Fire Emblem

1. Fire Emblem A game Review By Scott Tluczek

2. What is Fire Emblem • Made by Intelligent Systems • Published by Nintendo • A long series from the NES • A RPG/Strategy hybrid

3. What is Fire Emblem cont. • The game runs on GBA • It can be found for between $30-$40 • Console game-No installation needed

4. Strategy elements • Rock-paper-scissors model • Called the ‘weapon triangle’ • Terrain factors into combat • Second ‘weapon triangle’ that deals with magic attacks • Many different types of units

5. RPG elements • Each unit is a character that improves • Each unit has an inventory • The characters can interact with each other • RPG mainstay – deep storyline

6. The manual • The manual covers every point in the game • Has character bios and artwork of the main characters • Missing two things – One ‘bonus’ class and how supports work

7. Player’s Role • The players acts as tactician • He is an actual character in the game • Game is divided between ‘story parts’ and battles • Story parts are made up of very long paragraphs of text • Very, very, very, long paragraphs • No, I’m not kidding

8. Battle • Each mission has one of 4 victory conditions • Battles play out in a turn-based style • Control of units is simple • No undo command

9. Scoring • Tactician’s score • Number of rounds

10. Storyline • Tutorial follows Lyn • Main game follows one of two lords • Game begins with a simple disappearance • Grows to include rebellion and assassinations • Still, story is simple Good vs. Evil

11. Graphics and sound • The graphics are bright a sharp • Sound is also very well done.

12. Bugs • No bugs at all • Glitch are present, players can use them for an advantage

13. Limitless Strategy • Nearly 50 units • Only ~15 can go into battle at once • Characters are imbalanced

14. Easy to Learn, Hard to Master • Game displays all outcomes of battles • Gives basic combat values for every unit • Each unit has 8 stats that factor into combat values • Different weapons types, like iron and steel, add to choices

15. Multiplayer • Very limited • ‘Arena’ type battles of 5 units each

16. How does it compare? • There is not many RPG/Strategy hybrids • Removes leveling time of RPGs • Strategy is simplified • Everything has its place

17. Who should buy it? • Anyone who likes RPGs • Anyone who likes Strategy games • Anyone with a GBA, period • Anyone who can sit still for more than 2 minutes

18. Summary • Good-perfect RPG/Strategy hybrid • Tons of characters and limitless strategy • Tons of replay value • Bad-imbalanced characters • No ‘undo’ command • Limited multiplayer • Map editor