Kirb

I really don't think there is a clear-cut answer for this. It really does boil down to what sort of character you're dealing with. Grey antagonists can lead to rather interesting characters and seem to be rather popular with this series, although aren't always the right path to take. Greater sympathy and understanding behind motions can be had with these characters, although at the same time, it's harder to convey the feeling of power and threat across if you see them constantly hesitating and questioning everything whenever they engage battle with the 'good side'. This type of approach worked well with characters like The Black Knight and Lyon, yet poor with someone like Ashnard. On the other hand, antagonists with a black approach have their own merit. As I mentioned before, someone like Ashnard is a black character, and adding too much emotional dialogue or sudden backstory could ruin his psychotic character somewhat. The threat Ashnard posed in the game created a constant struggle, and the final moments of the game were quite tense. And they didn't go ahead with adding a sad backstory to him so a sympathetic feeling towards him could be felt. Let's reveal he murdered everyone who stood in line to be a ruler, and trick his own father into signing a blood contract. He's a complete madman, yet that's what makes him great. In my opinion, I think that is a fantastic way to build up a black character to a high potential. I do think there are also other ways to do this other than having power, but I don't have the time or patience to go into any more detail. At the end of the day, I think it's important for the developers and story writers to determine what sort of character they're creating, stick with it, and don't stop. Despite being pleased with how Ashnard was handled, I was disappointed in a certain other 'Mad King', Gangrel. I really do not think he lived up to the name of a Mad King, especially compared to the likes of Ashnard who did far, far more than just try and kill off individual people. And no character should truly just be the living essence of a single personality type, antagonistic or not. Didn't you know Ashnard had a soft side a loved puppies (I may have made that up)? That's really how I personally think a villain should be handled. Although adding a small bit of a sad background to even a black character can be a nice thing, with limits. I could go on and share more of my strange opinions, but I won't. Also, apologies I don't reference older games. I haven't played anything prior to the seventh game. Maybe one day I'll get around to playing one or two of the older games...

Of all the Fire Emblem games I've played, I'd have to say FE13, although I will admit that game does some things right as well, despite things that irk me. I'm not particularly a fan of the plot, and feel it covers far too many clichés than it should (I don't find clichés a terrible thing in storytelling, yet for this game it felt too much). Children became more of a burden than enjoyable, and the lack of objective variety turned off my interest at times. Characters also weren't all that interesting to me, asides from a certain few. I won't say it's a bad game--it had a terrific UI at the very least--yet there are still things that irk me about the game where other games of the series get it right for me. If I had to include the games I have not played, FE6 would get my vote. I've read a basic scenario of the game, and based off things others have said as well, it doesn't seem all that appealing to someone like me. The whole concept of it basically being a retelling of Marth's games just seem lazy to me. The thought of playing someone even weaker than Eliwood with virtually the same basic personality scares me. =( I feel the same way. I don't mind 'slow games', especially when they tell a story. I felt very engaged with the story Tellius told, although I can understand some people not liking the games if all one cares about is the gameplay aspect. I will admit I'm very surprised at how many people don't care for FE10, although I suppose it's to to do with a lot of people wanting its story to live up to certain expectations its previous game put in place. Yet I still stand by my personal opinion that FE10 was an excellent game to finish off the Tellius Series, and make Ike even more of a badass.

Fire Emblem has many classes, and one of the recurring classes throughout the series are thieves. Starting off with low combat abilities, thieves sport the ability to steal from chests and, depending on the game, others' items. Early on, their combat skills are relatively weak, their initial purpose to steal items from chest; as well as sporting minimal armour, giving rise to their low defence, much like mages. However, with time, one can properly train a thief to take down enemies in combat and counterattack properly. Their survivability is increased, which can be incredibly helpful on Fog of War maps. My question is, do you like thieves? Do you take the time to properly train one, or only bring them to maps with treasure chests and leave them on the sidelines for the remaining game? Personally, I love training thieves. Unlike many other units, training them is a pain, yet that is all part in the reward. The more you put into these units, the more they will give out in the long run. This is especially true in games where promotion is possible for a thief, such as Volke who promotes into an assassin (or, in the case of Radiant Dawn, is already an assassin). Classes like the assassin, whisper, and rogues make training thieves well worth it. During their latter levels, they have a higher dodge chance than most, easily doubling enemy units. To me, they feel the most rewarding class to train up, and seeing one take down something as powerful as a wyvern is truly satisfying. Even knives can have their uses!

I really do not miss it. It was something I ignored completely in FE7, it serving zero purpose to me. If there were perhaps some sort of reward associated with said ranking system, perhaps I would put a bit of effort into managing how I play the game. Although even then, I find it to be unlikely; I'd much rather play the game managing an army, not worrying about other smaller details that deviate from the enjoyment I get from the series. And spending all your money at the last possible moment is always fun. Equip everyone with powerful weapons!

I haven't, but that's due to the insane prices many are asking for. Maybe one day I'll find a cheap enough copy... Although I still know a lot about the game from the Let's Plays I have watched.

Every single internationally released game, although the only ones I've beaten are Blazing Sword, The Sacred Stones, and Awakening. I've almost beaten Radiant Dawn as I'm at the final map, although my disc is playing up and thus has prevented me from completing the game. =@ As for Path of Radiance, I've seen a couple of Let's Plays (there is no way I'm paying $150+ for a single game). Shadow Dragon I've only just started, while playing it alongside Hector's Story in FE7.

I have physical soundtracks for each game of the Tellius Series, so time for me to look through iTunes and determine my favourites! These are all in no particular order, asides from the game the track is featured in. And also to keep some variety, I won't list repeats, as FE10 features similar tracks to FE9, just simply adding something extra to already great songs. For FE9... The Theme of Fire Emblem. Easily my favourite version of the Fire Emblem theme, even overtaking the version found in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. It doesn't even matter to me the Fire Emblem jingle doesn't kick in until the 34 second mark, the entire theme is filled with so much energy and spirit, it's hard not to enjoy every second of this. Crimea Army Sortie. One thing that disappoints me with FE9 is its lack of battle themes, yet that's not to say they aren't good. CAS definitely is a nice theme to listen to, and it's good it's, er, so good, because you're going to listen to it for quite some time! Victory is Near. It's always a joy to hear the victory theme of a Fire Emblem game, yet this one triumphs all. It carries an overwhelming positive vibe to it, and that's the biggest reason why I prefer this version over all else. I also love playing Super Smash Bros. Wii U with this theme playing. To Challenge Ashnard. Do I have to say? It's awesome! I don't think there is any possible way they could improve on this as you kill the Mad King Ashnard and his wyve...rn... er... dragon... Ena's... oops... Memory of Mom. Also known as Elena's theme, the mother of Ike and Mist. It's such a sweet theme. The theme is also the same song the herons sung, which just makes this even sweeter. To My Love. Get the tissues! The song that plays when Rajaion dies (even if the game doesn't mention it) as Ena lays by him. An extremely emotional song to match an emotional scene. Life Returns. The heron's song, a recurring theme throughout the game. And it's always special listening to it, a treat for the ears. FE9's soundtrack was a mixed bag for me. It definitely had some great tracks, although I feel some others were a little bland at the same time, such as the battle theme prior to taking charge of the Crimea Army. Overall an average soundtrack from my view, although one I still like to listen from time to time for those special songs. For FE10... Bearer of Hope. I spent so much time on this map, yet listening to this awesome theme never got old. I wish I could say the same about the nightmares the map gave me... Eternal Bond. Who doesn't love this theme? Also known as Ike's Theme in Super Smash Bros., it is a theme I've heard many times, even before playing this game. Thanks, Smash Bros. Everything about it fits FE10 Ike, and it being a map theme makes things even better. A Grasping Truth. The final map theme. It's hard to say what about this stands out for me, so I'll just say all of it. Everything feels all over the place, yet I feel that's a good thing for this theme, making it stand over other final map themes in other FE games. The Devoted. Smash Broooooos.! And the theme for the Greil Mercenaries! It fits everything to do with Ike and the Greil Mercenaries. I don't think I need to say anything else. Go listen to it! Time of Action. Starting to see a trend? Appearing in Smash Bros. again, it's Sanaki's Army battle theme. I think it's safe to say by this point FE10 has excellent battle themes, much improving over FE9. Stalking Menace. The battle theme for Jarod and Ludveck. Unfortunately battles were usually short, so there wasn't much to be heard of this surprisingly long theme, yet it's awesome to listen to nonetheless. Wisdom of Ages. Dragoooooons--ahem. I mean, Deghinsea. This battle was awesome, hard the first time, and was by far the most memorable battle in all of the Tellius Series. It also contains Rajaion's theme from FE9, which is a nice and sad tough for that dragon's father. If only we didn't have to kill him. ;n; Beauty is a Mad Mistress. I still can't get over the fact this guy has his own battle theme, him being playable, and the way you recruit him. Freaking Oliver. And I love the devs for it. Never will Oliver not be apart of my team, especially with this great theme. Unstoppable Destiny. The Black Knight's battle theme, one of my personal favourite Fire Emblem characters throughout the franchise. An iconic character and an iconic theme that improves upon the FE9 version. Stalwarts Unite. FE9's recruitment theme was pretty good. FE10 improved everything, and somehow this sounds a million times better. I just wish there were more in the story to actually recruit! Zelgius the Brave. A perfect theme for this fantastic character, whom I will not delve into further. It just screams epic. Am I still allowed to use the word 'epic'? Or is it something that died out years ago? Comfort's Call. I'm not sure what it is about this, but it replacing the generic base theme really made this theme stand out even more than it probably would have otherwise. Giving it appears during the latter parts of the game, it really fits the mood of the story, and how dire everything has become and will become. I want to list more, but I only recently realised how large I was making the FE10 list, so I had to leave some other songs out. Honourable mentions go to the battle themes of the laguz royals, Goldoa's theme, and Skrimir's theme. FE10 is indeed my favourite Fire Emblem game, and the much improved soundtrack is one reason why this game stood out to me even more, despite the criticism it may receive. In fact, FE10 has my favourite soundtrack of any Fire Emblem game, and one of my favourites out of any video game. Perhaps I'm over-exaggerating this game's soundtrack, but it is still truly something I love. ​

Thank you all again for the welcome! Usually the units that die on me are due to my own carelessness of enemy placement, though I will admit I've improved over the years (enough to struggle play through FE10, at least). All those poor Lv. 1 units... That is actually really awesome. I really do not see many people saying FE10 is their favourite, and before playing it, I was afraid I would hate it due to how often I hear it's criticised, though it mostly happened when compared to FE9 (which is still an excellent game in its own right). Turns out it was an incredible game, at least from my view. It's nice to see other people praise a game that is often criticised for various reasons on the Internet, whether it be FE10 or another lesser known entry in the series.

FE9's was pretty good, with FE10 improving the foundations of the theme. FE8's is also really good, yet I have to give it to FE7. The pacing to me is perfect and is everything a recruitment theme should be. Of course, all games previously mentioned have a great recruitment theme as well.

Thank you both!

With every playthrough, I attempt to recruit every character available in the mode I am playing. There are of course those situations where only one of two can be recruited, so I never count those, as long as I recruit one of the two available options. Blazing Sword and Awakening, I recruited all available characters, excluding SpotPass characters in FE13. In Radiant Dawn, I recruited everyone except for Nasir and Gareth. I... didn't realise you could recruit them... Not until it was too late. Oops...

The very first Fire Emblem game I 'picked up' and played was The Sacred Stones. It was actually thanks to the Ambassador Program on the 3DS that I got to play this game, although I never once touched this game until sometime in 2012. I'd heard occasional talk about this series with friends on Twitter, and decided to check it out. Despite people claiming it to be one of the easiest entries in the series, for a complete new player, it was the most confusing thing. I believe I played up to chapter four before giving up, unable to understand even basic mechanics as characters fell and I used a single weapon for each character. I would like to formally apologise to Eirika's Rapier right here. I'm so sorry for abusing you. I returned to the Fire Emblem franchise when Awakening was released, and it was there I began to understand the game's mechanics. I allowed the permadeath system, learning the hard way in playing the game. If it weren't for this game's easy difficulty, I probably would have never gotten into the series. After that, I returned to FE8, and sometime during the middle of my playthrough, Blazing Sword was released on the Wii U eShop. I played those two during the same time period, and while also watching a Let's Play of FE7, truly began to understand everything about the series. My strategic gameplay was much improved, completing FE8 first before the other. After FE7's completion, I became quite fond of the series, wishing to play more. As much as I liked Awakening and I do acknowledge it introduced me to the series in a more positive light, I feel my love for the gameplay came to be sometime when I was playing those two GBA games. And then the rest is history.

That title probably sounded a lot cooler in my head. Hello! My name is Kirb, and I finally decided to create an account for Serenes Forest (not the actual forest; I'll leave the herons be...). I've used SF many times before for various reasons, but never took the chance to check out the forums. Anyway, my favourite Fire Emblem games are Radiant Dawn, Path of Radiance, and Blazing Sword, in that order. I may or may not be a bit too in love with those three games. Asides from losing all my units in combat and playing other video games, I enjoy engaging in creative writing whenever I can, and one of the aspects of the Fire Emblem series that has always interested me in relation to that, even with older titles, are the individual characters themselves. They each have their own individual designs and written personality, adding a lot of charm to the game and the army that continues to grow. It's also why FE10, FE9, and FE7 are my favourites: They are the most fun I've had with an FE story, even if the series does approach a similar structure with most of the titles' progression. And even if I am not anything fantastic with it, the series' gameplay is still interesting and fairly fun at certain times. I try to recruit every unit and keep them alive, which is an interesting challenge that grabs my attention. Or leaves me crying because a certain map is too difficult. Regardless, I hope that wasn't too long an introduction! And I hope I can remember to check back here every now and then.