Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Tsurugi

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Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi

Developer(s)	Intelligent Systems Co., Ltd.
Publisher(s)	Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Release date(s)	^JPN April 20, 1990
Genre(s)	Tactical RPG
Mode(s)	Single player
Platform(s)	Famicom
Media	Cartridge

Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Tsurugi (ファイアーエムブレム　暗黒竜と光の剣, Faiā Emuburemu: Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Tsurugi^?, Fire Emblem: The Dark Dragon and Sword of Light) is the first game in the Fire Emblem Tactical role-playing game series developed by Intelligent Systems Co., Ltd. and published by Nintendo Co., Ltd.. It was first released on the Famicom (known internationally as the Nintendo Entertainment System) on April 20, 1990. It takes place on the continent of Akaneia. It stars Marth, a character who later appeared in Super Smash Bros. Melee.

[edit] Gameplay

Fire Emblem was one of the earliest games in the turn-based strategy genre on home consoles. However, unlike other strategy games, Fire Emblem borrowed several elements from role-playing games such as Dragon Quest, and is among the first, if not the first game in the tactical role-playing genre. Later games in the series made numerous changes to the gameplay. The following is a list of gameplay differences that distinguish this game from its sequels:

There are no colored tiles indicating a unit's movement range, and the player must move the cursor to see how far one of the characters can move.

Characters can only hold four weapons and/or items at a time. Also, weapons/items cannot be traded between two units. The player can give a weapon or item to another unit if they are holding fewer than four weapons and items, but only one can be given at a time, and the giving unit will not be able to move until next turn.

Weapon and item storage makes use of a tent (similar to the method used in Fire Emblem 7), and it costs ten gold to deposit one weapon/item, while withdrawing items costs nothing. Also, the player cannot purchase a weapon or item at a store and send it directly into storage, meaning that characters carrying full loads cannot make purchases. However, anything dropped by a defeated enemy can be sent into storage directly.

This is the only Fire Emblem in which the rapier can be bought in regular weapon shops.

Healing units (such as clerics) cannot gain experience from using staves. The only way they can earn experience is by being attacked by an enemy (even if the enemy misses).

Pegasus knights become dragon knights when they promote. Ever since Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, pegasus knights and dragon knights have been completely different classes. This was reintroduced in The Sacred Stones.

There is no weapon triangle, or rock-paper-scissors relationship between weapon classes. However, weapons still have their own traits. For example, most axes and lances are more powerful but less accurate than swords.

Map 2 of the original Fire Emblem.

Many classes, such as armor knights, axemen, hunters, and thieves have no promotion. Marth also cannot be promoted.

Castles only occupy one space, which means that the average boss can be surrounded and attacked by four different characters in a single turn.

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Marth is prince of Altea and a direct descendant of Anri, the warrior who slew the dark dragon Medeus. However, after an attack from the neighbouring kingdom of Dolua, Marth is forced to become an exile in the neighboring nation of Talis. His sister Ellis is taken hostage after his father is killed battling the evil priest Garnef. With the help of the Altean knight Jeigan, the Talisian Princess Sheeda, and others, Marth embarks on a quest to find the sacred sword known as Falchion and the Fire Emblem that will allow him to wield it. Only then will he be able to confront Garnef and the resurrected Medeus, win the kingdom of Altea back, and rescue his sister.

Spoilers end here.

[edit] Sequels/adaptations

The game would get a remake for the Super Famicom known as Fire Emblem: Monshō no Nazo (Mystery of the Emblem), which also contains a new sequel to the original game (dubbed as Book Two, while the remake of the original game is known as Book One).