Summary
Fire Emblem Gaiden (1992) expands the Fire Emblem formula with unique gameplay elements and a compelling narrative, marking a pivotal moment in the series’ history. It remains a beloved classic among fans of tactical RPGs.
- Release Year: 1992
- Genres: Role-playing game (RPG), Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS)
- Platforms: Family Computer, Wii, Wii U
- Developers: Intelligent Systems Co., Ltd.
- Publishers: Nintendo
Introduction
Fire Emblem Gaiden stands as a significant entry in the Fire Emblem series, introducing gameplay innovations and a dual-protagonist narrative that set it apart from its peers in the tactical RPG genre.
Synopsis
Fire Emblem Gaiden, the second installment in the Fire Emblem series, is a tactical role-playing game developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo. Released in March 1992, it was the last Fire Emblem title to be developed for the Famicom.
The game is set on the continent of Valentia, the same world as its predecessor, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light. Valentia is torn apart by political strife involving the princess Celica and her childhood friend Alm. The game follows the battles of these two opposing armies.
Alm leads the Liberation Army against the corrupt Prime Minister of Zofia, and Emperor Rudolf of Rigel. On the other hand, Celica leads her own army to rescue the Earth Mother Mila, and stop the poisoning of the land by the God Duma.
The game builds upon the basic turn-based strategy gameplay of the previous title, while including new elements such as a navigable overworld. Players assume control of two armies, led by Alm and Celica, who navigate an overworld and can visit towns, where they may recruit new allies or talk to traders to transfer items between the groups. The overworld is freely navigable, with additional areas opening up as the story progresses.
Battles use a turn-based battle system, with the player, enemies, and sometimes non-playable characters each taking turns and moving across a grid-based battlefield. Battles are won by the player defeating all enemies in a map or killing a boss character. Enemies include human troops and monsters.
The game features two difficulty levels: “Normal” and “Easy”. On easy mode, experience points earned through actions in combat are doubled and items can be exchanged between units beyond vendor stalls.
The development of Fire Emblem Gaiden began after the commercial success of Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light. Original designer and writer Shouzou Kaga returned and assumed the role of director, while Yuka Tsujiyoko and Gunpei Yokoi returned respectively as composer and producer. Kaga’s main concern was addressing pacing issues from the first game, and allowing for a greater connection between players and the characters.
Fire Emblem Gaiden was a commercial success, selling over 324,000 units as of 2002. It received mixed reviews from critics, and was later compared to Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels and Zelda II: The Adventure of Link as the “black sheep” of the series. Some elements would be used in later Fire Emblem titles. A full remake, titled Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, was released worldwide on the Nintendo 3DS in 2017.
Characters
Alm, a brave warrior from Sofia, and Celica, a princess and priestess, are the main characters, supported by a diverse cast of units each with their own backstories, abilities, and roles in the unfolding narrative.
Gameplay
Gaiden introduced series-first features like branching paths, explorable towns, and dungeons. It maintains the series’ classic turn-based tactical battles, with the added complexity of terrain effects and character progression.
Conclusion
Fire Emblem Gaiden is both celebrated and critiqued for its bold gameplay choices. Its legacy is one of innovation, influencing not only future entries in the series but also the tactical RPG genre as a whole.
Review Score
7/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
Fan Art
Fan Art Style: Normal
Fan Art Style: Retro
Fan Art Style: Modern
