Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones

1. SeriousGamer February 17, 2009

   Let me just say this now. Please keep your comments respectful. My last review ended up a big mess, and I really don’t want that to happen again. Yes, I am aware that this game is murky spiritually, so please don’t run me down over this. And don’t run the series down either. Fire Emblem’s a blast, and it’s not all bad either. Ok, I’m done. Now, feel free to comment.
2. John Fox February 17, 2009

   Thanks for the review!

   Gameplay wise I thought that this game was actually a little better than Fire Emblem (7). I enjoyed the new classes and the branching class system.
3. A.M February 17, 2009

   I have yet to play the Sacred Stones, but I’ve played the first and enjoyed it immensely. I loved how they set up the morality and concepts of good and evil. Especially the magic system.

   When judging fantasy worlds based on the worldview I like to look at the elements and themes presented in the magic, and look past the fact that it is fantasy ‘magic’ we’re dealing with. The good magic, the ‘Light’ power, has an advantage over the evil ‘dark’ magic. From what I’ve seen in the first Fire Emblem- this may or may not apply to this game- a mage specialized in the Light cannot use Dark magic. This was a relief for me! I hate how commonly fantasy takes both ‘light’ and ‘dark’ magic and allows it to be used interchangeably. Fire Emblem draws a line between good and evil and shows it for what it really is. Evil is weaker then good- for your armies can defeat their enemies even as they are largely outnumbered.

   Not only that, but the content is squeaky clean. All of the females, from what I’ve seen, are actually clothed- a very uncommon thing to find in fantasies these days. The language is very tame- some harsher words coming from the bad guys and occasionally a good guy will call a bad guy a name when their temper is short. The combat is bloodless and focuses on strategy more then the battle itself- once you set up your unit on the battlefield, you don’t even control their attacks- you just sit by and watch the quick and bloodless cutscene.

   I can only imagine that Sacred Stones contains content as tame and enjoyable as the first, but I have yet to play it. Hopefully my observations remain true to this one.
4. SeriousGamer February 19, 2009

   @A.M:

   Your obervations are accurate. Light mages (Priests and Bishops) in this game can’t use Dark magic. In fact, you only get one Dark magic user, or Shaman as they’re called. Well, two, because you can get a Trainee mage who can become a Shaman.

   You’re also right about the girls in this game, with the exception of Tethys.

   I would’ve enjoyed it a lot more if they didn’t get into demons. Now, I don’t have a problem with monsters (I’m into mythology) but demons are all too real.
5. Zach March 14, 2009

   Sorry if I sounded a little rude with the comment. when I think about it, having reviews for old ones is kind of cool to. As a note for the game fire emblem, i think the reviewer overreacted a little with the demon villian issue. It’s still evil, it’s still someone you don’t want to be friends with (The main human villian proves that), he’s also fantasy based (no ties with pentagrams, satan, or a rebellion towards God) I guess the only slight offence is that humans can kill it.
6. SeriousGamer March 25, 2009

   @Zach:

   Point taken, but I still didn’t like it. Paper Mario 2 even got ruined for me because they brought in a demon.
7. Zach March 31, 2009

   To serious gamer, if it makes you feel better, the newest fire emblem Shadow dragon just has a dragon and a fantasy sorcerer for main antagonist. The sorcerer sports a upside down pentagram, but i am not concerned since the charecter is a villian.

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