It's both better and worse than PoR, but I came out of it really loving it, even if I think its narrative has peaks and valleys (and by valleys I mean the blood pact). Radiant Dawn is certainly trying something different, and when it's good, god, it's good. It has the most capital H Heart out of any FE game I've played so far.

I ended up watching the 2nd playthrough content on YouTube because I am a deeply lazy person, but it really solidified why I think Radiant Dawn is so great. It's just full of love and care and kindness? The final conversation between Soren and Ike, with Ike embracing him (they're in love btw), them leaving to travel together, Soren and Almedha, her desperation to find her child... Zelgius and Sephiran's relationship (they're also in love btw).

Even other things like the optional scene where Rolf tells Boyd he loves him and Oscar like they were his siblings and considers the mercenaries his family over his biological mother? Elincia's dedication to ruling Crimea with compassion? Stefan's hysteria when he realizes there was truly no reason for his suffering? Reyson telling Tibarn how much he cares for him in their A support conversations (oh look, more gay people) (the Tellius duology reaches levels of homosexuality previously unknown to man)... It's small moments like that where I find this game so poignant. The Tellius games have so much thought and detail put into them and their characters, and it shows. Anyone who says Ike is a nothing character can fight me behind a Denny's because he rules, etc.

"Ask any you meet be they young or old, beorc or laguz, of a hero named Ike and you'll receive a warm smile and a tale or two of faith, courage, and honesty." <3333