War Games: Part 2

I'll admit that for this entry, I've stared at my computer screen for more than an hour, and in that time couldn't come up with a better opening paragraph.  Also, I accidentally clicked the html button on my toolbar and almost scrapped this blog when I couldn't make out the dribble.  I'm on a tactical-RPG kick right now, so let's get to it.

Grand Kingdom: Demo (PS Vita)

Touted by many to be the spiritual successor to Grand Knights History for the PSP, this Spike Chunsoft production takes place on the war-torn continent of Resonail where, as the above pic implies, the player joins a famous mercenary group that answers only to the almighty dollar (or coin).

Once assembled, your team must reach their objective on a world map within the number of turns allowed.  Battles begin when the team approaches an enemy unit.

Unlike the grid-based battles of Fire Emblem, units engage the enemy and support one another in a more traditional turn-based system.  Units can also control the trajectory of any ranged actions (somewhat).

The completion of a mission is rewarded with gold and miscellaneous items, which can be sold on the spot for more gold.

The demo stops at an option to hire new team members with gold.

Shining Force Classics (Mobile)

Part of the SEGA Forever line of mobile games, Shining Force Classics is a compilation of the first 2 Shining tactical games plus Shining in the Darkness, a dungeon crawler.  I've barely played the first Shining Force while waiting at the doctor's office.

Whisked away to the land of Rune, you're recruited by Simone to save her world from really bad stuff.

With no time to lose, you now serve the kingdom of Guardiana as the king's top knight.

Before the adventure begins, you've got plenty of time to learn the lay of the land and chat it up with the locals . . .

Before you're eventually picked up by other warriors to form the titular Force.

Then I was called by the doctor and off I went.  It was that moment that I knew . . . I f-cked up and forgot to save before closing the game.  Oh well, on to the next one which, of course, comes from the Fire Emblem series.

Fire Emblem: Sword of Seals (GBA)

Better known as Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade, this was one of 3 FE games released for the Game Boy Advance, and the only one not localized for worldwide distribution.  Rather than buy the cartridge and bank on my limited Japanese, I've instead opted for an "unauthorized" translation.  And that's all I'll say about that.

Instead of starting the main game, you can also play a tutorial, where Cecilia walks you through the basics.

Though the gameplay is classic FE, my retro side is very pleased with the simple visual presentation here compared to the 3D models of later titles.

 Capture the enemy's castle and it's Mission Accomplished, much like the earlier titles.


Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn (Nintendo Wii)

The sequel to Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance for the Nintendo GameCube, these are probably the 2 most sought-after FE games on the secondhand market, with the latter going for as much as $200.  I got this one for much less and jumped in, again starting something I never want to end.

Micaiah and Sothe are members of the Dawn Brigade, a ragtag group fighting to free their homeland from the cruel Begnion Empire.

Besides the updated visuals, nothing's changed as far as gameplay's concerned.  However . . .

Early on if the player loses any of his party members in battle, it's Game Over, forcing the player to rethink his every move.

Lastly, I've spent last week playing Advance Wars 2 at work.  Also after weeks of online shopping, bargain hunting and dumpster diving, it finally dawned on me that I should really stop and focus on what I have.  That said, my next post will definitely cover my DVR backlog.  After that, I hope to dive back into building plastic models.  Please look forward to it as I get up on my feet and continue my journey to the Top of the Heap.