There are two series that I love more than anything else in the realms of gaming: The Legend of Zelda and Fire Emblem. These two franchises helped me discover my love of fantasy, distinguished my personal art style, and uncovered my passion for writing. Just as I have distinct memories of fondness for my earliest Zelda games, I also do for my first Fire Emblem game that is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. That game is Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance.
I consider myself lucky enough to have discovered this game back in the day. It was a few years after the game was released when my friends introduced me to this gem. Most of the video games I’ve come to adore were brought to my attention by two of my closest childhood friends. The younger brother introduced me to The Legend of Zelda by playing The Wind Waker and letting me watch his adventures across the high seas. It’s only fitting that the older brother showed me Path of Radiance later on down the line.
He was always into less mainstream games, which was how he wound up in possession of the game that is worth nearly $200 in the US — funny how things change over time. I specifically remember he was up to Chapter 14 because I commented on how Makalov, the character he was then trying to recruit, looked like a clown. Don’t tell me he doesn’t. However, that was not the character he wanted me to see.
He thought I might be interested in a fairly feline character named Lethe. I have a particular fondness for cats, so yes, he was correct and my interest was piqued. I did become very fond of her during my personal playthrough, but she was not the only character to catch my eye that fateful day. I also saw a character who would eventually become one of my all-time favorite characters. His name: Soren.
Alongside Link, Soren was one of my childhood crushes. He was so fascinating to me and to this day I still adore him and his unique story. It may have been his appearance that lured me in, but his story kept me on for the long run. From Path of Radiance to Radiant Dawn, this character’s journey kept me at the edge of my seat, wanting to know more. I loved him so much, I emailed Nintendo to ask if they would be putting him in Super Smash Bros. Brawl alongside Ike. They politely told me that they would like to keep the remaining characters a surprise until the game was released, which really just meant “no.” It’s funny how nowadays it seems they have no problem adding Fire Emblem characters into Smash Bros.
It was not just this one character, though. This game was filled to the brim with a collection of colorful characters! There were so many to get to know: Kieran, Ike, Mia, Nephenee, Tanith, Reyson — just to name a few of my personal favorites. I gave them all pet names as I got to know them and to this day I still give all Fire Emblem characters silly nicknames. I will never see the Oscar-Meyer brand and not think of Oscar.
Really, it was the game as a whole that had really made an impact on me. It was a hard game. It made me think. To this day I still sometimes struggle with certain levels, but never to the point of frustration (except maybe the long-winded Chapter 17). Still, it kept me on my toes. I’m one of those people who will not let a unit die and will totally reset if I lose a single one, so it also taught me patience. Boy, did it teach me patience.
When Radiant Dawn came around, you could unlock certain scenes by connecting your Path of Radiance data to it, so I did just that. I swear, I must have played through each game about six or seven times each just to get every little ounce out of it that I possibly could! Just that alone is a testament to how much I love this game.
Of course, as any favorite game, there are particular standout moments among them. In terms of story, there are so many lines of dialogue I remember practically word for word. I always found Ike and Elincia’s talks endearing and their final moments together in the cutscene “Queen Elincia” is one of my all-time favorite Fire Emblem moments. I’m also quite fond of Prince Reyson’s story and his escape from the clutches of Oliver. You will always see me crack a smile when it gets to the part where he punches Oliver in the face.
Then there’s the Black Knight, my absolute favorite Fire Emblem antagonist. Edie ain’t got nothin’ on him (yeah, I said it). He’s got quite the complicated history that carries on into Radiant Dawn, but during Path of Radiance, he is this invulnerable fortress of a man. He appears in several levels and no unit, no matter how high their level is, can even put a dent in his impenetrable armor. When he appeared in “Chapter 11: Blood Runs Red,” my heart nearly stopped. I had so many units in his range and he obliterated me. When I reset my game, I avoided that house he emerges from at all costs.
When I finally got to fight him, my heart was pumping. It’s a struggle to get there, but the amazing battle that is about to commence is all worth it. I was so scared. Every encounter with this fiend could only end in disaster up until this point. The battle started off slow, but as it goes on, Ike keeps knocking his health down further and further each time. My friend told me all about how to give Ike the Aether skill, which was only optional in Path of Radiance, and by some stroke of luck, Ike finished off the Black Knight with an amazing final strike and the fight was won. The tower crumbled and Nasir, the character I was longing to recruit, was able to flee in time and join my army. A victorious moment indeed.
I could go on forever about the countless memories this game has brought me. Each time I boot up Path of Radiance, I discover something new, which makes me love it even more. There are so many characters, stories, and adventures wrapped up in this little game disc: I know it’s a hard find nowadays, but if you can ever get your hands on it, love it and never let go. It will always be a precious treasure of mine and I can’t wait to play it again soon.
