Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon

is the eleventh installment of the Fire Emblem series and the first to feature online play. Announced in October 2007, the game is for the Nintendo DS and is an enhanced remake of the first Fire Emblem game, Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Ken. The game offers a graphical enhancement from Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Ken as well as utilising the dual screens on the Nintendo DS and its online capabilities. The game's story centres on the royal prince Marth as he embarks on a quest to win back his home kingdom and rescue his kidnapped sister. Characters and chapters that were not present in the original have been introduced in this version, as well as some that were omitted for Fire Emblem: Monshō no Nazo, an older enhanced remake. The artist of the character illustrations is Masamune Shirow. The game was released in Japan on August 7, 2008.

Gameplay

Shadow Dragon is a tactical role-playing game with turn-based tactical battles. There are 25 chapters in this game. Some of the gameplay mechanics of the Fire Emblem series, such as the weapon triangle, were not present in the original Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Ken, but have been included in this remake. The game will feature over 20 character classes, including armoured knights, airborne pegasus riders and priests wielding recovery staves. Some classes that were not in the original Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Ken have been included. Players can also directly swap a character's class using the "Class Swap" feature, although there are limitations on how many of one particular class a player can have at the same time. Special classes like Lord or Thief cannot use "Class Swap."

Like previous Fire Emblem games, permanent saves are available after completing a chapter, and players can create a temporary save during battle. Players can also use the new "Save Point" feature in the middle of a battle, by moving a unit onto a specially designated square. Save Points are usually located before a boss fight or a similarly dangerous event. Each Save Point can be used to save the game only once, although players can load from created saves as many times as they want, as long as the save is not overwritten.

For the first time in the series, players can battle each other online via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. These battles employ teams of up to five characters from the single-player campaign, including the use of "rental" characters, which are copies of playable characters loaned from another player. Combat takes place on a single type of multiplayer-exclusive battle map, which allow free movement as opposed to the Link Arena in prior games. Only two players can do battle at a time. Fog of war can be toggled on or off, and a time and turn limit are also active. Victory is determined by either defeating the opposing army or securing the central castle's flag before the turns are over. Victors are awarded a "Charm" card for their efforts. One of these cards can be used on a party to give it special effects, and use of these cards can be toggled on or off. The Wi-Fi connection is also used to access an online shop, where players can purchase items using currency obtained in the main campaign.

Plot

Long ago, the continent of Akaneia was invaded by the Dolhr Empire, led by the dark dragon Medeus. The people lived in fear and despair. Anri, a youth from Altea, slew the Shadow Dragon using the sacred sword Falchion. The Kingdom of Archanea was restored and the world entered an age of peace. However, 100 years later, Medeus was resurrected. He joined forces with the dark pontifex Gharnef, who shared his ambitions of ruling the world, and launched an attack on Archanea. Archanea was defeated by Grunia's General Camus. Aside from Princess Nina, the royal family was wiped out.

Cornelius, the king of Altea and successor of Anri, left to battle Medeus with the Falchion in hand. Meanwhile, Cornelius's only son and the prince of Altea, Marth, awaits his father's return as he passes his days with his martial arts training.

References

External links

• Fire Emblem: Shin Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Ken at Nintendo of Japan.
• Serenes Forest — Data and information for Fire Emblem DS