Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
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| Path of Radiance is a wonderful game to play, and perfect entry point for newcomers of Fire Emblem. It is a fairly easy game without having to rely on casual mode or a rewind tool. Its story is well developed, and its characters are very likable. It has an anime inspired look without falling victim to the anime tropes and fan service like later entries often do. (No shade, there is a lot I love about modern Fire Emblem). |
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Blood Runs Red is a great chapter both narratively and gameplay-wise. It comes shortly after the Gallian warriors team up with Ike and is the last chapter spent in Crimea until much later in the game. The story sees Ike in a port town trying to smuggle Elincia out on a ship to take her Begnion. The citizens of this port are continuing their lives with no care for the war or who sits on their throne. Ike, who has spent the last several weeks fighting against Daein’s aggression, is appalled by their apathy. It is not only the Crimean’s lack of concern that disgusts Ike, but also their blatant racism and turn against the Greil mercenaries when it’s revealed Ranulf is a Laguz. In fact, Ike has to step in and save Ranulf from being beaten to death. To make matters worse, several of the villagers are vigilantes out to kill Laguz and who have no qualms with tipping Daein off to Elincia’s whereabouts. It’s a rare moment of ugliness in Crimea in a game otherwise depicting their nation as morally just. All of that isn’t even getting into the appearance of the Black Knight, recruiting Zihark, meeting Nasir, meeting Jill, and seeing Sephiran mysteriously call off the Black Knight. It’s dense, but in a way that’s well paced. Playing the chapter is frantic as you try to get your units through the allies and recruit Zihark. You need to be mindful of the Black Knight’s appearance (he can one shot all of your units), and getting to the end. I love how the level shows how outclassed you are by the Black Knight, and how Daein can just continue to throw more forces at your paltry band. An early game standout that haunts the memories of many new players. |
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Day Breaks is unique - it’s a gauntlet of four smaller chapters that see the player having to keep their troops alive without the ability to return to base. The player will get heals between each section, and the ability to call in reinforcements, but no shop. I usually have to set aside an afternoon to get my head into this one - it can be tough for those who aren’t prepared for enemy reinforcements or long range spells. I like the challenge of Day Breaks, but I also like how it serves as the turning point in the story. This is a crucial moment for the heron tribe, Begnion, and Ike finally securing enough allies to march against Daein. And who could forget the gorgeous disaster that is Oliver? The payoff of a beautiful cinematic and promotion for Ike makes the effort worth it. |
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The Boss of this map, General Shiharam, steals the show. He is not only this game’s sympathetic enemy general, but also Jill’s father. The map sees Daein try to employ distasteful tactics at the expense of villager’s lives. General Shiharam is forced to fight and defeat Crimea in order to prevent as many casualties as possible. It’s tragic because Shiharam is an immigrant from Begnion who came to Daein in hopes of a better life. He is an honorable man beloved by the common people. Jill loves him, and it’s devastating that he cannot be saved for her sake. Through gameplay, the player must fend off wyvern riders while racing to defeat the general. It’s a fun map to play. Jill remains with the player after the battle, her morals now fully aligned with Crimea. It is also interesting, and understandable, to see the Daein commoners refuse help from the Crimean army who they blame for the destruction of their home. There is a good message about how the cycle of violence continues. |
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How could I not put this chapter here? Fighting the Black Knight is the most memorable moment of the game. After battling through a dense room of enemies, Ike has the choice to confront his father’s killer, but victory is not assured. Ike is the only unit who can even damage the Black Knight, who is so overwhelmingly strong that the player has the option to flee if “time isn’t right”. Thank goodness Mist comes along. Not only is a great moment for her character, but having a canto healer (hopefully you promoted her) on the field is crucial. I refuse to lose this battle, even if it means replaying the entire chapter just to get back to this moment. Watching Ike overcome the Black Knight in a match the player isn’t guaranteed to win is so rewarding. (So is getting Nasir, sorry Ena!) |
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The final fight against Ashnard! Unlike most Fire Emblem games, this final battle isn’t against a god or a dragon, just a crazy tyrant. But don’t let that fool you- Ashnard is strong. I love that this fight is in the beautiful Crimea gardens. I love how tough some of the enemies are. I love that you get a Laguz noble to help finish out the fight. It’s a great final showdown against the man who started the war. |
Reyson is not only an excellent unit (x4 refresher flying unit when transformed), but he is a wonderful character too. Reyson is one of the few survivors of his race, a species of Laguz imbued with magic but cannot fight. Before Path of Radiance, his tribe was massacred under false pretenses. Reyson was saved, had to learn a new language, and live in a new place. He harbors a deep hatred of Beorc that is honestly justified. Even so, through the events of the game Reyson softens his stance and joins Ike’s cause. He is delicate and beautiful on the outside, but on the inside he is iron and fire. Have to give him credit for punching Oliver in the face too.
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How could I not love Ike? He is a fan favorite main character, and for good reason. Unlike the Fire Emblem games that came before, Ike is not a noble. He is a common mercenary who is learning the ropes of running a group from his father, Greil. After several chapters of going about day-to-day mercenary life, Greil is unexpectedly murdered. Ike must take charge of the Greil mercenaries and helping the mysterious princess Elincia restore her kingdom. Ike is an uncomplicated person and honest to a fault. His blunt nature can get him into trouble, but he knows when he is wrong and learns from it. He judges people based on their actions, not their race or nationality. Because of this, he goes on to unite several nations in the fight for Crimea. He does this without being overly preachy or “holier than thou” and it’s great! |
| Jill begins the game as an enemy unit. She is born and raised in Daein, and thus believes that Laguz are “subhuman”. After joining Ike, she begins to realize that everything Daein taught her about Laguz is wrong. Jill slowly opens her mind to the larger world, and in doing so fights against Daein on the side of Crimea. Her supports with Lethe are some of the best in the game as they highlight Jill and Lethe both overcoming their prejudices. |
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Soren is such an interesting character. Being one of the Branded, his early life was full of strife and hatred from both Laguz and Beorc. Because of this, he is extremely distrusting of others, save for Ike who has always been kind to him. Yet, the player does not know any of this without full investment into Soren. Instead, the player sees Soren as someone who is smart, cynical, pragmatic, and prejudiced. At first glance he comes off as a bit of a self-centered jerk, but throughout the game it’s clear that he cares deeply for Ike. He is the person who first realizes that Nasir may be a traitor, he is the one that keeps track of the business, and he begins to slowly start trusting others through Ike.
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| I didn’t appreciate Ranulf enough as a kid, but he is so much fun. Ranulf is a competent warrior with a goofy nature. He brings in much needed levity towards the end of the game, and is one of the only characters who can get Ike to laugh or joke around. He’s also a blue cat? What’s not to love! |
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Mysterious characters with a very nuanced back story and reason for being involved in the war. Nasir plays a crucial role as a spy, traitor, and ultimately a hero. Ena is a competent tactician with a similar pragmatic nature to Soren. Her reasons for being involved with Daein are all motivated by trying to reclaim her lost mate from Ashnard. Nasir, as it turns out, is her grandfather and willing to do anything to help. Finding out they are both dragons was such a cool moment.
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Is there a more iconic rival in Fire Emblem? The Black Knight is such an excellent antagonist. He murders Greil seemingly for the love of the duel, all in front of Ike who swears revenge. The game makes this moment so powerful. We, as the player, have come to like Greil for the way he treats his company and Ike. When he dies, we have suddenly lost his leadership and some of our best units. It’s overwhelming. This makes it easy to empathize with Ike’s need to get even. Not only that, but the Black Knight commands presence. It is genuinely frightening when he appears on a map because he can just perma-kill any unit. On a first play through you’ll never know when he will appear! There is also more to him than just “evil”. Who is the man behind the mask? Why does Ashnard not fully trust him? Why did he yield to Sephiran’s demand? Who was he to Greil? And is he really dead ;) |
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| Hey... who's this guy? You mean to tell me he's my favorite character of all of Fire Emblem, but not until next game? He is rather mysterious... |
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