Topic: PREVIEWS: Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon

[Nick DiMola]

The Famicom original is finally making its way to American shores with a fresh coat of paint and a bevy of new features.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/previewArt.cfm?artid=16850

 Though Fire Emblem has more recently become a staple of Nintendo's American lineup, the series was exclusive to Japan for a total of six titles before making its way to western shores. Shadow Dragon, the latest title in the series is actually a recreation of the Famicom original from Intelligent Systems.    

Starring the popular character Marth who was first introduced to the west through Super Smash Bros. Melee, Shadow Dragon follows the story of the young prince who is on a quest to save the kingdom of Archanea. The once defeated evil Shadow Dragon, Medeus has been revived by the sorcerer Gharnef, and together they have attacked and seized Archanea. Marth along with a group of followers fight the tyrannical rule in an attempt to restore the peace that prospered after the initial destruction of Medeus.    

The classic tactical RPG gameplay will return in Shadow Dragon, with players able to use the DS touch screen to more effectively manage all of the characters in their team during battle. First time players will also be able to enjoy Fire Emblem's revered gameplay by playing through the brand new tutorial levels. The tutorial levels will also be of interest to seasoned players as they shed further light on Marth and his quest. The game will also feature a more robust save system to allow for more frequent saves to fit the portable nature of the game as well as six varying difficulty levels.    

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon will also have strong integration with Nintendo WiFi Connection, including the ability to chat with friends using the DS microphone, battle friends online with your trained team, buy items from the constantly changing online store with your in-game currency, and borrow units to use in battles with the new Loan Unit feature.    

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon is due for release in the US early next year.

[Schadenfreude]

After the huge disappointment Radiant Dawn was (for me at least), I really hope this turns out great. I loved the first Fire Emblem that came stateside and Path of Radiance.

[DAaaMan64]

Wow I loved Radiant Dawn. I'm down for this.

[vudu]

The game will also feature a more robust save system to allow for more frequent saves to fit the portable nature of the game

Can you please explain this in further detail?  Do you mean actual saves or just temp saves? 

[Nick DiMola]

The game will also feature a more robust save system to allow for more frequent saves to fit the portable nature of the game

Can you please explain this in further detail?  Do you mean actual saves or just temp saves? 

Unfortunately, the fact sheet was not very specific, stating just that. I'm guessing it's going to be a wait and see kind of thing. If I happen to come across any more information I'll be sure to let you know.

[NWR_Neal]

I've only really enjoyed Fire Emblem on portables.
I think I played the first stateside GBA one during an Economics class in high school every day for like two-three weeks. I beat the game and I got an A in the class.

[NWR_insanolord]

Strategy games are things I only really get into I on handhelds and PCs so it's good to see  Fire Emblem come to the DS, though it sounds like it's going to be primarily a console game from now on.

[Nick DiMola]

It would be nice to see Nintendo go on a Fire Emblem re-release kick and port all of those never released in America Fire Emblem games to the DS.

[Schadenfreude]

I'd rather just have them on VC personally.

[ATimson]

I'd rather just have them on VC personally.

I would be very surprised if they still had the source files necessary to produce translated versions of the early games. And more surprised if they'd make enough money to justify the translation and development costs.

[pSYCO-gAMER321]

The game will also feature a more robust save system to allow for more frequent saves to fit the portable nature of the game

Can you please explain this in further detail?  Do you mean actual saves or just temp saves?

There are certain times when you can save and the "temp" one is the circle showing in the map. Let me explain. After your forces defeat the major boss, Prince Marth subdues the "kingdom" which prompts an option to save. After that you get another chapter within the story and continue from there. From chapter 3 and beyond, you can have an option to "temp" save which is by far an actual improvement from the NES classic which the only save option is  after you subdue the kingdom. I may have to re-play the NES version again to verify. "Temp" saves are 1-3 (depending on the map) are a circle on the grid and any character lands on it has an option to save at that state. If you end up being screwed on your stategy and want to start over, restart the game and before you load out the game, press the "R" button and start all over.

I currently have the Japanese copy of the game and definitely loving it! Also the stylus option does come in handy if you want a point and click experience which by far helps out on getting the casual gamers into Fire Emblem and simple to use system (compared to the NES, no contest) on trading, customizing and buying/selling.

I'd rather just have them on VC personally.

The improvements from the NES to DS sure is worth the effort and the online game if quite fun. Now I'm wondering if Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem (Monshou no Nazo aka. Fire Emblem 3) would get a remake and would expand the story more since the first book was a remake from Fire Emblem 1 and would be redundant that FE3 contained the first book.

[KDR_11k]

You mean you have to step on a position on the map in order to make the temporary save?

[pSYCO-gAMER321]

You mean you have to step on a position on the map in order to make the temporary save?

One of your characters has to stay on the circle and once the character lands on that circle, you save and the character will be on that space. In return, the save circle disappears. It is ideal to save on the circle before you do any crazy strategy or go after a boss, but depends on how you go about it.

I'm almost done with the game. Story is shaping to be better than the original. Still about the same, but more details if you ask me.

[vudu]

Thanks for the info.  I trust the new save system isn't game-breaking?

[pSYCO-gAMER321]

It is more of an enhancement. Old fans will enjoy and newer fans riding on the Super Smash Bros. will learn the Fire Emblem history. I really do hope that Nintendo simply continues on the Fire Emblem remake rather than release in the Virtual Console and hopefully re-clarify that "Fire Emblem" in the US is not the first. Still puzzles me why would NoA would do that aside from "this is the first Fire Emblem in the US." However, it is negated since Fire Emblem is not countered by numbers so they could of stick to Fire Emblem: Blazing Sword and still continued from there. Also why just "Shadow Dragon"? Fire Emblem 1 does talk about the "Light Sword" as well... just enough of that. I'm rambling again.

When I'm done, I'll post a review along with media content. Does anyone know how to capture both DS into video without using a camcorder?