Fire Emblem (GBA)

This game was the first Fire Emblem (FE) game to make it to western shores, and is still regarded by most of the fan-base as the best of the bunch.The game provides adequate difficulty awhile, living up the series name for difficulty. However the first 10 chapters, dubbed Lyndis mode, are far too on the rails and awhile they prepare you for the rest of the game the lack of freedom can be a bit annoying, especially if you know what you're doing already. The difficulty also lets the game down on one side quest level late in the game, the long ranged berserk staves will be sure to set the player in their place. All this said however the game does provide varying difficulty modes, giving you the option to skip Lyndis' chapter's and an unlockable 'Hector' mode post game. Comparing it's successor, FE: The Sacred Stones, this game is good because it does not require you to grind, nor does it give you the 'towers' to do so. However if you do fall behind you can use the arenas to boost specific unit's levels at the risk of losing them.The characters in this game are great, they're not as love-able as some characters from later games in the series (see FE: Awakening) however they also do not sit in the anime tropes that newer games divide them into. This gives all the characters a rather unique feeling, keeping you caring for each one when they fall in the field and empathetic for the main lords. Relations between characters are noticeably harder to build in FE7 (this one) than later games (namely the GC/Wii titles and Awakening), meaning you probably won't get too many support bonuses until much later in the game. The support conversations are also a happy compromise, they're not the generic nonsense from the GC/Wii games but they're not quite at Awakening's level either.The overarching plot of the game isn't anything too special, awhile I feel it tops Awakening, it does fall down compared to The Sacred Stones, and the Radiance games plot wise. However the game more than makes up for it game play wise, it's the original fire emblem formula at it's peak, before it needed shaking up with Awakening.Overall this is an excellent game, and if you own a DS, GBA, or just anything that plays GBA games you owe it to yourself to play this game, you will not regret it. If you're relatively new to the franchise, but like what you've seen, this game is game will mostly likely blow your mind.With that said, this review ends here.

I got this game for Christmas, as an afterthought really, but Im still playing it now, months later, (time of writing: 1st April 05, and thats no April's fool). The lifespan is immense, the 31 chapters will keep you going for a good while, and once you've polished off the main game there's the extras and the compulsion to get a better rank. Its one of those games where you get quite attached to the characters and story. Each charcter is different, not just identikit units arranged by type, and one of the key elements is that if a character is defeated in battle, they're gone for good. This is just one of many variables that affects your strategy. Although its always a case of defeating an onslaught of enemies (with several variations) it isnt limited, and the fact that all the charcters are different means the army you put together will be unique every time. very addictive gaming, challenging in places, but you'll keep coming back to it. Excellent stuff.

It we a present and they are enjoying the game

even though I like the game, I am also annoyed because I specifically asked for the box as well and paid for it but still did not get the boxing

Thanks A++++, quick delivery

Turn-based RPGs are usually not my thing but Fire Emblem has such an easy-going learning curve that even during the "trial period" I gave myself when first jamming it into my GBA I already found myself deep into the story. The characters are cute and I like how it places you personally in the role of Tactician with the characters looking out of the screen and calling you by your first name. Each chapter features a long battle with various types of enemies and there are several of them that you will play over and over in order to figure out just where you care going wrong and how you can improve your war-waging talents.In the end the game proved to be too hard for me, but not until I was about half-way finished with the story. Though I couldn't finish it I didn't resent the time I spent playing it and I' surprised at how much I enjoyed it considering how impartial I am to the genre.

Fire Emblem is a game which... well, you can read any of the other reviews or the description to hear what it's about. I'll stick, then, to describing why it is my favourite GBA game and, in my opinion, the best.- The gameplay works perfectly, balancing the ability of the player to the enemy, meaning that in later chapters the difficulty is pretty high, and with no grinding allowed, the game knows just how strong you are.- The characters are all well-rounded, real characters with personalities who you grow to love or hate over time. As death is permanent, winning a tough battle but at the cost of one of your favourite characters is a real heartbreaker.- The graphics are nice for the console, helping to flesh out the characters, and the battle animations are still really cool today. The mercenary/hero is particularly good.- The music is memorable and adds nicely to the game.Basically, if you like strategy/tactical games, and you like a bit of a challenge, this game will not disappoint.