Shadow Dragon conclusion

I feel I didn't really give this game the attention it deserved (being Fire Emblem and all) but... there was something lacking in it. Many things lacking, really. Bulleted points:

• Storyline. Before each chapter, a little bit of something was explained. But I couldn't follow why I was going through these motions, and thus the entire storyline was lost to me. Sure, Marth had to battle people and get his kingdom back, but it didn't go beyond that. They tried to implement various other things to get to the finale, but it really seemed like they just added it for the sake of adding something.


• Characters. Like I've said before, I cared very little for them. Perhaps because there were too many. When I sat through the credits and the ending bios of what everyone did after the war, I didn't even know who half of them were. I stick with my main character and his knights and a couple archers. I get comfortable with them.


• The ending. Oh hey look, Marth and Caeda are the only ones who can attack the final boss without getting killed. Okay I can't completely say that; Gordin may have been able to with his super-special royal bow but he got stuck in a locked room. But after I defeated the boss, that was it. I expected more, someone else coming out of nowhere (much like Blazing Sword) but it didn't. I beat him, and happily ever after. And then Caeda reveals her love for Marth even though they didn't communicate the entirety of the game. I don't even.

At the same time, though, there were some things I rather liked.

• Gameplay. Well obviously, since it's Fire Emblem. But I like the duel screen; it saves me time checking character stats and all that.


• Graphics. Look at screenshots and character sprites from the original. This one is much prettier. Okay that's shallow, but it's true.


• Marth. Fine. He was whiny and feminine in the beginning, but I became attached to him by the end. Which kind of contradicts my complaints about lack of character development, but when you stick by the same guy throughout the entire game you kind of have to grow attached. And Cain & Abel as well. They were always good to me.

The "cons" do outweight the "pros", but I wouldn't necessarily call it a bad game. I just wouldn't recommend it as the first Fire Emblem game one should play. (*cough*PathofRadiance*cough*)

Speaking of Path of Radiance, it's been a whole two months since I've last played through it so I believe it's approaching time to start again. Although I did just receive my DS flash card, so I should get on Sword of Seals first...