Tech: Top 5 Overlooked GameCube Games, Part 3

Before I started playing Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, I had never played a "Fire Emblem" game before. Developed by Intelligent Systems, this venerable line of strategy-RPGs has been very popular in Japan but made its first home console debut in America with Path of Radiance.

It's available for $20 or less, and, in truth, it's probably the best RPG I've played in recent memory. It cuts all the fat out of the tradional FF/DQ Japanese RPG - there's no wandering around in dungeons, no slogging through endless conversations with townspeople, and no grinding. There is simply story, managing the army, and battle - lots of battle. The game does a great job of easing you in, and after about 5 missions, you become very comfortable.

The crux of Fire Emblem has always been ferocious turn-based battles and massive amounts of story in-between them. Literally dozens of units will join your army, each with their own unique backstory and characteristics. Plan carefully, and that puny archer kid who joined your army 15 battles ago will become a powerhouse - but if you play sloppily and get him killed, you lose him forever.

Yes, character deaths are permanent - there are no Phoenix Downs and no resurrection spells. This adds a ton of stress to the battles - unlike FF Tactics, where you have some leeway with reviving people, if you send your helpless healer into the fray unescorted by stronger units, she'll literally get cut down in a single turn. Every move becomes critical, every attack becomes a nail-biter, and it's great fun because of it.