Fire Emblem: The Series

[mastersquirrel]

This has to be one of my favorite game franchises now. I fell in love with this game when Link Antilles introduced the first one for GBA. I've always loved turn-based strategy, but this one struck a chord with it's great story telling and RPG elements.

Who else loves (or hates) these games and why?

[Tommy]

The one for GBA isn`t the first one, it`s the 7th one but I think it was the first to hit America. I borrowed it from my friend and got to Chapter 26.

[Jman]

The 7th Game in the series rocks, but by far, I thnk the sacred stones will be the best.

[mastersquirrel]

I'm currently playing "The Sacred Stones" and it is awesome!

You say the one that hit America first is the seventh one? I wnat to know what happens! At the end it has an epilogue that leaves you some questions that just aren't answered. Does anyone know if they're planning on sending any of the other games to America?

[Tommy]

The storlyines aren`t conected and i`m not sure what "Sacred Stones" is....is it the 8th one that`s supposed to come out for the Gamecube on Thanksgiving or is it like a special game in the 7th one?

Also, since I`ll never play it again, how does the story end?

[MasterDias]

There are currently nine games in the Fire Emblem series:
Fire Emblem: Dragon of Darkness and Sword of Light(NES)
Fire Emblem Gaiden(NES)
Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem(SNES)
Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War(SNES)
Fire Emblem: Thracia 776(SNES)
Fire Emblem: Sword of the Seals(GBA)
Fire Emblem: Blazing Sword(GBA)
Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones(GBA)
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance(GC)

1 and 3 are connected.
2 stands alone.
4 and 5 are connected.
7 is a prequal to 6.
8 is solo.
9 is solo...and going to be released in the US this fall.
That's how it works so far.

Anyways, the epilogue of Fire Emblem 7 is a direct tie-in to the events of Fire Emblem 6. But there are currently no plans to bring 6 to the U.S.

I'm currently enjoying "The Sacred Stones" myself. Pegusus Knights rock...

[Tommy]

Is Sacred Stones the one with Eliwood, Matthew, the Scouring War, Navig, and all that stuff? I`m so confused.

[MasterDias]

No. That's "Blazing Sword," the seventh Fire Emblem.

"The Sacred Stones" was released recently for GBA. It stars Eirika and Ephraim and takes place in a completely new world.

[Sparrowhawk]

Thanks for the clarification. I'm currently playing seven (I knew it was seven, i did not know there was an eight in America) and it is my favorite turn based strategy (Advance Wars is a close 2nd but then I have only played 4 of this genre). Anyway, what are the others like? Are they strategy, rpg, or something else?

[Tommy]

Is it called "Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones' or "Fire Emblem"?

I only say that because Blazing Swords was just called "Fire Emblem".

[MasterDias]

Thanks for the clarification. I'm currently playing seven (I knew it was seven, i did not know there was an eight in America) and it is my favorite turn based strategy (Advance Wars is a close 2nd but then I have only played 4 of this genre). Anyway, what are the others like? Are they strategy, rpg, or something else?

The Fire Emblem series are considered Strategy RPGs although they are quite a bit different from games like Final Fantasy Tactics which are usually associated with this genre.

[Myoti]

My cousin has the GBA game, and I already like it better than I did FFTA. Except for the whole dying and never getting the character back deal. Bleah.

[Tommy]

yeah, but wasn`t that in FFT if you didn`t revive them....

No clue about FFTA.

[mastersquirrel]

My cousin has the GBA game, and I already like it better than I did FFTA. Except for the whole dying and never getting the character back deal. Bleah.

That's one of my favorite aspects of the game! In all the other RPG games I've played your characters only "pass-out" when they run out of HP. This one makes you be a lot more strategic in your movements and attacks.

So, MasterDias, how many of the games you listed are actually in the US? It stinks that they haven't released 6 here. I want to know what happens!!

Oh, another question, does every game have a "Fire Emblem" in it? Is that how they are all connected?

I'm currently enjoying "The Sacred Stones" myself. Pegusus Knights rock...

Quite so! In Blazing Sword I got Florina to where she was basically a tank! I would send her ahead and wipe out enemies and they couldn't touch her.

[Myoti]

yeah, but wasn`t that in FFT if you didn`t revive them....

No clue about FFTA.

Only in these certain areas. Couldn't remember what they were called, something starting with a "J". Anyways, Fire Emblem seems better to me than FFTA because everything in it moves alot faster. Alot faster. Plus, you don't have to wait in fear on FE of enemies coming up and striking a character in the back, which does like double the damage. XP

[Tommy]

And seeing the two characters on platforms when they battled was a great touch.

I would personally like to see a traditional RPG with the "Blazing Swords" characters and storyline.

I was stuck on the chaoter where you had to protect the prince in the castle with Jafaar.

[MasterDias]

So, MasterDias, how many of the games you listed are actually in the US? It stinks that they haven't released 6 here. I want to know what happens!!

Only 7 and 8 are in the US. Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance for Gamecube will be released this fall.
There is a slight chance that they could decide to localize and release 6. But with two Fire Emblems this year...

Oh, another question, does every game have a "Fire Emblem" in it? Is that how they are all connected?

The name Fire Emblem comes from the first installment, Fire Emblem: Dragon of Darkness and Sword of Light, and the third installment, Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem. The Fire Emblem was an emblem that was combined with the sword Falchion and that only Marth, the betrayed prince of the Kingdom of Altea, was allowed to wield. The title of Fire Emblem stayed on with the rest of the series.

This site gives history and information about the series:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_Emblem

Only in these certain areas. Couldn't remember what they were called, something starting with a "J". Anyways, Fire Emblem seems better to me than FFTA because everything in it moves alot faster. Alot faster. Plus, you don't have to wait in fear on FE of enemies coming up and striking a character in the back, which does like double the damage. XP

In Final Fantasy Tactics, you would lose a character if you didn't revive them after several turns.
In FFTA, you could lose a character in certain locations.
My biggest complaints about FFTA were its easy difficulty and lack of a strong story. I enjoyed it, but FFT and Fire Emblem are certainly superior.

I was stuck on the chaoter where you had to protect the prince in the castle with Jafaar.

That wasn't a terribly difficult mission. It's necessary to get to Nino and the prince quickly to prevent them from getting overwhelmed but other than that... Jaffar can handle himself quite easily.

[Wild Eagle]

Fire Emblem: Blazing Sword is such an awesome game!!! The story is excellent; the characters are cool and the gameplay is amazing! Seriously, this is probably my favorite game of all time. I can't wait to try out Sacred Stones...

Pegusus Knights, Swordmasters, Nomads and Assassins rock!!!!

[Tommy]

I`ve asked the question before, but heck i`ll repeat it. is the Shining stones called:

"Fire Emblem: The Shining Stones"
or
"Fire Emblem" ?

i only say that because "Blazing Swords" was just called "Fire Emblem." Was that because it was the first to hit America?

[Nate]

In Final Fantasy Tactics, you had three turns in which to revive a fallen character, or they would be gone forever.

In Tactics Advance, your characters could not normally die, no matter how long they were passed out. The Judges prevented character deaths in normal levels.

However, in the "lawless" areas (they had a name that escapes me at the moment), there were no Judges, and if a character was reduced to zero HP in these areas, they would die if they were not revived before the fight was over.

To get back on topic, I was thinking about getting Sacred Stones in the near future...though I'm a perfectionist, so the permanent death thing doesn't sit well with me...I would totally reset the game if a character died. ^^;;

[Tommy]

Only one character in my Blazing Sword game died........Matthew......

Yeah, in Blazing Swords (The initials are BS, HAAHAAHAHAHA!) Pegasus Knights stink. Are they better in Shining Stones?

[MasterDias]

Yeah, in Blazing Swords (The initials are BS, HAAHAAHAHAHA!) Pegasus Knights stink. Are they better in Shining Stones?

Don't send a Level 1 Florina against Axefighters! That is a very bad move as spears are weak against axes and Pegusus Knights initially have weak defense.
Use them properly and your Pegusus Knights will become some of the best units in either game...and my personal favorite.

Characters that might appear to be weak initially will become uber-powerful later on.

I`ve asked the question before, but heck i`ll repeat it. is the Shining stones called:

"Fire Emblem: The Shining Stones"
or
"Fire Emblem" ?

The title is "Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones."

i only say that because "Blazing Swords" was just called "Fire Emblem." Was that because it was the first to hit America?

Yes.

However, in the "lawless" areas (they had a name that escapes me at the moment), there were no Judges, and if a character was reduced to zero HP in these areas, they would die if they were not revived before the fight was over.

I don't think death was 100% certain actually. More like a 50/50 chance.
But it's been a very long time since I've played FFTA, so I could be severally mistaken.

To get back on topic, I was thinking about getting Sacred Stones in the near future...though I'm a perfectionist, so the permanent death thing doesn't sit well with me...I would totally reset the game if a character died. ^^;;

I'm also a perfectionist...so that's what I always do. But Sacred Stones seems to be easier than Blazing Sword as I haven't had to reset that many times...

[Myoti]

I need to borrow FFT from my friend. It already sounds alot better than FFTA.
And I've got to ge tthe GC FE. It looks sa-weet.

[mastersquirrel]

Good!! It's good to know that I'm not the only perfectionist that plays the game. My brother is too, slightlym but I prefer to keep everyone alive, including the ones I won't use that much.

One of my favorite strategies for making weak units strong is that when I reach a town that has a vendor and an arena, I'll get my weak units to fight in the arena and my cleric to heal them after each battle. With the money I gain from the battles I buy more healing staffs when I need them to keep the fun going. It can get tedious, but when you have all your characters at level 20 without cheats and high level enemies just bounce off them.

[Ky Kiske]

I love Fire Emblem (although I hate how level ups are always random)
The Characters are really cool.
I think the best is Berserker because they can overwhelm just about anything with a critical hit and besides they look awesome.

[Lyren]

Fire Emblem is my favorite video game series, period. The story, characters, and gameplay of all eight games is amazing. I especially can't wait for Fire Emblem : Path of Radiance in November, it is sure to be the best in the series. Oh and level ups aren't totally random since everyone has growth rates (but the radom aspect of them can be very annoying indeed).

[Tommy]

For a tactic battle game yeah sure the story is awesome, but IMO I`ve seen MUCH better.

As for the gameplay, restarting everytime a character falls is VERY annoying.

How are the graphics for Shining Stones? I`m assumming outrageously similar to "Blazing Swords".

This game would rock with Gamecube graphics......

If only thy signed some sort of contract with sony.....-sigh-

[mastersquirrel]

I love Fire Emblem (although I hate how level ups are always random)

Oh and level ups aren't totally random since everyone has growth rates (but the radom aspect of them can be very annoying indeed).

Since when were the level ups random? Everyone has to reach 100 experience to level up. They gain experience by fighting enemies. I just don't see the random aspect.

I think the best is Berserker because they can overwhelm just about anything with a critical hit and besides they look awesome.

Yeah, Berserkers are cool, but my absolute favorite type is the Swordmaster (As should be obvious from my Avatar. It's Joshua from Sacred Stones!). They are so COOL!!

As for the gameplay, restarting everytime a character falls is VERY annoying.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Yes it can be very annoying, but I think it's better than most I've seen because it forces you to use more strategy so that you don't lose valuable units.

How are the graphics for Shining Stones? I`m assumming outrageously similar to "Blazing Swords". This game would rock with Gamecube graphics......

Yes, the graphics are basically identical to Blazing Sword. And for goodness sakes it's "Sacred Stones". ]If only thy signed some sort of contract with sony.....-sigh-[/QUOTE]
I could say the same thing about Final Fantasy.

I can't wait for Path of Radiance! The cinema scenes look so cool! You can see the videos at this site: GameSpot Fire Emblem Videos

[Tommy]

Oh Sacred Stones, my bad. It`s been aehile since I checked the title.

[MasterDias]

Since when were the level ups random? Everyone has to reach 100 experience to level up. They gain experience by fighting enemies. I just don't see the random aspect.

I think he meant the stat growth rates after level ups, not the experience gains.
Stat gains are random to an extent.

I think the best is Berserker because they can overwhelm just about anything with a critical hit and besides they look awesome.

Berserkers are decent units but axes tend to have the worst accuracy of the three weapons from my observations.