Difficulty:

Just Right

Time Spent:

20 to 40 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Masterpiece"

Let's get this out of the way quickly, I've been waiting 5 years for a "new" Fire Emblem game and Awakening did not disappoint. This Game vastly improved on things used in previous Fire Emblem games, but of course not without adding to make the experience grow.

Story: Since the game just came out I'm not going to through a whole bunch of spoilers in here. The basic Storyline is split into 2 portions: The protagonist Chrom defending his country of Ylisse against the war hungry Plegia, and later trying to prevent the resurrection of the Fell Dragon. Like all Fire Emblem games the story is excellent, and will want to keep you from skipping over the dialogue. The game also has a diverse and lovable cast of character. Even if you can't find someone to relate to in the game, you will at least feel ties with the tactician you've created. The developers did a good job at re-introducing the tactician (first appearing in the first North American Fire Emblem), and for the first time (in North America) making him/her a playable character with customizable strengths and weaknesses.
5/5

Graphics: The environments on the 3DS are beautiful, with a lot of detail put into the environment and battle scenes. The game isn't as dark compared to the previous handheld game, which made it feel more alive (I felt Shadow Dragon just had a gloominess to it because of the darker tones to the maps). The game also has several animated cutscenes that are absolutely gorgeous. I did however find the characters bodies in the cutscenes to look a bit odd and it took some time to get used to. The characters also appeared to have more of a cartoony animated style (at least to me anyways) that I just wasn't used to, but quickly grew to love. It is possible the developers went with this art style because of the upcoming Fire Emblem cross Shin Megami Tensei game, so that there would not be such a drastic difference in art style in that game. Overall the Graphics are good enough to be on the GameCube (which is saying a lot about a handheld system).
5/5

Gameplay/Controls: If you're not familiar with Fire Emblem, it is an RPG in which you control many different characters. You lead these characters on a grid based map trying to eliminate enemy soldiers while trying to protect allies (depending on the objective). When you place one of your characters next to an enemy champion and attack, an uncontrollable fighting sequence takes place where the characters exchange damage (and yours gain experience). The game is like a complicated game of chess, which takes some time to master but is incredibly fun once you get used to it. Awakening's gameplay is almost no different from the other Fire Emblem games, with the exception of pairing your units together to get more support bonuses during a fight. I personally haven't used this new mechanic all that much, but it does help in odd situations and is much better than the carrying mechanic in some of the past games (where your units are hindered for trying to help allies). Speaking of support, supporting characters with each other in this game now goes beyond bonuses in battle. Similar to one of the earlier Fire Emblems released in Japan, Awakening has the option of marriage between male and female characters. With some characters this results in a child that is playable later in the game, which will have the skills provided from both parents (opening up a lot more customization) Awakening has also brought back an open world with the ability to revisit levels if the Risen appear in them, just like in Sacred Stones but much better (if you played the game you know what I mean). Awakening has also added Merchants to the overworld, which can be a huge help early game. One final thing to note about the gameplay is the need for Master Seals to advance, as well as Second seals to change your class (this explanation is more for past players). In Awakening Master Seals are needed to advance, just like in all the games except for the Radiance duo. HOWEVER, unlike in the GBA Fire Emblem and Shadow Dragon, there are not a fixed number of Master Seals to find; it is possible provide a class change for all units whom can use it. The Second Seals allow for more customization through the ability to change a lower unit's class, just like in Shadow Dragon.
5/5

Sound: The music for Fire Emblem Awakening is also beautiful. Just like all of the past Fire Emblem games, the music does nothing but add to the excitement you will feel while in battle or the feeling of wonder you experience during the cutscenes.
5/5

Content/Re-playability: You could honestly just run through this games main story a hundred times and never have the same experience twice. The customizability of your characters and their support is so broad it is nearly impossible to try every combination. The Main story has over 20 levels, but there are many optional levels in the game that will open up through the correct characters getting married resulting in more optional characters and items. If you feel like it you can even go back to previous levels to help train some of your lower characters (provided the Risen are there). On top of everything there is DLC being released that (after trying the first couple maps released) is pretty damn good, and better online play to keep you going even after you beat the game (as well as to see how good you actually are compared to everyone else who plays it). There is just so much this game has to offer.
5/5

Verdict: This game is amazing and well worth the 4 year wait since Shadow Dragon. I honestly think this will be one of the 3DS games of the year. The game has so much to offer, and you could probably play it until you died without ever playing the exact same game twice. I give this game my highest Recommendation.
Recommendation: 5/5 Seriously get off your computer and go buy this game... unless you don't have a 3DS, then buy that too... unless the store is closed, then go tomorrow... unless you don't have enough money, then plead a friend to let you play it (Seriously, it's that GOOD).