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Fire Emblem

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Fire Emblem (Japanese: ファイアーエムブレム) is a popular strategy and role-playing video game franchise, developed by Intelligent Systems, and published by Nintendo. It is from the developers of Advance Wars, from the Nintendo Wars series. It was created by Shouzou Kaga, who later developed Tear Ring Saga. The Fire Emblem franchise has graced the Famicom, Super Famicom, Gameboy Advance, and there will soon be a version for Nintendo GameCube. It was confined to Japan until the seventh installment, which was released on the Gameboy Advance in 2003. Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken (Blazing Sword), for Gameboy Advance, is the first Fire Emblem game to be localized to North America and Europe. It was released in the United States and Europe under the name of "Fire Emblem" without any subtitle. Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 is the last game on the Super Famicom. The Fire Emblem series was scored by Yuka Tsujiyoko, the composer for Paper Mario who also scored part of Tetris Attack. Shouzou Kaga resigned from Intelligent Systems after Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 and started his own business, Tirnanog.

Death is permanent in a Fire Emblem game if the game progress is saved. Some characters get revived automatically, for example, in Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken, if one character dies in Lyndis's story, they get automatically revived in Eliwood's or Hector's story, but lose valuable level-ups. Fire Emblem rivals Final Fantasy in terms of soundtracks. Fire Emblem features many character classes. It is compared to the game of chess in many ways. There is also a Weapon Triangle, which states "Swords beat axes. Axes beat lances. Lances beat swords." Just like rock paper scissors.

The name of Fire Emblem comes from the synopsis of the series first installment that the Fire Emblem was an emblem which was combined with Marth's sword, Falchion (used in Super Smash Bros. Melee), and that only Marth, the wielder of the Emblem, was allowed to wield the Falchion. Marth stars as the betrayed prince in Fire Emblem.

In 1995, an anime OVA (co-produced with KSS) was produced and released; it was closely based on the first three acts of the very first game in the series or more spefically, the remake contained in Monshou no Nazo. See also Fire Emblem (OVA)

Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi (Dragon of Darkness and Sword of Light), Famicom (1990)

Fire Emblem: Ankoku no Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi (Japanese: ファイアーエムブレム　暗黒竜と光の剣) is the very first Fire Emblem game. It takes place in Akaneia. It stars Marth, a character who later appeared in Super Smash Bros. Melee. Marth is the first in the Lord class. He is the prince of Aritia. He was sent to exile from that kingdom. His mentor is Jeigan. Jeigan was sworn to guide and protect Marth all through the game. He is an old but powerful knight. Dohga, a heavy-armored knight, is a member of Jeigan's squad. Gordon is an archer for the Aritian army, and Ryan is his brother. Abel is one of Aritia's top soldiers, and Kain is his brother. There is also a Pegasus Knight known as Sheeda.

Fire Emblem Gaiden (Side-Story), Famicom (1991)

Fire Emblem Gaiden (Japanese: ファイアーエムブレム外伝) is a side story to the original Fire Emblem. It is the last Fire Emblem game on the Famicom. It stars Alm and Celica. Alm and Celica knew each other since they were children. They each run a separate army. Alm's party is usually larger and stronger than Celica's party. Several characters, including Paola, from the original Fire Emblem made a comeback in Fire Emblem Gaiden.

The game takes place in the continent of Valencia, over a span of 5 "Chapters". As each "Chapter" unfolds more of the map is revealed, for players to traverse on. There are two kingdoms: Rigel and Sofia. Alm doesn't know at first, but he is later revealed to be the Prince of Rigel (Rudolf I's son). Celica is the Princess of Sofia, and she also appears to be a priestess of Mira, a goddess. Fire Emblem gaiden was the first Fire Emblem game where the two "Lords" or heroes could actually promote. Alm's starting class is Fighter and he promotes into a Hero. Celica is a Shinkan（神官）, or more traditionally known as a Priestess, and she promotes into a Princess.

Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo (Mystery of the Emblem), Super Famicom (1993)

Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo (Japanese: ファイアーエムブレム　紋章の謎) is Fire Emblem's first Super Famicom (SNES) installment. The events of the original Fire Emblem game were reinvented into this game. Monshou no Nazo mainly has the direct sequel to the original game, and also stars Marth. Most of the characters from the original Fire Emblem game returned in Monshou no Nazo. Monshou no Nazo held the no. 1 position on the Famitsu chart for one year. Also introduced is the Dismount command, having a cavalier get off a horse. In Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo, cavaliers can only use lances when on horseback and swords when on foot. In interior, or in-door, chapters of the game, cavaliers are forced to dismount. The remake and the sequel in Monshou no Nazo are called "Book 1" and "Book 2" respectively. They have two separate soundtracks. As for the recruiting theme, it is in band style in Book 1 and in orchestral style in Book 2. Book 2's soundtrack is more classical.

Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu (Genealogy of Holy War), Super Famicom (1996)

Main Article: Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu

Released in Japan on May 14, 1996, Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu (Japanese: ファイアーエムブレム　聖戦の系譜) is the most imported Fire Emblem game. It has been very popular through emulation in the United States, especially since the release of Super Smash Bros. Melee, which virtually lacks reference to this Super Famicom game, and it is therefore an import classic. Many who played Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu studied Japanese. According to the official Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken site by Nintendo of America, Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu was the most successful game in the Fire Emblem series. It deviates from the standard Fire Emblem gameplay mechanisms to some extent. Some of the Seisen no Keifu gameplay mechanisms have been carried over to the Gameboy Advance game Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki.

Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu takes place in the continent of Jugdral (pronounced YOOG-druhl), located about southeast from Akaneia. The country at the center of Jugdral is called Grandbell. The other countries are the Kingdom of Isaac, the Kingdom of Silesia, the Lords Dominion of Agustria, Manster District, the Kingdom of Thracia, and the Kingdom of Verdane. The first half of the game stars Sigurd (also known as Siglud, according to Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu: TREASURE), the prince of Chalphy (pronounced SHAL-fee), son of Byron (also known as Vylon in TREASURE), a descendant of Baldo. His Chalphian squad includes Arden (a heavy-armored knight), Noish (a social knight), and Alec (a social knight). He has a younger sister named Ethlin and a brother-in-law and close friend Cuan, prince of Lenster. Sigurd and his forces meet their destiny at end of the fifth chapter. At the beginning of chapter two, Sigurd marries Diadora, who first appeared in chapter one. In chapter five, their destiny is delivered by Alvis and the Thracian army. The second half of the game stars Selis (also known as Celice according to TREASURE), son of Sigurd, and his forces, who are either children of the characters in the first half or substitute characters that replace them. Fin, a knight of Lenster, is the only character in the game who fights in both halves of the game. He also starred in Fire Emblem: Thracia 776. Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu has great graphics and sound for a Super NES game. Chapter one opens with the appearance of Eltshan, the king of Nodion. Gunpei Yokoi was the producer of this game. Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu has the largest soundtrack of any Fire Emblem game, composed of 114 tracks. It has been considered Tsujiyoko's largest work.

Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu starts off with a prologue beginning with the army of the Kingdom of Grandbell attacking the Kingdom of Isaac nearby and the army of Verdane invading Grandbell, having only a handful of remaining soldiers, who are Sigurd, Noish, Alec, and Arden to fight off the Verdanian invasion. The first enemy message is when Edin (also known as Adean according to TREASURE), the daughter of Lord Ring, of Jungby Castle gets captured by Gandolf of Marpha Castle of Verdane and gets taken to Verdane. Sigurd had no choice but to take up arms in order to rescue Edin. At the end of the prologue, Sigurd seizes Evans Castle and made it his army's home base in Chapters 1 and 2. At the beginning of Chapter 1, Eltshan shows up and meets with Sigurd. Meanwhile, Kinbois passes the enemy message to the Genoa Castle army. Then Ira and Shanan from Isaac (pronounced ih-ZAHK in the game) talk with Kinbois, and Ira says no to double-crossing. At the player's second turn, Edin escapes with Dew the thief. After Sigurd conquers Genoa Castle, he convinces Ira to defect to his army. Shortly thereafter, a fight outbreaks between Nodion Castle and Evans Castle. The border guard informed Eltshan, the king of Nodion Castle, about the Heirhein Castle army attempting to seize Evans Castle. Eltshan and his cross knights marched on and easily defeated the Heirhein knights, commanded by Elliot.

Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu is the first Fire Emblem game to have a Trading Card Game (Fire Emblem: Trading Card Game) based on it, since 2001. Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo entered into the Trading Card Game decks three years later.

Fire Emblem: Thracia 776, Super Famicom (1999, 2000)

Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 (Japanese: ファイアーエムブレム　トラキア776) is the last game ever released for the Super Famicom. Therefore, it is the Super Famicom finale. It is the midquel to Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu. It happens between chapters five and six of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu. It stars Leaf, the son of Cuan and Ethlin; his guardian Fin who took him into hiding in chapter five of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, and a host of many other characters, including characters from Seisen no Keifu. Leaf retaliates against the Thracian army because of what they did to his parents. Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 introduces night combat, which is only portions of the map are show and the others blacked out. A torch is needed to light the way in night combat. This is also called "fog of war." Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 also introduced the Rescue feature known to players of the US edition of Fire Emblem on GBA, although in this game, you can capture enemies. Some characters from Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, including Fin, have been carried over to Thracia 776. The graphics of Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 are slightly better than those of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu. It is the most realistic Fire Emblem game as of now.

Spoiler Warning: Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 contains spoilers for Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, both in Japanese and in English. Therefore, it is not recommended to play Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 before playing Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu for the first time.

Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi (Sealed Sword), Gameboy Advance (2002)

Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi (ファイアーエムブレム　封印の剣) stars Roy, who later appeared in Super Smash Bros. Melee. It takes place on the continent of Ereb (or Elibe if you prefer.) Roy led a campaign known as the Lycian League against the forces from the militant continent of Bern shortly after his father fell ill. He is from Pherae.

The story begins when King Zephiel, ruler of the Kingdom of Bern began to invade Ilia and Sacae, constantingly massacring everything in their paths. Roy was sent home to carry down Pherae's army to join the war, but soon after meeting Guinivere, the princess of Bern; and through the Lycian League stalwart general Hector's faithful farewells, Roy carried on the Lycian League and made many promises: to protect Guinivere, Hector's beloved daughter Lilina, and most importantly to save the entire continent from Zephiel's mysterious thirst for world domination.

Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi has been released in Japan in 2002, but rumors had spread about its U.S. Release being on its way as well.

Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken, Gameboy Advance (2003)

Main Article: Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken

Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken (Tanslation: Blazing Sword or Sword of Fire [Blazing Sword being the most popular term]) is the first Fire Emblem game to be released in the United States. It was developed with a North American release in mind. It is the prequel to Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi, in which you battle a group called the Black Fang. The first part stars Lyndis, the first female character to be in the Lord class. That may make her a lady. The later part stars Eliwood (Roy's father). The alternate later part stars Hector, the first member of the Lord class to wield an axe. The game has an in game tutorial (Lyn's Quest) and versions of songs from the original Fire Emblem game (Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi) and Fire Emblem: Thracia 776.

Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki, Gameboy Advance (2004)

File:GBA Fire Emblem Overview.png
Screenshot Fire Emblem

Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki is the third portable Fire Emblem game. This one takes place on the continent of Magi Val, which was populated with evil beings. Man seals the evil forces within five magic stones, which become the heirlooms of five different royal families. The game begins with the Empire of Grad conquering the Lunes kingdom. Luckily, Prince Ephraim of Lunes wasn't there, and the Princess Eirik was sent to the neighboring kingdom of Fleria...

The game boasts sub-maps and a class change system that allows the player to select a class to upgrade to. It also beefs up level-building capability. Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki has a gameplay engine similar to that of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu.

The official website can be found at http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n08/be8j/

Fire Emblem: Souen no Kiseki (Trail of the Blue Flame), Gamecube (TBA 2005)

Fire Emblem: Souen no Kiseki is the recently announced new game in the series for the Nintendo Gamecube, the first one for a console since the release of Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 for the Super Famicom, having skipped the Nintendo 64. This game has been confirmed by Nintendo and may be released outside Japan. Only that it is also the first to be featured in 3D, and that it also takes place in a land called Telius, with a new cast as well. It will obviously have cel-shaded 3D graphics, as in Dragon Quest VIII, Dark Cloud 2, and Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, in order to retain the classic Fire Emblem feel and avoid subjection to moral panic.

Sources can be found here (English) and here (Japanese).

Notes and Regional Record

Two Fire Emblem characters, Marth and Roy, are secret characters in Super Smash Bros. Melee. Marth starred in Fire Emblem: Ankoku no Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi (Dragon of Darkness and Sword of Light), and Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo (Mystery of the Emblem). Roy starred in Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi (Sealed Sword). Super Smash Bros. Melee virtually lacks reference to Fire Emblem Gaiden, Seisen no Keifu, and Thracia 776. According to the official Japanese site of Nintendo, Marth was put in Super Smash Bros. Melee upon Japanese request. He was developed for Super Smash Bros. Melee expecting that he would be dummied out of the North American version of the game. However, he was well-crafted, earning him extended attention in North America. Eventually, by the decision of Nintendo of America, he was included in the North American version of Super Smash Bros. Melee the same way as in the Japanese version. Roy was developed for Super Smash Bros. Melee for the purpose of advertising Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi.

Of the Fire Emblem series, the Fire Emblem games before Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken were marketed exclusively in Japan. The last Japan-only installment, Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi still has a chance for localization to North America and Europe. Fan translations of the first five Fire Emblem games are underway, being translated from Japanese to English. North America has been showing interest in the Fire Emblem series since the invention of game emulation, or since the release of Super Smash Bros. Melee. If any of the Fire Emblem games before Rekka no Ken get remade for Nintendo GameCube or later Nintendo console, they will probably get the opportunity to come to North America, Europe, and Australia.

Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door has a reference to Fire Emblem.

History making characters

Several Fire Emblem characters have made history in the Fire Emblem series.

  • Marth - From Fire Emblem: Ankoku no Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi and Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo, being the first Lord, and, also, the only Lord who kept his position during two games. He also appeared as a secret playable character in Super Smash Bros. Melee.
  • Celica - From Fire Emblem Gaiden, being the first female main character.
  • Sigurd (Siglud) - From Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, being the first in the Lord class to have exceptional stats and the first Lord to be mounted on a horse.
  • Lex - From Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, being Fire Emblem's first axefighter on horseback.
  • Ayra (Ira) - From Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, being the first popular female swordfighter. She is one of the most popular Fire Emblem characters. She is the originator of the Myrmidon and Swordmaster classes, which is what many call their favorite class.
  • Leaf (Leif) - From Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu and Thracia 776, being the first in the Lord class to have a hair color that is not blue.
  • Sue - From Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi, being Fire Emblem's first female archer on horseback. She is the daughter of Rath from Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken.
  • Lyndis - From Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken, being the first female character to be in the Lord class.
  • Hector - From Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken, being the first in the Lord class to wield an axe.

Most of them are from Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu. All of them are player characters except where indicated.

  • Abel (Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo)
  • Alec (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu)
  • Aless (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu)
  • Alm (Fire Emblem Gaiden)
  • Ayra (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu)
  • Bartre (Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi and Rekka no Ken)
  • Celica (Fire Emblem Gaiden)
  • Celice (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu)
  • Edin (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu)
  • Eliwood (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken)
  • Eltosian (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu) (non-player character)
  • Fin (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu)
  • Guy (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken)
  • Hector (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken)
  • Holyn (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu)
  • Jeigan (Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi and Monshou no Nazo) (controversial)
  • Karel (Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi and Rekka no Ken)
  • Karla (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken)
  • Lakche (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu)
  • Leaf (Fire Emblem: Thracia 776)
  • Levin (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu)
  • Lex (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu)
  • Limstella (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken) (major enemy)
  • Lyndis (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken)
  • Marcus (Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi and Rekka no Ken) (controversial)
  • Marth (Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo)
  • Merlinus (Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi and Rekka no Ken) (item bank character)
  • Nabarl (Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi and Monshou no Nazo)
  • Nino (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken)
  • Noish (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu)
  • Roy (Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi)
  • Rutger (Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi)
  • Sety (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu)
  • Shanan (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu)
  • Sheeda (Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo)
  • Sigurd (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu)
  • Skasaher (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu)
  • Sonia (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken) (major enemy)
  • Tinny (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu)
  • Yuria (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu)

Fire Emblem Traditions and Terminology

  • Jeigan - A term used for a prepromoted character who starts out to be vastly strong, but deteriorates in utility throughout the game, levels up very slowly, gains almost no experience against enemies who are otherwise advantageous against other characters, and becomes surpassed by most of the game's initially unpromoted units, but is a mentor to a character holding the Lord class, and is usually a mounted man. Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu is the first in the series to have a young Jeigan. Other than the original Jeigan character, such characters include Oifey of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu and Marcus of Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi and Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken. Oifey is the strongest of all Jeigans.
  • Dohga - A term used for a heavy-armoured unit who is big and strong and reliable. Apart from the original Dohga character, such characters include Bors of Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi, and Oswin of Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken.
  • Kain - A term used for a red-armoured cavalier who has ties with a green-armoured cavalier, and who prefers to use swords. Other than the original Kain character, such characters include Noish of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, Alan of Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi, and Kent of Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken.
  • Abel - A term used for a green-armoured cavalier who has ties with a red-armoured cavalier, and who prefers to use lances. Other than the original Abel character, such characters include Alec of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, Lance of Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi, and Sain of Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken.
  • Oguma - A term used for a sophisticated swordfighter who is a mercenary and knows good values of a swordfighter, and has high HP and strength and maxes out early in the game. Other than the original Oguma character, such characters include Holyn of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, Dieck of Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi, and Raven of Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken.
  • Nabarl - A term used for a swordfighter who is very swift, faster than the Oguma character, appearing first as a dangerous enemy and difficult to recruit, and that the recruiting is found to be worth the effort all throughout the game, and is a good-looking character. Apart from the original Nabarl character, such characters include Ayra of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, Rutger of Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi, and Guy of Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken.

See Also

Sites:

Forums:

Misc:

The Fire Emblem catagory in a large fan fiction site

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