It's about time Japan let us taste some of this turn-based strategy RPG series.
This game contains three different quests. They each need to be unlocked (except for the first one ofcourse). You start out the game with creating a character of yourself. Now you are a wandering tactician. The first quest begins with you finding yourself in a house. There is a girl named Lyn is there helping you out as she found you laying on the ground unconscious. Though before you get much of a chance to talk, the area you are in is attacked by bandits. Now it's up to you as a tactician to guide Lyn, who has been training with her sword, to defeat these bandits. The game works in chapters. This one is the prologue. Believe me, it is impossible to lose on this chapter (unless you're doing it on Hard mode, which needs to be unlocked). Then you find yourself travelling with her, defeating many more groups of bandits, foiling conspiracies, helping people in need. You're going to find different characters who will help you in battle. There are many characters in this game, and each have their own story. The first ten chapters (not including the prologue), you spend your time travelling with Lyn and her quest. This first quest is more of a tutorial quest to help you learn all the different aspects in this game, and you're going to be thankful for it. However, once you beat these ten chapters, that's when your real quest begins. So don't believe the game is over when you finish Chapter 10. After that, you'll then meet up with Eliwood, and then you must travel with him as he searches for his father. You will find that something very sinister is going. This is your second quest, and it's around 20 chapters long. As for the third quest, it's basically the same as the second quest, just that there are a few more chapters, some of the chapters are different, your main lord is different (read below) and it is a bit harder. That is your story right there, and it is a good one, with many twists and turns. It does have funny moments, and then it has very sad moments. People are going to die, people are going to end up in the wrong crowds, people are going to want simply peace. Much of the society is unstable, with war, confusion, raids, bandits, and it's up to you to fix it all. The story is a deep one, and it's going to give you a reason to want to command a small army of characters with many varieties. There are three lords in this game, and each have their own quest. Lyn is your first lord. Then Eliwood is your second. Then Eliwood's friend, Hector is the third, and since Eliwood and Hector travel together for most of the quest, it is the same as the second, except for the changes mentioned above. You must always protect your lords, cause if they are downed, it's game over. However, you must also give them some fighting time, cause they will be needed later on. As for yourself, don't worry, cause you won't be on the battlefield. It might be cool if you were on the battlefield, but that would equal another body to protect. Also, since you can see the whole field and the characters stats, etc, that would also make it seem a little weird. In the end, everything is set well the way it is. Also, the lords really are a huge part in the game. They aren't really that strong, but they will be useful in the future, so it's always wise to risk giving them a little of the action. Yet, that's your decision. It really does suck if you are near the end of a chapter and your lord died. That equals more emphasis on you to protect them more. There are many different characters in this game, with their own story and classes. There many different classes in this game, each with their own set of weapon types, ranks, and that kind of stuff. For example, there are cavaliers in this game. They are horse riding knights who can use both lances and swords. They also upgrade into a paladin. That is only an example. There are many others. Archers, mages, thieves, knights, pegasus knights, and many more. As for upgrading, they each need a special item depending on their class, and must be at least level 10. The maximum level for a class is level 20. Even the lords can upgrade, however they require very special items at special times. If one of your characters are downed (this is not regarding the lords), it is not a game over, however they will not come back for the rest of the quest. So if you have a certain character whom is very useful to you, make sure they do not fall. There are many other different aspects with all the different characters, however it would take way too long to list them all so I'll stop there. They did a great job with with all the different characters systems and the variety. As for yourself in the game, you're just somebody who manages the strategies. You don't have much of a place in the plot. The characters only from time to time talk to you, and you aren't even shown. Not much of a fault in any way, though it would've been interesting if you had a larger role in the story. Yet in the end, everything works the way it is, so no need for adjustments. Now that I got the characters down, it's time to look at the weapons. In battle, when it comes to weaponry or magic, there is a rock-paper-sizzor format. For the weapons, it's sword over axe, axe over lance, and lance over sword. As for archery, lets just say those who ride the skies fear those archers and snipers. Meanwhile for the those who use magic, it's anima over light, light over dark, and dark over anima. This is something that can really affect combat, so be sure to look at who you're facing and the weapon they're using. For each class of weapon, there are many different weapons. For example, for the swords, there is like just the simple iron sword, or the killing edge which raises critical hit percentage, or some magical swords, and magic can give you range. Many weapons or magics, and a lot of them are specialized. However, you must remember that weapons do break after a while, and magic does run out. So make sure you buy some brand new weapons whenever you get the chance, cause this can kill you later on. Though they did a great job with all these weapon/magic formats. As a tactician, you're going to have to learn the pros and cons of all these weapons/magics, and that's what makes this game feel like a truly great strategy game. In strategy games, as we all know, the terrain is very important. Like with cavaliers for example, in open field they can get you some mobility, but when it comes to forest, that is where they have their problems with movement. There many different areas which you can travel on, and each can affect you. There are also different weather conditions and such. When it rains or snows, it's not easy going anywhere. Also, when it's in the middle of night, it's difficult to see your enemies. There is also fog which can affect your vision. Though it seems that the enemy always knows where you are. In the end, they did an excellent job with adding in all these different aspects of strategy, which can make you think for a while, which is exactly what we want in a strategy game. The experience system that we see in many RPG games is also here too. Every time you engage in combat with an opponent, or heal an ally, you gain some experience points. Every time you gain 100 of these points, you level up. Whenever you level up, as you probably know already, your stats go up. There are eight different categories. Some of those eight stats are boosted slightly when you level up in a random order. It would be nicer if you could select which categories you can upgrade. Also, the maximum level, as stated above, is 20, and you need at least to be level 10 to upgrade classes. Whenever you do upgrade, which also require certain items which are hard to find, your stats obviously go up. However, it's always wise to gain as much power as you can in your first class. You can only change classes once. This can also add more to your large list of tactical considerations. Who do you want to gain more experience? Who do you want to upgrade and when? You won't believe how large your consideration list can get in this game. As for this upgrading system, it does work nicely. In each chapter, you're required to do a certain task. Some, you have to defeat all the enemies, or just the boss. Some require you to capture certain areas. While some require you to survive for a certain amount of turns, or you have to protect somebody for some time. There are also extra chapters which you may run in from time to time. They are optional, but once you get into them, you have to do it. The extra chapters are always more difficult. However, they can be very rewarding. The only thing with this game is that it is just plain linear. You just go from chapter to chapter, completing the tasks. Though you still keep on doing your good old tactical fighting. As for the difficulty, it gets harder as you get farther. Also, when you're in the later chapters, some of your strong weapons are going to be wearing out. You will certainly feel a challenge as you get far in this game. One of the later chapters it took me two hours to beat it. It wasn't easy either. Some other chapters, it may not take you that long to beat it, though there will be more powerful enemies in higher numbers. Also, enemies can respawn, which can really be a killer, and sometimes they just suddenly appear on any place in the map. There will be times when you have to carefully look at the map and take a few minutes to figure out what to do. Cause simply wandering into unkown territory hoping for the best is going to turn out to be the worst. There is also the unlockable hard mode, and that's where the challenge really skyrockets. Even the prologue now is going to be a bit of a challenge (especially since there is nothing to guide you through it, and you have a weak sword against strong bandits). Though if you are a real tactician, then you would swallow in this challenge and take it. Just the challenge of this game is great, and it will keep you playing for hours.
On the battlefield, there may be lots of other things going. Your own characters can talk to each other during the midst of battle to help boost moral (they must be standing next to each other in the right times). There may be other characters who have their own missions that could be of use to you. You just need to go up and talk to them. Then you got yourself another man or woman. Gaining these characters can often be of great use, cause they can help you in battle or get you other characters. It's amazing how every single character has their own needs in the story and tie in very well with yours. Even some enemies may become your friend if you can convince him to join. However, gaining these characters can be easier said then done. With the enemies, you may accidentally kill them, and they aint coming back. With the allied characters (they are green on the map), they may often need your protection and guidance. If not, they may foolishly walk into the enemies' path and get killed very quickly. This may make you think even more. Go for the enemy to get a few strikes in, or lay back and protect some of your allies or friends? These little decisions may be crucial in the long run. This adds more tactical considerations, making this game even better to play. Another thing I should note is the enemy AI. They will almost always go for the weaker characters. They may be weaker, but they can always help you. So that means you always have to keep an eye out for them. See, another aspect of this game that works greatly adding to the experience. There may also be villages on the field. If you can get to them and warn them of raids, you may receive something of use. However, that means you have to beat the enemy to it. So now you're racing to defend somebody. More options. More fun. Ofcourse, if you don't make it or choose the wrong option, that can add a bit of frustration. Though obviously, with challenges comes some anger when you don't accomplish some goals. You as a tactician have to keep an eye open for all these things going on. It's not easy, adding more to the challenge.
Another system that I really like is the screen where you can organise your troops and everything (this appears just before you begin your battle). You don't have this to start with, but then again, there would be nothing to do with it if it was there in the early stages. On this, you can choose which of your characters go on the battlefield, and which ones sit out. You can also trade items which is helpful, since some characters may find items that are completely useless to them, but can be a big help to others. You can also look at your rank here. You may also have a fortune told at some point, which can tell of any conditions like weather that may occur during battle. You can also take a look at the map and enemy placements, which can be extremely helpful to you so you can have a headstart in strategic developments. You can change around the formation of your own characters. Who stays back for defence, and who goes forward to strike the enemy defences. All very helpful. As well, the save system is good. You got three save slots. That should be enough. You can save at almost anytime, except for when it's the enemies' turn to move, during conversations, and during battle sequences. You can save during battle or suspend the fight, but you can only do that one file at a time. Though that's nothing to be angry about. Still should be enough. Basically almost every system in this game works greatly. The look of this game is great. When conversations are going on, the characters look awesome. Their faces can tell you their mood. Then when on the battlefield, the character models are good. Not the best I've seen, but they really are good enough to do their jobs. As for the terrain, it also looks fine. You can easily tell what is what. As for battle, it also looks great. The battle animations are top class. You'll also love the critical hit animations. Well, all the animations do their job. There are also moments where some art is displayed to show the action. Those frames look good. Overall, everything looks great and does their thing, and the animations are really nice. You will not be complaining about the graphics on this game.
The sounds are excellent. Just simply top class. All the music fits amazingly in the places, and it all sounds absolutely beautiful. Some other music can really get you pumped up, while others can show your ears that it is a sad moment. There is also an option in this game where you can go to a sound room. In that sound room you can listen to all the music that you uncovered. I myself have spent quite a bit of time here. As for the sound effects, there aren't many, but they still sound good. This game has sounds that can make your GBA look like a good music box.
This game has a good length. Three quests, and doing them all could result in over 50 chapters. Then there is Hard mode, which will have you redo those 50 chapters, but with even more of a challenge. Some of the chapters will require some real thinking, while others a ton of enemy obliteration. This game will keep your thumbs on the GBA and itself in your GBA. If being a tactician is what you like, then you'll be wanting to play this game over and over again, aiming for a better score. You can also link to a friend who also has this game and you can fight with him/her. You certainly won't be tired of this game pretty quickly.
For all you tacticians out there, this game is certainly for you. The plot works excellently, and all the characters have a role in it. You will meet with a lot of characters, and almost every single one of them have a place in the plot, their own class, their own story, their own reason to either follow you or attack you. There clearly was time spent on character detail. As for all the systems in this game, and trust me, there's a lot, it all works brilliantly. The way this game is set up makes for an excellent strategy game. This game does provide it's challenges, and in a good way for all you tacticians. Everything just seems to work in this game one way or another. The graphics certainly does it's job, and the animations are all great. The sound is really top class in this game. With many chapters and challenges to do in this game, and considering the fact that it is not a boring game, will keep you playing this for a long time to come. I have no idea why Japan hogged this series to themselves, cause I believe that it was all great. If you're looking for a good solid turn-based strategy RPG game for the Game Boy Advance, I certainly recommend this game to you. Tacticians must always have an eye on their budgets, and you certainly should too if you don't have this game yet.