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[TreIII]

The new artist is fucking amazing, and I don't mind the pandering, but I do mind the games being easy as hell and every battle was the same tactic wise, give me fucking variety.

I also disliked the crazy amounts of DLC, but at the end of the day Awakening is a great game and it deserves the sales, thanks for saving the series.

Pretty much my attitude.

For me, it's more about mechanics. So, while I'm very interested in seeing how things like the new Maid/Butler classes and the revamped Weapon Triangle work out, I'm also a bit concerned until we get more info. (Not to mention, I want to see things like Light Magic back.)

I mean, I love being able to "style" on the game as much as the next guy, but don't make it THAT easy for me.

 

[Firemind]

What I don't like is the general idea that's being thrown around where, if you didn't like awakening as much as previous FE's, you just don't like change and want the series to stay the same forever. I don't think many of us liked Shadow Dragon either, and that game was pretty damn traditional. Too traditional!

Shadow Dragon was also ugly. I mean, I don't play FE for the story or the production values, but yeesh.

 

[Aostia]

Happy to see this kind of IP getting such good sales results. It give me hope, in this troubled times for dedicated game devices, for future iterations.

 

[Griss]

Don't understand how Intelligent Systems* could have moved from this game, which was so obviously carefully designed to appeal to a certain demographic and ultimately did hit home with them completely, to Codename: STEAM, a game which from the moment of reveal was unloved and seemed entirely without an audience. It's baffling to me.

As for the changes to the series, I agree that many were negative, but I don't think the overall 'useability' and 'gameplay feel' improvements get enough credit. Or how the overall presentation was stunning, from sprites to music.

I think they can fix the gameplay in IF and beyond. It sounds like they know the hardcore fans were a little disappointed. But from the IF trailers alone I doubt we'll be getting a decent story again in Fire Emblem for a very long time. And that's sad.

*(don't like the IS acronym for obvious reasons, lol)

On and of course: You're waifu is shit.

Spoiler

SHIT!

 

[Draxal]

Shadow Dragon was also ugly. I mean, I don't play FE for the story or the production values, but yeesh.

That's was also killed PoR and RD, very ugly games for the systems they were on. SD was artistically ugly otoh, while PoR/RD ... were they looked generations old. One of the reasons Awakening did so well, was that it was the first Fire Emblem that looked very good for a system that it came out on in a very long time.

 

[Box]

Sticker Star also had the worst attach rate of any paper Mario game. They went in the FE:A direction because it outperformed every other iteration of Fire Emblem, including the ones on DS and Wii. If Nintendo went with a Paper Mario based on Sticker Star's mechanics, that'd tell me they clearly don't understand what the market wants from Paper Mario

Solid asked about goodwill from the fans. I was explaining how goodwill tends to go away after a disappointing game is made, and that we're looking at the goodwill IS has after Awakening, not before it. Nintendo's market projections don't enter into it.

 

[Lunar15]

Shadow Dragon was also ugly. I mean, I don't play FE for the story or the production values, but yeesh.

Ugly? You just don't like change! /s

But yeah, Awakening's presentation values really helped it out. I'm not a huge fan of the new artist, but hey, everything presentation wise in the game itself was slick.

Don't understand how Intelligent Systems* could have moved from this game, which was so obviously carefully designed to appeal to a certain demographic and ultimately did hit home with them completely, to Codename: STEAM, a game which from the moment of reveal was unloved and seemed entirely without an audience. It's baffling to me.

I think they make the games they want to make, which is great. Gives me good vibes for future FE games.

 

[Kriken]

Solid asked about goodwill from the fans. I was explaining how goodwill tends to go away after a disappointing game is made, and that we're looking at the goodwill IS has after Awakening, not before it. Nintendo's market projections don't enter into it.

Misread then, my apologies

 

[theprodigy]

Oh yeah, this also means Japan's share of sales is likely less than 30%, maybe one day this series won't take forever to localize.

 

[Megidolaon]

Great game. No wonder it's still full price. It's my favorite FE beside PoR.

Hopefully if FE:If it sells well, they'll make a Wii U FE.

 

[Lunar15]

Oh yeah, this also means Japan's share of sales is likely less than 30%, maybe one day this series won't take forever to localize.

And just think, IF will probably be at E3 this year instead of Awakening's "huh? oh yeah FE is coming, I forgot to mention it" from Reggie.

 

[Ambition]

I need to finish this game

 

[victreeb3l]

And just think, IF will probably be at E3 this year instead of Awakening's "huh? oh yeah FE is coming, I forgot to mention it" from Reggie.

Nintendo did lead a legit direct with FE:If. Man that was one amazing morning. No one saw that coming.

The times are changing.

 

[Lunar15]

Nintendo did lead a legit direct with FE:If. Man that was one amazing morning. No one saw that coming.

The times are changing.

To be fair, Awakening was announced before there were Directs, and Directs are, for the most part, made for the global audience.

 

[Draxal]

If you wanted to do that, you could just not use any characters anymore once they died in one map. Same story...

You could but one also would have to keep track of the number characters that died, it's something that you having to willingly engage to do, like one has to willingly engage to enter a map to grind.

To be fair, Awakening was announced before there were Directs, and Directs are, for the most part, made for the global audience.

Directs was such a great change from Nintendo.

 

[victreeb3l]

To be fair, Awakening was announced before there were Directs, and Directs are, for the most part, made for the global audience.

Right, thats true.

 

[lord_of_flood]

I'm glad it sold so well. Awakening is definitely my favorite FE game, even if the core strategy gameplay doesn't hold up as well as the other games. Looking forward to FE:if, since it seems like they're making a lot of good changes to it.

 

[WrenchNinja]

A lot of Awakening came from the idea of bringing together many features from previous games and being a big celebration of the series. That did result in something that wasn't really like any previous game, but it wouldn't have existed as it was in the first place if it wasn't Fire Emblem.



You could say the same thing about Radiant Dawn too...

It's too bad one of the features wasnt interesting map and mission design.

 

[NeonZ]

It's too bad one of the features wasnt interesting map and mission design.

They did attempt to throw unique gimmicks in the paralogues, like rescuing npcs, an escort mission with Severa, unique map features (like the moving walls and secret city) and what was basically a defensive mission with Tiki.

Of course, the children paralogues are also non-linear in their unlocking, and even their numbers aren't ordered by level, making it easy to go into them under or over leveled...

 

[Cow Mengde]

There's nothing wrong with waifus. The problem with Awakening is the lack of diversity in tactics.

It's both of them that saddens me.

 

[theprodigy]

Nintendo did lead a legit direct with FE:If. Man that was one amazing morning. No one saw that coming.

The times are changing.

yeah, just wait until they lead a Direct with Metroid!.....

Spoiler

also fuck the Knicks

edit: can't believe people really think that casual mode and presentation/advertising aren't the biggest factors for Awakening's success

 

[Taruranto]

I don't get these comments. Do you really think that "pandering" is enough to get Awakening to sell more than a million, or that Awakening is one of the most pandering SRPGs ever and that's why it got those numbers? Games actually based on fanservice are niche.

Well, it certantly didn't sell because of the gameplay, given that it was among the worst in the genre.

 

[Regulus Tera]

Well, it certantly didn't sell because of the gameplay, given that it was among the worst in the genre.

Maybe, just maybe, the fact that it became more noob friendly made it more popular?

 

[Kinsei]

Maybe, just maybe, the fact that it became more noob friendly made it more popular?

You can make it newbie freindly without dumbing it down. Casual mode would have been enough for most people.

 

[Jims]

Really glad to see it has done well. I'm just now playing through Fire Emblem Awakening for the first time (late to the party, I know) and I can see why it became so successful compared to the other games. Part of it was just timing, I think, with the dearth of 3DS games at the time.

But I feel like they took a lot of steps with Awakening to add an extra layer of accessibility that made people want to try it out. Normal mode (only played 3-4 chapters of it before switching) felt really easy to me, but is a good breaking-in point for people who have never played before. Ditto casual mode

It felt like they finally got the support system "right" in Awakening. My problem with other Fire Emblem games' support system was that there weren't enough visual cues to see what the supports were actively doing. They felt a little like Pokemon's EV/IV system, where they were definitely doing something, but it was tough to tell exactly how things changed. Having the little hearts appear, combined with all the +s that appear in battle, made me think about the supports more. Now I actually want to have Kellam follow Sully around everywhere because I can see what it's doing. It ended up humanizing the game more for me, in what was usually a very cold and business-like genre.

 

[orthodoxy1095]

It ended up humanizing the game more for me, in what was usually a very cold and business-like genre.

I can understand that to some people the genre was not casual friendly, but "cold and business-like"? Holy hell. Final Fantasy Tactics? Tactics Ogre? Jeanne d'Arc?

 

[Blackquill]

He is in RD, lol.

Yeah, I really dug base convos. Needs to be brought back!

I liked Ike in RD, yes he was more a mary sue than in PoR but that's just because of his character developement that was already finished by the end of PoR. It's logical that he became this perfect in RD, actually I'm glad he turned that way.

And his design, maaaaan, in a era where JRPG (and anime) main characters look as frail as a tree branch, it's just refreshing to see a real man for once !

 

[Poodlestrike]

You can make it newbie freindly without dumbing it down. Casual mode would have been enough for most people.

I'm curious to see how things break down in terms of Hoshido vs. Nohr for If. Nohr seems to be a lot more like what you're describing, accessibility features added to a more classic FE framework.

 

[VanillaCakeIsBurning]

It's so weird. You don't get the same attitudes with any other forms of fiction. You'll find more romance from an average Hollowood movie than from this game, or a Bioware game, which constantly get tagged as 'dating sims'. Say, Vuxia films have always had romance as an important driving force behind the action in the scripts. Jade Empire is an interactive vuxia movie, but the romance is a tiny, optional and easily missable sidestory. And still people complained about it.

I don't get it. Is it the interactivity that supposedly makes the difference? Then why don't people make a fuss about the rest of the interactive elements? The rest of the game is mostly about killing people and robbing their bodies. Does that mean we have homocidial tendencies in real life and try to act out the fantasies in games? Of course not.

It seems to me that a lot of the negative reactions are based in the reactions of others to this romance associated with their dislike for such persons who express their enjoyment in a way that they find distasteful. Recently I became aware that a disturbingly large number of people judge things not based on what they are, but how others react to them. People who use the term "waifu" for example, when a large number of people use this word to describe characters in a (usually) Japanese game, it draws the ire of others who then associate that content as bad or negative and couple it with those people.

That's why you have people who supposedly hate the word "waifu" but continue to use it even before any of the normal users can say it, to pre-emptively describe something that those kinds of people will describe with that term, making it negative by association. I suppose in their minds it also lends credence to the idea that games like Awakening for example only sell because of romance elements as opposed to anything else like the gameplay and/or story.

It seems that the people who analyze things purely on their own merits are few in number, or at least don't post as much as the ones that don't. If you're looking for discussion concerning romance elements, the best you can do is attempt to start a discussion and hope that someone of like mind responds.

 

[victreeb3l]

yeah, just wait until they lead a Direct with Metroid!.....

Spoiler

also fuck the Knicks

edit: can't believe people really think that casual mode and presentation/advertising aren't the biggest factors for Awakening's success

Yes, thats what I'm hoping for. Or end it with Metroid. Or have Metroid in the middle. Maybe 75% in. I just want a new Metroid.

Spoiler

p.s. Your favorite team is shiiiiiiiittt

 

[Vanille]

Depressing.

 

[theprodigy]

Yes, thats what I'm hoping for. Or end it with Metroid. Or have Metroid in the middle. Maybe 75% in. I just want a new Metroid.

Spoiler

p.s. Your favorite team is shiiiiiiiittt

Spoiler

at least my team is in the conference finals

 

[Cow Mengde]

I liked Ike in RD, yes he was more a mary sue than in PoR but that's just because of his character developement that was already finished by the end of PoR. It's logical that he became this perfect in RD, actually I'm glad he turned that way.

And his design, maaaaan, in a era where JRPG (and anime) main characters look as frail as a tree branch, it's just refreshing to see a real man for once !

Yup, easily one of my top 3 favorite Lords in Fire Emblem.

 

[FreedomFighter]

I've only played 6-7 chapters so perhaps I am wrong but Path of Radiance and Radiant Dawn at this point were way more addicting. Couldn't stop playing them.

You're not wrong. Path of Radiance and Radiant Dawn are the best games in the series. Awakening is badass too though and deserves these sales.

 

[Scipio]

The new artist is fucking amazing, and I don't mind the pandering, but I do mind the games being easy as hell and every battle was the same tactic wise, give me fucking variety.

I also disliked the crazy amounts of DLC, but at the end of the day Awakening is a great game and it deserves the sales, thanks for saving the series.

Really, it's not bad but the characters don't look that special IMO and there's a lot of sameface. And the armor design in Awakening is the worst in the series.

 

[Nanashrew]

Yes it's so sad we got another game in a franchise we all love, that led to a sequel that seems to want to change up the formula enough to keep it fresh. How sad for all of us.

In all seriousness great for it, quality game that deserved it, happy to see all the new fans.

I'm glad it changed though. I often see people lamenting the drastic changes to get sales and it's true, things needed changes and be more open to casual audiences. Never thought I'd see my youngest cousin interested in Fire Emblem series at all, but Awakening grabbed her attention.

 

[foxuzamaki]

It seems to me that a lot of the negative reactions are based in the reactions of others to this romance associated with their dislike for such persons who express their enjoyment in a way that they find distasteful. Recently I became aware that a disturbingly large number of people judge things not based on what they are, but how others react to them. People who use the term "waifu" for example, when a large number of people use this word to describe characters in a (usually) Japanese game, it draws the ire of others who then associate that content as bad or negative and couple it with those people.

That's why you have people who supposedly hate the word "waifu" but continue to use it even before any of the normal users can say it, to pre-emptively describe something that those kinds of people will describe with that term, making it negative by association. I suppose in their minds it also lends credence to the idea that games like Awakening for example only sell because of romance elements as opposed to anything else like the gameplay and/or story.

It seems that the people who analyze things purely on their own merits are few in number, or at least don't post as much as the ones that don't. If you're looking for discussion concerning romance elements, the best you can do is attempt to start a discussion and hope that someone of like mind responds.

Man, you really, really hit the nail on the head with this comment, it perfectly describes the situation.

 

[foxuzamaki]

Really, it's not bad but the characters don't look that special IMO and there's a lot of sameface. And the armor design in Awakening is the worst in the series.

Look at most anime and cartoons, faces are some of the hardest to draw cause its just hard to draw people with distinctly different facial features, especially when they aren't based off a real life person. alot of if not all artist suffer from sameface

 

[watershed]

Sweet! I really enjoyed Awakening. I hope If is even better. It's cool to see FE gain in popularity.

 

[vinnygambini]

Fire Emblem is now part of the Nintendo B-Tier family!

Really great to see a resurgence in the brand.

 

[Drilbit777]

Wow thats really impressive for FE.

It sure did a hell of a lot better than Radiant Dawn or Path Of Radiance considering they didn't break 500k.

 

[Enigmatic Rainbow]

Really, it's not bad but the characters don't look that special IMO and there's a lot of sameface. And the armor design in Awakening is the worst in the series.

"Sameface" is pretty common among most artists when it's aiming for a certain style. Awakening probably has my favorite armor designs out of all the games I've played. I've never played FE5 though.

 

[Draxal]

Really, it's not bad but the characters don't look that special IMO and there's a lot of sameface. And the armor design in Awakening is the worst in the series.

Armor design has been revamped and was the art director (not artists)'s fault.

Blonde Gaston in IF is amazing.

 

[orthodoxy1095]

I suppose in their minds it also lends credence to the idea that games like Awakening for example only sell because of romance elements as opposed to anything else like the gameplay and/or story.

I'm not someone who thinks romance is the main factor in why the games were successful, but if story was part of what made Awakening successful, holy hell is the industry in a bad place.

My problem with relationship systems is that they fundamentally suck in nearly every game. And then of course as people have mentioned, you have the issue of the waifu/shipping discussion having taken over discussion in FE:A's case.

 

[L95]

Yeah, I'm really glad that they got rid of the armor designs from Awakening. (Though, there are still a few... issues lol)

 

[Lunar15]

I liked Ike in RD, yes he was more a mary sue than in PoR but that's just because of his character developement that was already finished by the end of PoR. It's logical that he became this perfect in RD, actually I'm glad he turned that way.

And his design, maaaaan, in a era where JRPG (and anime) main characters look as frail as a tree branch, it's just refreshing to see a real man for once !

I don't disagree at all. He was the man he worked to become in PoR. Just wish Micaiah had a bit more time to shine.

RD was more about world development than character development. That makes me more partial to PoR, but I still really love the overall story of RD and all of the stuff it covers.

 

[Scipio]

Look at most anime and cartoons, faces are some of the hardest to draw cause its just hard to draw people with distinctly different facial features, especially when they aren't based off a real life person. alot of if not all artist suffer from sameface

The best anime/cartoon character designers find ways to differentiate their characters, even in this period in anime. The characters in FE:A just all felt some alterations of the same template.

And IF looks to have some better designed armors true, but then again, it added maids and butlers sooo...

"Sameface" is pretty common among most artists when it's aiming for a certain style. Awakening probably has my favorite armor designs out of all the games I've played. I've never played FE5 though.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but for example, the Armor Knight design is laughable.

 

[L95]

And IF looks to have some better designed armors true, but then again, it added maids and butlers sooo...

The existence of a certain class, and the design of another class seem unrelated to me? (In this conversation, at least.)

 

[Enigmatic Rainbow]

The best anime/cartoon character designers find ways to differentiate their characters, even in this period in anime. The characters in FE:A just all felt some alterations of the same template.

And IF looks to have some better designed armors true, but then again, it added maids and butlers sooo...


Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but for example, the Armor Knight design is laughable.

That's just one base Knight design in the game. When I mentioned armor, I didn't mean only the "Knight" class, I just mean most of the costume designs. I didn't say ALL of them were good.

The armor Frederick wears is probably one of my more favorite ones in the series:

Gerome's is really nice too:

 

[Kai Dracon]

I don't care why Awakening sold, only that it did and has put FE as a whole into such a favorable position with Nintendo.

I am very interested by IF's attempt to serve both Fire Emblem audiences with two campaign structures.