Fire Emblem: Awakening Demo

Nintendo has finally awakened to advertise one of their most elusive franchises.  The slew of advertisement is very encouraging.  In fact, I don't think they have done one since Fire Emblem's debut in the U.S.  No matter how bad the game feels to me without its original creator, I will still be buying them.  The big N has done more than just bring it to other territories, but they really put more investments with the title.  There probably is more advertisement than the Metroid series games. 

I am happy that the latest has eventually been given the chance to go outside home territory, the previous installment, Heroes of Shadows and Light, did not even get bothered with.  Especially, given at the time of Heroes release, most RPG's weren't going to be published in America.  Now, most of those games such as, The Last Story and Xenosaga have eventually made it out, thanks to the movement known as Project Rainfall.  In which, Nintendo officially replied the consumers outcry to have an American release, simply by saying "NO!".  Instead, NoNintendo gave us Kirby, but at least now they seem to be becoming like Yes Man.

Since the announcement of Awakenings release, I was relieved and actually less enthused by it.  Though given that all this hype and showcasing all around, I decided to download the demo on my handheld after vacuuming the dust filled box of the 3DS that I have barely opened. 


The demo only contains Prologue and Chp.1 with many features blocked off.  What is the point of showing the options on creating an avatar if they cant be used...?  Most of the in-game play features are usable in Hard and Insane.  Normal and Hard mode are fairly simple, with the latter should take be taking some precaution.  I could barely get passed the second turn in Insane mode.  This makes the game more worthy, and I can practice before the real deal arrives.  

 SPOILERS!!! Given that Marth's identity has been revealed.  They didn't do such a good job of covering up that he is a she.  The voice actress may have deepened her voice, but it is still too obvious that she was trying to cover up.  Just her speaking defeats the purpose of the mask. 

Story wise it felt too much like The Blazing Sword with the details about the world thrown at the player.  The avatar asks what something is so that we can learn, isn't the best way to present the situation.  In the second chapter, I don't know why Marth wasn't available to play as, since "he" is capable of fighting. 

It was nice to here the voice, but why only place few standard lines when they could have the entire script read to us.  Either have voices for all or none.  I am not too fond of the graphics, especially at the characters feet.  They look like they are planted underground and their legs don't move.  Lots of changes in that department need to be made. 



Nintendo has pushed the investments further by bringing the bundled package to us here.  The only difference is that there is no physical game, but it is already programmed on the device.  On the Nintendo's Facebook page, they are doing regular spotlights on the characters of the game.  Also, there is, for the first time, an art booklet for this franchise.  So far only Gamestop is providing.  I am looking forward to these.  The only thing I wish, was the bundle to be an XL version, since I do prefer it better than the clunky fat original. 

Fire Emblem- Path of Radiance Ch. 6&7

Since there is not much left at serenesforest.net and I'm too lazy to go through the game, I might as well just finish what is available.  Shall we get through this...

Ch. 6: A Brief Diversion- This chapter begins with the world view and narration.  The first thing pointed out is that the continent of Tellius is blessed by the goddess.  Again, nothing more then just blessings from our omnipotent character.  Also informing us on Gallia, a home to the half-man/beast.  Crimea has been friendly in helping in decreasing the prejudice between the races.  Which makes Elincia's quest more believable. 

Opening scene has our heroes in the humid forest, discussing the ugly beast of Gallia.  Ike is oblivious to the racism.  Soren and Shinon explain the different races.  Soren provides the proper term for the sub-humans, called Laguz. 

Meanwhile, at the enemies group, Petrine is happy to get confirmation of Ena's prediction.  Petrine says that her demotion as a tactician was by a little girl.  I'm confused by that reference. They plan to catch the prey.

In the forest, the mercenaries discuss their best plan of action against their pursuers.  Soren, their tactician, is very keen.  Splitting from the main group, the fighters will hold of the attack, and the rest carry the princess to Gallia.  Gatrie, Shinon, and Greil are the fighters.  After the split, they find Soren's prediction correct, as the enemy was waiting for them.  Elincia wants to lend her sword, but Ike denies her help. 

The gang make it across the borders, but Ike and main force leave Elincia, Mist, and Rolf to head the palace.  Elincia hands Rhys a mend staff.  Soren believes it best to go back east on the bridge again to aid the others. 

Not much information to gather in this chapter.  I completed an actual summary of it's events though.  Disappointing.

Ch. 7:Shades of Evil- Titania leads the group to an abandoned castle where she thought she'd seen a figure.  It turned out to be Daein soldiers.  Mia, a swordfighter hired into the Crimean ranks, looks for and finds Ike.  Greil saved her from going to the Daein prison camps.  Petrine, of the Four Riders, comes in surprised the mercenaries are holding.  Surprised even further to find that the princess has made it past her troops.  Greil comes in to talk smack at Petrine.  Greil takes Petrine out for battle, while her troops block off the mercenaries.

After the battle, the Greil Mercenaries find Greil to be tiring Petrine.  Then more reinforcements come to Petrine's aid.  As she orders her soldiers to attack, Gallian beasts quickly dispatches the Daein forces.  Petrine refuses to back down, for fear of the king.  The Black Knight comes in to relieve her.  Then there is stare down, specifically at Greil, and the knight walks out.  Elincia came along with the Gallians, as she requested them to aid Ike.  Ike uses the racist term and Ranulf fights back.  Ike apologizes for the wrong term and Ranulf pauses in shock from Ike's manners.  Ranulf tells the group that Daein has conquered Crimea.  They quickly get along and exchange pleasantries.  They plan to take the princess to see the king of Galia, but the mercenaries head to an old fortress there for Ranulf can't take in too many foreigners.

That night, Ike catches his father leaving.  They have a long chat about the mercenary life, Ike's mother, yada-yada.  Then Greil orders Ike to go back to the castle and we get our first Fire Emblem cinematics.  Greil vs. the Black Knight.  Duh-da-da-da-duh-dum...!!!!

So, General Gawain, former Four Rider, is Greil, and he wielded swords.  A lot of development in a few sentences.  Greil, in his dying words, says he won't say no more than he threw "it" away.  Gotta love these terrible plot devices.  The movie itself killed me with those cheap lines.  At least, the cel shaded graphics were rendered quite beautifully.  Voice work is rather nice, of course, nothing fascinating is offered.  The Black Knight sounds like a robot, a gay robot at that.  "Ssssssooo... You ttthhhhhhhinkk you can fffffight.?"

The king of beasts shows to stop the knights threats against Greils children.  I don't know if the Black Knight is faking his fear of him.  The knight retreats, and Ike carries him in the rain back to the castle.  Greil mumbles to Ike to forget about revenge and to go with the king, and dies.  Sniff....

Okay, so there are some good details in that last chapter.  Sorry I couldn't get any pictures in.  You'll be seeing the game text, but at least you wouldn't be just seeing my text.  At least there is a cheesy movie included for the last part.  Next chapter is going to be a long one. 

Fire Emblem- Path of Radiance Prologue-Ch.5

This will be fun.  I will be reviewing the script to the game.  The game has been reviewed already, but now I want to talk about the story.  Thanks to http://www.serenesforest.net/ I can read the script without actually going through the hassle of uploading the disc into my wii.  Which would have me getting a vaccum cleaner in order to remove all the dust.  Serenes forest has uploaded up till Chp. 9, but I do have a file for Ch. 10.  Though it won't be a while before I review it. Anyway, don't read this post for there are SPOILERS!!!!!! 

Prologue:Mercenaries- is just your typical story setter.  Characters are introduced.  Not much information to gain.  There are no lines for me to grab, but after the training sequence, we see the story begin.  Moving on.

Ch. 1:The Battle Begins- I actually like the opening scene.  Characters are firm, such as, Greil and Titania, while Ike and others are getting into shape.  A bunch more yak-yak, but important thing said here is by Titania.  She was cut off from giving us info on Ike's father.  Next chapter.

Ch. 2: Rescue- More typical plots.  Kids get stolen and the bandits run amuck.  This is the first time the Goddess has been mentioned.  Although, nothing else is relative at this point. 

Ch. 3: Pirates Aground- More useless text.  Nasir first appears here, watching.  Didn't catch that through the game.  Marcia comes in looking for her troublesome brother.  Titinia mentions Greil out in other matters, sounds like he's a politician.  The mayor of the town our mercenaries save, says that they belong in higher affairs, like the Crimean army.  The gang agrees in more or less rebellious thoughts, especially Shinon and Gatrie.  Things are starting to pick up.

Ch. 4 Roadside Battle- A note about Soren, he has been with another mercenary group.  It might be important later.  Crimea and Daein have begun warring.  Soren just got in and already giving most of the story details.  The two countries above have never been friendly.  Daein's king is treacherous.  Crimea's kings brother sent out the army to defend.  Soren leaves them, to come tell the tale.  The Greil Mercenaries may be for hire, but this affects them.  Since they are mainly hired by the Royal Crimeans, it is in their best interest to aid them. 

Soren lays it down harsh, but he's right.  No pay, no play.  He already expects Crimea to have lost.  Titania gives us the linneage of Crimea.  King Ramon and his brother Duke Renning.  Soren gives us Daein's King, Ashnard.  Saying that Daein is just superior. 

Greil puts Ike in charge for the scouting of Crimea's capital, Melior.  Shinon is in rebellion about it, but is silenced.  Before they leave, Mist gives Ike the Regal Blade, from their father.  Then he has leadership issues, and a talk with Rhys. 

On the trail to Melior, they spot fallen Daien soldiers, possibly from one of the Imperial Guards.  Soren brings it down from not King Ramon nor his brother.  For Renning needs to lead the last standing soldier.  Someone else in the court, could have run over the Daiens.  The investigation is interrupted with Daien soldiers surrounding them.  When Titinia faces the boss, she mentions she left the Crimean army years before.  After the skirmish, they find a women, named Elincia.  Soren wanted to leave her their. 

Ch. 5 Flight-Elincia wakes up.  Yay!  Yada yada, yada... They go through introductions.  Somehow they get done with greetings and on with the plot.  Greil asks her if she has any ties with the royal family, since she was found on the site of the battle, but no reply.  She then blurts out, her name and lineage as the daughter of King Ramon, Elincia Ridell Crimea.  The only shocker to Greil is that he didn't know Ramon had children.  Though it is true that she has been kept secret, to keep from a blood feud.  She then tells us that her parents are dead, and her uncle is still fighting Daien.  Her parents were slain by Ashnard.  She fled, or was heading to Gallia on his orders.  Galia's king Caineghis would provide safety.  Each house was told of her existence for such a circumstance.  Elincia lays out her request to be escorted to Galia.  Titinia is reminiscing, and Ike asks if its from the days as a Crimean knight.  She asks him how he knew that. She remembers Elincia baring resemblance to the king and queen.  What confirms that she is the princess, is Daein troops outside demanding her.  So the group chooses to take her, for the heightening of their name.  Greil sends Titania, Gatrie, and Shinon to survey the road for advances of the enemy, while he and Rhys clean the library of important documents.  The rest burns.  Elincia helps pack and opens up even more.  She has learned all forms of manner in hiding, such as, cleaning, cooking, swordplay.  Interesting details.  Mist shows her the medallion.  It used to be her mother's.  There is a light emanating from it.  Mist tells that it only starting glowing a while back.  Possibly, before Daein's invasion. 

Meanwhile, the enemy is predicting Elincia's movement.  Petrine, the fiery general, and Ena, an advisor of some sort, pinpoint her heading to Gallia.  Petrine plans to capture Elincia herself. 

Ok, I think that is enough for today.  I'm sorry I don't have any scans available.  I wasn't even playing.  This script was provided by http://www.serenesforest.net/  It's not complete.  Next week I will finish what they got.  I didn't think that soon in the chapters would I be getting plot to write about.  Hope this was organized for you.

Fire Emblem: Thracia 776-Blow'in in the Wind Single

Very rarely do video games have CD soundtracks, and even fewer do have songs, and even far fewer CD singles.  I find no use for CDS's.  For franchises, singers, animations, etc, that barely make any songs, is where they are needed.  This is one of those rare cases. I don't like to have media divided in so many different formats.  

Koh Ohtani helps arrange these unique songs, with our veteran composer, Yuka Tsujiyoko.  Ohtani adds his jazzy style, yet Tsujiyoko manages to keep the songs magically entrancing.  Blow'in in the Wind(odd how they spelled Blowing) fits nicely into the Fire Emblem series.  I understand that these were used for the BS satelite game.  Which was taken in place with the Akaneia saga.  Funny, how these songs made out two years after the fact. I like the middle of the song with the jazzy sounds and synth piano. 

Wind rocks, with a nice rock guitar.  I'm glad that the lyrics are done by our beloved composer.  It works wonderfully with the vocalist, Juliana Schano.  Nothing annoying about her voice thankfully.  She is pictured on the back.  She sings every note perfectly.  Even the high notes, which is where people tend to mess up.

For this CDS, it is necessary to have it.  If you are looking for karaoke versions.  I like the cover art, done by Miyumi Hirota.  It's the only place you can see it, as far as I can tell.  Problem is, that only the one song has karaoke.  You can find both songs on the games original soundtracks. So the only thing of value is the karaoke and the images. Both songs, beautifully arranged, all thanks to Yuka. Good luck finding this, and you will be paying a hefty price. 

Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones

Fire Emblem, one of my treasured series.  Look at the cover art its beautiful.  I see that it's work is like done as a painting.  This will be a quick review. 

First, this game was released as, how should I put it, as a decoy.  To keep the fans sidetracked from the upcoming Gamecube title, for the series.  Not a lot of thought went into this series.  The game is fun, but short.  Even with the extra battle modes and unlockables.  Shorter than the more linear games before and after it.  Not a lot to keep you attached.  It's one of those get in/get out, disposable games, that Nintendo does often, to keep the audience busy.  This wouldn't have happen if the original creator Shozo Kaga, had been still involved.  I'll leave him out of this, like Nintendo has.  For another time I will talk about him. 

On to the game mechanics, which I'm not real to critical about like other professional sites, such as my favorite http://www.ign.com/.  Graphical it has no difference then the previous ones.  Certainly, Intelligent Systems made no effort in improving or making new moves in that department.  Musically, it has it's style, but nothing like my gal Yuka Tsujiyoko.  She supervised over Yoshito Hirano and others.  Not much from the short selection of music that I can pick out.  Maybe because three composers were involved, same number of directors for this game.  Can't tell who did what. 

The first half of the game is a breeze.  I find it fun. Difficulty is laughable.  I like the plethora of units to choose from.  Though there were little as one to each category.  The summoner was a real neat class, as I like most of the magic users.  The best feature of the game is the choices, although its not expansive enough.  The places to go, is one of those features, but nothing too attractive about.  Nothing that can make me go Tower of Valni a second or third time after everything is unlocked, or even enough motivation to level up units through the skirmishes.  In fact, all those map choices made the game a bit too convenient.   

What should have been done was, between each chapter, have the ability to have some side plots for the minor characters.  They could have upped the difficulty on the next main story chapter, so that extra skirmishes wouldn't be making the map so easy to clear.  I like the choices available for unit growth. It's not as one way like before, but that feature was soon discarded.  I would actually be hasty as to make Ewan a Sage or Druid.  Though with the mine cheat, you can get all four magics as a sage. 

I would have liked a little more choices on the weapons side.  Especially the magics.  I wanted to see different sprites for each individual and the weapons they use.  Fire Emblem has a lot of variety, but it calls for more. 

 Story wise, it's below standard.  The things that grabbed me most were the characters that either died or the minor ones.  Such as, Orsen's betrayel, and his illusion of being with his dead wife.  Then Queen Ismaire's death, La'Rachael and her gangs quest for justice.  I found that last one to be a comical situation.  For the villians side, Selena and her relationship with the king, to Lyon and his turn to the dark side is most revelating. The twin leads didn't hook me much, but Ephraim was a cool unit to use.  I liked that each nation had dual sets of sacred treasure.  Since this was a decoy game, a vast world was made but little to no information was bothered to be included. 

 Character design was really unattractive.  I've inserted the images above of my favorite artwork.  Minor characters were very weak, in design and personality.  Getting through all their support conversations really didn't help much.  La"Rachel and her gang amused me, as well as the uptight, Lute.  I still don't like her.  The villians dialogues are what made me intrigued.    Selena was a strong character, as were the other generals, but thats normal for me to like such evil characters.  Very few characters had good background stories.  It left the characters and therefore, Magvel, a short one-stop place.

One final note is that I wish there was actually artwork for exlusive weapons and worlds.  I'm kind of tired of seeing just character artwork and the few epic posters.  This is a quality game from Nintendo and Intelligent Systems, though to them, this was bait for us.  I'd get it just to enjoy the short story and have fun with many of the new and exclusive features to the series.