Fire Emblem: Awakening (2012)

Advance Wars is a well-liked series of turn-based strategy games for Nintendo's handhelds. When it came to making a game for the then-new 3DS in 2012, Intelligent Systems questioned everyone, 'wouldn't this be more enjoyable with people instead of robots?' After all, people may betray one other, fall off pegasuses when shot, and, most importantly, hook up. So the Fire Emblem franchise was resurrected — and in spectacular fashion! Back came the rock-paper-scissors techniques, as well as the dreadful, horrible terror that permadeath instills (only this time you can turn it off if it really is too stressful).

Back also came the amazing, mind-bending intrigue that comes with allowing your people to speak, marry, and have children who can instantly start fighting under your flag. It was a wonderful, intoxicating combination of the two, and the greatest of the current slate of Fire Emblem games, which have shifted more and more towards Japanese dating sims with each release.

Platform: Nintendo 3DS

Link to buy: amzn.to/39KixxU