Fire Emblem

For those who have played the fabled Super Smash Brothers: Melee (SSBM) for the Gamecube, the image on the cover of Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance may contain a familiar face. However, this visage is not the face of SSBM's Marth, but rather that of an emerging adult named "Ike," who, like all aspiring youngsters with blue hair, a cape and a sword, is fated to save his land from a dire conflict.

After turning on the game and starting a new file, an impressive opening cinema shows off an interesting mix between animation and computer modeling. After the initial movie, the player is immediately thrust into a tutorial battle to explain the basic premises of the game. Since it is a turn-based Strategy-RPG, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance may have slightly more difficult mechanics than other games. Happily, the tutorial system quickly and effectively explains all the little details and nuances of the combat engine.

Battles take place on a chess-board-like grid in which characters are allowed to move around and attack designated enemies. However, from the beginning of the game, it is explained that certain character types (those who wield lances, for example) have certain inherent advantages over other character types (those who wield swords). This sort of basic "rock-paper-scissors" element provides the first layer of strategy when playing the game. Character progression provides a second layer. As each character participates in fights, they gain experience points, level up and eventually change into a different and more powerful character class.

Most of the game is split between battle sequences and story-progression scenes which are presented in a linear fashion. Although the story-line is somewhat cliche, it involves some memorable characters whose personalities emerge early and create a decent plot progression.

Overall, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance is not a groundbreaking game in any respect, nor was it intended to be. However, it offers solid game play which isn't wretchedly hard or mind-numbingly easy. Any RPG fan with a bit of free time should give this fun, relatively stimulating game a shot.