Today I review the Strategy Game Everybody was waiting for, Fire Emblem Awakening! Let me start out by saying it was my most anticipated game of all last year. But I'll be true and honest of all specific areas of this game. Without further ado lets begin...
Story/Gameplay ⇒ Now Anybody that ever played an FE title knows there is a huge and very talkative long story within each game. This is no different. You take command of a small band of heroes (Shepards) and save lives, conquer enemies, and withstand Assaults. You control all the players (your army) in a 'chess' like enviroment (board) with the main protagonist Chrom (a prince) and his tactician (the avatar which you make at the start of the game).
Clearing Chapters and Proceeding will expand the world map which allows visiting shops, adding Side Chapters, adding a new feature called Parley (vs other teams) via spotpass/streetpass, vs Risen (dead warriors that come back to life), and a stage where DLC comes in play.
Controls/Gameplay ⇒ This games gameplay shows what it means to be a commander, literally! You control a number of characters which all differs from characters weilding axes or swords, to characters using tomes (magic), some characters only heal while others attack with mounting on a horse(wyvern,pegasus). With Different characters they all come with Stats (HP,Strength,Def,Mag,Resistance,Luck,etc). All these highly affect how characters fight and survive. You and the opponent get to move (on your turn, theirs) all the characters on the map intill all characters use of their turn or you just end it.
This game really takes it toll since their are leveling up characters only if they particapate in battle (or heal in case of clerics,etc) which gets harder for weak characters to keep up. But their is a new feature in this game called "partner up" which allows bonus stats (depending on character using) to go up in an area to give an edge to the lead character while protecting (support partner cant be touched) the other partner. By using this effectively even weak characters can pick off dying enemies!
Since this game plays like a board (checkers or chess) you need to know your surroundings well, one false move and a unit can die. While playing on the map you have access to the enemies units as well including how your units fare(see your unit against theirs without fighting yet) against an opposing force. 
Length ⇒ For Your Money, its well spent. This game not including Side chapters or Extra Parley and Risen battles alone is over 25+ Hours Long which you will have to included the other stuff (with DLC) its definitely over 40+ Hours and counting. The game is based solely on strategy which makes more time especially if your on a higher difficulty. Trust me the game will keep you occupied!
Difficulty ⇒ Now the fun part about Fire Emblem! Its Difficulty is perfect. You get 3 options. Normal for newcomers, Hard for players that want a challenge, and Lunatic for well... Lunatics (extremly difficult, only for hardcore players). A new feature for the game is a setting which allows fallen units to come back after the chapter(with the exception of this game, every fire emblem if your unit died it was permanent) is over. If you pay the normal way(permanent death) it'll keep players on edge since you cant be careless!
Graphics ⇒ For a 3DS title the graphics really show well when it comes to the battles. The map just shows a cartoonish sprite overworld but the true visuals(only shown in cutscenes and battles) are very well put. As much as it is nice, i couldn't help notice the background being fuzzy and characters being a little sharp. Also kind of funny(not a big deal) Characters dont have feet. The 3DS 3D effect does bring a nice feel to it though which is a plus. Talking scenes have a manga/comic feel to it, with minor changes to how a character is feeling(while speaking).
Extras(missed topics)/DLC ⇒ The game has lots of new features like characters can get married or same feats like Changing Classes and Promoting (which allows different stats to boost and hinder in), better links for pairing(standing next to others can be a great offense/defense). DLC is a great touch as you can battle for extra EXP and see characters from previous FE titles such as Marth, Ike, Roy, Lindis, etc. Also can recruit and get stuff via spotpass for free which is a great bonus!
↓↓↓↓The Verdict↓↓↓↓
[9/10] ⇔ Story.....(great story but too chatty which can turn some players off)
[8.5/10]⇔Graphics...(As they are beautiful and good, just a little problems with sharp edges and fuzzy backgrounds imo)
[10/10]⇔Difficulty... (no complaints, good for beginners, great for veterans. The settings for Casual is a nice touch)
[9.5/10]⇔ Gameplay/Controls... (great and easy to manuver since all your doing is thinking of what to do. great and fun gaming experience)
[10/10]⇔ Length... (yeah, its very long and worth buying a 3ds just for this game)
[10/10]⇔ Bonus Content(DLC, New Feats, etc)...(great DLC, bringing all characters back into one game, nice new feats with great replay ability,etc)
[9.5/10] ⇔ Overall...(great JRPG especially if you want to overcome difficult and crazy strategy is a must have with Fire Emblem Awakening!]
Hope this Helps... Here is a link to metacritic with the FE awakening reviews... http://www.metacritic.com/game/3ds/fire-emblem-awakening
