Fire Emblem: Awakening Review

Back in December 2001, the Nintendo GameCube title Super Smash Bros. Melee hit the shelves. After fans had waited nearly three years for its release, the game was finally in their hands. However, unknown to them at the time, playing Melee would actually help bring a whole new series to the West.

The Smash Bros. series is a crossover fighting game featuring Nintendo's most iconic characters. From Mario and Luigi to Link and Zelda, the games feature almost every major hero; however, in Melee, there were two brand-new characters most Westerners had never heard of: Marth and Roy. They were from a series called Fire Emblem. This was the first time most of the world had even heard of the franchise, and their inclusion sparked immediate interest.

Fast-forward two years to 2003, and Fire Emblem (originally titled Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken in Japan) arrived on Western shores for the Game Boy Advance. Although it was actually the seventh entry in the series, it served as the starting point for international fans. Ever since, a large and dedicated fanbase has grown in the West. The game was already a hit in Japan, and thanks to its strong overseas sales, it was here to stay.

Since that day in 2003, several other Fire Emblem titles have made their way to the US, each gaining a following of its own. While the series hasn't always reached the "Mario" or "Zelda" level of popularity, there were enough fans to keep the series moving forward. That reached a turning point on February 4, 2013, when the thirteenth game in the series was released in the US, officially pushing the franchise into the mainstream.

Fire Emblem: Awakening is the newest entry in the series, and it is everything a fan could hope for—and more. To put it simply: if you are a Fire Emblem fan, you must get this game. If you are a newcomer, this is the perfect place to start.

Still, you might be wondering: What is this game like? Is it really that good? How do I know I’ll like it? I am about to answer all of those questions. Without further ado, let’s get started!

The Story of Awakening:

Fire Emblem: Awakening starts in a very strange way. You (a player-created character with the default name of "Robin") and a man named Chrom are fighting what appears to be the final boss of the game. As the player, you have no idea what is going on, and it is impossible to figure it out at this point. All you know is that you are the hero, he is the villain, and you need to defeat him—so you do!

Immediately after the boss is taken down, a first-person cutscene triggers. You watch as the man you just "killed" strikes you with a mysterious sphere of energy. At this point, you seemingly lose control of your body and stab Chrom in the chest. Your vision fades to black as Chrom desperately tells you to run.

In the very next scene, you wake up in a field, and the same man you just "killed" is now helping you to your feet. "Thank you, Chrom," you say as he pulls you up; however, Chrom doesn't seem to know you, and you don't actually remember him either. In short, everyone is completely confused. Who are you? Why are you there? How did you know Chrom’s name? That is the mystery at the heart of the game, and before you know it, you are swept up in major events that hold the answers.

It turns out that Chrom, as well as the others with him, are what you would call Shepherds. They are knights who protect their land and its people. Although they aren't sure if they can trust you at first, that soon changes when a nearby village is attacked and you jump into action to help save the residents. Apparently, you are an amazing tactician, and the Shepherds realize they can accomplish anything with your guidance. After saving the village and officially joining the Shepherds, you decide to head back to the capital with your new friends. That is when everything changes.

After setting up camp in the woods, Chrom and his sister, Lissa, find themselves looking up at the sky where a massive portal of some sort has appeared. From this portal, ghostly monsters begin to fall to the land below, and before he knows it, Chrom is locked in battle with them. Despite cutting through their flesh with his sword, the creatures refuse to die. Soon, Lissa is stuck between a rock and a hard place, just moments away from death. Just then, a strange figure dressed as the legendary hero Marth falls from the portal as well and saves her just in time.

Unknown to Chrom, Lissa, you, and the others, this event in the woods is simply a prelude to the major events yet to come. Soon, the strange monsters begin appearing across the world, Chrom's kingdom goes to war, and the mysterious "Marth" begins working from the shadows to accomplish their own hidden goals. As the entire continent falls into chaos, you find yourself at the very center of it all. Welcome to the world of Fire Emblem: Awakening!

The Fire Emblem Gameplay:

When people hear about Fire Emblem, many get the impression that it is a standard JRPG—one where you travel from town to town, grind for levels on monsters, and build a party. However, that is not entirely accurate. Fire Emblem is a tactical role-playing game, meaning it mixes RPG elements with turn-based strategy.

Still, it isn't quite as simple as that. Fire Emblem: Awakening is actually a very deep game, and one you could spend hundreds or even thousands of hours on if you're willing to put in the time. It has many intricate systems in place, and the game itself is packed with content. So, without further delay, let's dive into the gameplay!

Avatar Creation -

When you first start the game, you will be asked to create an Avatar. This character serves as your personal representative in the world and acts as the second main protagonist of Fire Emblem: Awakening. On the creation screen, you can choose from several different body builds and customize your appearance by changing your hairstyle, hair color, and face type. You also have the opportunity to define your character's mechanical strengths and weaknesses by selecting your strongest and weakest stats. Finally, you can choose from a variety of different voices for your character to use in-game. Right off the bat, you will notice that this system is much more developed than many other character creators, and it is a feature I would truly like to see used more often.

Although there are not a lot of options to choose from, it is wonderful to see both the 3D model and your character’s 2D portrait—which appears during dialogue—change accordingly. It is also impressive that the game includes recorded voice acting for all of the different voice options. While there aren't many fully spoken sections, hearing the specific voice you selected instead of a default one adds a nice personal touch.

Casual and Classic Mode -

Along with character creation, there is another set of options to choose from before you start the game, one of which is actually a first for the Fire Emblem series: the choice between Casual and Classic mode. Past Fire Emblem games are notoriously challenging because they feature a system known as "permadeath," where your units can die in battle and never return. While that remains a staple of the series, Fire Emblem: Awakening gives you the option to turn it on or off.

Casual mode is the newly added option in Awakening. It ensures that your units cannot permanently die and gives you the ability to save your progress during battles. It doesn’t change the actual difficulty of the AI or enemies; instead, when one of your units is defeated on the battlefield, they simply retreat and become available again for the next mission. This is an excellent option for newcomers to the series and a great way to ease into the world of Fire Emblem. Classic mode, however, is not nearly as forgiving.

As explained above, in the classic Fire Emblem games, your units can die permanently, and that is exactly what Classic Mode recreates. In this mode, if you make a mistake on the battlefield and a unit is killed, you will never see them again. They will stop appearing in the story, and your roster of usable characters will be permanently reduced. Just like in real life, there is no bringing back the dead; Classic Mode forces you to play as if your units are real people whose lives are in your hands. This truly makes you plan out your strategies and question your every move. If you are a long-time fan of the series, or if you simply want a genuine challenge, you should definitely pick this mode!

The Difficulty Settings -

Besides choosing between Casual and Classic modes, you can also select your preferred difficulty setting. Although you are limited to a few options when you first start, beating the game will unlock an even harder setting that will truly test your skills in every way. While Normal mode is quite challenging on its own—especially if you are new to the series—the other modes are extremely difficult and are not recommended for first-time players.

One mode is so punishing that every battle is a massive risk; you won't even be able to level grind in the random encounters that appear on the map! It is difficult to explain just how challenging these harder modes are, but take my word for it: they are brutal. I even know some die-hard turn-based strategy (TBS) players who struggle with them. It’s that hardcore!

Still, if you aren't a fan of challenging games or just want to play casually, you can! The difficulty of this game was designed so that just about anyone can play and enjoy it, no matter their skill level.

Battling on the Maps -

As I've already stated, Fire Emblem is a tactical role-playing game, which is essentially an RPG mixed with a TBS. Every battle in the game takes place on a large map where you must move your units along a grid to engage the enemy. At the beginning of each battle, you select which units you want to bring with you, and then you command them in a turn-based fashion.

At the start of each turn, you'll need to survey the map, form a strategy, and figure out the best way to execute that plan. As you move your units across the grid, you can take advantage of the surrounding terrain. For example, you can hide your units in a forest to attack passing enemies from cover, or use flying units to stay over open water and out of harm's way. There are many different "special" spaces on the map that you can use to your advantage—but you must remember that the enemy can use them too!

The "basic" gameplay of Fire Emblem is quite simple, yet it remains incredibly complex. It is a lot like chess; you have to understand the mechanics to truly master it. You must learn how to utilize your units, plan several steps ahead to anticipate enemy movement, analyze the terrain for tactical advantages, and understand the class system to know what your units are capable of. As the game progresses, more features are introduced to the battlefield—such as doors that require keys or thieves to unlock—and you will soon find yourself in massive, high-stakes encounters. When you combine this with Classic Mode, where death is permanent, every battle becomes a true test of skill.

The combat mechanics in Fire Emblem: Awakening are also straightforward. While you move your characters and command them to attack, your direct control ends there. Once you initiate an encounter, a window appears showing the stats of both combatants to help you predict the outcome. From there, your units handle the rest. You will watch battle animations where units trade blows, but you have no control over the individual strikes.

Because the game uses a rock-paper-scissors style of combat—the Weapon Triangle (swords beat axes, axes beat lances, lances beat swords)—you have to use your head to decide which unit to send into the fray. Additionally, since some weapons like bows can only be used from a distance, character placement plays a vital role in your success.

There is another major aspect to the whole battle system, which comes in the form of the pairing system, but I'll be covering that later on in this review.

Recruiting Characters -

Another main feature that returns in Fire Emblem: Awakening is the recruitment system. There are dozens of unique characters in this game, and it is up to you to find and recruit them. While some characters join automatically as the story progresses, many others appear on the battlefield as neutral allies or even as enemies.

When this happens, it is your job to reach them before the battle ends (or before they are defeated) and have Chrom or another specific unit talk to them. Successfully doing so allows you to recruit them into your party for the rest of the game. Although this is the standard pattern, certain units have special requirements for unlocking them. This includes a character you meet at the very start of the game who requires you to help them level up once before they officially join your ranks.

The World Map -

Unlike most Fire Emblem titles, Awakening features a fully navigable world map. The last time the series utilized a world map system (in Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones), it wasn't quite as well-received; however, I can safely say that is not an issue this time around!

While on the world map, you can choose from various locations you have already visited or select the destination for the next "chapter" of the story. Every time you complete a chapter, that location remains accessible on the map, a new shop opens up, and additional areas are often unlocked for you to explore. Although the main chapters progress the plot, there are also "paralogues" that serve as side stories. These side missions typically feature new characters to recruit and provide an excellent opportunity to level up your units.

As time passes, random enemies will begin appearing on the map, and you can even use specific items to summon them yourself. This is perfect for level grinding and provides a great way to help your units gain the experience they need to change classes.

The Unit and Class System -

The most significant aspect of the Fire Emblem series is the Unit and Class system, and Awakening takes this to a whole new level. In Fire Emblem, every single unit is a distinct character with their own unique abilities, skills, and stat growth rates. Additionally, they each belong to a specific character class. While these core elements remain in Awakening, the developers have completely revamped the systems to make them even deeper than in previous entries.

Just like in past games, every unit starts in a specific class. There are nearly fifty classes available to your characters, and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. There are classes that specialize in swords, bows, axes, lances, offensive magic, or healing magic—all of which possess unique stats and abilities.

The way stats and classes interact can be a bit complex, but here are the basics. Your characters have the following stats: HP (Health), Strength, Magic, Skill, Speed, Luck, Defense, and Resistance. Every class has specific stat modifiers, and every character has their own individual growth rates. These factors determine what your characters' stats will be and where they will "cap" (reach their maximum limit). Essentially, some characters will be significantly stronger in certain classes than others, which encourages you to experiment with different combinations.

While every character starts in a default class, you aren't forced to keep them there. A major feature in Fire Emblem: Awakening is an item called the Second Seal, which allows you to reset a character to Level 1 and change them to a completely different class. When you do this, your character retains the stats and skills they earned in their previous class, though some stats may fluctuate based on the new class's modifiers. This means you can level a character to their maximum, change their class, keep their power, and level them up all over again to make them even stronger.

Additionally, every class has unique skills that are learned at specific milestone levels. For example, one class might teach an offensive skill that activates to destroy enemies with ease, while another might provide a skill that increases your movement range or base stats. By learning these skills and strategically changing classes to collect more, you can build "perfect" units that become absolute powerhouses on the battlefield. Of course, creating these elite soldiers requires a great deal of time and careful planning!

The second major part of the class system involves promoting your current unit into an Advanced Class. Just like in previous Fire Emblem games, base classes have a level cap (which is Level 20 for most). Once a unit reaches this point, it is highly recommended that you promote them. By using a Master Seal, you can advance your unit into a much stronger class.

This also requires careful planning because most base classes can branch out into two separate advanced options, each with its own unique skills and abilities. For example, you could promote a Pegasus Knight into a Falcon Knight to gain the ability to use healing magic, or into a Dark Flier to become a powerful offensive magic user. Both paths have their own advantages, and you must decide which role fits your strategy best.

The depth of this system actually goes a step further during the second half of the game. To avoid spoilers, I won't go into too much detail, but the stat and skill systems eventually evolve in a major way. At a certain point, characters can actually pass their stats and skills down to other characters who join your party later. This allows for some incredibly unique combinations; for instance, you can have a female character learn an exclusive skill and pass it on to a male character who would otherwise never be able to learn it.

Support System and Pairing System -

The Support System returns once again, but with some significant changes. Just as in previous Fire Emblem games, you can build friendships between your characters to unlock extra conversations; however, Awakening takes this to a whole new level.

By positioning your units next to each other on the map, they will work together in battle and begin to form a relationship. These bonds are developed through "support conversations," and the stat bonuses your units receive grow stronger with each level. While most character pairings are limited to C, B, and A-rank supports, pairings between characters of the opposite sex can reach an S-rank support, where the units actually get married. Yep, you heard me right—they will get married!

If your units marry, they provide each other with the ultimate stat boosts and will have a major impact on the story later on. While it isn’t strictly required for you to marry off all your units, certain characters will marry as part of the storyline regardless, and the gameplay bonuses are well worth the effort!

To complement the marriage and support systems, you can also "Pair Up" your units! By moving one unit onto the same square as another, they join together to form a single unit that moves across the map as one. When paired, the lead unit's stats increase, and they gain the same support bonuses they would normally receive if they were standing side-by-side.

By mixing and matching different classes using the Pair Up system, you can create amazingly strong teams capable of dominating the battlefield. Although you can do this with any two units, it is always most effective to use this system with married couples, as their unique bond provides the highest possible bonuses.

The Graphics and Music:

This is a point I simply had to highlight in this review, and I am sure long-time fans will understand why. Over the years, Fire Emblem has cycled through several different graphical styles, switching back and forth between 2D and 3D. While some players prefer the 2D sprites of the GBA era, others enjoy the realistic 3D models. Fire Emblem: Awakening finds common ground between the two by mixing both styles together.

While the units on the map are still represented by 2D sprites, the map itself is a 3D environment. It isn't "full" 3D in a traditional sense, but you can see mountain ranges, canyons, and villages that physically stand out from the terrain. This approach maintains the simple, easy-to-read style of the 2D games while adding modern depth. The combination of these two styles looks wonderful and fits together perfectly.

The battle scenes, however, are a different story. Combat in Awakening is rendered entirely in 3D, and the game offers two different viewing modes. While the standard view shows characters duking it out from a side profile, there is also a first-person mode that allows you to see the fight through your character's eyes. This is a great little extra that helps keep the combat animations feeling fresh.

Beyond the gameplay graphics, Awakening features anime-style cinematic cutscenes. These scenes look absolutely amazing and are of incredibly high quality; the first time I saw one, I couldn't believe I was looking at a 3DS game! Sadly, these cinematics are limited to major story events, which might be the game's only true drawback. Then again, this allowed the developers to use the classic text-based dialogue scenes for smaller moments, so it really isn't all that bad.

On top of the nice graphical style, the music in Awakening is in fact top notch! The soundtrack fits perfectly with the battlefields, as well as the cutscenes, and you might just find yourself humming it before too long!

Downloadable Content, Spot Pass and Fan Service:

Bet you didn’t expect to see this, did you? Well, it’s true: Fire Emblem: Awakening features a special "Outrealm Gate" on the map where you can download new content. While the first DLC map is free for a limited time, the others are priced around $2.50 and—at the time of this review—are being released on a weekly basis. Each map offers something unique, ranging from missions focused on character conversations to those that allow you to unlock exclusive skills. Some even provide a massive amount of fan service!

Another incredible aspect of Awakening is that almost every major character from past Fire Emblem games is actually in this game. By using DLC maps and the built-in SpotPass feature, you can download extra battles where you fight legendary heroes to recruit them to your party. While these characters are primarily there for fan service and are not part of the main story—meaning they cannot engage in support conversations—long-time fans will love being able to use their favorites again. After all, what other game allows you to build a dream team consisting of Lyn, Roy, Marth, Ike, and Chrom?

On top of all that, the SpotPass and StreetPass features offer even more content. You can build a team to send out via StreetPass, recruit other players' Avatars into your army, unlock special rewards, and challenge other players to battles. There is also a surprisingly deep profile customization system that allows you to set your unit’s catchphrases and personality for when they appear in other players' games.

The Good and the Bad of Awakening:

Fire Emblem: Awakening is the game fans have been dreaming of! Since it's on a handheld, it is incredibly easy to pick up and play. It blends 2D and 3D art styles seamlessly, offers a deep unit and class system, and features a support system that adds an entirely new layer of strategy to the gameplay. With a wealth of DLC to extend the experience, legacy characters to unlock almost daily, a fantastic soundtrack, and the welcome addition of Casual Mode, there is something here for everyone. Meanwhile, the higher difficulty settings are punishing enough to push even die-hard fans to their limits. Between character customization, the marriage system, and a generally wonderful cast of characters... I could truly go on forever.

If you are already a fan of Fire Emblem, you need to get this game. If you have never played the series before, or even if you usually dislike turn-based strategy games, I highly recommend checking out the demo on the eShop. I know many people personally who claimed to hate the series but fell in love with it simply by playing that demo. This is the most expansive Fire Emblem ever released, and it didn't become a worldwide hit for nothing!

VERDICT: Essential
Reviewed on Nintendo 3DS