I have always loved RPGs, from Pokemon to Fallout, to Persona. I have always enjoyed playing RPGs of varying types and, for the most part, I enjoy games that include good RPG elements. For the longest time I wanted to get into Fire Emblem but I didn’t have a switch or a 3ds and didn’t really know a good starting point. I started playing Three Houses a few months ago when I finally had access to a switch and during some downtime and I really liked it, but for whatever reason I fell off of it. Then a couple weeks ago I started playing Fire Emblem: Awakening and I really enjoyed it.
This is my first tactical turned based RPG. Which took me a minute to get used to, but I eventually really enjoyed. I opted to play on normal non-permanent death mode cause I don’t need that stress. And I genuinely, for the most part, had a great time. The gameplay is great. I love the strategy that goes into every encounter. What makes it so enthralling is a culmination of a lot of great things. Great maps overall. There was maybe one or two that I really didn’t like in the 25 main chapters, plus a handful of side stuff that I completed, which is great. There are even some gimmick maps like a volcano that has sections being destroyed among a few others that are really fun and refreshing.
The combat is amazing. animation wise, everything was cool, but around the halfway point I turned off the close up combat and just had the sprites to speed things up as the encounters got longer. But I love the complexity. multiple rps within rps systems combined with stat modifiers from relationships and perks, and multiple classes and advanced classes. It adds up to a very deep and potentially expressive combat system. I found a lot of fun in the early game figuring out what my team comp could be and who fit who the best. Coming from more action RPGs I’m used to getting like rare weapons that you keep and are powerful. It was definitely an adjustment coming here were weapons matter, but stats matter way more. (almost) Everything is going to degrade, completely. The upgrades aren’t that much worth it and there’s like one very rare way to repair them. It’s more about stats and synergy which I ended up really liking.
The visuals and music are also great. The basic in game cut scenes are very well done, but the fully animated ones really do stand out. I almost wish there were more, but the fact that there were only so many kind of made them special. I will say, it is a bit jarring that every character model has tiny ity bity feet during the in-game stuff, but you get used to it but its certainly a choice.
The story is definitely the weakest part. I actually really enjoyed it up until about the halfway mark and then afterwards it was kinda just, eh. There are some elements that I didn’t like at all that have to do with time travel stuff and recruiting people, while it was cool at first as a person who likes to complete things, it quickly became apparent how daunting it would be to actually do that. Nonetheless, the story was serviceable overall. I like a lot of the characters; the villain was a villain. He was there; he did villainous stuff. It’s the history and lore that was actually really interesting. I will say the choices you can make and the actual ending and also character endings are very sweet. I love being able to see what happens to these characters I spent time with (or neglected) after the story.
I really liked this game and I would recommend it to anyone trying to get into the genre or series as a whole. Especially because the length isn’t as daunting as some other RPGs or JRPGs. I finished all 25 chapters and like 10-ish side chapters in about 26 hours and there’s definitely enough content and variation for me to play again and put triple that time in.
So yeah… Fire Emblem Awakening: 8/10
