The Fire Emblem series was so popular in Japan, that Nintendo decided to bring it to America. But where's Marth and Roy featured in Super Smash Bros. Melee? This one was a surprisingly good game, however. This is a weapon-based RPG, but it's one of the more stratigic ones. Fire Emblem is slow moving and there is a lot of talking before and after battle sequences.

(Plot)
You are rescued in the forest by "Milady Lyndis". (In other words, Lyn) She offers to nurse you back to health. Then she explains that her grandfather is missing. As the story goes on, the plot becomes less and less realistic. A guy is like poisoning Lyn's grandfather, or something.
Once you beat Lyn's story, there is an ending where instead of the grandfather dying after been poisoned numerous times, he is alive and kickin'. Then you move on to Eliwood's story. His story is so similar it is almost a laugh.

(Chapters)
The game goes like this:
1) Start a new chapter
2) Listen to lots of talking
3) Fight!
4) Achieve your goal...
5) and get treated to more talking

(Battlefield)
This game features a unique idea about the battlefield. Depending on what type of terain you're on, you will have special advantages and disadvantages. For example, hiding in the forest makes you 2x harder to hit. Staying in a fortress revives health.

(Weapons Triangle)
Be careful what weapon you choose! This is what's called the "weapons triangle".

Swords beat axes
Axes beat lances
Lances beat swords

(Magic Triangle)
Usually magic doesn't affect other magic - but what if it is not the same type of magic?

Light beats dark
Dark beats anima
Anima beats light

(Objective)
You will have a different objective for each chapter. For example, an objective for a chapter could be "defeat all enemies", "seize the throne", or "survive". Once you unlock the fortune teller, you can recieve insight on your next battle. You can also see how well you are doing in various categories.

(Control)
Controls are easy to learn, but sometimes it is difficut to distinguish one unit (person) from another. Use the Control Pad to move to the unit that you want to perform an action. You hit "A". I went through the game never using "L", "R", or "B" at all.

(Battle System)
The battle system isn't that complex, nor is it impressive. First you take your turn issuing commands to your units, then the computer takes a turn. These are called the player phase and the computer phase. You have the advantage of making the first move in a battle sequence if you were the one to attack your foe. If a foe attacks you, then they make the first move. In certain chapters, there will also be an "other" phase. Others are units not on your side nor on your foe's side. Think of them as "neutral".

(FIGHT)
In chapter one, you will agree to be Lyn's tactian. At first you will only control Lyn. If you talk to places around the area, like villages, you can get new people to join your group. To attack, you have to move your character to a space next to the foe you wish to attack. Then you pick your weapon (remember the weapons triangle). Be careful: if you lose an allie, they won't come back. Not everyone attacks by moving to an adjent space. Archers, wizards and even some fighters can attack from a distance. In a way this game is like chess.

(Battle Sequence)
When you are in combat, the camera will zoom in on your character. You will see them doing one to two attacks per battle. If you're lucky, can can score a critcal hit, where you character racks up more damage on the enemy and as an added bonus, they do a sweet move.

(Graphics)
The graphics in this game are simplistic, with one or two faces for each character in the talking sequences. These faces get old because you see them so often and sometimes they have the wrong expression on their face. During some "touching" moments, I noticed Lyn's face looked like "Let's get outta here". The battlefield graphics are simple trees and rocks, but it is not very pixely because you can't zoom in (or out). For the actual characters, there is different figures depending on what kind of guy you have. For example, for a fighter there is a figure of a guy swinging his axe. And no Doc, you probably won't be able to see the units - they are kind of small.

(Sound)
Not bad, but nothing special. No music is included, but there's no part that needs it. There's the beeping of when people talk, and there's a "whoosh" here and there.

(Extras)
Fight against your friends! However there aren't any courses so it takes some of the strategy out of it. You can also practice this type of battle against the computer.

(Replay Value)
Not much. Try playing through the game again if you're really into it.


Recommended: Yes