Fire Emblem - Is that a Boy Scout merit badge?
Written: Jan 28 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Engrossing story, detailed graphics, fun gameplay.
Cons: Linearity and a little too easy.
The Bottom Line: I earned my Fire Emblem merit badge. Will you?
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| rice75's Full Review: Fire Emblem for Game Boy Advance |
I love a good Role Playing Game but the last "traditional" RPG I played on a console was years ago when I finished Final Fantasy III on the SNES. Sure, one of the best games ever may be a good game to go out on, but I always wanted to get back to playing RPGs on a console. I've played countless others on my PC but it just isn't the same. Now that I've got a Gameboy Advance SP myself, I can relive those days again. I decided to start reliving with a little title called Fire Emblem.
So it had been a long time since I've played a game like this and boy did I miss it. It feels like I'm trying to make up for lost time, all at once. Now a day doesn't go by now that I don't kiss my sweet little GBA SP goodnight before I shut it off and go to bed. At 4 o'clock in the morning. This game is definitely addicting and has provided hours of RPG/Strategy fun.
The story is a big part of Fire Emblem. It includes political intrigue, the awakening of fears long lost and even a budding romance. As the game first started out I was a little put off by the dialogue, I thought it was a little too cliché for me but as time went on I got wrapped up in it pretty quickly. The story is seen through the eyes of a Tactician (that’s you) who is found unconscious by a woman named Lyndis. Lyndis wants revenge on the bad guys that killed her family and she asks if you’ll assist her in her quest and the story unfolds from there. She will learn that she is actually the granddaughter to a powerful noblemen who is embroiled in a political chess match that covers the entire country. Along the way she’ll meet other people who are all connected to the main story in one form or another. Most will join her in her quest to uncover a sinister plot. Lyndis will meet Eliwood, another noblemen whose father was also involved in the same plot. He becomes the main character after Lyndis is able to save her grandfather, but she will play a major role in the story down the road.
Gameplay is quite simple but there is more than meets the eye. There are various strategies to complete each chapter and each of these strategies unfolds other possibilities as the game progresses. You may choose to concentrate on building up your melee fighters at the expensive of the magic users, which is the path I took, or you could concentrate to strengthen your magic fire power, giving the game a different feel to it. The possibilities may seem endless, but unfortunately the game is basically linear and moves fairly quickly. Each chapter will have a bit of the storyline revealed and a battle will ensue with a certain task to complete. The task could be to defend an individual or claim the throne, but there will always be something that will take planning and strategy.
Before each battle you can choose your team, but choose wisely, as each unit has its strengths and weaknesses. As you progress, you'll meet a fortune teller who can tell you how to best prepare for a battle. She usually won't lead you astray, so it will be in your party's best interest to listen to her. The battles take place on a map with various types of terrains and various types of weather. Both of these factors will determine how far certain units will be able to move. Once the enemy is in sight, attacks can be accomplished and then its a fight to the finish.
Graphically, there's a good transition between the different story scenes and the actual battlefield. The story scenes aren't especially detailed or colorful but they convey the message they are trying to convey. The battles are a different story. Attention has been paid to detail and they have been done. I especially enjoy the animations of the different characters as they perform their attacks. The critical hit attacks for each character have a cool animation associated with them and they evoke a little twinge of excitement as you watch your opponent eviscerated.
I can't really compare the sounds of Fire Emblem to other GBA games, since this is my first, but it think it does okay. The sounds of the battles are good and the different little musical tunes are pleasant but they get old after a while. But like a good movie, the mood of the music will reveal what turn of events are about to take place. The sound and music enhance the game but don't add anything substantial to it.
Control is simple, you rarely use anything but the A and B buttons and directional pad. The shoulder buttons are used but not very often. After selecting a unit in battle, you can move him to a position with his range and then attack if that's possible. After selecting the attack you do nothing more, just enjoy (hopefully) the fireworks of your unit crushing the enemy. Surveying the battlefield and inspecting the enemies units is possible, so you can plan accordingly. As I said before, each battle can be attacked from different angles, allowing you flexibility with your plans.
I have really enjoyed Fire Emblem. At times I wish it wasn't so linear, but there are side quests to be taken and the different possibilities of unit choice adds to its replayability, but I can't see myself finishing it more than a couple times. It can be easy, but trying to survive with your whole crew isn't as easy. It's been a satisfying run, I can definitely recommend Fire Emblem to anyone looking for a solid RPG/Strategy game for the GBA. Four and quarter stars from me.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
rice75
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Member: Tony Rice
Location: Columbus, OH
Reviews written: 73
Trusted by: 66 members
About Me:
Resident Evil 4 will own your soul. Do not resist.
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