Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon (2008)

by Ji-yeong
written by Ji-yeong 7 minutes read

Summary

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon (2008)

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon is a turn-based strategy role-playing game developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. It is a remake of the 1990 Famicom game Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light, the first game in the Fire Emblem series. The game was released in Japan in 2008 and in North America and Europe in 2009.

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon tells the story of Marth, a young prince of the kingdom of Altea. Marth’s father, King Cornelius, is killed by the evil sorcerer Gharnef, and Marth must flee his kingdom with a small group of loyal followers. Marth and his companions travel across the continent of Archanea, gathering allies and fighting Gharnef’s forces in order to reclaim his kingdom and defeat the evil sorcerer.

Gameplay in Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon is similar to other games in the series. Players control a group of units on a grid-based map, and must move their units strategically in order to defeat the enemy. Units can attack, defend, and use special abilities, and players must carefully consider the strengths and weaknesses of each unit in order to succeed.

One of the most unique features of Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon is its weapon triangle system. In the weapon triangle, swords beat axes, axes beat lances, and lances beat swords. This system adds an extra layer of strategy to the game, as players must carefully consider which weapons to use against which enemies.

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon was praised by critics for its challenging gameplay, engaging story, and beautiful graphics. The game was a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide.

Gameplay

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon is a turn-based strategy role-playing game. Players control a group of units on a grid-based map, and must move their units strategically in order to defeat the enemy. Units can attack, defend, and use special abilities, and players must carefully consider the strengths and weaknesses of each unit in order to succeed.

One of the most unique features of Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon is its weapon triangle system. In the weapon triangle, swords beat axes, axes beat lances, and lances beat swords. This system adds an extra layer of strategy to the game, as players must carefully consider which weapons to use against which enemies.

For example, if a player’s unit is wielding a sword, they will have an advantage when attacking an enemy unit wielding an axe. However, if the enemy unit is wielding a lance, they will have an advantage over the player’s unit. Players must carefully consider the weapon triangle when making their decisions, as it can greatly affect the outcome of battles.

Story

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon tells the story of Marth, a young prince of the kingdom of Altea. Marth’s father, King Cornelius, is killed by the evil sorcerer Gharnef, and Marth must flee his kingdom with a small group of loyal followers. Marth and his companions travel across the continent of Archanea, gathering allies and fighting Gharnef’s forces in order to reclaim his kingdom and defeat the evil sorcerer.

Along the way, Marth meets a variety of characters, including the pegasus knight Caeda, the mage Merric, and the archer Gordin. These characters become Marth’s loyal companions, and they fight alongside him against Gharnef’s forces.

The story of Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon is engaging and well-written, and it does a good job of introducing players to the world of Fire Emblem. The characters are well-developed and likeable, and players will find themselves rooting for Marth and his companions as they fight to save Archanea.

Graphics

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon features beautiful graphics that are a significant improvement over the original NES game. The characters and environments are all well-drawn, and the game’s art style is charming and appealing. The game also runs smoothly, even on the Nintendo DS’s limited hardware.

Sound

The soundtrack of Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon is excellent, and it features a variety of catchy and memorable tunes. The sound effects are also well-done, and they help to create a sense of atmosphere and immersion.

Conclusion

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon is an excellent remake of the original NES game, and it is a must-play for fans of strategy RPGs. The game features challenging gameplay, an engaging story, beautiful graphics, and an excellent soundtrack. If you’re looking for a great strategy RPG to play on the Nintendo DS, then you should definitely check out Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Ji-yeong is a passionate gamer and whose love for video games blossomed during her childhood. Growing up in the midwest, without many friends, she spent countless hours exploring the enchanting worlds of classic JRPGs like Final Fantasy and Chrono Trigger, which sparked not only an enduring love for gaming but also a keen insight into its evolving landscape. Today, Ji-yeong channels her deep-seated passion and nostalgia into thoughtful, engaging reviews that resonate with both longtime gamers and newcomers alike. Her unique perspective, rooted in a rich history of gaming, offers readers a heartfelt journey through the pixels and stories that have shaped her love for this dynamic medium. Her favorite game series of all time is Harvest Moon.

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