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[Ironclad]

Release date: May 23

Movies
The Video Tour and the Developr Interview are new. The video tour gives a nice look at some of the new areas and some of the great new animations.

Screens:
Here's a look at a new unit, the Great Knight. Watch the Video Tour, this guy has some great animations.

Erika, she is one of the main characters. A few chapters into the game, you can choose to follow either her or Ephraim. Erika's path allows you to recover the Sacred Stones and support Ephraim in his quest.

Ephraim, Erika's twin brother. A hero with a lance. That should be interesting. Ephraim's quest takes him into Grado, which is a neighboring contry that has suddenly invaded his father's country. Ephraim essentially tries to disable Grado.

So, who's picking this one up in a few days?

 

[Mrbob]

Your links, umm, I don't think they are right.

 

[Mrbob]

Ok now it works, sweet.

I love Fire Emblem on GBA. Still have it but gave away my SP to a younger cousin who wanted it. I'll probably buy a DS this week for FE.

 

[Ironclad]

Ok now it works, sweet.

I love Fire Emblem on GBA. Still have it but gave away my SP to a younger cousin who wanted it. I'll probably buy a DS this week for FE.

Yeah, I tried to fix the individual links, but it just wasn't working. I'll get some new screens up in a moment.

Yes, you should definetly find a way to play this. Just watching this new movies is an indicitation of how great it's going to be.

 

[Mrbob]

I'm downloading the 190 meg (!!!) video tour right now.

Suck it down, Advance Wars. You lose!

 

[Ironclad]

The game has three difficulties right from the start so anybody who hasn't played a Fire Emblem game before can jump in with easy and have the tutorial take them through the first few chapters, but the higher difficulties disable the tutorial and affect the game as you would expect.

 

[cubicle47b]

Suck it down, Advance Wars. You lose!

Psssh.

The game looks awesome, I'm looking forward to slaughtering hordes of monsters. This game allows you to fight random battles right? (< looking forward to making fun of a bunch of d-bags who play FE like FFT)

 

[Ironclad]

Psssh.

The game looks awesome, I'm looking forward to slaughtering hordes of monsters. This game allows you to fight random battles right? (< looking forward to making fun of a bunch of d-bags who play FE like FFT)

There are two areas in the game where you can always return to and just kill monsters to gain experience. Think Catacombs of Trial from Stella Deus. I think I also heard mention that there will be times when monsters will randomly pop up in areas that you have already passed and you can go back and slaughter those monsters for even more experience.

 

[Pellham]

It's a decent game for a handheld. I was disappointed by certain aspects, but those are aspects you'd only get if you've played one of the old famicom Fire Emblem games. Overall, a pretty fun experience and better than the first US GBA FE game.

Probably not a big deal, but they totally raped some of the names in the localization process. I can understand Eirik->Eirika, but Ashley->Artur? Larchel->L'arachel? Cougar->Cormag? If they were going to change names, couldn't they pick better names?

 

[Ironclad]

Pellham, what was it about 8 that dissapointed you? Was it the inclusion of the world map system? This new system does make the game easier because it gives you more oppurtunities to farm exp. and to visit old shops so I could see why that would bother some long-time FE players. I've played a few of the older FE games but cant' recall any of them having a world map system like this one does.

 

[Pellham]

Was it the inclusion of the world map system? This new system does make the game easier because it gives you more oppurtunities to farm exp. and to visit old shops so I could see why that would bother some long-time FE players. I've played a few of the older FE games but cant' recall any of them having a world map system like this one does.

That's hardly the problem.

In Fire Emblem Gaiden, for which Sacred Stones borrows its gameplay system from, you had control over two lords simultaneously. I.E. you start out with Alm, then you play Celica, then you get to switch back and forth between both on the world map until the end of the game. Several years later, Shozo Kaga leaves Nintendo and makes TearRing Saga, which borrows from Fire Emblem Gaiden again, and retains the dual lord system - Ryunan's storyline contains fixed scenarios that you have to do one by one, while Holmes has free movement over the map. Three points during the game you can switch members between each army.

The problem with Sacred Stones, is that you pick from Eirika or Ephraim, and that's it. You don't get to play the other lord, you only have one single story that is slightly different depending on which lord you picked (two chapters difference). I have a feeling they probably planned to have a true dual lord system, but scaled it back down in order to meet deadlines.

 

[kiryogi]

This is mine tomorrow! I should play more Souen tho XD

 

[Ironclad]

That's hardly the problem.

In Fire Emblem Gaiden, for which Sacred Stones borrows its gameplay system from, you had control over two lords simultaneously. I.E. you start out with Alm, then you play Celica, then you get to switch back and forth between both on the world map until the end of the game. Several years later, Shozo Kaga leaves Nintendo and makes TearRing Saga, which borrows from Fire Emblem Gaiden again, and retains the dual lord system - Ryunan's storyline contains fixed scenarios that you have to do one by one, while Holmes has free movement over the map. Three points during the game you can switch members between each army.

The problem with Sacred Stones, is that you pick from Eirika or Ephraim, and that's it. You don't get to play the other lord, you only have one single story that is slightly different depending on which lord you picked (two chapters difference). I have a feeling they probably planned to have a true dual lord system, but scaled it back down in order to meet deadlines.

Alrigiht, I see what you mean now. That is very interesting though. It is odd that they force you to stay with Eirika or Ephraim throughout the rest of the game.

 

[Tempy]

After finishing Fire Emblem GBA (Fire Emblem 7), I decided to play the fantranslated Fire Emblem 6. It's definitely much harder than FE7, making me play much more careful than before. Missions seem to take much longer too. Which leads me to my next point.

I hate perm-death.

I never want to lose a character, and reset whenever one kicks the bucket. Was playing mission 9 for a couple of hours, doing quite well, playing it safely. Until one careless moment caused me to lose Noah. GAH. FE7 was less aggravating since it was much easier, but FE6 is kicking me in the nads.

I have FE8 (Sacred Stones) preordered, but if it proves as difficult as FE6 then I'm tempted to just put the original cart aside, and actually play it on a flash cart so I can make save game backups. Weaksauce I know...

 

[Ford Prefect]

So how similar is this to the first GBA FE? I always assumed it was an update in the smallest extent, like Advance Wars 2.

 

[Ironclad]

So how similar is this to the first GBA FE? I always assumed it was an update in the smallest extent, like Advance Wars 2.

If you follow the movie link I posted in my original post, you will get an excellent idea of how different 8 is from 7. The core gameplay is pretty much the same but there are new character classes and the way you upgrade your characters has been expanded far more. All of the characters are new and the story is entirely new. None of those aspects have been carried over from 7. Also, the game doesn't force you to go from chapter to chapter. There is a world map where you can choose your destination and there are two areas on the map, a tower and the ruins where you can go to kill monsters to gain experience. As you defeat one set of monsters in these areas, you go further in and you can visit them at any time. I wouldn't just call it a simple update because what made 7 great, the story and the characters, are all new for 8 and the core gamplay was always great, so no need to mess with that now. Also, the new animations and music make this one purchase worthy as well.

 

[MutFox]

I've been playing the game, and so far it's pretty easy. (Chapter 5 on Normal.)
If you're too weaksauce for the game choose the Ninja Dog setting. (AKA Easy.)
That way, if you suck, you'll still be able to finish the game.

And having control of one lord at a time is fine.
Kind of like FE7 and having Hector's story, but having it right off the bat.

 

[Beezy]

I've been playing the game, and so far it's pretty easy. (Chapter 5 on Normal.)
If you're too weaksauce for the game choose the Ninja Dog setting. (AKA Easy.)
That way, if you suck, you'll still be able to finish the game.

And having control of one lord at a time is fine.
Kind of like FE7 and having Hector's story, but having it right off the bat.

Yeah, the game is fun as hell. Just got to Chapter 5 yesterday. I'd be much farther if I didn't have so much homework...

 

[Pellham]

I have FE8 (Sacred Stones) preordered, but if it proves as difficult as FE6 then I'm tempted to just put the original cart aside, and actually play it on a flash cart so I can make save game backups. Weaksauce I know...

The game is a lot easier, especially since you can freely level troops, i wouldn't be surprised if you never lost a character on easy mode.
So I don't think you need to worry about it.

 

[kiryogi]

After finishing Fire Emblem GBA (Fire Emblem 7), I decided to play the fantranslated Fire Emblem 6. It's definitely much harder than FE7, making me play much more careful than before. Missions seem to take much longer too. Which leads me to my next point.

I hate perm-death.

I never want to lose a character, and reset whenever one kicks the bucket. Was playing mission 9 for a couple of hours, doing quite well, playing it safely. Until one careless moment caused me to lose Noah. GAH. FE7 was less aggravating since it was much easier, but FE6 is kicking me in the nads.

I have FE8 (Sacred Stones) preordered, but if it proves as difficult as FE6 then I'm tempted to just put the original cart aside, and actually play it on a flash cart so I can make save game backups. Weaksauce I know...

Hmm? There's a fan translation of 6? is it 100% complete?

 

[Ironclad]

Hmm? There's a fan translation of 6? is it 100% complete?

That's exactly what I thought as well. I want to play 6 more than anything else, but I haven't gotten a chance to because I could never find a translation. This is a surprising turn of events though. I'll have to look for it now.

 

[Amir0x]

Yeah, Fire Emblem Sacred Stones does fuckin' own. I'm really happy we have multiple difficulties from the start.

 

[Tempy]

Hmm? There's a fan translation of 6? is it 100% complete?

Still being worked at, almost 100%. Still lots of formatting issues, and tons of spelling errors. Refusal to translate the tutorial properly because the translator seemingly feels that everybody should be Fire Emblem veterans and don't need no stinkin' tutorial. "soldiers" is consistently spelled as "soliders" and "against" as "aganist". This occurs so often I'm convinced he's a dyslexic person who refuses to use a spellchecker.

http://s7.invisionfree.com/FESS/index.php?showtopic=3381&view=findpost&p=1515366

 

[Socreges]

Still being worked at, almost 100%. Still lots of formatting issues, and tons of spelling errors. Refusal to translate the tutorial properly because the translator seemingly feels that everybody should be Fire Emblem veterans and don't need no stinkin' tutorial. "soldiers" is consistently spelled as "soliders" and "against" as "aganist". This occurs so often I'm convinced he's a dyslexic person who refuses to use a spellchecker.

http://s7.invisionfree.com/FESS/index.php?showtopic=3381&view=findpost&p=1515366

Woah, that's just so much better than any other translation I've seen. Spelling errors? Oh well!

Could you link to a site that would have the FE6 ROM?

Oh wait... FE6 is the first GBA game... blah, nm

 

[Ironclad]

Hey, that translation isn't half bad. It's definetly better than some of the stuff I have settled for in the past, and judging as how a good FE 6 translation is hard to come by, this is all the better.

 

[Tempy]

Could you link to a site that would have the FE6 ROM?

I can't remember correctly, but somehow I don't think the GAF rules would allow me to answer that

 

[Socreges]

I can't remember correctly, but somehow I don't think the GAF rules would allow me to answer that

True, but I just realized I already have it anyways.

K, last question, what program do I need to apply the patch? I've forgotten

[edit] found it, IPSwin

 

[Tempy]

Hmm I must have had an old version of the patch. Seems like the tutorial is properly done now. The other problems I mentioned might have been fixed too, so ignore what I said about them.

 

[Beezy]

BTW, when does the GC Fire Emblem come out in the U.S?

 

[The_Sorrow]

BTW, when does the GC Fire Emblem come out in the U.S?

November or around there.

Anyway I cannot wait for this game! Impressions will come when I pick it up.

 

[Ironclad]

BTW, when does the GC Fire Emblem come out in the U.S?

Everybody has it listed as November. I wouldn't be surprised if that changes though.

 

[Beezy]

Everybody has it listed as November. I wouldn't be surprised if that changes though.

Seems far away, but two Fire Emblem games in one year is great.

 

[ruffles]

If I've never played an FE, should I start with this new GBA one or the one released a while ago?

 

[Beezy]

If I've never played an FE, should I start with this new GBA one or the one released a while ago?

You'll love it no matter where you start. The stories of different games are connected, but they aren't dependent of each other. I started on the first GBA FE because it was the first one released in the U.S. I'm not sure if the 2nd one (Sacred Stones) takes place before or after it. I'd recommend starting on the first though. After playing one FE game, you'll want to play through them all.

 

[Ironclad]

If I've never played an FE, should I start with this new GBA one or the one released a while ago?

It doesn't matter where you start. The Sacred Stones has three difficulty settings right from the start so it will be easier for you to jump into this one. The stories of the two GBA games released in NA have no connection whatsoever. None of the characters, environments, or story have been carried over from before. Like mentioned above though, either of the games should make you a fan, so you can't lose wherever you start.

 

[neptunes]

so who is playing?

 

[Beezy]

so who is playing?

*raises hand*

Trying decide if I should go straight into Chapter 9 with Eirika, or if I should train a little first...

 

[Mejilan]

Picked up this and Wario Ware Twisted today from the Nintendo World store. Got a free FE T-Shirt and a free mini bottle of NINTENDO WORLD WATER!

Woo!

BTW, did this game officially hit stores yesterday or today? Is 05/23 release date or ship date?

 

[Dragona Akehi]

I can't wait to get the English version of the game. Been playing the JPN version since last year. Like Pellham said, it's too easy (which the GC version thankfully fixes) and allows you to abuse levelling like never before with the reusable maps.

And about the names, they are pretty dumb. I'd have gone with Rachel for Larchel, and Ashley is still a male name.

The best thing about this game is the official return of Skills to Fire Emblem. It's very simplified and you can't customize really (as they're tied to classes rather than individual units) but it's nice to have them back.

Pellham: FE GC is kinda weird, well not really. Do you have a list of all the available skills and their translations? (I'm rusty on my kanji and don't have patience to look them all up.)

 

[MrDaravon]

Shipped yesterday, hit (most) stores today. 99% of the time when you see a date, it's a ship date. It is unusual that it came out on a Tuesday though, since it's usually Wednesday on games.

 

[kiryogi]

Got my copy! Fuck you gamestop for charging 34.99 ;_;

 

[BobbyRobby]

Just got mine too along with Twisted. Gamestop pricematches, just to let you know for nxt time.

 

[Ironclad]

Just got mine too along with Twisted. Gamestop pricematches, just to let you know for nxt time.

Hmm, that's odd. The manager at my Gamestop said that they don't price match, especially not with Fry's. :lol Fry's has the game for $24.99 in case you haven't picked it up yet.

I had my copy reserved at gamestop so I got to pay $34.99. I picked up Twisted as well, but I haven't even opened that and probably won't today. I've only put an hour into Sacred Stones because I got home from school an hour ago, but I will post more in-depth impressions later.

Quick impressions: The font and overall menu style feels a little odd. It's different than 7 obviously but it just feels wierd. Everything in 7 felt more elegant. Maybe it's just me, but I guess I'll have to get used to it. Also, this time around as far as I have seen, you are not a character in the game. The characters in the game do not face the screen and talk to you, and there is no name entry whatsoever. Just a few differences I noticed right from the start.

 

[Agent Dormer]

I plan on picking it up. It got a 4/5 at Modojo, too.

http://www.modojo.com/articles/reviews/gba/fire_emblem_the_sacred_stones/

 

[Mejilan]

Shipped yesterday, hit (most) stores today. 99% of the time when you see a date, it's a ship date. It is unusual that it came out on a Tuesday though, since it's usually Wednesday on games.

Thought so.

Heads up, then, NYers. The Nintendo World store apparently gets their games on the ship date. FE2 and WW Twisted were both available yesterday. FE is $34.99, but it comes with a free FE tee shirt. WW Twisted was $29.99. Actually, I walked out with both games, 2 free pins, and a free tee. Cool.

 

[Mejilan]

So, of the initial characters, which is this game's joke EXP-hog (like last game's Marcus)??

 

[Crazymoogle]

So, of the initial characters, which is this game's joke EXP-hog (like last game's Marcus)??

I'm not entirely sure having just started, but I'm treating the two pre-evolves on my team as the hogs for the time being. No point in letting them get in on the EXP action unless there is a level boss...

 

[kiryogi]

Mmm I've been curious about that myself. Is Seth worthless baggage? Tiamat in Souen actually turns out to be quite badass so its not a problem XD But how about that Seth in Seima?

 

[Mejilan]

I gave Seth ONE kill, noticed he went from 0 - 3 total exp, and decided he must be the joke character. He's not my meatbag/fleshwall dude.

 

[Beezy]

I agree with everyone about Seth. I try my best not to let him fight. He's still only at level 3 since only bosses give him a lot of experinece, but he owns anything that approaches him.

BTW, is the highest level you can reach still 20 like in the last game? If so, then I won't be wasting my time on any of the maps which don't help the story to advance at all. I don't like to completely overpower my enemies in any type of RPG. That makes the game too easy.