Fire Emblem: Sacred Stones is out

[Astromarine]

In case you missed it, this game just came out a couple weeks ago. I'm currently trying to finish the first FE before I buy this one. Gamespot says it's pretty much more of the same, which is predictable considering the GBA is reaching end-of-life.

Of, and for the doubters: yes, it's a strategy title (well, tactical if you want to nitpick). It's also one of the best ones I've played lately, and yes, it's for the Gameboy. Deal.

Vic, have you played it already?

 

[Talorc]

What is the first FE like? I understand they are a pretty decent Turn Based tactical game?

I've moved to where I have a long train commute to work, and some GBA tactical turn based action during the trip would be great.

Plus being "end of life", I can pick up a second hand GBA + Fire Emblem cartrdige very cheaply I would imagine.

 

[NeutralMilkHotel]

I don't like Fire Emblem too much (at least the two on GBA, the only ones I've played). I mean, they're pretty decent and fun, but I always find them way to linear and restricting as opposed to other console SRPG's like Tactics Ogre, the NIS games like Disgaea, or even Final Fantasy Tactics (and while I know those are all psx/ps2 games, graphical limitations really shouldn't be an indication of the limit of complexity and depth).

Plus the story for both games is pretty horrible, and the characters are predictable and equally horrible (I haven't put too much time into the new one, but I hear the lead female has an identical personality of the lead from the first one on GBA).

So yeah, they're pretty decent time wasters to have a little fun, but I've never found any depth to them (at least to warrant the hype I've heard about them).

 

[Astromarine]

for tactical games on the GBA, I'd suggest the following:

Fire Emblem (either one)
Advance Wars (either one)

Disgaea and Tactics Ogre I haven't played, but heard good about. Final Fantasy Tactics I have, but I could never ever get into it for some reason.Another possibility is Onimusha Tactics

As for the FEs specifically: yes, the story is fully linear. It's basically a command&conquer-style mission chain. As for the tactical possibilities of the game, I find it quite decent. It's not Silent Storm, but it's the fastest way for me to forget the 40 minutes I take to get to work by train. There's some replayability, there's TONS of characters to choose from to make your team, etc.

 

[NeutralMilkHotel]

Do you like the story and characters?

 

[Surlent]

Tactics Ogre I haven't played

But I have, so I can suggest it.
And GBA's FFT is shallow in plot and combat is like lite easy type of its PSX counterpart.
I didn't dig the first GBA Fire Emblem, not because of combat, but the plot writing and characters which were little too anime for me (Not DBZ way, but you know that soap opera style).

 

[NeutralMilkHotel]

There's good anime, then there's bad american picked and dubbed anime (not saying there's no horrible non-american anime, there's fucking mounds of it, but there's still some good stuff hidden in there though). In Fire Emblem's case, it's just bad writing. At least that's what I think.

And yeah, FFT Advance was awful compared to the original. In all aspects from what I remember.

 

[Astromarine]

No, I don't like the story or the characters that much. But I accept that they're horrible and I gloss over that fact. Hell, SS is Fire Emblem 8! They're probably rehashing the children of their rehashes. I guess I can forgive a LOT from GBA games. I'm there for the gameplay and the portability, and to be honest when I'm on a train the less cutscenes, characterization, and character moments the better. That's why I bought Warioware, and that's why I can perfectly accept FE and drek that's even worse like Castlevania.

Someone tries selling me a PC, Xbox, PS2, or Gamecube game with a story like that and I'll bite his ankle.

 

[Sol Invictus]

Fire Emblem is way too long winded in its storyline and the gameplay is utterly restrictive, meaning there's not too many venues of choice when it comes to selecting your plan of attack. Just stick to Advance Wars: Black Hole Crisis.