#//-I still go 'TIME TO CHROM' at random some 10 years after It's Chrom Time would've happened

[bowsnbots]

@hopeful-hugz asked:

alt! (I know the answer to this already hold up your other children for the world to see <3)

Enable my potential drabble + muse ramblings here

—"And here, I thought you'd left us behind."

A familiar voice sounds off behind Hope. In a moment, he's at her side, with a comforting hand on her shoulder. Though he looks a slightly older than when she last saw him, that smile on his face hasn't changed. If anything, he looks more full of life than before.

"Just out there building a life for yourself, eh?"

There's a lot of that going around. The Shepherds are still around, and Hope can visit any of them, but with Grima finally buried, some of them moved forward doing the same. Hell, Chrom had a head-start... Hope should visit baby Lucina. She can walk now, did you know? It's almost scary, and... he pauses to shake his head. Don't go getting lost in your thoughts, pretty boy.

Instead, he gives Hope a firm pat on the shoulder.

"You always were the traveling type. It's good to see you back safe." He hesitates to call it home for a moment. "You're always welcome in Ylisse, Hope. I imagine you'll have quite the story whenever you do."

It's always nice, having the Shepherds back together again like this. For the occasion, he wonders if he should call everyone together for a feast...

[dentos-wife]

If my math are right, Chrom would have been 29 in the OG timeline. Robin does not have a canon age due to being an avatar with 3models that seems to go from a range of 13 to over 29 but some people have theorized that it's Robin's birth that made the Exalt King, Chrom's dad, wage a war against Plegia to get rid of Grima's possible vessel. This took place 15 years ago, so if we assume that Robin may have at least spend a short ammount of time with Valider or that the news spread after, that means Robin was around 15-16 at the begining of the game. There is also the terrible support chain between F!Robin and Aversa where Robin mentions that Aversa might be a dozen older than Chrom,when she is only 8. If we assume that Robin made that comment using her physical appearance as a criteria (since in her support with Noire she acknowldege that she doesn't remember her age, but she just states that she is young), than that pretty much backs it up as this would mean that Robin is 3 years younger than Chrom, hence 9 years younger than Aversa more or less. Finally, there is the 2nd gen. Lucina and her friends are around the same age, but in the japanese version, Lucina mentions that she is was 16 years old when she traveled back to the past and stayed 2 years, making her 18 years old. This means all the 2nd units are around that age while keeping in mind that if they arrived and stayed in this timeline earlier than they ended up being older than 18 (for example Laurent). Severa, is called a child by Chrom, considering that she most likely is around 17 years old and that her father will comment that girl her age likes dress and in her support with F!Robin, Severa mentions that they are about the same age and that other future character like Owain and Gerome looks older than her (but to be fair they look older than their own mother, at least in this world) So that means that Robin would be around 15-16 pre timeskip, 17-18 post timeskip. Meaning that Future Fell Robin was barely 26 when all the shenanigans happened.

That's speculation however, so far the only canon thing about Robin is they don't like carrot and their cooking skills is a bigger mysteries than Bermuda Triangle and Intys is still using the multiverse excuse to make believe that default Robin is just another version of our Avatar to not invalidate anything (have it smooth Intys) but it's most likely that in the canon timeline Robin is a fresh adult whereas Fell Robin was in his late 20... while keeping in mind that in the game Chrom though they were twin.... not siblings with a 10 year age gap, but literal twins...

But ultimately Robin possesed by Grima shares his 2 000 year old and we can still wonder if the percentage of Naga Blood used to make Grima does'nt make Robin age slower or some stuff like this

Your reasoning seems solid enough to me. I always just picked a random age for Grima and used 25 so neat I was close!

I think in Awakening the reason for the models being the same is simply, less effort to make it. I would guess if Awakening got remake they'd get some upgrades and we'd have a 2 years later design for everyone and Grima might look slightly different. I say this because look at 3H and their two separate time skips and how well they went over, so they could potentially do some changes.

Or they could do absolutely nothing, depends on if they want to be Fire Emblem Echoes level or...Pokemon BDSP level

[fireemblems24]

Dimitri's Supports

I have waited FOREVER for this. Let's go. And I decided to put my patience to the test, saving Dedue for last.

Since it's Dimitri and I love him, and like Dedue who I also love, he's the only one unlocking all his A-Supports, I'm going to blog all my reactions to them like I did with Dedue. Part of me wishes I thought of this for the other characters, but honestly it would've taken forever lol. Plus Dimitri and Dedue get special treatment because I said so.

Raphael

Starting off with something light hearted, I hope. I do wonder if I'm going to regret not saving this one for the inevitably heavy-handed stuff coming later.

I'm seriously betting this is a support you're supposed to get in part 1 lol. Dimitri sounds young (or maybe I'm just haven't heard non-growl part 2 Dimitri enough yet?)

Dimitri's training made Raphael think he was dying lol. Dimitri's strength is really meme tier.

I need fanart of Dimitri and Chrom co-miserating their mishandled strength breaking something. And Lucina.

Lamo, Raphael has never felt a cramp before. Lucky bastard.

Raphael is a sweetie, going to apologize to his muscles. I really wish they gave him something else to talk about other than muscles and food. Not everyone needs Dimitri tier development, but I think I'd like Raphael a lot more if he just got a smidge more depth.

Got to say, it's a bit jarring to go from "moments away from a suicide charge in the rain" to "lol, Raphael, it's muscle pain." As glad as I am that I got this support, I do think some should've been locked to part 1.

And this isn't just for Dimitri's development. I also saw Marianne and Raphael's B before this support and she reverted back to her part 1 self too.

Catherine

Maybe it's just me, but he does sound a bit older.

OMG - Dimitri's back. 😭😭😭

Sorry, it didn't really hit in that first one since that seemed like a part 1 support.

Oh, cool! I was wondering if anyone would bring up Catherine returning to Faerghus. My bets is she's too loyal to Rhea. (I guessed right)

Catherine be simpin. That's ok, I get it.

So it's not because Catherine dislikes Dimitri, or that she's absolutely needed to rule House Charon, so I think Dimitri just likes her. She's cool though. I get it.

Lamo, she told him he'd better get his sleep like he's a kid.

Curious how the A+ support will play out.

Mercedes

Team Mom's support!

Oh, no, this one's taking a serious turn isn't it? But their initial supports were so light and cute.

Mercedes just told Dimitri that he's kind to a fault. Somehow I know he's going to deny that.

Annnnnd I'm right 😭😭😭He's still calling himself a killer and disgusting monster 😭😭😭

OK - so THIS seems perfectly in tone with his recent character development. But it's so sad hearing him still talk about himself that way.

Mercedes is such a therapist. I can't. She's too pure. But savage. I saw that Lorenz support.

"I am scared . . . so scared that I will forget their faces." 😭😭😭😭😭😭 Dimitri why????

Mercedes telling Dimitri to live in the present. Her supports are always so good. I legit think she's easily a top 10 favorite in this game.

Wow, Dimitri saying if someone told him that 5 years ago, he'd be different. DID NO ONE EVER GIVE HIM ANY HELP AT ALL???

I love how she's talking to him as a classmate, and equal, and not talking up to him. He's always wanted that.

Dimitri's never given his own dreams any thought 😭😭😭He really was just 100% living for other people most of the time. 😭😭😭

Awww MERCEDES, I can't. She says she just wants to keep being his friend. This is so damn sweet. And heavy. But still sweet.

It just hits super hard knowing how badly Dimitri just wanted friends in part 1. And looking back, Mercedes and Sylvain were really the only two who were pretty casual with him.

Aww, yeah, Mercedes not putting up with the bullshit, Dimitri. Telling him to quit the self-deprecation! God, I love her.

Oh, God, they both said the old FE code for "we're married" i.e. I want to "stay by your side."

Ok, @garlandgerard, I totally get why you ship this. Mercedes loves to nurture people, and Dimitri's emotionally needy, so they match pretty well. She also didn't put up with the constant self-put-downs, but stayed gentle about it. And they talked like equals too, like friends, which is what Dimitri always wanted. It's all very sweet.

Annette

Yeah, see, this one starts off with "your highness," but Mercedes it was just Dimitri. No hate for Annette. She's my girl.

These two always give me sibling vibes.

Haha, Annette "I thought I already knew you, but I'm not sure I really do." Hmmmm wonder what Dimitri did that made her think that maybe there's parts of him she didn't know. No. idea.

Hey, Annette, no one blames you for not knowing what to say to Dimitri when they reunited lol.

Annette too pure too, wanting to cheer Dimitri up with his favorite food.

Her not knowing what he likes to eat is 100% that moment when you realize you don't know someone's favorite color.

HOW can Dimitri have no strong feelings about food. I'm having pizza right now. Let me tell you, I have strong feelings about some food.

I love how easily Dimitri deflected from talking about himself lol.

Awwww, Annette wants to live with her family again. I'll make that happen, Annette. Don't worry.

Haha, they're conspiring together behind Gilbert's back.

They still have an A+ support, which is weird, because that seemed pretty well ended? Like I see why Catherine's needed more, but not this one. Still, not going to say no. I like their dynamic.

Ingrid

OCF they're training. God I love all the Faerghus childhood group though.

Oh, fuck, here comes Glenn again. My heart's not ready for this with Rodrigue dead. Poor Felix.

Ingrid being Dimitri's knight 😊😊😊 as it should be.

Haha, Dimitri asks her for an interpretation. Just make her your knight.

Glad he hasn't started saying "I'm not worthy!" Because right now it's about Ingrid's feelings.

Wow, there, Ingrid. "However you please, Your Highness." That . . . that sounds like an invitation. To "staying by your side."

Dimitri laughed. 😊😊😊

Oh, God, this is so cute. His pause asking her to support and defend him as his knight. 😊😊😊 OMG. I'm not sure that's all she had in mind though, good Sir, have you LOOKED in the mirror?

Seriously though, Ingrid's just surrounded by studs, isn't she?

Oh, God, I'm right. She didn't just mean knight. But Dimitri's too dense in that area to notice. She crushing hard. Girl, I get you.

She blushing, saying "for the Kingdom," naw, she just like him. Me too, Ingrid. Me too.

Dimitri always makes people promise not to die on him. It's so sad considering . . .

Flayn

With Flayn it's always a toss up. Sometimes things are super light hearted, and other times it's way heavy.

On a random note, does no one wonder why Flayn hasn't aged a day in 5 years?

Flayn having nightmares. Not allowed. I bet it's fucking Jeritza's fault. I'm glad you get to rip him a new one so many times in this game.

Why is Flayn apologizing?? She's never done a thing wrong in her life.

Right, Flayn's other support with Dimitri was pretty heavy. And it started so funny with him stomaching her food.

Oh, good grief, what's he apologizing for? Ok - so Dimitri did do some things wrong. But not to Flayn.

He lied. Let me guess. Her food actually sucks.

Aw, got it. He went right to the meal. Is he really going to come out and say, well it actually sucked 😂

WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK

WHAT ABOUT ALL THOSE MEALS???? AND THE TEA an embarrassing amount of tea.

Wait. He can't taste ANYTHING??? Like. How? Did he hide that????

Ok - I need to look at his team and dining dialogue.

OMG. He really never says a word about how anything tastes? He always just talks about smells????

OMG. How did I NOT NOTICE. I've taken Dimitri to dinner a million times. And tea timed him too many times to admit too.

AND I NEVER NOTICED HE NEVER ONCE SAID HOW ANYTHING TASTED. HOW.

OMG that support with Annette hits different now 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

OMG and Dedue's support with Flayn hits different now. Since he wanted to badly to find food Dimitri loves 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Does Dedue know? Is that why he's so dedicated to cooking??

Can I headcannon that?

OMG, I feel so awful about that jab about pizza. Dimitri CAN'T TASTE pizza or anything 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Please someone tell me there isn't any more "this awful thing also happened to Dimitri and he's failed to tell you" like learning he almost fucking died at Duscur. And now this. Dimitri needs to learn how to fucking complain.

The writers are so fucking mean to Dimitri. OMG. OMG, how am I supposed to take him to dinner and tea now, knowing this?

Why does everything hit so differently now? And so many Blue Lions supports are about food - but Dimitri can't relate

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

This game needs to stop bullying Dimitri.

But like, God, can you imagine? Not tasting anything? I'd starve. I'd actually starve. I never really get hungry. I really would starve.

On the flip side, he's good for Flayn then, since someone can eat her cooking I guess.

"I was just saying what I thought you would want to hear . . ." Dimitri - a summary.

Naw, that's a kind lie. That kind of lie doesn't really hurt anyone.

Oh - dear God. Flayn. Stop. No sampling pungent food.

Oh, she blushing. Dimitri got her blushing

Please tell me in their paired ending Dimitri gets his taste back.

Oh, there's an A+, does he taste something. Please tell me he tastes something.

This support though. It wasn't really one on my radar but

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Gilbert

Oh, man, this one right after Flayn's. God, I'm going to need the Alois one after this. Gilbert and Dimitri are two of the most somber characters in the franchise.

And I haven't forgotten that heartbreaking B support.

Haha Lambert sucked at lying too. Dimitri too pure. Weirdly, despite everything, it's still pretty true.

Oh, shit, oh shit, we're back to Dimitri's demand that Gilbert kill him. I'm betting you usually get that in part 2.

God, imagine seeing Dimitri recover only to see him beg for death again 😭😭😭😭😭😭

I need alcohol.

I need the Alois support.

OMG, shit, Dimitri. No. Don't. Stop.

Like, I know Gilbert won't really kill him, but damn. This support is heavy.

No, Dimitri, no Gilbert is not cruel for not killing you. God.

Oh, not sure about this. I get what Gilbert's going at here, but telling Dimitri that he's not allowed to die because he's got a duty is . . . I think Rodrigue's and Mercedes' live for what you want/the present is a LOT healthier.

At the same time, this is a pretty effective way to make sure Dimitri won't go and try this again, because he really takes duty seriously.

Dimitri doesn't wish to die? 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Oh, thank God.

"Many times I have felt that I cannot afford to die . . . But this was the first time I truly feared the prospect." 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

"Is it really right for me to live?" Oh, dear God. I'm so soft for Dimitri. I can't.

Gilbert answered that one right. 100%.

Damn, these supports.

Alois

OK. I need this one. I really need this one.

I really hope Alois' inspiration is bad puns. I need bad puns right now.

Pretty sure this is a part 1 support though. I love how Alois, not Dimitri, is leading this. And that the person the Kingdom NEEDS is running around and getting attacked by monsters lol

Ok, bad puns. Bring them.

There we go. Thank you, thank you, Alois.

OMG no one's laughing 😂😂😂

Dimitri's laughing 😭😭😭😭😭😭

That's it. This is always getting saved for part 2. I need to hear part 2 Dimitri laugh.

I'm also so glad someone finds Alois funny. Dimitri and Petra need to start a club.

OMG I love the two other confused soldiers. I needed this 😂😂😂

Marianne

These two were so sweet in their C and B supports.

I swear I'm going to end up shipping Dimitri with everyone. Except maybe Annette, no hate, they just seem so much like brother and sister to me.

And Felix x Annette 100%

Survivor's Guilt - the pairing. Both wondering why they survived 😭😭😭

"There are so many others who are much more deserving of life . . ." - who said it? Marianne or Dimitri?

These two just understand how each other feels so well. It hits so different compared to Marianne's other romantic possible supports where they just try to make her smile.

Instead these two take comfort in finding someone who understands how they feel so well and feel relieved they can share that with someone.

Haha - "I must go on living. I cannot give in to death so readily." This coming right after his support with Gilbert. Good job, Gilbert.

They've both had it so rough 😭😭😭😭😭😭

"There is no need to force yourself to smile as your soul bleeds." Dimitri always gives such good advice that he never follows.

Aww, now at least it's getting cute instead of just heavy. Marianne laughed too 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Yesss, Girl, preach. I got a little sick of her other supports all being "cheer up!" Like I know it's all in good faith, but I'm so glad this chain exists. It just hits different.

Dimitri doesn't think he's strong enough to live his life. 😭😭😭 this game. I swear.

ohhhh - ohhh, Dimitri blushing now. And all she needed to say was they've been brought closer together. Congrats Marianne!

OHHHH tables have been turned. Now someone's making Dimitri promise he needs to live!

"I don't know what I'd do with myself if we lost you . . ."

"I promise to the goddess of Fodlan that I will never give you cause for despair."

OMG these two are being so sweet, I can't. 😭😭😭😊😊😊

Felix

Oh, boy, here we go. This should be . . . interesting.

Oh, we're starting off good I see. Felix telling Dimitri he needs to answer quickly or get cut in half 😔Felix. No.

Dimitri sounds so somber 😭

Dimitri admitting both are him - the vengeful "boar" and the friendly good person. And this is why I love him.

Dimitri feels the need to shoulder all the regret the dead feel, please don't. They wouldn't want that 😭😭😭😭😭

"The dead won't acknowledge your loyalty, they don't care." - Felix not wrong there.

I partly agree with the idea Dimitri is "serving his own ego" by claiming he's acting for the dead. I think it's a bit more complicated than that, but I think that's part of it.

Felix saying some good stuff here about the dead being dead and the living being living.

"If you keep stringing gravestones around your neck, you'll snap." - Felix, I don't know if you noticed but . . . uh . . . he sort of did.

Felix telling Dimitri to become a grave keeper is a bit funny. Not going to lie.

"I'm not immune to emotion you know." - just tsunderes things

Aw, Felix is upset his father died 😭😭 after all that shit-talking about Rodrigue 😭😭

Wish Felix didn't cut Dimitri off when he said "more than anyone you-" (care about other people, unless he joins CF and just kills everyone)

Oh, God, Felix is such a tsundere. "I couldn't stand the pathetic look on your face. That's all." Sure, Felix.

Kinda wish these two had an A+ though. Seems like there's more to do than the A+ with Annette and Flayn.

Really curious to see what their paired ending is like after that. Seems they're still learning to learn about each other. Well, Felix is. Dimitri didn't seem too upset lol.

Dedue

Ok guys. Here we go. I can't believe I managed to wait for this for last. Everyone hyped this one, so let's hope.

Really? We open with Dimitri having scars on his back? 😭

From 9 years ago? So scars from Duscur then?

Images of shirtless Dimitri now. though Not bad images.

He got scars protecting Dedue?

"It makes me think that is was worthwhile that someone like me survived." 😭😭😭 he's talking about protecting Dedue? 😭😭😭

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

"But I saved someone - saved you. That and that alone has been my crutch." 😭😭😭😭😭

I always knew these two were co-dependent.

Dimitri really out here saying that saving Dedue helped him "justify" surviving. 😭😭😭😊😊😊

OMG THAT'S THEIR STORY

OMG, poor Dedue. And Dimitri 😭😭😭did he literally "take a bullet" to save Dedue 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 and still has scars? No wonder Dedue's so loyal. Some kid he didn't know did that. That's one hell of an introduction.

And picturing little Dedue just resigned and angry and waiting to die and just 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Oh, Dedue, you've repaid that debt ten-fold I'm sure.

Ahaha, Dimitri's doing the "you'd better accept your worth!" discussion this time lol.

Dear God these two. Now Dimitri's bringing up that Dedue busted him out of the jail.

I swear, these two have more of a plot off screen than some routes do on screen.

And now picturing Dimitri resigned and just ready to die. And then Dedue busts in. 😭😭😭

"That was nothing more than my duty as your vassal." Stop that Dedue. Dimitri doesn't want you to be his vassal. He wants more.

Holy shit.

"You are irreplaceable. Cherished." 😭😭😭😊😊😊😭😭😭😊😊😊😭😭😭😊😊😊😭😭😭😊😊😊

Not to be that person - but I tell all my "friends" that.

Yes, Dedue, stop saying insisting you're just a "vassal" - that's a worse joke than Alois' puns from earlier.

"Please . . . do not look at me that way." What way, like you're about to make Dimitri cry, or like . . .

"You promised me you would build a Kingdom that is proud to boast of Duscur blood." - shit, man, these two. I just . . .

OMG so much emotion from Dedue. The only time I ever heard that before was in VW when he learned Dimitri died. But let's not remember that right now 😭😭😭😭😭😭

Oh shit. He called him "Dimitri." 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

And it made him blush.

OMG.

Guys, these two.

Aww, Dimitri looks so surprised. 😊😊😊😊😊😊

Oh, these two are so soft for each other. I can't. I just can't.

"To be your friend . . . is what I have always wanted." You're going to get it.

Man, I feel almost guilty S-Supporting Dimitri. He needs to pair up with Dedue pronto.

Dimitri sounds chocked up. OMG.

"So please call upon me when you walk alone at night." Ok. Dedue. Ok. Yes. Guys. This is all very straight.

I'm not saying it's - you know - cannon, but there's some big feels here.

Oh, Dimitri, stop it. You like Dedue's overprotectiveness. Don't lie.

Man, you guys were so right. Dimitri really just came out and said Dedue was "cherished" and "irreplaceable." Like, I'm not making this stuff up. And Dedue blushing hardcore just saying Dimitri's name.

They're both just so soft. I can't. I literally cannot. This support was gold. It was worth all they hype.

And learning more about how they meant. Dimitri really taking a bullet for Dedue there. I just . . .

I just want all the happiness for both of them. They're really something special towards each other. Like I legitimately think this is one of the most two-way loyal relationships in the whole franchise, and definitely the tightest bond in this game.

Like in past games you had Seth for Ephraim and Erikia and Soren for Ike and it's not like Ike, Ephraim and Erikia and etc don't care, but it wasn't the same level, you know? But this is such a two way street.

And I'm so weak for bodyguard with a crush. Like Seth/Eirika? Yes. Geoffrey/Elincia? 100%. Riza/Roy (Fullmetal Alchemist) there again. I'm sure there's more, but those are my top ones. Even Merlin/Arthur sort of counts even if Arthur doesn't know Merlin's his bodyguard lol.

I need to read fanfic for these two. I really don't want to spoil anything, but I'm dying. They're both just so sweet, and I just really love their dynamic. I really want to do a write up on it once I get to the end of the game.

[thehallofgame]

Review: Fire Emblem Awakening

My Rating: 9/10

Release: 2012

                Fire Emblem Awakening was the miracle that brought a series back from the dead… and convinced me to buy a 3DS. For a time it was the best selling game on the system, which is incredible considering Nintendo consoles are almost constantly dominated by the company’s juggernaut franchises i.e. Zelda and the Mario family of tittles. I’ve heard it said that Awakening was meant to be the final entry in the series but given several factors, including the fact that there were vastly more copies available to consumers than in previous entries (it’s very difficult and expensive to obtain any entry prior to Awakening due to scarcity and collectors not selling), the beautifully done advertising campaign and the near flawless execution of the game, I really doubt that the franchise was seriously expected to die out after this entry. Either way it most certainly didn’t.

              Awakening is set in the same world as the earliest games in the series, the same world that also hosted the recently released Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia. This story, however, is set hundreds of years after those entries and all the exploits of the earlier games have faded into myth and legend. The player is put in the shoes of a customizable avatar who, despite amnesia, possesses amazing tactical acumen and is soon recruited by Prince Chrom of the Halidom of Ylisse.

              Ylisse currently holds the series’ titular Fire Emblem and is under attack by a neighboring country with the goal of taking the powerful relic from them. That is not the only problem, however, as mysterious undead monsters have begun appearing all throughout the realm along with a mysterious warrior calling himself Marth after an ancient hero of Ylisse. It involves spoilers, but as it has been years since the game has launched I’ll say it anyway: the real hook of Awakening is that Marth is actually Chrom’s daughter, born during the events of the game, who has traveled back from the future in order to prevent an apocalypse that destroyed her world.

              Once that has been revealed the plot resolves into a quest to prevent the events that ultimately resulted in the resurrection of an evil dragon-god and a war that killed basically everyone. The game takes place over what is implied to be many years, though the character art never changes to reflect aging (even and annoyingly in characters who were quite young at the start of the game). During that time the characters fight in several wars but the through-line remains trying to alter or prevent significant events that set the world on a dark path.

              These wars are all fought as a small party battle after battle, even when it’s been stated that Chrom has a sizable army to his name. The game does a decent job of justifying why a man with thousands of troops takes only about twenty warriors into every battle with him but it remains an obvious gameplay conceit.

              The combat is the tactical RPG style that made Fire Emblem iconic. The player moves troops around isometric maps, trying to maximize advantages and shield their most vulnerable troops from attack. This game features the core weapon triangle where each of the three main weapons, sword, lance and axe, have an advantage over one of the other weapons and are weak to the other. Meanwhile ranged mages and archers can attack from a distance but are vulnerable to head on attacks and must be shielded. This game also features a recruitable character of the Villager class, which is kind of a pre-warrior class that begins weaker than all the other characters but if leveled up can easily become one of the strongest characters in the player’s arsenal. All of these characters can progress up to twenty levels and then use a consumable item to promote to an advanced form of their class with either new abilities or a massive power bonus. Every standard class, including Chrom’s Lord class and the avatar’s tactician class, can promote once. The villager class can promote twice.

              Awakening also features three special classes which don’t promote. Instead these characters can progress to level thirty and then use a Second Seal which allows any character at level ten and up to either reset their class to level one or switch to another class and gain new abilities as they level. Either level helps increase character flexibility and ensures characters can continue growing well into the final stages of the game.

              These special classes include the dancer, a weak sword user who’s primary use is a special ability which allows a character from the player’s army who has already acted to take a second move that turn. Awakening also features two shapeshifting races: the Manakete who turn into dragons and the taguel who are were-rabbits. Were-rabbits don’t sound like they’d be very effective in combat but they happen to be very, very big rabbits who develop abilities that make them deadly to mounted enemies. Both Manaketes and Taguel are also not included on the weapons triangle which makes them exceptionally effective.

              The support system- where troops can build a relationship by fighting in adjacent tiles or healing one another- returns and is more expansive than ever. Not only can troops build relationships with as many characters they have dialogue with in the game they can also reached a special S rank (above the usual C, B, A tiers of friendship) with select opposite gendered troops which will allow the two to marry. Once a pair is married a special ‘paralogue’ mission appears on the map. These paralogues, in addition to hosting special non-story missions, also hold additional children characters that came back in time with Chrom’s daughter.

              These recruitment missions are some of the hardest of the game as the player usually has to rush to protect a low level child who will happily rush headlong into combat. They’re also going to need to get Chrom or the child’s mother adjacent to the new character to speak with them. Failing either of these goals will result in the child either dying or not joining the party. Recruiting these characters is well worth the effort, however, as they’re easily stronger than their parents, even at starting levels. Each child is assigned to a set mother and will have a different father (and hair color) depending on who the player marries the mother to. The most interesting thing the children get from their parents, however, is their combination of abilities which they inherit regardless of class. This means these characters can start with the ability to attack multiple times in a round or survive lethal damage with one HP right off the bat.

              They also have a full set of supports to earn with their parents as well as eachother so there’s plenty more room for building new relationships. Luckily Awakening is built to support this with random encounters appearing all over the map with high frequency. The player can also purchase an item to summon enemy encounters to the map, meaning they can build all the relationships and grind character levels up as high as they want before finishing the game.

              Awakening was also beautifully aesthetically finished with diverse and well-written characters and consistently beautiful character art and sprites (though the sprites have somewhat unnerving peg-legs that lack feet). The game also features a truly impressive soundtrack to support its’ touching story which was strong enough to stand on its own and was made delightfully deeper by the interplay of Lucina’s attempt to change history and save her parents and friends.

              Awakening, despite a freshly revitalized series and two heavy hitting sequels, is still the best Fire Emblem on the 3DS. It has tight construction and feels immaculately finished. The progression feels good and no matter the difficulty setting the gradual increase of challenge throughout the story feels good. This game is a must-play on the 3DS and has something for just about everyone looking for a bit of thoughtful gameplay and poignant story on the go.