Never played Fire Emblem...

[AntiFreze]

So, I haven't played a SRPG since Shining Force 2 (loved the series), but I'm ready to jump back in. I never owned a gamecube, but currently have a wii. I was thinking just to go with the wii version Radiant Dawn. yes..no...? is this a good choice, or should I go with the GC version first?

 

[JTsyo]

The two are actually linked storywise. Also having a save from the first grants you small bonuses in the 2nd. I played through the GC one a few times and thought it was an excellent game. Currently playing the 2nd but I'm not into it as the first, not sure why. The gameplay is basically the same.

 

[RyanPaulShaffer]

I've played Fire Emblem for the GBA, and I've heard that the GC and Wii versions aren't much different. I found Fire Emblem to be average at best. The story is forgettable, your weapons have limited uses, and the whole "if a character dies they stay dead" philosophy means lots of saving and loading.

If you own a PSOne/PS2/PS3, then I'd recommend Final Fantasy Tactics and Vandal Hearts.

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: RyanPaulShaffer
I found Fire Emblem to be average at best. The story is forgettable, your weapons have limited uses, and the whole "if a character dies they stay dead" philosophy means lots of saving and loading.

I gotta disagree here. Both games are excellent. The story is simple, yet compelling. I will admit that the difficulty is high, but there is an easy mode for both versions (although RD's easy mode is still going to be challenging).

I think your problem is that you're expecting a different game than you're getting. That's not the same as getting a bad game. And before you peg me out as a Fire Emblem fanboy, I own all of NIS' strat RPGs on the PS2 and PS3, along with a fair few other SRPGs. I have a fair bit of perspective.

If you own a PSOne/PS2/Backwards Compatible PS3, then I'd recommend Final Fantasy Tactics and Vandal Hearts.

The PS1 FFT plot is almost incomprehensible due to the botched localization. Thankfully, the PSP release fixed this. Also, you don't need a BC PS3 for PS1 games, they'll play in software emulation on all of them.

 

[RyanPaulShaffer]

Originally posted by: erwos

Originally posted by: RyanPaulShaffer
I found Fire Emblem to be average at best. The story is forgettable, your weapons have limited uses, and the whole "if a character dies they stay dead" philosophy means lots of saving and loading.

I gotta disagree here. Both games are excellent. The story is simple, yet compelling. I will admit that the difficulty is high, but there is an easy mode for both versions (although RD's easy mode is still going to be challenging).

I think your problem is that you're expecting a different game than you're getting. That's not the same as getting a bad game. And before you peg me out as a Fire Emblem fanboy, I own all of NIS' strat RPGs on the PS2 and PS3, along with a fair few other SRPGs. I have a fair bit of perspective.

If you own a PSOne/PS2/Backwards Compatible PS3, then I'd recommend Final Fantasy Tactics and Vandal Hearts.

The PS1 FFT plot is almost incomprehensible due to the botched localization. Thankfully, the PSP release fixed this. Also, you don't need a BC PS3 for PS1 games, they'll play in software emulation on all of them.

I never said it was difficult. It just means that if the RNG doesn't smile your way, you have to reload from a previous save if a key character bites the dust. It's unnecessarily annoying.

I had no trouble following the FFT plot back in the 90s when I was a teenager. Sure the localization was bad, but it's not hard to follow if you pay attention.

I edited my original post about the backwards compatible PS3. All PS3s are PSOne compatible.

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: RyanPaulShaffer
I never said it was difficult. It just means that if the RNG doesn't smile your way, you have to reload from a previous save if a key character bites the dust. It's unnecessarily annoying.

Sorry, but that's just not the case in the GC and Wii versions. Maybe it was in the GBA version, but I doubt it. If you are smart and careful, the RNG is not going to be a problem, at least not on the level you seem to be implying.

While I admit that perma-death is painful, it also gets you way more involved than a Disagea-style "let me toss my guys at you until you die" game.

I had no trouble following the FFT plot back in the 90s when I was a teenager. Sure the localization was bad, but it's not hard to follow if you pay attention.

I really suggest you try out the PSP version. The localization is MUCH better, and makes the story way more intelligible as a result. There is some significant backstory that the PSP makes more clear than the PS1 version ever did.

Oh, and I think the OP should start off with the Path of Radiance on the 'cube. It has a slightly gentler learning curve than the Wii version.

 

[AbAbber2k]

Go with the GC Fire Emblem. Haven't tried the Wii one but seeing as its something of a sequel you might as well play the first one first.

 

[xCxStylex]

With turnbased strategy RPGs as my favorite handheld genre (and pretty much the only reason I play my DS/PSP), the fireemblem gameplay bores me to death, but I'm trudging through the newest one for DS only for the story.

Decided against the wii and GC versions.

btw, Thank you for the vandal hearts suggestion, I'll try to check that out for PSP.

Can you recommend me any others?

For anyone that hasn't played it, tactics Ogre: Knight of Lodis for GBA is my favorte turnbased strat rpg of all time, even more so than ANY FFT.

Best FFT clone from Atlus ever. <3

Originally posted by: RyanPaulShaffer
I've played Fire Emblem for the GBA, and I've heard that the GC and Wii versions aren't much different. I found Fire Emblem to be average at best. The story is forgettable, your weapons have limited uses, and the whole "if a character dies they stay dead" philosophy means lots of saving and loading.

If you own a PSOne/PS2/PS3, then I'd recommend Final Fantasy Tactics and Vandal Hearts.

 

[erwos]

I'm curious what turn-based SRPGs you do find fun if you don't like FE and FFT. Maybe Disgaea?