/vr/ - Retro Games

I do lots of self-imposed challenges, such as low level games in RPGs, 3-heart runs for zelda games, low% runs for various others. In particular I do a lot of self-imposed challenges for FE games. Most recently, I did a fire emblem thracia 776 0% growths warpless low turn count run.

"0% growths" isn't quite a self-imposed challenge because I need to use an edited ROM to remove level-up bonuses, but the idea is the same. I like 0% growths because it eliminates the randomness that growths cause and improves the game's balance by reducing player strength relative to the enemy; in a normal run, characters become too powerful and diminish the need for tactical maneuvers. Likewise I think restricting warp use makes for more interesting and varied tactics, plus I've played the game with warp many times already. Low turn count is a good addition to most FE games because it's always more entertaining to plan out complex tactics to complete chapters as quickly as possible, it makes simple movement across a map more interesting and restricts the use of a lot of simple ways to trivialize the game.
Another common challenge I do in FE games is the 'ironman' run, i.e. playing from start to finish without resetting. Playing this way changes the risk/reward valuation, e.g. rather than trying a 80% reliable tactic that could win in one turn and then resetting if things go wrong, you actually have to plan for all contingencies or alter your tactics to be completely reliable. Even when I'm not doing an ironman run I like this sort of tactic best because I don't feel like I've really "won" if I rely on luck to overcome obstacles.
If anyone is planning on replaying FE5 or any other FE game I highly recommend adding some or all of these restrictions to make your playthrough more interesting.