Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon

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Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon
Developer(s)	Intelligent Systems
Publisher(s)	Nintendo
Series	Fire Emblem
Platform(s)	Nintendo DS
Release date(s)	JP August 7, 2008[1] EU December 5, 2008[2] NA February 16, 2009[3] AUS February 26, 2009[4]
Genre(s)	Tactical RPG
Mode(s)	Single player, Multiplayer, Online multiplayer
Rating(s)	CERO: A (All Ages) ESRB: E10+ (Everyone 10+) PEGI: 7+

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon, known in Japan as Fire Emblem: Shin Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Ken (ファイアーエムブレム　新・暗黒竜と光の剣^?, informally translated as Fire Emblem: New Shadow Dragons and the Blade of Light),^[5] is a tactical role-playing remake of the first Fire Emblem video game, Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Ken, developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo. It is the eleventh installment in the Fire Emblem series, first for the Nintendo DS and first to feature online play. The game was released in Japan on August 7, 2008,^[1] on December 5, 2008 in Europe, on February 16, 2009,^[3] in North America and February 26th in Australia^[6]

Shadow Dragon is the second enhanced remake of the first Fire Emblem game'.^[7] An older enhanced remake Fire Emblem: Monshō no Nazo includes the original game as book one of two. The game offers a graphical enhancement from Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Ken as well as utilising the dual screens, touch screen controls and online capabilities of the Nintendo DS. The game's story centers on Marth (Fire Emblem), as he embarks on a quest to win back his home kingdom and rescue his kidnapped sister. Characters and chapters that were not present in the original or were omitted for Monshō no Nazo have been introduced in this version.^[8] The artist of the character illustrations is Masamune Shirow.

Contents 1 Gameplay 1.1 Story 2 Reception 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Gameplay

Shadow Dragon is a tactical role-playing game with turn-based tactical battles. There are 25 chapters in this game including a new set of prologue chapters. There are six levels of game play difficulty for new and seasoned players. Some of the game play mechanics of the Fire Emblem series, such as the weapon triangle, were not present in the original Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Ken, but have been included in this remake. The game features over 20 character classes, including armored knights, airborne Pegasus riders and curates wielding recovery staves. Some classes that were not in the original Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Ken have been included. Players can also directly change a character's class using the "Reclassing" feature, although there are limitations on how many of one particular class a player can have at the same time. Special classes like Lord or Thief cannot Reclass. Throughout the game, you can recruit more soldiers depending on a few different factors such as having a certain character talk to them, or saving their village from enemies.

Like previous Fire Emblem games, permanent saves are available after completing a chapter, and players can create a temporary save during battle. Players can also use the new "Save Point" feature in the middle of a battle, by moving a unit onto a specially designated square. Save Points are usually located before a boss fight or a similarly dangerous event. Each Save Point can be used to save the game only once, although players can load from created saves as many times as they want, as long as the save is not overwritten or erased.

For the first time in the series, players can battle each other online via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and talk using the built-in Nintendo DS microphone. These battles employ teams of up to five characters from the single-player campaign. Combat takes place on one of six multiplayer-exclusive battle maps (increased from just one in the Japanese version), which allow free movement as opposed to the Link Arena in prior games. Only two players can do battle at a time. Fog of war can be toggled on or off, and a time and turn limit are also active. Victory is determined by either defeating the opposing army or securing the central castle's flag before the turns are over. Victors are awarded a card for their efforts. One of these cards can be used on a party to give it special effects, and use of these cards can be toggled on or off. The Wi-Fi connection is also used to access an online shop, where players can purchase rare items using currency obtained in the main campaign. The availability of certain items depends on what time of month it is, some items are always in the shop for purchase while others only appear on one weekend a month. Several items are not available for purchase at all via the online shop.^[9]

Locations:

• Archanea^[10] (アカネイア, Akaneia, also used in the European version): Known as the Holy Kingdom, and shares the same name as the continent. It was founded by Adrah the First. The Fire Emblem is the kingdom's treasure.
• Altea (アリティア, Aritia): A kingdom of knights, founded by the Hero Anri. It is allied with Gra, who share the same ancestry. The protagonist Marth hails from this kingdom.
• Gra (グラ, Gra): A kingdom that branched from Altea. After the death of Anri, some members of Altea's royal family left over inheritance issues and founded Gra.
• Talys^[10] (タリス, Talis): An island kingdom. Marth escapes here after his homeland of Altea is betrayed by Gra troops.
• Aurelis (オレルアン, Orleans): A kingdom located in the plains. It was founded by Cartas of Archanea, and was initially ruled by his younger brother, Marlon.
• Grust^[11] (グルニア, Grunia): A militant kingdom, famed for its Sable Order^[11] squadron. It was founded by General Ordwin.
• Khadein (カダイン, Khadein): Known as the sanctuary of sorcery. It was founded by Archsage Gotoh.^[11]
• Macedon^[11] (マケドニア, Macedonia, Medon is used in the European version): An island kingdom, home to Pegasus Knights and Dragon Knights. It was founded by Iote.
• Pyrathi (ペラティ, Peraty): An isolated kingdom that rarely interacts with the rest of the continent. Its ruler is a descendant of the Manaketes.
• Dolhr (ドルーア, Durhua, Doluna in the European version): The kingdom of dragons, directly north of Macedon. It was ruled by the Shadow Dragon, Medeus.^[10] It is inhabited by the Manaketes.

[edit] Story

Long ago, the continent of Archanea was invaded by the Dolhr Empire, led by the Shadow Dragon Medeus. The people lived in fear and despair. Anri, a youth from Altea, defeated the Shadow Dragon using the Falchion. The Kingdom of Archanea was restored and the world entered an age of peace. However, 100 years later, Medeus was resurrected.

Cornelius, the king of Altea and successor of Anri, left to battle Medeus with the Falchion in hand. Meanwhile, Cornelius's only son and the prince of Altea, Marth, awaits his father's return as he passes his days with his sword training, in hopes he will return to Altea and take his rightful throne.^[12] After his city is attacked, Marth leaves to fight a war which will change his life forever.

[edit] Reception

Reception
Review scores
Publication	Score
Eurogamer	8 of 10
Famitsu	9/8/8/9 (34/40)
IGN	8.5/10
Official Nintendo Magazine	86%
NGamer	83/100

The game received a score of 9/8/8/9 (34/40) from Famitsu.^[13]

Eurogamer gave Shadow Dragon 8/10.^[14]

Nintendo Power gave it 8.5/10

Nintendo Life gave the game a rating of 8/10, praising its gameplay and steady difficulty curve. While they stated that the game was not quite up to the standards of more recent Fire Emblem titles, they did state that the game still proves to be a very enjoyable experience.^[15]

Official Nintendo Magazine UK gave the game a rating of 86%, praising its gameplay and learning curve. It notes but forgives the lack of innovation due to it being a remake of a NES title. It does however find fault in some of the dialogue during the early stages and the functional graphics.^[16]

NGamer scored the game at 83/100, praising its "almost unlimited replayability" and states that "despite being a 20-year-old-game, Shadow Dragon stands up impressively well by today's standards". NGamer also praises the difficulty curve, and states that while the game may be "objectively inferior to more complex offerings such as Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn ... there's still much for veterans to sink their teeth into". It finds fault primarily with the "threadbare" Wi-Fi options.^[17]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• "Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon (US) - Official Site Nintendo of America
• (Japanese) Fire Emblem: Shin Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Ken at Nintendo of Japan.
• (Japanese) Touth-DS.JP - Fire Emblem: Shin Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Ken at Nintendo of Japan.
• Serenes Forest — Data and information for Fire Emblem DS

v • d • e Fire Emblem series Main series Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Tsurugi (characters) · Gaiden · Monshō no Nazo (characters) · Seisen no Keifu (characters) · Thracia 776 (characters) · Fūin no Tsurugi (characters) · Fire Emblem (characters) · The Sacred Stones (characters) · Path of Radiance (characters) · Radiant Dawn (characters) · Shadow Dragon (characters) Characters Marth Other games BS Fire Emblem: Akaneia Senki · Tear Ring Saga series