"The best way I can describe it is...Very, very good."

Introduction:

This is the Ninth Fire Emblem in the long-running series, and the Third FE to be released out of Japan. In addition to that, it is the first Fire Emblem on the Gamecube. We can only hope that more follow.

Gameplay - 9.5/10

The gameplay, like in any Fire Emblem game, is quite fun. FE games are generally fairly different from other strategy games, while keeping basic elements intact. For those who know nothing about FE‘s gameplay style, let me explain.

Like other SRPGs, you command units around a map while attacking and defending. However, there are key differences here that make this more strategic than others, and adds more fun to it.

First off, and most importantly, is permanent death. If a unit loses all of his or her HP, they're gone for good. This keeps you on your toes in battle, as you fight to protect your irreplaceable units.

Next come the bonuses. There are a few types of bonuses that can give you the upper hand in battle. A terrain bonus comes from standing in a certain place. Common examples are bushes. A terrain bonus can help you dodge and defend against enemies. Another, rather unique bonus, is the Support Bonus. While in battle, you can put two units near each other. If they're there long enough, you can select to support with them while at a base. From then on, when those two are near each other, they will gain a slight stat bonus. This can be quite useful when taking on tough enemies. Support levels are C, B, and A(A being the highest).

The last key difference is the weapons. Well, there are two differences with the weapons, actually. The first comes with limited usage. Instead of being able to bash away with a weapon as much as you'd like, there is a set amount of uses for that weapon. Nearly every weapon in the game has this. Another interesting feature is the Weapon Triangle. It's a bit like rock-paper-scissors - Sword beats Axe, Axe beats Lance, and Lance beats Sword. As far as the Magic Triangle goes, Fire beats Wind, Wind beats Thunder, and Thunder beats Fire. Managing the triangle can often be the key to victory.

The only bad part that I've found with FE games is the mind-blowing difficulty. At times, you can feel like ripping your hair out when your best unit dies and you restart the chapter for him for the fortieth time…But, if you have patience, you'll prevail in the end.

Story - 10/10

The story of FE:PoR simply blew me away. You begin as simple mercenaries, little-known, and living the simple life. This all changes when you meet one girl…A princess, on the verge of death, desperate to get back to her own country and save it. This one girl will lead Ike(the main character of the game) and the mercenaries through a long and perilous journey, and might even get them the fame that their skills deserve…

Graphics - 9/10

Some people might say that the graphics on the battlefield aren't up to the standards of other GC games. But you really can't expect realistic graphics when the characters on the field are that small…Plus, in the battle scenes, the graphics are well-done and flow nicely. Out of battle, there are the usual character portraits for speech. New this time are Full-Motion Videos, which are excellently done. It's just a shame that there are only a few of them in the game. As per usual in a Fire Emblem game, you also get the occasional detailed picture, which are quite beautiful.

Sound - 10/10

As usual, nice, pretty music. FE fans will notice that there is a remixed song in FE9 from FE7, which brought some nice nostalgia. Also, there is one song that is actually sung, which is an interesting change. The sound effects are good, as expected, with nice collision sounds. There is one part that uses a pretty generic cheering noise…But, I'll let it slide, because the rest of the sound effects and music is nice.

Play time/Replayability - 10/10

My first play through clocked a bit over 40 hours. That's perfect for an RPG, in my opinion. After the first play through, there's bonus maps to toy with, some bonus features(Along with some from FE7 and 8 which are obtained after beating the game by linking with a GBA). These features are neat and fun. Also, as usual in Fire Emblem games, there's always another mode to play through, plus you can use different combinations of parties to play with…The different experiences you can have are nearly endless.

Final Recommendation - BUY! This is a must-have for any FE fan, or strategy fan in general.

Ratings:
Gameplay - 9.5
Story - 10
Graphics - 9
Sound - 10
Play time/Replayability - 10

Average - 9.7, Rounded to 10.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 01/05/06