Nintendo of America has gone and given the press an updated fact sheet on the upcoming Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn release for the Wii. That fact sheet can be read after the break, though it’s mostly rehashing what we know from the game’s previous release in Japan earlier this year.

At least one other thing besides the game’s language will be significantly changed for the game’s debut in North America, however. When Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn hits the Western Hemisphere, it will do so in widescreen. 16:9 support will be added as a new feature for the release in North America and likely for European and Australian release as well. Epic, hm?

The full fact sheet can be read after the break. UPDATE: Apparently, the fact sheet has a few character spoilers, so read on with precaution!

KEY INFORMATION
Three years have passed since the great war that ended in the death of Mad King Ashnard. His country of Daein suffers under the rule of the war’s victors. Now, a small band of freedom fighters struggle to end the long, dark night of Daein’s oppression. Micaiah, Sothe and a host of others - the infamous “Dawn Brigade” - rally under the banner of Daein’s long-lost prince to bring a new day to this ravaged land.

• Command the Dawn Brigade and learn the story of their struggle. Then, gain a new perspective by joining Ike and the Greil Mercenaries as they watch Daein’s battles spread throughout all of Tellius.
• Players can shape their armies to suit their strategy by choosing from dozens of unique characters. Should they use close-range attacks, like the brash Edward’s sword, or attack from afar using Leonardo’s bow or Ilyana’s lightning magic?
• Players can build support relationships between their characters - as their relationships grow, so do their strengths as they fight together on the battlefield. Players should guide their armies wisely, because if a character falls on the battlefield, he or she is lost forever.
• The best-selling strategy title makes its Wii debut, with 16:9 widescreen support, newly added for the North American version, bringing a truly epic experience.

Game storyline: Three years have passed since King Ashnard of Daein invaded neighboring Crimea and, in doing so, almost doomed the world by awakening the slumbering goddess of chaos. Now, the fires of war burn bright once again, and a band of freedom fighters unites to break the foreign chains that bind their homeland. As this new war spreads, Ike and the Greil Mercenaries find themselves caught up once again in events that threaten to awaken powers that will judge the world - and find it wanting. A goddess’ judgment could threaten once again to bring ruin to all of Tellius.

How to progress through the game: Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn is a turn-based strategy game with a fantasy setting. Players alternate turns with the computer opponent, moving pieces (units) and attacking enemy units on the battlefield. There are dozens of units and different weapons and magic spells, each with its own strategic benefits: armored knights wield swords, fast-moving mounted cavaliers can use swords and lances, unarmed monks use healing staves, and so on. As units grow closer together in the story, players can initiate support conversations to enhance their effectiveness together.

Characters: Two groups dominate the storyline: the Dawn Brigade, made up of Micaiah, Sothe and other new characters, and the Greil Mercenaries: Ike, Mist, Shinon, Rolf and other familiar faces from Fire Emblem™: Path of Radiance. Additionally, the laguz characters from Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance return. Ranulf, of the beast tribe, is joined by the new Skrimir. The leadership of the other tribes also appear in critical roles. Zelgius, who (as the Black Knight) killed Ike’s father, returns in his true identity as one of the primary antagonists.

Special powers/weapons/moves/features: In addition to the traditional game play seen in previous Fire Emblem games, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn introduces new strategic elements. For example, the magic system from Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance now includes elemental magic that follows the “trinity of magic” from earlier Fire Emblem games. Players familiar with the series remember that healing units and untransformed laguz were unable to counterattack when struck by foes. Now, these units have a special move that can be used only when attacked. These units can defend themselves, even if they cannot initiate an attack.

New skills customize units with special abilities that allow them to attack multiple times, move through foes (who typically block the path) and much more. Skills can be assigned to any unit, but because each unit can have a limited number, players will need to be careful in how they assign them. Additionally, the game now includes a terrain-height system that allows characters to move from low ground to high (on certain levels). High ground features special advantages against foes below.

Several other new features enhance the Wii version: The game now supports 16:9 widescreen (newly added for North America), giving players a better view of the battlefield. Trailer cinemas have been added in key sequences to help add to the cinematic and epic feel of the game. A new “Battle Save” function allows novice players to create a permanent save mid-battle. This feature is new to the Fire Emblem series and is designed to make the game more accessible to new gamers. Additionally, players have a number of controller options, from using the Wii Remote™ on its own (vertically or horizontally) to using a Classic Controller™ or even a Nintendo GameCube™ controller (for fans who were familiar with the controls from Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance).

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