Positive review

Closing Comments
To call Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn a Wii game is to take the meaning of that statement as literal as possible. Yes, it runs on Wii, comes in a cute white box, and you’ll pay $49.99 for it. From there, however, the experience is anything but Wii-like, as the game uses no motion, no IR, no Mii integration, and no online. While some gamers will scoff at this fact, diehard Fire Emblem fans already understand the choice made by Nintendo, as the series hasn’t needed to change in nearly 20 years, and shouldn’t be expected to now. The game supports Wii-mote control in classic NES-style, the GameCube controller, and the Classic Controller, so no matter what your setup you can still dive into one of the deepest, mature, and traditionally rooted titles on Nintendo consoles.

What you’ll miss, however, is any sort of upgrade from the GameCube version which is on sale for $20 new. Radiant Dawn is a direct sequel to the Cube’s Path of Radiance, and as such looks, acts, and feels identical. You’ll still get very little VO, minimal animation overall, GameCube graphics, and extremely simply storytelling that makes use of only a backdrop and some character art. Why the production value in Fire Emblem has yet to be completely overhauled is beyond us, but apparently someone at Nintendo things traditional games need to not only play like a game two decades old, but also look similar as well. If you’re looking for an entertaining, challenging, traditional strategy game, look no further, as Fire Emblem is as good as it gets. Just don’t expect anything more than GameCube presentation, visuals, and control for $50.

Rating	Description
out of 10	click here for ratings guide
4.0	Presentation Aside from some FMV work, there’s nothing here above what was done on GBA or DS. Basic menus, tons of text, simple backdrops, and not much more than some portrait art to tell the story.
6.0	Graphics 16:9 was included for the USA release, and 480p is a nice touch – for a game that is identical to GameCube in almost every way. Battle animations are improved a bit though.
7.5	Sound No orchestration, very little VO, and a virtually unchanged experience from Cube’s effort. The music is still impressive, but it’s all midi.
8.0	Gameplay No Wii functionality, but really no need. It’s a classic design, and it plays as such. It's a great tactical experience, still smooth and quick, and still entertaining.
8.0	Lasting Appeal Well over 50 hours, random stat evolution during level ups, GCN data transfer, but no online or multiplayer elements to be had.
8.0 Impressive	OVERALL (out of 10 / not an average)

SO far its at a 82 average at metacritic

should have been a 9, nintendo really dropped the ball in graphics and wii controls, this really could have been a classic. still very good game if it's just s the gamecube version, but again this really could have been something special.

FE games are odd, they never seem to try to make them look good, i remember reading about the snes version years ago and then a week or so later seeing a screenshot and thinking "is this what they were praising...?"
I can understand keeping the controls simple, i dont think motion is needed for a strategy game but the use of the pointer would have been ideal surely?

Still, a good score even with all the bad points, i cant help thinking better gfx, use of the pointer and maybe some form of online mode would have bumped it into the high end scores though.

Interesting, glad they ignored a lot of the graphic and sound issues as that is not what the series or the genre is about. They were actually probably a lot friendlier with their evil scoremongering than they could have been but once again I will take this opportunity to say it:

IGNORE SCORE - Just read the review and base on the info contained within.

I only wish they had written a complete review.

8 overall is good. The graphics don't really matter in this game. It's about the strategy, story and character development.

Cool quote: Fire Emblem remains a stead constant, offering the most hardcore strategy gamers out there some of the deepest strategy and difficulty.