Hey guys. I might not be posting for a while (due to horrible circumstances that are way beyond the scope of this blog), but I thought I’d let you in on what’s spinning in my Wii. It’s a Gamecube game.
Fire Emblem. Seriously, it is really great. It’s like (my favorite old favorite) Shining Force if SF had any idea what real strategy games were like. The storyline seems to thematically be about people being assholes to one another, and it feels much more modern than RPGs usually do. No ancient evil (yet =P), no dark overlord, just mortal beings. The difficulty is near-perfect (maybe a tad extra spicy, but that’s a good thing), and there’s just enough complexity to make it interesting. I paid $10, but I really should have bought this sooner. I’d have paid the $50 for this experience. Level-grinders like Disgaea soured me on SRPGs, but this has been a breath of fresh air.
I wasn’t sure how well GC backward compatibility would really pan out, but now that I’m playing this and a few other games acquired on the cheap, it seems like the Wii relates to the GC like the DS does to the GBA. Nicely. Sure, the GC library isn’t as great as the GBA’s, but it has moments of greatness ripe for appreciation.
Speaking of the Wii itself, I can’t find fault with it. Outside those conjectural little promises Nintendo made that didn’t work out (they always do that), it is better than I expected. While the PS2 had been occupying my “favorite console” spot due to necessity rather than actual liking (it’s all in the games), the Wii has taken over.
Reassurances for the dedicated, concerned reader (if i have one): I’ll be back when things are better. Comments will be replied to, etc. I hang out at #allyourbase on irc.gamesurge.net when I have a spare moment.







I think there are a lot of things to like about the Wii and a lot of things that Nintendo of Japan are just going to have to become a bit less conservative about for the system to succeed. I remember the N64 having an amazing launch period with tons of hype but no follow-up and we all remember how that turned out. Virtual Console prices are ridiculous. I’m ashamed to admit I’ve spent $30 there.
One thing they definitely got right however is backwards compatibility with the cube. At the same time, I’m afraid that Ninty purposely slashed prices on cube software to get people buying wii-mote enhanced sequels with very similar graphics. Battalion Wars and Fire Emblem both have a sequel due this year. I think Ninty has a fear that people will recognize they are buying slightly gussied up versions of cube games being dubbed as “sequels” with new controls. At the same time, I think FE and BW will be great on the system. Both great games. Wish I had time to play them.
Comment by pr0fessional — January 15, 2007 @ 12:43 am
I’ve spent $50 on VC. I’ve been enamored with every purchase, but it IS a little steep.
Today, I spent $40 on Saturn games. Both Panzer Dragoons and Dark Savior. They were worth it, but I feel more bad about those purchases than my VC ones. There’s practically no other way to play these, and the prices were good though. PDZ is still great.
I’ll feel fine about them once I have a job and I’m not hanging by shoestrings. For now, I can’t pay for any more Wii Points.
I think retailers slashed prices on cubeware because the Cube is going out. GC games didn’t sell too well, and they want to get rid of last-gen ware. Even if the games are still very playable. And playing GC Fire Emblem makes me want its Wii sequel. I might have to pick up the GBA games too. Nintendo is made of franchises, and more love for them is never bad.
Comment by tanukisan — January 17, 2007 @ 12:53 am