Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon

Developer: Intelligent Systems
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: Feb. 16, 2009
System: Nintendo DS
ESRB Rating: E-10+
Official Web site

In a nutshell: OMG you guys if your guy dies he's, like, really dead!

0:00 The sum total of my experience with this series is about five minutes spent with the first GBA version at a 2003 media event. That and Roy and Marth in Super Smash Bros., of course.

0:01 A hazy, overhead view of an island over somber strings. Cut to a drawing of Roy (or perhaps Marth?) looking up through the haze at a girl with wings. Cut to a drawing of him fighting, another of a guy preparing to draw a sword against a horde. More drawings show a wizard with a staff, a child on a throne, a mighty slash through a dragon's hide. A close-up on a sword. Fade to white, then lightning in front of a castle. A white-bearded, devious-looking man. More lightning and ... title! Well, that was pointlessly vague.

0:03 In Hard mode, enemies are "Up to five degrees tougher." I don't know what that means, but it sounds a lot tougher! Normal mode, with its "special prologue" for beginners, sounds more my speed.

0:04 "Long ago, Medeus, king of the dragonkin, conquered the continent of Archanea." Duh! Tell me something I don't know. Age of fear and despair blah blah unlikely hero blah blah divine blade blah blah peace blah blah one century later blah blah fiendish sorcerer blah blah darkness threatened the kingdom again blah.

0:05 The king of Altea is off fighting while his son Marth stays home and tends to the kingdom. Until one day ... "Prince Marth ... Are you awake? Beggin' your pardon, sire, but the princess has asked to see you." A little early-morning booty call for Marth, eh? Heh heh heh.

Read the full review at Crispy Gamer