Board 8 > Fire Emblem Topic 4: Radiant Oliver

(+) Yeah! (+)

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Carrying Awakening's cast rating by the strength of his mustache.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/1/6/2/AAeolZAAD8ua.jpg

Still worth it I swear.

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Yeet

Oh I think I'm like.....a chapter or two from beating the game?

I thought there was like 4 more than this.

Are you doing DLC maps afterwards?

TeamRocketElite posted...

Are you doing DLC maps afterwards?

None of the DLC included ROMs I could find ended up being legit, and I've been unable to find a seperate DLC rom to patch on it.

Same problem I ran into with Echoes, and I imagine Fates will be a similar issue.

There's probably some unlisted source for this kind of thing, but I've had to just rely on Google, lol.

Dunzo

I honestly wouldn't recommend any of Awakening's extra maps. Not unless you really like cameos and seeing character deaths unnecessarily reversed.

Yeah I can't say I particularly care for any of Awakening's DLC except for the 3 Future Past maps, and even then I wouldn't consider them must plays by any means.

Where to start.

Im trying to not be too much of a bitch about this since its not entirely the games fault. It had a purpose when it was developed and released and that purpose is complete at odds with what Ive been doing here. Im also aware that even mechanically a lot of the game falling flat were if my own making due to my own personal gaming ticks. I know that things would be different on a higher difficulty or if I didnt take advantage of the games systems (but I mean.they give you the systems)

Things I do like, the art is very strong. I love the aesthetic of both Awakening and Fates, extremely striking designs. The music also pops quite a bit for me, Im not sure quite how to describe it.European countryside? Theyd often bring in a sound that felt like I was playing a Professor Layton Tactics game or something. In general, I like the maps, particularly there was a lot of neat stuff in the Paralogues: Things like the manor with the crumbling walls, the two armies map, the fortress with the thin pathways, etc. I like this stuff, its memorable, not in the same way as, like.a narratively memorable map like Thracia River or the pothole bridge or the Wyvern Desert Deathtrap, but still some fun puzzles.

I guess to rip the bandaid off, the game to me seems like a wolf in sheeps clothing.

On the surface level, it is presented as and appears to be a love letter to the Fire Emblem franchise. Set in Archanea, littered with references designed to see the Captain America meme used to its absolute fullest effect. I know for those with DLC and the spotpass stuff available, the game was also littered with old characters you could bring in.

But when you get to the guts, at least for me, it really feels like it was specifically designed to get people who DIDNT like FE to come play it. And like, yeah, that was their goal, to bring in a new audience, and it worked! It worked on ME!

But now, Im here, Im deep in, Im in the full on fucking Watch speed runs and Iron Mans in the background everyday at work mode, andand Im just bouncing right off. It all feels so surface level. Almost, likeinsulting? Look, its the Pugi! Dance for us, consumer, dance!

And I know this is HORSESHIT, Im being totally unfair. I dont even think its a bad video game, its honestly a good one, but its just not working for me right here, right now, as a Fire Emblem game.

The worst part is that me completely falling out with the last third is on me, and the reason is just that: the last half of the game for me was the last third. Because of how I couldn't help but approach this, this game is split up into 3 distinct parts: 1-13, 14, and 15-E. And 14 is a full piece of that pie. To me, it wasnt oh now the children characters are available it was oh now I have to unlock all the children. It was never gonna BE anything but that.

As a direct result of that, of playing a full third of the game in 1 chapter, my characters came out the other end going unto chapter 14 with endgame stats. I had General Kjelle with over double the speed of an enemy Swordmaster. Assassin Panne had over 30 attack, skill, and speed, more than most enemies in the very last stage had. The game was completely busted open. Nothing was stopping me from autobattling the entire way through to the end if I had wanted to.

So..yeah. Fuck. I broke the game, sure its on the game but its on me too. Now whats not on me is the cast here, which, likeI hate.. I dont like the characters, theyre very boring, very one note, and rather than being tropey a whole bunch of them are just walking tropes. Its not that they HAVE the tropes, its that they ARE the tropes. Severa, for example, not a character. Shes just a tsundere. She has nothing to her besides being a Tsundere. Maybe she had a character in Heroes or something, but shes not a character here. Owain can be fun but hes just a chuuni. Inigo is a playboy with a serious side when needed. Sumia is clumsy. Gaius likes candy. Miriel is emotionless and sees everything as research. This kind of just goes on. Occasionally theyll get a support thats like see, theres more to this character than it seems!, but you cant just throw one of those in there and wash your hands of the other 50 supports that sah otherwise.

And the main cast, like Chrom and Robin and Lissa, dont even really have this, theyre just, like, really blandI dont care for them, I almost wish they did just have gimmicks.

I dunno man.Im bitching so much.I actually feel really bad about it, like I know a lot of people love this game and I was one of them. Its definitely a sense of disappointment making me bitter. I was really hoping my worries going in were unfounded, but by the end I almost wish it were more actively making me mad rather than just making me apathetic.

But..at least its still better than The Binding Blade. Fuck those hit rates, am I right fellas??

1. Geneology of the Holy War
2. Three Houses
3. Radiant Dawn
4. Path of Radiance
5. Thracia 776
6. Sacred Stones
7. New Mystery of the Emblem
8. Shadow Dragon
9. Echoes
10. Awakening
11. Binding Blade

Oh right, forgot about Future Past. Those are probably better than the main story maps honestly. Just like when Fates did the same concept.

UshiromiyaEva posted...

But when you get to the guts, at least for me, it really feels like it was specifically designed to get people who DIDNT like FE to come play it. And like, yeah, that was their goal, to bring in a new audience, and it worked! It worked on ME!

But now, Im here, Im deep in, Im in the full on fucking Watch speed runs and Iron Mans in the background everyday at work mode, andand Im just bouncing right off. It all feels so surface level.

Seeing someone transition to this mindset is admittedly cathartic lmao

When did they announce Engage again?

I was shit talking the me of the future so fucking hard in that Nintendo Direct topic.

It's like I'm a completely different human being now. It's scary.

Not being able to do Fates DLC is a shame since that's where the best story parts are.

UshiromiyaEva posted...

When did they announce Engage again?

I was shit talking the me of the future so fucking hard in that Nintendo Direct topic.

It's like I'm a completely different human being now. It's scary.

September 13, 2022.

September 9th! You became a FE hipster in less than three months.

Now imagine waiting for something to scratch a sliver of Radiant Dawn's greatness for a decade.

Also WHY DOESN'T THE MAP HAVE A QUICK SELECT MENU THIS IS LIKE THE WORST PART OF THE WHOLE THING.

TeamRocketElite posted...

September 13, 2022.

Two and a half months.

And I didn't star for a couple weeks, so like....2 moths at most.

I've only been doing this for two months??????

KamikazePotato posted...

September 9th! You became a FE hipster in less than three months.

Now imagine waiting for something to scratch a sliver of Radiant Dawn's greatness for a decade.

I am 100% not going to give up on Engage to have a secret under it's hat until it's until I hit credits.

I would be lying though if I didn't admit that I expect FE4R to be the real kick to the teeth we need.

Now...if they fuck THAT up....I don't even want to think about it.

Imagine them adding like 20 new original characters to Geneology.

I would expect FE4R to me more faithful than it needs to be rather than the opposite. Echoes kept basically all of its questionable design choices. You never know, though.

Just wait until they add an avatar, who you can choose to have whatever major Holy Blood you want and they survive the Battle of Belhalla just because. Extra points if said avatar replaces Oifey's role in the story for the most part.

Anyway, catharsis aside, sorry you didn't enjoy Awakening as much as you'd hoped. The string of all-time greats had to end sometime. You'll still enjoy Blazing Blade, although probably in the Sacred Stones way rather than the Tellius/Jugdral way.

I think you'll also very much enjoy discussing Fates.

KamikazePotato posted...

Anyway, catharsis aside, sorry you didn't enjoy Awakening as much as you'd hoped. The string of all-time greats had to end sometime. You'll still enjoy Blazing Blade, although probably in the Sacred Stones way rather than the Tellius/Jugdral way.

I think you'll also very much enjoy discussing Fates.

Thanks. Yeah I do think you're right, I expect quite a trip, though I guess I should go ahead and make sure Fates actually WORKS here before I move onto it, lol.

If it DOESN'T work...I've got some comfort food ready to go.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/3/1/7/AAeolZAAD8w1.jpg

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I'll know in a few minutes!

UshiromiyaEva posted...

But..at least its still better than The Binding Blade. Fuck those hit rates, am I right fellas??

Nah you're not right, FE6 is great lmao

UshiromiyaEva posted...

Severa, for example, not a character. Shes just a tsundere. She has nothing to her besides being a Tsundere.

Honestly I think the 2nd gen characters at least have a decent gimmick... they're all just like different flavors of completely traumatized. Admittedly most of it is just annoying and bad, but I like them in concept, and Severa is probably my favorite.

Anyway sorry you didn't like Awakening. It kinda sucks! Fates at least has better map design I think, but it's at the expense of worse everything else. Hopefully you'll find something to like in it (it's Forrest the thing to like is Forrest) and not get completely burnt out and end up not wanting to play FE for 2 years like I did

UGHHHHH my file is encrypted and I don't think there's a way to decrypt it on android, still don't own a PC right now. So yeah gonna have to figure this out.

It's taken down now, but one of the earliest detailed reviews for FE Awakening on this site was a 10/10. It got featured on a Poll of the Day as one of the Reviews of the Year. Later on the author changed their score to a 4/10 and rewrote the review entirely.

Side note: you never mentioned Priam so I didn't get to touch on my personal soapbox, but I've been annoyed for over a decade (I feel so old) at how a subsection of the fanbase tries to use him to essentially rewrite a part of Ike's characterization.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/3/2/7/AAeolZAAD8w_.jpg

I have no idea who this man is.

It sounds like he quit after beating Grima, so he never did the Spotpass maps since they only unlock after you beat the game. And that's assuming there's a way to get them with the way he's playing the game.

Oh...right. Spotpass character.

What a weird concept that was/is.

I'm assuming I have no way to access anything that was added after the game was released or through some wierd heo location nonsense.

I think it was a way to time-gate those maps. It did lead to the odd thing where Priam's name showed up in the credits and nobody had any idea who he was, since there wasn't a way to datamine 3DS games back in those days.

Yeah I actually do disagree with you on some of the characters, especially Severa, who I think has one of the best character developments in Awakening (admittedly part of it is across both Awakening and Fates, though).

It does heavily depend on which supports you do though. One of the biggest problems with the huge volume increase in supports for Awakening and Fates (and to an extent 3 Houses as well though its much less of an issue there) is that a good 2/3rds of them are absolute garbage. There are some good ones here and there still, though.

That said I'm pretty sure I've made it clear I'm not a big fan of Awakening. I do like its characters more than I do Fates on the whole but they're still not great, and it doesn't make up for that in gameplay like Conquest does (even if Conquest's plot is much worse to an intelligence insulting degree).

Also when are we getting a mod to add feet to the Awakening character models? I mean really that should have been the first priority as soon as modding became a thing.

They already went full foot fetish in Fates is that not enough??

Well that was a pain and a half but WE IN THERE

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/3/4/2/AAeolZAAD8xO.jpg

And the best part is that somehow this runs BETTER than Awakening and I can actually keep the animations on, even if they are still a bit chunk.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/3/4/3/AAeolZAAD8xP.jpg

I have no idea which route I'm gonna start on tomorrow, I know I have a few chapters to decide IIRC.

But now, Im here, Im deep in, Im in the full on f***ing Watch speed runs and Iron Mans in the background everyday at work mode, andand Im just bouncing right off. It all feels so surface level. Almost, likeinsulting? Look, its the Pugi! Dance for us, consumer, dance!

Awakening does kind of overdo it. Like... take Cervantes. Fun, but obviously designed to be a meme. He is blatant pandering. Still a net success, I am glad that we have Cervantes and not Bland Generic Boss or even Bland Unique-Portrait Boss, but I am also relieved that they have now dialed the pandering down a notch.

With that said, while Awakening does certainly have flaws (map design being another prominent one), I just checked my old 3DS and it has logged 968 hours of Awakening. (Fates is "only" 540, and that game has three routes!) It is not a deep experience - "the game equivalent of popcorn" seems apt - but when you are content to splash around and have some fun, Awakening delivers.

Oh, you know what, that does remind me that I do unironically like some of the villains. It lacks an actual strong overarching villain, definitely not Grima they're whatever, but there was a lot of fun over the top personalities that stick with me. When it's a villain who dies after just a few lines, having a one note gimmick is actually beneficial! Cervantes is a meme, sure, but I still like him. Mustafa and his chapter are still super standout to me. I actually really like Gangrel and his fucking Joker energy.

I am reminded of Schaeffer from PoR.

"Should have gotten more priests....maybe some babies..."

Now that's how you do it.

If you're playing on Casual you really need to play the games from Awakening on on Hard mode. I think Awakening is the only game I've ever played where I started it, played a few hours, and made a new file on Hard because it was way too easy.

Funnily enough, I was playing on casual, but I still guy reset whenever someone dies because I just wasn't thinking about it lol.

Awakening was my first Fire Emblem, and I played it on Casual Hard, and I still played to avoid death just because I wanted to farm as much support as possible. <_<

Shame you're not playing Future Past. It has the best story bits of the game, IMO.

UshiromiyaEva posted...

Mustafa and his chapter are still super standout to me.

That one chapter got him to 7th place in the "villain you just can't hate" poll:
https://fe30th.special.fire-emblem-heroes.com/en-us/result/3

When I played Awakening, I was told that some characters came back as Spotpass characters but didn't know who. I had guessed Mustafa as one of them but was disappointed to find out this wasn't the case. He did make it into FEH, though.

I'm starting up now!

Still don't know which path I'm gonna go with. I won't be messing with the same sex mod stuff until Revalations.

One of the few things I remember about the game mechanically is that there are a few pairings which actually fuck you out of getting some of the child characters, even outside of the same sex ones, hopefully I can avoid those.

I'm pretty sure I rememeber the only F/F pairing is WITH one of the child characters, so....thanks IS.

One thing to be aware of in Birthright if you plan on being a completionist, since it'll drive you mad otherwise, Kaze needs at least an A rank with Corrin by chapter 15 or else you lose him for the rest of the game. You can't recruit his child until after this for the same reason, even if he's already reached S rank with someone.

Edited to spoiler tag it since it technically is, but still mentioned it since I figured you'd want to know

I'm pretty sure you can only screw yourself out of Niles's kid as a male Corrin and Corrin's Kana as a female. The former is Conquest/Revelations, the latter is Birthright/Revelations.

The former is a crime. The latter is a crime that birth control is not an option unless you go for it, because screw Kana being Corrin-but-worse.

I am leaning towards doing Birthright first playing as F!Corrin to get Corrin Selkie.

I definitely know I really like Selkie.

Question, how do people feel about the simplified forecasts?

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/7/5/5/AAeolZAAD83r.jpg

I'm really not a fan. I kept it on for Al of Echoes but it never grew on me.

Even the "full" forecasts feels a bit bare to me now, though everything I need is here I guess.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/7/5/6/AAeolZAAD83s.jpg

UshiromiyaEva posted...

I think my biggest problems at this point are....well, the obvious one is that the story is boring, I don't think that controversial. I can get over that though, Shadow Dragon wasn't exactly rivetting, but all the lame supports and tropey character stuff actually kind of brings it down more than if that stuff wasn't even there at all.

Far and away though I do NOT like how easy it is to just do anything you want. In Three Houses, yeah you can get wild with the units, but unless you're going out of your way to devote a ton go time to wierd monetary stuff they've got a pretty narrow field for that first playthrough. Here though....fucking...whatever, it's like I'm playing FF7, anyone can do anything and I don't really like it. There's no unit personality in this game whatsoever, and when I say that I specifically mean gameplay personality.

Levelups aren't interesting because everyone does it like 60 times and can reset back whenever. Like, wow I got a full spread level up, whoopdi fucking doo who cares? It's a mess of near meaningless numbers to me.

Compared to Radiant Dawn, where I'm going bloodshot staring at the screen trying to psychically will Sanaki into another point of strength for her tome weight.

I've put hours into Olivia and have her set to become a full Swordmaster skill spread dancing super Saiyan, and I care less about her than I do Callil who I did not even use outside of forced deployment. Hell, I care about her less than Tormad, a unit I actively disliked, because at least he has unique quirks to make him memorable as a unit.

This is actually my #1 complaint about Awakening and I think it's really important. I also think it's why I ultimately feel better about Fates and 3 Houses too, because they go back to differentiating units through personal skills and limited classchanging.

I don't really use any of the simplified stuff. The more stats, the better. I do think Fates's UI is so much better than Awakening's. It just looks a lot nicer and it's really good especially for the stat penalties from daggers.

Birthright -> Revelations -> Conquest might be the way to go? Finishing with Revelations feels disgusting.

Revelations is definitely meant to be 3rd. You shouldn't play it earlier just because it's bad.

Really you just shouldn't play Revelations

Gotta say, even just entering this sweeping camera shot of Nohr Castle feels like more visual world building than anything in Awakening.

All the cutscenes in Awakwning felt like people standing in a generic field or a generic castle, hell there was almost a "people talking in front of a greenscreen" effect.

Fates definitely has a higher budget and larger scope than Awakening. I'll give it that much, at least!