to watch the fight in a type of mini-cinematic. “Fire Emblem” games have always done this, but “Awakening” looks amazing on the 3DS screen. Soldiers experience a semi-RPG input, as they gain experience through combat, and they can have a large amount of weapons equipped. It adds a nice little bit of flavor to the tactical combat.
The visuals of this game are likely to fall into one of two camps for my audience: you will either love it or hate it. The anime-style translates very well to 3D, surprisingly enough, and the cell-shaded art looks fantastic on the handheld screen. But, I can easily see how that could turn someone off. Some people just have a problem with highly stylized graphics. I know that I personally have a very visceral reaction to the graphics in “Windwalker.” And by visceral, I mean I see red, and then I wake up three weeks later in a ditch in Utah, covered in dried blood. The full cinematics look amazing, and the voice acting is pretty well done, considering that it is a dubbed Japanese game. The music is sweeping and epic, which is appropriate considering the fact that well…the game is an epic.
Buy this game. Now. Your wallets are burdened by an overabundance of dead weight, and chucking it at this game will make you feel all tingly all over. I may be gushing over this game, but I’m sure that once again I will be proven correct in my recommendations. Because when it comes to opinions on what is good and what is bad, I am the King of Media, because I rule hard. It is good to go back to Nintendo for this review, as I felt I was neglecting it again. “Fire Emblem: Awakening” will be a nice break from the standard sludge of blending FPSs that rule the game scene these days. Grab forth your swords and conquer you sexy gamers you!
