Customer Reviews

Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I will be objective and critical in my reviews.

This game is a true sequel to Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance.

-An example of the game. Imagine: your forces (about 18) and your computer ally (about 20) vs. enemy (about 60). you have to defend the castle entrance (you have long range attackers) and the only way for the enemy to go there is through the stairs. You block off both sets of stairs with your strong melee guy with an archer/mage behind for long range support. The enemy is approaching, then both of you are at a stand still, but they attack the one blocking. Your HP is slowly draining from the close and long range attacks by melee, arrows, and/or magic. You need to heal him/her now (or you'll lose that character in the game). If you use a Vulernary (HP potion), you could get attacked by an enemy with 1 hp (which you could have defeated if you attacked instead of healed). If you have a priest heal you, an archer could shoot over your character and hit your priest (who has very low max hp and defense stats). If you attack, you may defeat one more, but what will take it's place? What would happen if I did this, or that, or... What would you do?

PROS:
-Customize the strength, material, weight, and other stats of weapons
-Objectives are interesting and challenging: DEFEND THE CASTLE, ROUT THE ENEMY, DEFEAT THE BOSS, SURVIVE FOR X TURNS, DEFEND "PERSON", AND MORE.
-Story, although not always presented well, is very engaging
-Even just reading the scrolling story is very interesting
-This game is really fun, it's gonna eat up your free time.
-Challenging strategy game. Really makes you think
-If you wanna keep all your characters, you will appreciate the challenge
-About 45 hours of gameplay, not counting the unlockables and how many times you will reset the game because you realize you made a wrong move. (this is a good thing by all means). So this means about 100 hours in real life. Great length and depth.
-Difficulty is appropriate, definitely not too easy and there are MUCH harder levels
-Gameplay is just as it was in FE:POR, it's simple, yet complex and very effective
-The cutscene movies are very well done
-Music is orchestrated, sounds great.
-Gamecube controller compatible

CONS:
-Like I said, about 75% of the cutscenes are scroll and read types
-Not enough movie cutscenes, which make the game seem more sub-par
-I'm NO graphics-nut, I'm a GAMEPLAY-nut, but the developers could have stepped up the graphics to have more detail There's more graphics potential in the Wii than the Gamecube, and they didn't improve other than progressive scan and 16:9 support. I think the developers were just lazy in the graphics area.
-I have to reset the game to go to the main menu from the battlefield, come on, this is just poor development. Disappointing.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
PERSONALLY, I REALLY REALLY REALLY LOVE THIS GAME.
Those reviewers and critics giving this game a bad rating most likely aren't strategy-fans. Not everyone likes strategy games, but those who do should give this game high marks.
-If you like strategy games, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS GAME.
-If you are new to the strategy genre, get the prequel to this game FIRE EMBLEM: PATH OF RADIANCE (ALSO WELL DONE) first.
-If you do not like RPG strategy games, I don't recommend this game because this is a true RPG strategy game.
-If you are a graphics-nut, this game will disappoint you.
-If you are a gameplay-nut, you will really enjoy this game. I did.
-If you liked FIRE EMBLEM: PATH OF RADIANCE, don't hesitate because of the other negative "CRITIC" reviews, it is really, really worth it.

-TO RESPOND TO THE CRASHING INCIDENT IN THE THREE STAR REVIEW: I THINK IT WAS PROBABLY A PROBLEM WITH THAT PARTICULAR PERSON'S WII OR MEMORY CARD BECAUSE MY CLEAR DATA FROM FE:POR TRANSFERED FINE WITH NO CRASHES.

Let me preface my review by stating my background with these kinds of games: none! With that said, I am a very experienced RPG gamer--I've played every Dragon Quest game (Japanese and American), Final Fantasy games, Breath of Fire games, and a slew of other PC RPGs. So, this is the first time I've tried my hand at a strategy RPG.

Since I'm used to RPGs I felt that the story began slowly. I felt a little lost and somewhat bored because the story feels like a continuation from the middle of another story. From reading many Fire Emblem forums I have come to the conclusion that this is because the story is carried over from previous games in the series (unlike most RPGs). However, as the game progressed, the story became very involving and the characters became very well developed.

In most RPGs you control where your characters go and how. This game does not allow you to control what cities/towns/places your characters will go to (not counting bonus material); you are limited to how the story progresses. However, this game doesn't center on exploration nor on adventure. If I had known that, I certainly wouldn't have expected it.

Many other reviews have mentioned the graphics and the non-existent use of "Wii" like controls. This game certainly has no need for those controls. The main gameplay involves moving your characters on a grid-like map. Battles are handled much like traditional RPGs with the computer doing all the work. I honestly see no reason for additional controls. The graphics, on the other hand, are ok. The colors are a bit drab and the battle scenes and characters could be rendered more fully. However, that does not deter from the overall gameplay and experience.

The greatest feature of the game (and the main reason I have fallen in love with Fire Emblem) is the ability to control the destiny of your characters. Your character development ultimately leads to the final battle of the game. Depending on what kind of strategy you want to use for this game (magic attacks, brute force, stealth) is how you will develop your characters: who you will use, who to give certain weapons to, and who you will never use; the choice is up to you. Because of this flexibility and control, I have found the game to be extremely entertaining and very involving. Also, replaying the game feels like a new experience because I'm using different characters and playing other characters than I did the first iteration.

Overall, this is a great game. I have enjoyed every minute of it and plan on playing this game multiple times. If I had the option to add anything to the game I would provide more control over where the characters can go by walking around on a world map. I would also have some kind of multiplayer capability. As far as subtracting things from the game I wouldn't take away any option or component.

I have been waiting for Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn to be released ever since I received a Wii. Finally, its here!

Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn was worth waiting for! FE has "nice" graphics for the Wii (though they won't win any prizes...),the depth of the characters and storyline are quite good, and the game takes 40+ hours to complete the first time through. There is no using the Wii remote in a unique way in FE, but this type of game does not require that.

Yes, the game can be a challenge at times, but who would want to play an easy game that can be beaten in a few hours? And the "extras" music and image gallery-LOVE it! Even after my first play through, I want to play this game again and again. I highly recommend this game to anyone who is looking for a solid, challenging, enjoyable game for the Wii.

When I started playing 'Radiant Dawn,' I couldn't help but feel as though Nintendo had just added several more levels to one of my all-time favorite games. To me, this is a great thing - 'Path of Radiance' shone on the GCN and 'Radiant Dawn' is the most fun I have had since buying my Wii.

Despite the returning style, there are a few surprises in store - I loaded data from my completion of 'Path of Radiance' on Hard Mode. It might be because of this, but I am finding 'Radiant Dawn' to be more challenging than the previous installment.

It is important to know that development for this game started on the GCN, but was moved to the Wii when it became obvious that GCN's shelf life was quickly fading. What you won't get is waggles and IR; what you will get is the best writing and strongest storyline yet to hit the Wii.

If you like turn-based rpg's, this is a must-have title. I saw this on the lightning deal on Amazon and had to pull the trigger quickly. I'm glad I did - this has become one of my two favorite games. I find myself playing this game for hours at a time and not being able to walk away from it - the storylines and the battle strategy keep me coming back from more.

Alright this is my second review for this game and apparently the first one was too short. Gameplay is a combination of srpg and "rock-paper-scissor" sword beat axe, axe beat lance, and lance beat sword. Nice character designs and is a direct sequel to the gamecube game. You gain new character throughout the game but be careful because once they're dead they're gone forever. Game save features allows you to load your gamecube saved data and transfer over to the wii version. Overall much hasn't change from its predecessor but thats a good thing, if it ain't broken don't fix it. Highly recommended, please buy this game and spread the word. Fire Emblem needs to be in the top ten wii games sales chart.

I just got the Fire Emblem game from Amazon.com, and I can say truthfully I am a newb. But my friends are FE freaks, and seeing as how I'm one of the guys who dosen't want help. So rest assured, this game is hard. I have pretty much finished Part 1, and can successfully say as a FE newbie, this game is fun addicting.

From the makers of Advanced Wars, comes Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn. A game which speculates the user into amassing the army which will begin and hopefully end the rebellion, depending on how well you strategically play. This game can become addicting, and overly exciting. I will not go into detail since most people have had played these games, seeing as how this is the tenth installment. But I highly suggest whether or not you never played FE games, or you have played games like Advanced Wars, Three Kingdoms, or other strategy games, etc. You will enjoy this game, along with wonderful gameplay, beautiful graphic cinematics, and just plain enjoyment.

Graphics- B+

Gameplay/Storyline- A

Sound: A

Visuals/Systematics- A-

Overall A

great game there are so many classes to choose from and the plot is rock solid, also the abililty to upgrade units twice is insane I love the marshall. Some poeople dont like the game solely because it has no intuitive wii remote controlls but if you have played any other fire emblems youll know that its great because of the plot and the units.

Let me tell you, my teenager asked for this game after I picked up a Wii with the Fit Board. I thought great he is going to be tied up playing this game and I am not going to get to do my hula hoop or running in place with my Wii Fit. After watching him play through the game a couple of times, I thought how hard can that be. Not realizing that he has been playing Fire Emblem for the Game Cube and that hand held thingy (okay not video game smart here). Needless to say, I started the game on a day off from work and got hooked and played all day. The last time I played a video game was Ms. Pacman on an old Atari, so I really got hooked on this game. I have tried other games since really playing Fire Emblem but can find one I like as much.For an old person like me the easy game play of this game is idea. I like just pushing a few buttons and then watching all the action. I love the movie clips built into the game, sometimes I skip these and sometimes I watch them. But at least I have that option. That is one of the things I really like about this game is the ability to skip conversations and clips. I also enjoy taking different characters and building them up and then picking new ones the next time I play. I have mastered all but the hard level, which I am currently working on and as previous posts stated this game is pure strategy. I have even called in sick before just to finish a battle! Well in the beginning of playing the game!

But to add to this review, my husband decided one day while he was home he would see what all the fuss was about. Seems everytime he wanted to watch the plasma t.v., either I or our son was playing Fire Emblem. He is now hooked and he has no, I repeat no experience with video games. But with this game he can just sit in his recliner and enjoy. I have to say that I have not been doing any of my Wii Fit exercises in some time. I would love to see another Fire Emblem somewhere down the line.

Radiant Dawn is the 10th entry in the Fire Emblem series, commonly referred to by fans as FE10. It is, however, only the 4th game of the series available in an officially translated english version. It is the second game of the series to utilize 3D graphics, Fire Emblem having traditionally made use of anime-style 2D graphics. Apart from that, little has changed.

In comparison to its predecessor, "Path of Radiance", Radiant Dawn boasts improved graphics, including notably improved maps with stunning detail. Battles also look better, with units no longer looking exactly the same every time they attack, but with minor changes in movement that give a better flow to the fight.

I've seen criticism that the game lacks customization: this depends on your perspective. The ability to forge and name your own weapons is one excellent example of customization in this game, not to mention the ability to toggle battle animations, map grid thickness, the amount of statistical information shown during battle, and many other options. The game doesn't have any custom characters, but that's the way Fire Emblem has always been. The game is so driven on characters' backgrounds and individual stories that having custom characters would be difficult to accomplish.

Notably different from previous Fire Emblem titles is the support system, which now has support conversations which are generic, allowing a character to support any other character. This does take something away from Fire Emblem's traditional fleshing out of characters' stories through collectible support conversations. There's also the changed skill system, which allows the player to remove and reallocate special skills between characters. This is actually a very nice touch, and increases the strategic element of the game.

For Fire Emblem fans, this game is a must. For others, it depends on what you're looking for. Fire Emblem is not a hard series to get into, but you've gotta know what it's all about. If you just need an excellent RPG for the Wii, I would highly recommend this game.