So then it's actually a good direction? :P

The combat is good, but dualstrike and pairing up is inconsistent as fuk, making the game 10x luck based as before.

And as for the tone, I dont think I ever heard a longtime FE fan say Awakening is the bet game in the series, its usually just the newbies who got  attracted to the game by the anime art and waifus.  Also, it would be fine if the the direction changed just for one game, but im certain this new basic cookie cutter anime style is gonna be a mainstay in the game, and not one thats leaving. 

They have successfully alienated every single one of the older fans with this new anime style that is repulsive and annoying to a lot of people. 

It is a joke, but not a funny one.  :P

It's "appalled."

I say this not to be a grammar nazi, but because I initally read this as applauded - which means something just a tad different - and I suspect I'm not the only one who did.

So its the fans fault they made a game with a niche fan base?  So fans have no right to be upset at the new harem anime direction that literally no one wants except anime fans?  Also I dont think it was entirely the new direction that made FE sell well, it was more the enviourment of the 3DS, the reviews it got, and the advertisting it had in Japan.  

I don't recall any issues with Dual Strike...do you understand how the system works? While there is a degree of odds involved, it is a very strong system which works to enhance social mechanics and add value to developing relationships. I would like for you to elaborate on this point, because if your only argument is that it is percentage based, that is a very weak argument.

As for the tonal shift, as I stated, it is a taste thing. The new tone is not objective worse or better than the old tone simply because you don't like it.

Also, that last sentence is so broad and sweeping that it will be best for both of us if we were to just pretend it was never said.

Edit: With the amount of Anime type avatars and signatures on this site, I'm certain I've come to the wrong site to bash on anime cliches appearing in old and well loved franchises. But my point remains, nothing about the characters, setting, or story even remotely comes close to one of the good older FE games like the first one with Ike and Sacred Stones

I'm holding out hope for 15 to get me back into it.

For the record I have nothing against romance/emotion and such in games when it's done right... Heck, even with the poor translations I found the emotional trauma Delita went through losing his sister and Ramza struggled with as his relationships with his best friend was strained and brothers were irrevocably severed to be very moving. Likewise, Zidane and Garnet were great, and I've never felt such concern and sympathy for a character as I did Vivi. FFVII and VI are obvious enough to not require explanation.

But yes, the problem arises when they began focusing less on dialogue and more on visuals... It often felt like I was being forced to watch a poorly acted film that I had to sit back and cringe at for long stretches of time.

Essentially, they leave less and less to the imagination which, obviously, is only a positive if you like the direction they're headed. Despite how talented Square Enix is (I feel they and Blizzard far and away produce the best cinematics in gaming) it sometimes seems to me that the increased graphical capabilities of consoles was the worst thing that could have happened to the FF franchise.

I'm not yet convinced that Fire Emblem will head down that road to the same degree, and I personally certainly hope it doesn't... I don't think it a coincidence that Final Fantasy's popularity began to wane in NA as they made these changes.

I understood my life was potentially forfeit the moment I spoke ill of Final Fantasy. I wish you luck.

I know how it works, its a chance percentage, but it never says how much, you pretty much just have to see if it happens.  Same for the bodyblocking while in pairs. 

As for the last point, look at the comments on SMT x FE on Nintendo's youtube channel, and see how many old time fans are getting aleniated by this new anime direction.