Fire Emblem: Awakening

People like it?

"Man, Gaiden and Sacred are the worst because grinding ruins the challenge and the levels are so boring! Not to mention those blatant balance issues"

Then comes Awakening, which suffers from completely identical issues, and everyone loves it.

It makes no sense.

When the shiny newness wears off I can see this one being criticized more openly.
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I went through Hard-Classic without the DLC or using Reeking or grinding at all, in any way. and it was an easy playthrough.

The only time when grinding becomes warranted is in Lunatic mode.

So no, while you could choose to make the game even easier in Normal or Hard mode then it already is, there is no reason to besides doing it to call out the game.

Also, difficulty is far too emphasized, the game is great, whether in Normal, Hard or Lunatic. Difficulty, even if it's too easy in normal and hard, does not detract from the game.

And many people do enjoy grinding. read: rpg fans.

From: Nephiel

Difficulty, even if it's too easy in normal and hard, does not detract from the game.

Difficulty is one of the most important aspects of a strategy game. Without difficulty, there is no strategy.

And you're missing the point. The very reasons people hate Gaiden and Sacred so much exist in Awakening. The grinding is even worse, as well, providing you with infinite powerful items. Gaiden and Sacred only gave some EXP.

The game is more forgiving. I wouldn't say it is easier. In other games in the series, if you didn't choose the right units, spend your money correctly or simply have horrible RNG luck, you were sol.

In this game it provides options to when people are stuck. In harder difficulties, it become more difficult to grind. This a good gameplay change.

Rest assured, you can still challenge yourself in the game. Lunatic and Lunatic + are still challenging even to veterans of the series.

But hey, feel free to hate it if you want. Just hate it somewhere else.

Difficulty=/=strategy.

Strategy is an element where one uses cunning, intelligence, and wits to out smart enemies.

Chess is a game of strategy.
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The All Father has bequeath me the gift of battle. So now I bequeath you my spear through your heart.
The official Eligor of the Shin Megami Tensei IV board

From: Toadmode

In harder difficulties, it become more difficult to grind.

Sure is difficult to grind against things that can't even kill your weakest units.

Grinding in Awakening is easier than either Gaiden or Sacred, and provides you with more than just EXP.

Rest assured, you can still challenge yourself in the game. Lunatic and Lunatic + are still challenging even to veterans of the series.

Neither Lunatic or Lunatic+ are challenging and they do not fix the horrible level design.

From: Honzou

Difficulty=/=strategy.

You cannot have strategy without difficulty.

hey I'm just glad I don't have the cr@ppy constant reclassing like in shadow dragon
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I did not know you need difficulty to flank, box in, split push, bait, block, etc.

Marth come up with real reasons or just give up.

First time it's amusing to see a hack pull the strings of a violin with their teeth. The second time and up is just plain annoying.
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The All Father has bequeath me the gift of battle. So now I bequeath you my spear through your heart.
The official Eligor of the Shin Megami Tensei IV board

From: Honzou

I did not know you need difficulty to flank, box in, split push, bait, block, etc.

Marth come up with real reasons or just give up.

If there is no difficulty, there is no need to do any of that. All you need to do is engage on a statistical level.