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Fire Emblem (Game Boy Advance)
Encyclopedia
Fire Emblem, released in Japan as is a tactical role-playing game
for the Game Boy Advance
, developed by Intelligent Systems
and published by Nintendo
. The game was released on April 25, 2003 in Japan, November 3, 2003 in North America, February 20, 2004 in Australia, and July 16, 2004 in Europe.
It is the seventh game of the Fire Emblem
series, the second in the series to be released for the Game Boy Advance and the first to be released in either North America or Europe. It is the prequel
to Fire Emblem: Fūin no Tsurugi
, taking place twenty years before, and is the highest rated Fire Emblem game on Game Rankings
with an 88.3% rating.
. Consequently, the history and some of the character relationships are connected between the two games. The game opens with text describing ancient historical events in Elibe. Over a thousand years before the events of the game take place, man and dragon coexisted in the world. However, this peace was broken when man fought against dragon in a bitter war known as The Scouring. Upon their defeat, the dragons vanished from the world and man began to flourish as the sole dominant species.
The player adopts the perspective of a tactician who is found by a girl named Lyndis in Sacae. During Lyn's tale, the first part of the game, Lyn discovers that she is the granddaughter of the marquess of Caelin, Hausen. She recruits companions in a quest to prevent Lundgren, her grandfather's brother, from ascending the Caelin throne. Lundgren had wanted to gain power by poisoning the current marquess; he also sent soldiers out to destroy Lyn and any knowledge of her as she is higher in the line of succession. Lyn eventually defeats Lundgren and reunites with her grandfather.
The next twenty chapters (Eliwood's tale) revolve around Eliwood, Hector and their party (and eventually Lyndis) hunting down an antagonistic faction known as the Black Fang. The Black Fang have prospered due to the creation of morphs—highly efficient humanoid creatures serving their leader Nergal. They kill people to gain their quintessence (life energy) and thus gain more power. The Black Fang engage Eliwood's interest by capturing his father Lord Elbert. The protagonists' ultimate goal is to prevent Nergal from using their companions Ninian's and Nils' quintessence to open the Dragons' Gate, a portal where dragons reside, and thus ignite Elibe in conflict. As Eliwood and the party hunt the Black Fang down, they eliminate crucial figures of the Black Fang, as well as gaining allies. The game ends when Eliwood and the party slay Nergal and the dragon that had been summoned via Nergal's quintessence. Eliwood becomes marquess of Pherae, and Hector, marquess of Ostia.
tactical role-playing game
in which players move a small group of units around a square-based grid, battling their enemies in order to complete a certain predefined objective. It is reminiscent of other tactical RPGs with features such as character class
es and the ability to level up. For more information, refer to the Fire Emblem gameplay basics.
The single-player campaign is divided into chapters which generally begin with story elements presented through the use of scenes animated with still images of the main characters, then followed by a battle with an enemy; after each battle, the player is given the opportunity to save their progress. Fire Emblem introduces some notable changes to the series, including a tutorial
mode. The single-player campaign is divided into Lyn's tale and Eliwood's tale, the former of which serves as a mandatory tutorial designed to ease new players into the game. The tutorial disappears in Lyn's Hard mode. Fire Emblem also introduces new mission objectives, like surviving a certain amount of turns, destroying all enemies, or traveling to a predefined space on the map. Terrain and weather effects have also been added.
All of the 44 units in Fire Emblem are divided into classes such as Shaman, Berserker, or Thief. Depending on class, a unit can use either magic or weapons; the "weapons" category comprises swords, axes, lances and bows, while the "magic" category comprises anima (or elemental
) magic, dark magic, light magic and staves (used for functions such as healing and curing status ailments). The game follows a rock-paper-scissors
mechanism in which axe
s beat lance
s, lances beat sword
s, and swords beat axes; the bow
in the game is not a part of any weapon triangle, but is especially effective against flying units. Similarly, the magic system is also structured through a triangle, the Trinity of Magic, in that dark has the advantage over anima, anima over light and light over dark. There are different levels of weapon, which run from E to A in alphabetical order and then to the ultimate level which is S; a unit can raise their weapon level by persistently using that weapon.
After attaining 100 experience points, a unit will level up and may increase its statistics
, such as Speed and Defense. An unpromoted unit can change class ("promote") at any level from 10 to the maximum of 20; this requires a special item depending on the class that it is intended for, such as the "Knight's Crest" for knights and cavaliers. Once promoted, the maximum level the unit can reach is level 20 of the promoted class.
Certain pairs of units can increase their support level by spending many turns adjacent to one another. Supporting units receive a statistical gain when they are within three spaces of each other. Each unit has an elemental affinity; the form of statistical bonus from supports depends on the combination of the elemental affinities of both units. This bonus is strengthened by increasing the support level, which is measured from C to A—C for a single conversation, B for two conversations, and A for three conversations. With each support activated, a conversation will occur between the two characters. Once the story mode is completed, a "support viewer" will become available in which the reader can read previously viewed conversations at will.
If a unit falls in battle, he or she can never be used again. However, an exception is made for characters in Lyn's tale, who will return in Eliwood's tale even if they are defeated during Lyn's tale. The death of one of the Lords (Eliwood, Hector, or Lyn) results in a "Game Over", and the player must restart the chapter to continue the story.
, which limits visibility), higher-leveled enemies, and fewer units available in each battle. The most dramatic change between normal mode and hard mode is in Hector Hard Mode. Hector Hard Mode involves higher leveled enemies, enemies with better AI, and fewer units available during chapters. It is also more difficult to generate money and sustain the group with weapons and resources, as less gold is available and earning it is more difficult.
partly influenced Nintendo to localize Fire Emblem games for North America and Europe. This is the first Fire Emblem game released outside of Japan, and it was designed with North American localization in mind. Since its release in North America and Europe, each new installment of the Fire Emblem series has seen a release in Western markets with the exception of Fire Emblem: Shin Monshō no Nazo: Hikari to Kage no Eiyū.
Critics likened the game to Advance Wars
, while also acknowledging the differences between the two games. IGN's Craig Harris deeply appreciated the game's substantial single player, but was disappointed with the multiplayer mode, which he rated as substandard compared to Advance Wars. Gamespot's Bethany Massimilla lauded the visuals of the game, commenting that "the game sports attractive artwork in the form of character portraits." Most critics also welcomed the music in the game, with Eurogamer's Tom Bramwell commenting that "the battle themes, map themes, and various other tunes used in cut-scenes are never annoying."
Fire Emblem has received critical acclaim for its epic story and unusually deep character development and gameplay. The game has received many high ratings including an 8.9/10 from GameSpot
and it has received an Editor's Choice Award from both IGN
and GameSpy
. In 2007, it was named 16th best Game Boy Advance game of all time in IGN
's feature reflecting on the Game Boy Advance's long lifespan. Fire Emblem sold over 345,000 units in Japan and 331,000 units in North America.
Tactical role-playing game
A tactical role-playing game is a type of video game which incorporates elements of traditional role-playing video games and strategy games. In Japan these games are known as , a designation which might seem peculiar to native English speakers...
for the Game Boy Advance
Game Boy Advance
The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
, developed by Intelligent Systems
Intelligent Systems
is a Japanese first-party video game developer and internal team of Nintendo Co., Ltd. It has its headquarters in the Nintendo Kyoto Research Center in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture....
and published by Nintendo
Nintendo
is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
. The game was released on April 25, 2003 in Japan, November 3, 2003 in North America, February 20, 2004 in Australia, and July 16, 2004 in Europe.
It is the seventh game of the Fire Emblem
Fire Emblem
is a fantasy tactical role-playing video game franchise developed by Intelligent Systems , the maker of Advance Wars , and published by Nintendo...
series, the second in the series to be released for the Game Boy Advance and the first to be released in either North America or Europe. It is the prequel
Prequel
A prequel is a work that supplements a previously completed one, and has an earlier time setting.The widely recognized term was a 20th-century neologism, and a portmanteau from pre- and sequel...
to Fire Emblem: Fūin no Tsurugi
Fire Emblem: Fuin no Tsurugi
is a tactical role-playing game developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo. The game was released on March 29, 2002 in Japan, is the sixth game in the Fire Emblem series and the first of three games in the series that have appeared on Nintendo's Game Boy Advance handheld. Its...
, taking place twenty years before, and is the highest rated Fire Emblem game on Game Rankings
Game Rankings
GameRankings is a website that collects review scores from both offline and online sources to give an average rating. It indexes over 315,000 articles relating to more than 14,500 games.GameRankings is owned by CBS Interactive...
with an 88.3% rating.
Plot
The game is set in the fictional continent of Elibe, and is a prequel to Fire Emblem: Fūin no TsurugiFire Emblem: Fuin no Tsurugi
is a tactical role-playing game developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo. The game was released on March 29, 2002 in Japan, is the sixth game in the Fire Emblem series and the first of three games in the series that have appeared on Nintendo's Game Boy Advance handheld. Its...
. Consequently, the history and some of the character relationships are connected between the two games. The game opens with text describing ancient historical events in Elibe. Over a thousand years before the events of the game take place, man and dragon coexisted in the world. However, this peace was broken when man fought against dragon in a bitter war known as The Scouring. Upon their defeat, the dragons vanished from the world and man began to flourish as the sole dominant species.
The next twenty chapters (Eliwood's tale) revolve around Eliwood, Hector and their party (and eventually Lyndis) hunting down an antagonistic faction known as the Black Fang. The Black Fang have prospered due to the creation of morphs—highly efficient humanoid creatures serving their leader Nergal. They kill people to gain their quintessence (life energy) and thus gain more power. The Black Fang engage Eliwood's interest by capturing his father Lord Elbert. The protagonists' ultimate goal is to prevent Nergal from using their companions Ninian's and Nils' quintessence to open the Dragons' Gate, a portal where dragons reside, and thus ignite Elibe in conflict. As Eliwood and the party hunt the Black Fang down, they eliminate crucial figures of the Black Fang, as well as gaining allies. The game ends when Eliwood and the party slay Nergal and the dragon that had been summoned via Nergal's quintessence. Eliwood becomes marquess of Pherae, and Hector, marquess of Ostia.
Gameplay
Fire Emblem is a turn-basedTurn-based tactics
Turn-based tactics , or tactical turn-based , is a computer and video game genre of strategy video games that through stop-action simulates the considerations and circumstances of operational warfare and military tactics in generally small-scale confrontations as opposed to more strategic...
tactical role-playing game
Tactical role-playing game
A tactical role-playing game is a type of video game which incorporates elements of traditional role-playing video games and strategy games. In Japan these games are known as , a designation which might seem peculiar to native English speakers...
in which players move a small group of units around a square-based grid, battling their enemies in order to complete a certain predefined objective. It is reminiscent of other tactical RPGs with features such as character class
Character class
In role-playing games, a common method of arbitrating the capabilities of different game characters is to assign each one to a character class. A character class aggregates several abilities and aptitudes, and may also sometimes detail aspects of background and social standing or impose behaviour...
es and the ability to level up. For more information, refer to the Fire Emblem gameplay basics.
The single-player campaign is divided into chapters which generally begin with story elements presented through the use of scenes animated with still images of the main characters, then followed by a battle with an enemy; after each battle, the player is given the opportunity to save their progress. Fire Emblem introduces some notable changes to the series, including a tutorial
Tutorial
A tutorial is one method of transferring knowledge and may be used as a part of a learning process. More interactive and specific than a book or a lecture; a tutorial seeks to teach by example and supply the information to complete a certain task....
mode. The single-player campaign is divided into Lyn's tale and Eliwood's tale, the former of which serves as a mandatory tutorial designed to ease new players into the game. The tutorial disappears in Lyn's Hard mode. Fire Emblem also introduces new mission objectives, like surviving a certain amount of turns, destroying all enemies, or traveling to a predefined space on the map. Terrain and weather effects have also been added.
Five elements (Japanese philosophy)
One may encounter two kinds of five elements philosophy in Japan. One is called, in Japanese, gogyō , having its backgrounds in the Chinese five elements, and the other is called godai . Godai is usually regarded as a Buddhism term in Japan, with certain influences from Hinduism. The following...
) magic, dark magic, light magic and staves (used for functions such as healing and curing status ailments). The game follows a rock-paper-scissors
Rock-paper-scissors
Rock-paper-scissors is a hand game played by two people. The game is also known as roshambo, or another ordering of the three items ....
mechanism in which axe
Axe
The axe, or ax, is an implement that has been used for millennia to shape, split and cut wood; to harvest timber; as a weapon; and as a ceremonial or heraldic symbol...
s beat lance
Lance
A Lance is a pole weapon or spear designed to be used by a mounted warrior. The lance is longer, stout and heavier than an infantry spear, and unsuited for throwing, or for rapid thrusting. Lances did not have tips designed to intentionally break off or bend, unlike many throwing weapons of the...
s, lances beat sword
Sword
A sword is a bladed weapon used primarily for cutting or thrusting. The precise definition of the term varies with the historical epoch or the geographical region under consideration...
s, and swords beat axes; the bow
Bow (weapon)
The bow and arrow is a projectile weapon system that predates recorded history and is common to most cultures.-Description:A bow is a flexible arc that shoots aerodynamic projectiles by means of elastic energy. Essentially, the bow is a form of spring powered by a string or cord...
in the game is not a part of any weapon triangle, but is especially effective against flying units. Similarly, the magic system is also structured through a triangle, the Trinity of Magic, in that dark has the advantage over anima, anima over light and light over dark. There are different levels of weapon, which run from E to A in alphabetical order and then to the ultimate level which is S; a unit can raise their weapon level by persistently using that weapon.
After attaining 100 experience points, a unit will level up and may increase its statistics
Statistics
Statistics is the study of the collection, organization, analysis, and interpretation of data. It deals with all aspects of this, including the planning of data collection in terms of the design of surveys and experiments....
, such as Speed and Defense. An unpromoted unit can change class ("promote") at any level from 10 to the maximum of 20; this requires a special item depending on the class that it is intended for, such as the "Knight's Crest" for knights and cavaliers. Once promoted, the maximum level the unit can reach is level 20 of the promoted class.
Certain pairs of units can increase their support level by spending many turns adjacent to one another. Supporting units receive a statistical gain when they are within three spaces of each other. Each unit has an elemental affinity; the form of statistical bonus from supports depends on the combination of the elemental affinities of both units. This bonus is strengthened by increasing the support level, which is measured from C to A—C for a single conversation, B for two conversations, and A for three conversations. With each support activated, a conversation will occur between the two characters. Once the story mode is completed, a "support viewer" will become available in which the reader can read previously viewed conversations at will.
If a unit falls in battle, he or she can never be used again. However, an exception is made for characters in Lyn's tale, who will return in Eliwood's tale even if they are defeated during Lyn's tale. The death of one of the Lords (Eliwood, Hector, or Lyn) results in a "Game Over", and the player must restart the chapter to continue the story.
Hector's tale
It is almost the same as Eliwood's tale, but with a few changes. In this version, Hector (instead of Eliwood) is the main character. Several story elements, cut scenes, and chapters are changed to reflect the different point of view. In addition to this, two normal chapters and two Gaiden chapters are added. In all chapters, there are different troops and troop placement, and the level of difficulty is higher. Finally, two characters not found in Eliwood's mode can be recruited: Farina, the third of the Pegasus Knight sisters, and Karla, the Princess of Swords, sister to the Swordmaster Karel.Hard mode
There is a hard mode for each of the Lords' tales. Hard mode changes include more difficult landscape conditions (such as fog of warFog of war
The fog of war is a term used to describe the uncertainty in situation awareness experienced by participants in military operations. The term seeks to capture the uncertainty regarding own capability, adversary capability, and adversary intent during an engagement, operation, or campaign...
, which limits visibility), higher-leveled enemies, and fewer units available in each battle. The most dramatic change between normal mode and hard mode is in Hector Hard Mode. Hector Hard Mode involves higher leveled enemies, enemies with better AI, and fewer units available during chapters. It is also more difficult to generate money and sustain the group with weapons and resources, as less gold is available and earning it is more difficult.
Multiplayer
As well as the single-player campaign, Fire Emblem features a link arena in which up to four players can link up and do battle with teams of characters from the single-player save file. Players choose up to five characters and equip them like in the main story. During battle, each player takes turns to attack with one character. Players can also choose to fight against their own teams, which are controlled by the computer if no other players are present.Reception
The popularity of Marth and Roy in Super Smash Bros. MeleeSuper Smash Bros. Melee
Super Smash Bros. Melee, known in Japan as , often abbreviated as SSBM or simply as Melee, is a crossover fighting game released for the Nintendo GameCube shortly after its launch in . It is the successor to the Nintendo 64 game Super Smash Bros., and the predecessor to the Wii game Super Smash...
partly influenced Nintendo to localize Fire Emblem games for North America and Europe. This is the first Fire Emblem game released outside of Japan, and it was designed with North American localization in mind. Since its release in North America and Europe, each new installment of the Fire Emblem series has seen a release in Western markets with the exception of Fire Emblem: Shin Monshō no Nazo: Hikari to Kage no Eiyū.
Critics likened the game to Advance Wars
Advance Wars
Advance Wars, known in Japan as is a turn-based tactics video game developed for the Game Boy Advance by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo. It was released in North America on September 10, 2001, but put on hold in Japan and Europe due to the following day's terrorist attacks in the USA...
, while also acknowledging the differences between the two games. IGN's Craig Harris deeply appreciated the game's substantial single player, but was disappointed with the multiplayer mode, which he rated as substandard compared to Advance Wars. Gamespot's Bethany Massimilla lauded the visuals of the game, commenting that "the game sports attractive artwork in the form of character portraits." Most critics also welcomed the music in the game, with Eurogamer's Tom Bramwell commenting that "the battle themes, map themes, and various other tunes used in cut-scenes are never annoying."
Fire Emblem has received critical acclaim for its epic story and unusually deep character development and gameplay. The game has received many high ratings including an 8.9/10 from GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
and it has received an Editor's Choice Award from both IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
and GameSpy
GameSpy
GameSpy Industries, Inc., known simply as GameSpy, is a division of IGN Entertainment, which operates a network of game websites and provides online video game-related services and software. GameSpy dates back to the 1996 release of an internet Quake server search program named QSpy. The current...
. In 2007, it was named 16th best Game Boy Advance game of all time in IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
's feature reflecting on the Game Boy Advance's long lifespan. Fire Emblem sold over 345,000 units in Japan and 331,000 units in North America.