bit-tech Shopping: Nintendo Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones (GBA)

Rating: 8

Time with product:

Strengths: Fun Game play, a large number of characters to use, dual story lines, and the controls are just right.

Weaknesses: The story is fairly predictable, the game can be very challenging at times, and when a character/unit is defeated they are gone for good.

Summary: This was my first real exposure to the Fire Emblem series. While the plot is somewhat predictable and nothing is really original about it, the details about the large number of characters and the split paths of the main characters allow for different perspectives add a lot to the overall storyline.The game can be really challenging at times and strategy and caution must be exercised unless you want to loose specific characters or have to restart the battle entirely.The game sparked my interest enough into purchasing the other GBA Fire Emblem and the Game Cube's Path of Radiance. Its a real shame that we didn't get the earlier games in the series as I'm sure there are many references that we are missing out on.

Rating: 4

Time with product: 3

Strengths: Cheap and not a bad RPG. Great story.

Weaknesses: Kind of a hard game. Not sure I like the battle sequences.

Summary: Not sure this is the best game. I guess I am not as big of a fan of the GBA games compared to the newer cooler DS games. But if you liked the first Fire Emblem you will probably like this one. Overall I just think I expected something more like Etrian Odyssey...

Rating: 10

Time with product: 3 Days

Strengths: Long game length, good story, good graphics

Weaknesses: None apparent

Summary: Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones is an amazing sequel to the first FE game. A well-written and deep story keeps interest from beginning to end, with a very long gameplay length. Some good strategy is required to survive battles, balancing the characters' strengths and weaknesses. When characters die, they're dead forever, so any loss is a dire one. RPG fans must not pass this one up.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 4

Strengths: It's Fire Emblem, great, long, single player with a good story

Weaknesses: Not much else, but nothing else is needed

Summary: Another Fire Emblem, another great game. Just like the first iteration on the GBA this is a strategy RPG with great graphics and a good story. It can be a challenge to try to get through all the missions without losing any characters (once you lose them, they're dead for the rest of the game), but it's a lot of fun. Each character type can use a specific set of weapons and has its own strengths and weaknesses, so there is a lot of strategy that has to be used to defeat your enemy. Overall a great addition to the Fire Emblem series and fun for anybody who likes RPG and strategy games.

Rating: 8

Time with product:

Strengths: Engaging game with great music and great overall game design.

Weaknesses: Fierce difficulty in some battles.

Summary: This is the second Fire Emblem to come out for the Game Boy Advance. It is a SRPG in the same style as previous entries in the Fire Emblem line of games. It really only separates itself from the other GBA game in that its story is better. Sacred Stones retains the core gameplay and look of the series without being disappointing. Its a great game overall.