Title says it all: Is Awakening your first go at the Fire Emblem franchise? And if so, how do you like it? (The main thread is filled with in-depth strategy discussion, so I figured this would be OK.)
I'm surprised how much I'm loving this game. I mean really, truly, LOVING it. I'm a busy body, so I tend to gravitate to action games. I don't usually care for SRPGs, figuring they'll bog me down with micromanagement and subsystems. But Fire Emblem Awakening sidesteps all of that.
This game is fast, fluid, deftly paced. Each chapter introduces new elements to keep things fresh, but it never slows down the game. New mechanics are succinctly summed up in one or two lines on the touchscreen, while you continue to play the game, and can be revisited in a handy guide at any time. Not that you'll need to revisit them. The learning curve is perfect.
Adding to its accessibility is the approachable nature of menus. Not sure what a stat on the touchscreen means? Tap it for a succinct one- or two-line explanation. It's probably been done before in a DS or 3DS game, but it just streamlines the experience. Everything in the game is so elegantly arranged. I can't stress enough how impressed I am by this. And did I mention it's FAST?
When you're looking at each character's inventory, you can even tap L to "optimize" their loadout, the game instantly equipping that character with the weapons and equipment that best suits them. I'm about halfway through the game right now, with a roster of 24 characters -- all distinct, all memorable -- and the Optimize function makes managing them a snap.
Speaking of characters, they're the heart of the game, compelling me to use the new "pair up" feature (merge two units to work together as a single stat-boosted unit that can attack multiple times and better protect itself). Beat a bad guy while paired and you'll see heart icons pop up over their heads. Soon you'll have the option to do a Support conversation.
I love these exchanges. The characters are so quirky, and the fact each pair can have four support conversations makes me wonder just how much dialogue is packed into this game. And it's always a treat to see two polar opposites get married at the end of it all, which impacts the storyline and gameplay in very significant ways later on.
I'm also impressed by the production values. The CGI cutscenes are g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s. I love the battle animations, which you can view in first-person by tapping Up on the D-pad. And the maps feature subtle but striking use of 3D: a deep gorge, swirling snow, pouring rain, birds flying overhead, parapets rising out of the screen with braziers burning bright. So good.
There's so much more I love about this game. I'm just wondering if other newcomers are having similarly positive experiences. Anyone else surprised by this game? I had played the demo, which encouraged me enough to make a purchase, but I'm still surprised by how I'm inhaling this game.
I'm surprised how much I'm loving this game. I mean really, truly, LOVING it. I'm a busy body, so I tend to gravitate to action games. I don't usually care for SRPGs, figuring they'll bog me down with micromanagement and subsystems. But Fire Emblem Awakening sidesteps all of that.
This game is fast, fluid, deftly paced. Each chapter introduces new elements to keep things fresh, but it never slows down the game. New mechanics are succinctly summed up in one or two lines on the touchscreen, while you continue to play the game, and can be revisited in a handy guide at any time. Not that you'll need to revisit them. The learning curve is perfect.
Adding to its accessibility is the approachable nature of menus. Not sure what a stat on the touchscreen means? Tap it for a succinct one- or two-line explanation. It's probably been done before in a DS or 3DS game, but it just streamlines the experience. Everything in the game is so elegantly arranged. I can't stress enough how impressed I am by this. And did I mention it's FAST?
When you're looking at each character's inventory, you can even tap L to "optimize" their loadout, the game instantly equipping that character with the weapons and equipment that best suits them. I'm about halfway through the game right now, with a roster of 24 characters -- all distinct, all memorable -- and the Optimize function makes managing them a snap.
Speaking of characters, they're the heart of the game, compelling me to use the new "pair up" feature (merge two units to work together as a single stat-boosted unit that can attack multiple times and better protect itself). Beat a bad guy while paired and you'll see heart icons pop up over their heads. Soon you'll have the option to do a Support conversation.
I love these exchanges. The characters are so quirky, and the fact each pair can have four support conversations makes me wonder just how much dialogue is packed into this game. And it's always a treat to see two polar opposites get married at the end of it all, which impacts the storyline and gameplay in very significant ways later on.
I'm also impressed by the production values. The CGI cutscenes are g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s. I love the battle animations, which you can view in first-person by tapping Up on the D-pad. And the maps feature subtle but striking use of 3D: a deep gorge, swirling snow, pouring rain, birds flying overhead, parapets rising out of the screen with braziers burning bright. So good.
There's so much more I love about this game. I'm just wondering if other newcomers are having similarly positive experiences. Anyone else surprised by this game? I had played the demo, which encouraged me enough to make a purchase, but I'm still surprised by how I'm inhaling this game.
Still can't find it. My local GS indicated they should be getting more in today, and they've now filled their preorders. Already indicated they would set one aside for me if any came in.