Honestly, I'm very excited for the new fire emblem. Games need to evolve, and that's what's happening. The game is evolving. I love the original formula as much as the next guy, maybe more. But I'm also okay with change and I'm a fan of evolution. If the formula works, great! But you can only keep the same formula for so long. So, IS is changing it. They've changed it before, and it's worked. They've changed it for worse, too. It's okay to have your opinions on what's good and what isn't. It's alright to like a mechanic, and it's alright to hate one. You can dislike a game because you didn't appreciate the experience, and you can love a game because it was one of the best times you've had in a while. There's a great deal of ways to look at it. But what it comes down to, is, that in an ever changing industry, you need to change with it. There are more casual players in fire emblem now more than ever, and that's partially thanks to Awakening. I know a lot of people dislike Awakening, for a number of reasons, but regardless of how you feel about it, It saved the series. It also brought in people of all skill levels, ages, and demographics into the series for the first time and has gotten people to love Fire Emblem in the same way we do. That's good. That's VERY good. I know it might have been too easy in some ways for some people, and That can be a problem. Except for the part where it's OPTIONAL.

You might not want to hear it, but Casual mode was OPTIONAL. If you don't like it, don't use it. That's not how I'd like to word it, but that's simply it. Don't use it. It's existence isn't going to ruin your experience, and if it does, you have more to worry about than casual mode, and you should go figure yourself out, before you try and figure out why an easy mode was added to a game.

Let's look at FE:IF. Changes to the weapon triangle? That's some thing to worry about or get upset over. Removal of weapon durability? I guess you can get upset over that, but I'm okay with it. I understand the issue. These things are NOT optional, and you have to deal with it, and that's understandable, when it comes to frustration. I understand that these changes can be upsetting to people. I feel bad for these people, having to deal with something they don't wanna deal with in their favorite game. I feel for you. I do. But we should move on, as I'm running out of time on my lunch break to sit here and type why you shouldn't hate a game that you haven't played yet.

My castle and phoenix mode. (I think that's what it's called?) Phoenix mode? Not a big deal. It really isn't. Just don't use it if you don't like it. I know people who are fucking STUPID. They'll appreciate their Donnell not dying five seconds into recruiting him. That's really for the super casuals. I'm not gonna use it, but it doesn't bother me. My castle, though, why all the hate? You don't have to deal with it. It's not going to penalize you for not using it. It's only there to make things easier and more enjoyable to the people who CHOOSE to use it, and CHOOSE to enjoy it. If it's not for you, or you don't like it, there's nothing wrong with it. It's simply another prompt for you to ignore. And that's okay. The only disadvantage I could possibly think of is against other players. And yeah, that can be frustrating. But if you're so into fighting other players? You should WELCOME every chance you get to better your characters. But against AI? It might make things a little more challenging, and there's no problem with that. Not one that I can think of, anyway.

When it comes down to it, These are changes that IS is making so they can appeal to as many players as they can. I'm not telling you that your criticisms are unwelcome, nor am I telling you to stop feeling the way you feel. I'm just asking that you stop the negativity in the face of something you haven't tried yet. Give it a shot before you make your judgments. It's still a fire emblem game, for a new group of players in a new time. You're not being forgotten, and IS hasn't forgotten about us. They're just doing what they think is best to make sure Fire Emblem gets as big as it can. FE:IF Might even get as big as Mario or Legend of zelda! You never know. Anything that can get Fire emblem bigger and better, I'm all for.

I'm skeptical of these changes, but I'm welcoming them. Change is good. The idea of it, anyway. Either way i'm excited.

Just my two cents, for what it's worth. And Let's be like Ike! Fight FOR our friends, not WITH them!