Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones
It’s a triumph – it really is. I’ve only just completed Chapter 5 (on easy, natch – normal and hard modes don’t include the tutorial), but this really is a stunning game. Imagine the depth of play, character progression and branching storyline of Final Fantasy and add in the turn based tactical combat of both Advance Wars and Final Fantasy Tactics and you’re pretty much there.
Except it’s beautiful. It really is – the little characters running about on the battlefield maps, the dynamic battle animations, and the transitions between them all speak of extremely high production values. Even the sound effects are stunning. Worthy of special mention is the music – all of which is available (as it’s encountered) in a jukebox accessed from the main menu 🙂
A particularly nice touch is the mortality of your characters and their weapons. Weapons degrade over time, so special care must be taken to equip replacements if need be. Also, if a character is killed in battle, he doesn’t faint and there are no Phoenix feathers. That’s it – he’s gone and you can’t get him back. Pity you just spent ages levelling him up 🙂 I have, on a couple of occasions, replayed an entire chapter because I just didn’t want to lose someone.
All in all – ACEBESTEST.
