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Fire Emblem Awakening: Difference between revisions

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{{Game Infobox
{{Game Infobox
|title=Kakusei
|title=Awakening
|image=[[File:Ba japan fe13.png|250px]]
|image=[[File:FEA Logo.png|200px]]
|caption=Japanese boxart.
[[File:Ba america fe13.png|200px]]
|developer=[[Intelligent Systems]]<ref name="gamekult">http://www.gamekult.com/jeux/fire-emblem-titre-provisoire-J000112205.html</ref>
|caption=American (NTSC) English logo and box art.
|publisher=[[Nintendo]]<ref>http://www.gamespot.com/3ds/action/fire-emblem/tech_info.html?tag=tabs%3Bsummary</ref>
|developer=[[Intelligent Systems]]
|released={{JP}}April 19, 2012<ref name="ustream">http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/19404651</ref><br>{{EU}}2012<ref name=europe>http://ds.ign.com/articles/121/1219201p1.html</ref><br>{{US}}TBA<ref name="usleak">Nintendo World Report: [http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/30615 Fire Emblem: Awakening Coming to North America]</ref>
|publisher=[[Nintendo]]
|released={{JP}}April 19th, 2012<br>{{US}}February 4th, 2013<ref name="america">[http://www.nintendo.com/nintendo-direct/archive/12-05-2012/ Nintendo Direct (Nintendo of America), December 5th 2012]</ref><br>{{EU}}April 19th, 2013<ref name=europe>[http://www.nintendo.co.uk/Misc-/Nintendo-Direct/Latest-Nintendo-Direct/Nintendo-Direct-698557.html Nintendo Direct (Nintendo Europe), February 14th 2012]</ref><br>{{AUS}}April 20th, 2013
|platforms=[[Nintendo 3DS]]
|platforms=[[Nintendo 3DS]]
|rating={{Rating|CERO=B}}
|rating={{Rating|CERO=B|PEGI=12<ref name="europe" />|ESRB=T<ref name="esrb">Entertainment Software Rating Board: [http://www.esrb.org/ratings/synopsis.jsp?Certificate=32700&Title=Fire%20Emblem%20Awakening&searchkeyword= Fire Emblem Awakening]</ref>|ACB=M<ref name="acb">Australian Classification Board: [http://www.classification.gov.au/Pages/View.aspx?sid=h8M5jOeVXMvcCAyJu2yM1w%253d%253d&ncdctx=H9DiY5Q8rCuMcznfm%252fWabSGcBzR5OhxsVaql3TCcwrGSvDKciR8L6BWFO5gqkBCF Fire Emblem: Awakening]</ref>}}
|predecessor={{FE12}}
|predecessor={{FE12}}
|successor=None
|successor=None
}}
}}
'''''Fire Emblem: Kakusei''''' (ファイアーエムブレム覚醒, ''Fire Emblem: Awakening''),<ref name="ustream"/> is a [[Nintendo 3DS]] game released on April 19 2012. It is the thirteenth installement in the {{FES}}, the first original title in five years following {{title|Radiant Dawn}}.  It is a distant sequel to {{title|Monshou no Nazo}} and {{title|Shin Monshou no Nazo}}, set thousands of years in the future of the continent [[Archanea (continent)|Archanea]], now a very different world.  It follows the story of [[Chrom]], prince of [[Iris]] and distant heir of the Hero King [[Marth]], as he leads a vigilante group in observing and combating the bizarre activities of the neighbouring country [[Perezia]].
'''''Fire Emblem: Awakening''''' ({{hover|ファイアーエムブレム覚醒|Faiā Emuburemu Kakusei}} ''Fire Emblem: Awakening'') is a [[Nintendo 3DS]] game released in 2012/2013. It is the thirteenth overall game installment in the {{FES}}, the eleventh original title and the first in five years following {{title|Radiant Dawn}}.  It is a distant sequel to {{title|Mystery of the Emblem}} and {{title|New Mystery of the Emblem}}, set thousands of years in the future of the continent [[Archanea (continent)|Archanea]], now a very different world.  It follows the story of [[Chrom]], prince of [[Ylisse]] and distant heir of the Hero-King [[Marth]], as he leads [[Shepherds (group)|The Shepherds]] in observing and combating the bizarre activities of the neighbouring country [[Plegia]].
 
''Awakening'' is the first title on a [[Nintendo]] console to facilitate the creation and sale of [[List of bonus chapters and downloadable content in Fire Emblem: Awakening|paid downloadable content]], here coming in the form of purchasable maps and characters, sometimes providing completely unique [[class]]es and [[skills]].  A special edition package for the game was produced and available in both Japan and America, containing a ''Awakening''-themed "Cobalt Blue" Nintendo 3DS system with unique printing on the shell; the Japanese version of the package also contained a physical copy of the game and 1000 eShop points, while the American version has a digital copy of the game pre-installed on the Nintendo 3DS system.  The European release received a similar bundle, except with a ''Awakening''-themed Nintendo 3DS XL, the larger variant of the console.<ref name="europe"/>
 
Originally released in Japan in April 2012, ''Awakening'' was not released internationally until the following year. A European release was tentatively confirmed in February 2012, with no specific release date provided, and a United States release was accidentally confirmed by [[wikipedia:Reggie Fils-Aime|Reggie Fils-Aime]] at the [[wikipedia:Electronic Entertainment Expo 2012|Electronic Entertainment Expo 2012]];<ref name="usleak">Nintendo World Report: [http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/30615 Fire Emblem: Awakening Coming to North America]</ref> solid release dates were not confirmed until December of that year.<ref name="america" />  In the United States of America, ''Awakening'' was the subject of an extensive advertising campaign to a scale unprecedented for the ''Fire Emblem'' series, receiving extensive preview coverage on Nintendo of America's Facebook page.


''Kakusei'' is the first title on a [[Nintendo]] console to facilitate the creation and sale of [[List of bonus chapters and downloadable content in Fire Emblem: Kakusei|paid downloadable content]], here coming in the form of purchasable maps and characters, sometimes providing completely unique [[class]]es and [[skills]].  As part of an apparent intent to heavily publicise the game as an important Nintendo 3DS title, a special edition package was also produced, containing a ''Kakusei''-themed blue Nintendo 3DS system with unique printing on the shell, the game, and 1000 eShop points.  A European release was tentatively confirmed in February 2012, with no specific release date provided,<ref name="europe"/>, and a United States release was accidentally confirmed by [[wikipedia:Reggie Fils-Aime|Reggie Fils-Aime]] at the [[wikipedia:Electronic Entertainment Expo 2012|Electronic Entertainment Expo 2012]]<ref name="usleak" />.
==Plot==
==Plot==
{{sectstub}}
{{sectstub}}


{{quote|Two sleeping dragons - one a sacred ally of mankind, the other its sworn destroyer. Two heroes marked with symbols of the dragons. Their meeting heralds the dragons' awakening - and the world's ending.|English text in the game's logo<ref name="feb10">http://andriasang.com/comzyw/fire_emblem_permadeath/</ref>}}
{{quote|Two sleeping dragons - one a sacred ally of mankind, the other its sworn destroyer. Two heroes marked with symbols of the dragons. Their meeting heralds the dragons' awakening - and the world's ending.|English text in the game's Japanese logo<ref name="feb10">Andriasang.com: [http://andriasang.com/comzyw/fire_emblem_permadeath/ Fire Emblem 3DS Includes Permadeath Option]</ref>}}


Over one thousand years have passed since the Shadow Dragon [[Medeus]] died his final death at the hands of the Hero King [[Marth]] and the continent of Archanea was united under a single flag under his rule.  In this time, countries have come and gone, Archanea has once again split into three nations, and the descendants of Marth and his wife [[Caeda]] are now ther royal family of [[Iris]], a peace-loving nation which reveres the [[Divine Dragon]] [[Naga]]; this royal family possesses the marks of Naga on their bodies and are the owners of the divine blade [[Falchion]] and the [[Shield of Seals]].
Over one thousand years have passed since the Shadow Dragon [[Medeus]] died his final death at the hands of the Hero-King [[Marth]] and the continent of Archanea was united under a single flag under his rule.  In this time, countries have come and gone, Archanea has once again split into three nations, and the descendants of Marth and his wife [[Caeda]] are now the royal family of [[Ylisse]], a peace-loving nation which reveres the [[Divine Dragon]] [[Naga]]; this royal family possesses the [[Holy Blood|Brand]] of Naga on their bodies and are the owners of the divine blade [[Falchion]] and the [[Shield of Seals|Fire Emblem]].


In the time of the rule of Holy King [[Emerina]], reports of bizarre and dangerous behaviour have emerged concerning [[Perezia]], a kingdom neighbouring Iris which instead worships [[Gimle]], the evil dragon which was once the archrival of Naga.  In response to this troubling news, Iris's Prince [[Chrom]], Emelina's younger brother, has convened a vigilante force to observe Perezia's actions and repel violent acts from their neighbour.  Among all of this, there are reports of strange undead creatures roaming the lands, and [[Masked Marth|a swordsman claiming to be the Hero King Marth himself]] has appeared, wielding the same Falchion now in Chrom's possession.
In the time of the rule of Exalt [[Emmeryn]], reports of bizarre and dangerous behaviour have emerged concerning [[Plegia]], a kingdom neighbouring Ylisse which instead worships [[Grima (character)|Grima]], the Fell Dragon which once threatened mankind and opposed Naga.  In response to this troubling news, Ylisse's Prince [[Chrom]], Emmeryn's younger brother, has convened a small militia called [[Shepherds (group)|The Shepherds]] to observe Plegia's actions and repel violent acts from their neighbor.  Among all of this, there are reports of strange undead creatures roaming the lands, and [[Masked Marth|a swordsman claiming to be the Hero-King Marth himself]] has appeared, wielding the same Falchion now in Chrom's possession.


==Gameplay==
==Gameplay==
The development team of ''Kakusei'' described the game as being intended as an "all-star" assortment of ideas from past {{FES}} installments<ref>Iwata Asks: [http://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/interview/afej/vol1/index.html Fire Emblem: Kakusei]</ref>.  Many of these features return from {{title|Gaiden}} and {{title|The Sacred Stones}}, acting as another spiritual successor to the former.
The development team of ''Awakening'' described the game as being intended as an "all-star" assortment of ideas from past {{FES}} installments<ref>Iwata Asks: [http://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/interview/afej/vol1/index.html Fire Emblem: Awakening]</ref>.  Many of these features return from {{title|Gaiden}} and {{title|The Sacred Stones}}, acting as another spiritual successor to the former.


* The Free Map system, similar to the world map of {{title|Gaiden}} and {{title|The Sacred Stones}}, allows the player to walk across the map to different locations to battle or shop.
* The [[world map]] system, similar to that of {{title|Gaiden}} and {{title|The Sacred Stones}}, allows the player to walk across the map to different locations to battle or shop.
* A new included feature called "dual system" activates when a character attacks an enemy unit and an ally is besides them. This mode powers up the abilities of the attacking unit as well as the ally unit helping with attacks.<ref name="feb10" />
* A new included feature called "dual system" activates when a character attacks an enemy unit and an ally is besides them. This mode powers up the abilities of the attacking unit as well as the ally unit helping with attacks.<ref name="feb10" />
* As in {{title|Shin Monshou no Nazo}}, the [[My Unit (Kakusei)|My Unit]] concept is used again - a customizable main character, representing the player and playing a large part in the story.
* As in {{title|New Mystery of the Emblem}}, the [[Avatar (Awakening)|Avatar]] concept is used again - a customizable main character, representing the player and playing a large part in the story.
* Also returning from ''Shin Monshou no Nazo'' is the [[Casual Mode]], a gameplay option which disables the series' traditional permanent death and allows "dead" characters to return at the beginning of the next chapter.
* Also returning from ''New Mystery of the Emblem'' is the [[Casual Mode]], a gameplay option which disables the series' traditional permanent death and allows "dead" characters to return at the beginning of the next chapter.
* Branching promotions return from {{title|The Sacred Stones}}, allowing for further unit customization.
* Branching promotions return from {{title|The Sacred Stones}}, allowing for further unit customization.


==Chapters==
==Chapters==
{{main|List of chapters in Fire Emblem: Kakusei}}
{{main|List of chapters in Fire Emblem: Awakening}}


The main story of ''Kakusei'' is comprised of 28 chapters - an introduction, a prologue, 25 chapters, and the finale. Additionally, there are 17 [[sidequest]] chapters in the game. Completely new chapters can also be obtained through SpotPass or downloadable content.
The main story of ''Awakening'' is comprised of 28 chapters - an introduction, a prologue, 25 chapters, and the finale. Additionally, there are 23 [[sidequest]] chapters in the game, six of which can only be received via [[SpotPass]]. 25 completely new chapters can also be obtained through [[List of bonus chapters and downloadable content in Fire Emblem: Awakening|downloadable content]].


==Characters==
==Characters==
{{main|List of characters in Fire Emblem: Kakusei}}
{{main|List of characters in Fire Emblem: Awakening}}


The core game of ''Kakusei'' features 43 playable characters, divided into two groups.  There are 30 initial units, comprising a "first generation".  These thirty characters can, like in {{title|Seisen no Keifu}}, be paired up to have a set of children characters who join in [[sidequest]] chapters. With [[Lucina|one exception]], the children characters are completely optional, and it is entirely possible to not receive them by simply not pairing up the parents.
The core game of ''Awakening'' features 49 playable characters, divided roughly into three groups.  There are 30 initial units, comprising a "first generation".  These thirty characters can, like in {{title|Genealogy of the Holy War}}, be paired up to have a set of children characters who join in [[sidequest]] chapters. With [[Lucina|one exception]], the children characters are completely optional, and it is entirely possible to not receive them by simply not pairing up the parents or by not visiting the [[sidequest]]s in which the children are recruited.  An additional six characters are available in [[SpotPass]] sidequests unlocked only immediately prior to the [[Grima (chapter)|Endgame]]; these six can only support with the Avatar.


Outside of the core 43, more characters can be obtained through downloadable content or [[SpotPass]].  In addition to offering the reappearances of characters from older installments, previously unrecruitable characters from ''Kakusei'''s main story will be able to be recruited through sidequest chapters obtained through SpotPass.
Outside of the core 49, a vast array of [[bonus units]] can be obtained through [[List of bonus chapters and downloadable content in Fire Emblem: Awakening|downloadable content]], [[StreetPass]] or [[SpotPass]].  A total of 120 unique units are available through SpotPass, comprised of an assortment of returning characters from prior {{FES}} titles, with another 17 available with redesigned art through downloadable content.  In addition to this, the Avatars of players are transmitted to other players through StreetPass and can potentially be recruited in the same way.  Any single save file can only have twenty such bonus units active in their party at a time.


==Support Conversations==
==Support Conversations==
{{main|List of supports in Fire Emblem: Kakusei}}
{{main|List of supports in Fire Emblem: Awakening}}


==Pre-release information==
==Pre-release information==
{{main|Fire Emblem: Kakusei pre-release information}}
{{main|Fire Emblem: Awakening pre-release information}}


First announced on September 13, 2011, at Nintendo's 3DS Conference in Japan, ''Kakusei'' came to be the subject of extensive preview coverage, at a level unprecendented for the {{FES}}.
First announced on September 13, 2011, at Nintendo's 3DS Conference in Japan, ''Awakening'' came to be the subject of extensive preview coverage, at a level unprecendented for the {{FES}}.
 
===Demo version===
The American and European Nintendo eShops each released a playable demo of ''Awakening'' for free download, released on January 17, 2013 and March 28th, 2013 respectively.<ref>GoNintendo: [http://www.gonintendo.com/?mode=viewstory&id=194036 DLC Keeps the Epic Adventure of Fire Emblem Awakening Burning Bright (demo next week)]</ref>  It allows the player to create an Avatar, albeit restricted to being male and lacking some other design choices, and play through the entirety of [[The Verge of History|Prologue]] and [[Unwelcome Change|Chapter 1]] before ending.  All three [[gameplay modes|basic modes of difficulty]] are available for play, but Classic Mode is not available and the player is forced to play in Casual Mode. The demo is restricted to being played a maximum of thirty times in the American release, and ten times for the European release.
 
The demo possesses a glitch: the [[Bullion]] item does not exist in the demo, but [[Leif's Blade]] (which is available through [[event tile]]s) exists unmodified and so still attempts to load the item if its chance to "steal" a Bullion activates; as there is no Bullion item, the game crashes.<ref name="leifblade">Serenes Forest Forums: [http://serenesforest.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=37074&view=findpost&p=2250914 USA DEMO UP!!!!]</ref>
 
The Japanese version does not have a playable demo.


==Reception==
==Reception==
In its first week released in Japan, ''Kakusei'' sold approximately 242,600 copies, rivaling the lifetime sales of previous entries in the series.<ref>http://www.4gamer.net/games/117/G011794/20120425050/</ref> ''Kakusei'' was also number one on the Japanese game charts for its first week.<ref>http://mynintendonews.com/2012/04/25/nine-nintendo-games-in-japanese-top-ten/</ref> In the following weeks, ''Kakusei'' managed to stay high on the Japanese charts.
===Sales===
In its first week released in Japan, ''Awakening'' sold approximately 242,600 copies, rivaling the lifetime sales of previous entries in the series.<ref>4Gamer.net: [http://www.4gamer.net/games/117/G011794/20120425050/ 5年ぶりの完全新作「ファイアーエムブレム 覚醒」が24万本越えの「ゲームソフト週間販売ランキング+」] (Japanese)</ref> ''Awakening'' was also number one on the Japanese game charts for its first week.<ref>My Nintendo News: [http://mynintendonews.com/2012/04/25/nine-nintendo-games-in-japanese-top-ten/ Nine Nintendo Games In Japanese Top Ten]</ref> In the following weeks, ''Awakening'' managed to stay high on the Japanese charts.
 
In a level unprecedented for the series' international incarnation, the United States release was in high demand before and at release with high numbers of pre-orders placed; this resulted in the physical release being marred by shipping delays, with demand far outstripping supply at the release date.<ref>GameInformer: [http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/02/03/fire-emblem-awakening-delayed-due-to-shipping-error.aspx Fire Emblem: Awakening Delayed Due To Shipping Error]</ref>
 
===Critical reception===
Japanese gaming magazine [[wikipedia:Famitsu|Famitsu]] scored ''Awakening'' at 36/40, broken down between its four reviewers as 9/10 each.<ref name="famitsu">[http://the-magicbox.com/1204/ The Magic Box]</ref>
 
''Awakening'' has received widespread critical acclaim from western reviewers.  The game currently has a rating of 92 on Metacritic<ref>Metacritic: [http://www.metacritic.com/game/3ds/fire-emblem-awakening Fire Emblem: Awakening for 3DS Reviews, Ratings, Credits and More]</ref> and 92.52% on GameRankings,<ref>GameRankings: [http://www.gamerankings.com/3ds/643003-fire-emblem-awakening/index.html Fire Emblem: Awakening for 3DS]</ref> both the highest of any installment in the {{FES}}.  A common theme of critical praise for ''Awakening'' is its success at striking an ideal balance between accessibility for those new to the series, and with the high intricacy and difficulty for which the series is known.
 
[[wikipedia:IGN|IGN]]'s Audrey Drake awarded a score of 9.6/10 to ''Awakening'', commenting: "Boasting both the depth and nuance that tactical RPG fans crave and the ease-of-use and fluid tutorial system that newcomers require, Awakening is the ultimate portable strategy RPG, and the new crowning jewel of the Nintendo 3DS’s fledgling library."<ref>IGN: [http://uk.ign.com/articles/2013/01/30/fire-emblem-awakening-review Fire Emblem Awakening Review]</ref>  [[wikipedia:Destructoid|Destructoid]]'s Chris Carter gave ''Awakening'' a score of 9/10, saying: "While Fire Emblem: Awakening may not turn the notch up to 11, it's everything that's right about strategy RPGs. Whatever options you choose to go with at the beginning of the game, it's either one of the most accessible strategy games to date, or one of the most difficult."<ref>Destructoid: [http://www.destructoid.com/review-fire-emblem-awakening-242449.phtmlReview: Fire Emblem: Awakening]</ref>  The Game Informer review scored the game at 9/10,<ref>Game Informer: [http://www.gameinformer.com/games/fire_emblem_awakening/b/3ds/archive/2013/01/30/fire-emblem-awakening-review.aspx Lighting Your Brain With Brilliance - Fire Emblem: Awakening - 3DS]</ref> as did Electronic Gaming Monthly, despite their misgivings about the visual style of the game's battle models.<ref>EGMNOW: [http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/egm-review-fire-emblem-awakening EGM Review: Fire Emblem: Awakening]</ref>  The Escapist awarded the game a perfect 5/5 score,<ref>The Escapist: [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/reviews/10165-Fire-Emblem-Awakening-Review Fire Emblem: Awakening Review]</ref> and both GameSpot<ref>GameSpot: [http://www.gamespot.com/fire-emblem-awakening/reviews/fire-emblem-awakening-review-6403250/ Fire Emblem: Awakening Review]</ref> and GameTrailers<ref>GameTrailers: [http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/t3dgyn/fire-emblem--awakening-review Fire Emblem: Awakening Review]</ref> gave it the equivalent of a 8.5/10 score.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Ba japan fe13.png|Japanese boxart
File:Ba america fe13.png|American (NTSC) box art of ''Awakening''.
File:Ba japan fe13 special.png|Japanese special edition boxart
File:Ba japan fe13.png|Japanese box art of ''Awakening''.
File:Fire Emblem 3DS.png|Bundled special edition [[Nintendo 3DS]]
File:Ba europe fe13.png|European (PAL) box art of ''Awakening''.
File:Prepaid card.png|Prepaid card
File:FEA Logo.png|NTSC English logo of ''Awakening''.
File:Prepaid card holder.png|Prepaid card with holder
File:Ss fe13 title screen ntsc.png|American (NTSC) title screen of ''Awakening''.
File:Ss fe13 title screen pal.png|European (PAL) title screen of ''Awakening''.
File:Ba america fe13 special.png|American special edition box art of ''Awakening''.
File:Ba japan fe13 special.png|Japanese special edition box art of ''Awakening''.
File:Ba europe fe13 special.png|European special edition box art of ''Awakening''.
File:Fire Emblem 3DS.png|The ''Awakening''-themed special edition [[Nintendo 3DS]] console.
File:Prepaid card.png|The ''Awakening''-themed pre-paid card for the Nintendo eShop.
File:Prepaid card holder.png|The ''Awakening''-themed pre-paid card for the Nintendo eShop, still in its holder.
</gallery>
</gallery>


==In other languages==
==Etymology and other languages==
{{Names
{{Names
|eng-name=''Fire Emblem: Awakening''
|eng-mean=The title is in reference to the [[Awakening (rite)|Awakening]], a rite for invoking the power of [[Naga]].
|jap-name={{hover|ファイアーエムブレム覚醒|Faiā Emuburemu Kakusei}}
|jap-name={{hover|ファイアーエムブレム覚醒|Faiā Emuburemu Kakusei}}
|jap-mean=''Fire Emblem: Awakening''<br>The intended meaning/relevance of the title is unknown at this time.
|jap-mean=''Fire Emblem: Awakening''
|eng-fan-name=''Fire Emblem: Awakening''
|eng-fan-mean=Literal translation.
}}
}}


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==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/afej/index.html ''Fire Emblem: Kakusei''] official Japanese website
* [http://www.fireemblemawakening.com/ ''Fire Emblem: Awakening''] official American website
* [http://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/afej/index.html ''Fire Emblem: Awakening''] official Japanese website
* [http://www.serenesforest.net/fe13/ ''Fire Emblem: Awakening''] at Serenes Forest
* [http://www.serenesforest.net/fe13/ ''Fire Emblem: Awakening''] at Serenes Forest


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{{NavSeries}}
{{NavSeries}}
[[Category:Games]]
[[Category:Games]]
[[Category:Fire Emblem: Kakusei]]
[[Category:Fire Emblem: Awakening]]

Revision as of 14:12, 18 December 2013

Awakening

FEA Logo.png Ba america fe13.png
American (NTSC) English logo and box art.

Developer(s)

Intelligent Systems

Publisher(s)

Nintendo

Release date(s)

JPApril 19th, 2012
USFebruary 4th, 2013[1]
EUApril 19th, 2013[2]
AUSApril 20th, 2013

Rating(s)

ACB: M[3]
CERO: B
ESRB: T[4]
PEGI: 12[2]

Platform(s)

Nintendo 3DS

Predecessor

Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem

Successor

None

On partnered sites

Fire Emblem: Awakening (ファイアーエムブレム覚醒 Fire Emblem: Awakening) is a Nintendo 3DS game released in 2012/2013. It is the thirteenth overall game installment in the Fire Emblem series, the eleventh original title and the first in five years following Radiant Dawn. It is a distant sequel to Mystery of the Emblem and New Mystery of the Emblem, set thousands of years in the future of the continent Archanea, now a very different world. It follows the story of Chrom, prince of Ylisse and distant heir of the Hero-King Marth, as he leads The Shepherds in observing and combating the bizarre activities of the neighbouring country Plegia.

Awakening is the first title on a Nintendo console to facilitate the creation and sale of paid downloadable content, here coming in the form of purchasable maps and characters, sometimes providing completely unique classes and skills. A special edition package for the game was produced and available in both Japan and America, containing a Awakening-themed "Cobalt Blue" Nintendo 3DS system with unique printing on the shell; the Japanese version of the package also contained a physical copy of the game and 1000 eShop points, while the American version has a digital copy of the game pre-installed on the Nintendo 3DS system. The European release received a similar bundle, except with a Awakening-themed Nintendo 3DS XL, the larger variant of the console.[2]

Originally released in Japan in April 2012, Awakening was not released internationally until the following year. A European release was tentatively confirmed in February 2012, with no specific release date provided, and a United States release was accidentally confirmed by Reggie Fils-Aime at the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2012;[5] solid release dates were not confirmed until December of that year.[1] In the United States of America, Awakening was the subject of an extensive advertising campaign to a scale unprecedented for the Fire Emblem series, receiving extensive preview coverage on Nintendo of America's Facebook page.

Plot


This section has been marked as a stub. Please help improve the page by adding information.


Two sleeping dragons - one a sacred ally of mankind, the other its sworn destroyer. Two heroes marked with symbols of the dragons. Their meeting heralds the dragons' awakening - and the world's ending.
— English text in the game's Japanese logo[6]

Over one thousand years have passed since the Shadow Dragon Medeus died his final death at the hands of the Hero-King Marth and the continent of Archanea was united under a single flag under his rule. In this time, countries have come and gone, Archanea has once again split into three nations, and the descendants of Marth and his wife Caeda are now the royal family of Ylisse, a peace-loving nation which reveres the Divine Dragon Naga; this royal family possesses the Brand of Naga on their bodies and are the owners of the divine blade Falchion and the Fire Emblem.

In the time of the rule of Exalt Emmeryn, reports of bizarre and dangerous behaviour have emerged concerning Plegia, a kingdom neighbouring Ylisse which instead worships Grima, the Fell Dragon which once threatened mankind and opposed Naga. In response to this troubling news, Ylisse's Prince Chrom, Emmeryn's younger brother, has convened a small militia called The Shepherds to observe Plegia's actions and repel violent acts from their neighbor. Among all of this, there are reports of strange undead creatures roaming the lands, and a swordsman claiming to be the Hero-King Marth himself has appeared, wielding the same Falchion now in Chrom's possession.

Gameplay

The development team of Awakening described the game as being intended as an "all-star" assortment of ideas from past Fire Emblem series installments[7]. Many of these features return from Gaiden and The Sacred Stones, acting as another spiritual successor to the former.

  • The world map system, similar to that of Gaiden and The Sacred Stones, allows the player to walk across the map to different locations to battle or shop.
  • A new included feature called "dual system" activates when a character attacks an enemy unit and an ally is besides them. This mode powers up the abilities of the attacking unit as well as the ally unit helping with attacks.[6]
  • As in New Mystery of the Emblem, the Avatar concept is used again - a customizable main character, representing the player and playing a large part in the story.
  • Also returning from New Mystery of the Emblem is the Casual Mode, a gameplay option which disables the series' traditional permanent death and allows "dead" characters to return at the beginning of the next chapter.
  • Branching promotions return from The Sacred Stones, allowing for further unit customization.

Chapters

Main article: List of chapters in Fire Emblem: Awakening

The main story of Awakening is comprised of 28 chapters - an introduction, a prologue, 25 chapters, and the finale. Additionally, there are 23 sidequest chapters in the game, six of which can only be received via SpotPass. 25 completely new chapters can also be obtained through downloadable content.

Characters

Main article: List of characters in Fire Emblem: Awakening

The core game of Awakening features 49 playable characters, divided roughly into three groups. There are 30 initial units, comprising a "first generation". These thirty characters can, like in Genealogy of the Holy War, be paired up to have a set of children characters who join in sidequest chapters. With one exception, the children characters are completely optional, and it is entirely possible to not receive them by simply not pairing up the parents or by not visiting the sidequests in which the children are recruited. An additional six characters are available in SpotPass sidequests unlocked only immediately prior to the Endgame; these six can only support with the Avatar.

Outside of the core 49, a vast array of bonus units can be obtained through downloadable content, StreetPass or SpotPass. A total of 120 unique units are available through SpotPass, comprised of an assortment of returning characters from prior Fire Emblem series titles, with another 17 available with redesigned art through downloadable content. In addition to this, the Avatars of players are transmitted to other players through StreetPass and can potentially be recruited in the same way. Any single save file can only have twenty such bonus units active in their party at a time.

Support Conversations

Main article: List of supports in Fire Emblem: Awakening

Pre-release information

Main article: Fire Emblem: Awakening pre-release information

First announced on September 13, 2011, at Nintendo's 3DS Conference in Japan, Awakening came to be the subject of extensive preview coverage, at a level unprecendented for the Fire Emblem series.

Demo version

The American and European Nintendo eShops each released a playable demo of Awakening for free download, released on January 17, 2013 and March 28th, 2013 respectively.[8] It allows the player to create an Avatar, albeit restricted to being male and lacking some other design choices, and play through the entirety of Prologue and Chapter 1 before ending. All three basic modes of difficulty are available for play, but Classic Mode is not available and the player is forced to play in Casual Mode. The demo is restricted to being played a maximum of thirty times in the American release, and ten times for the European release.

The demo possesses a glitch: the Bullion item does not exist in the demo, but Leif's Blade (which is available through event tiles) exists unmodified and so still attempts to load the item if its chance to "steal" a Bullion activates; as there is no Bullion item, the game crashes.[9]

The Japanese version does not have a playable demo.

Reception

Sales

In its first week released in Japan, Awakening sold approximately 242,600 copies, rivaling the lifetime sales of previous entries in the series.[10] Awakening was also number one on the Japanese game charts for its first week.[11] In the following weeks, Awakening managed to stay high on the Japanese charts.

In a level unprecedented for the series' international incarnation, the United States release was in high demand before and at release with high numbers of pre-orders placed; this resulted in the physical release being marred by shipping delays, with demand far outstripping supply at the release date.[12]

Critical reception

Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu scored Awakening at 36/40, broken down between its four reviewers as 9/10 each.[13]

Awakening has received widespread critical acclaim from western reviewers. The game currently has a rating of 92 on Metacritic[14] and 92.52% on GameRankings,[15] both the highest of any installment in the Fire Emblem series. A common theme of critical praise for Awakening is its success at striking an ideal balance between accessibility for those new to the series, and with the high intricacy and difficulty for which the series is known.

IGN's Audrey Drake awarded a score of 9.6/10 to Awakening, commenting: "Boasting both the depth and nuance that tactical RPG fans crave and the ease-of-use and fluid tutorial system that newcomers require, Awakening is the ultimate portable strategy RPG, and the new crowning jewel of the Nintendo 3DS’s fledgling library."[16] Destructoid's Chris Carter gave Awakening a score of 9/10, saying: "While Fire Emblem: Awakening may not turn the notch up to 11, it's everything that's right about strategy RPGs. Whatever options you choose to go with at the beginning of the game, it's either one of the most accessible strategy games to date, or one of the most difficult."[17] The Game Informer review scored the game at 9/10,[18] as did Electronic Gaming Monthly, despite their misgivings about the visual style of the game's battle models.[19] The Escapist awarded the game a perfect 5/5 score,[20] and both GameSpot[21] and GameTrailers[22] gave it the equivalent of a 8.5/10 score.

Gallery

Etymology and other languages

Names, etymology, and in other regions
Language Name Definition, etymology, and notes
English

Fire Emblem: Awakening

The title is in reference to the Awakening, a rite for invoking the power of Naga.

References

External links

Fire Emblem Awakening
Playable characters AnnaAversaBasilioBradyChercheChromCordeliaCynthiaDonnelEmmerynFlaviaFrederickGaiusGangrelGeromeGregorHenryInigoKellamKjelleLaurentLibraLissaLon'quLucinaMaribelleMirielMorganNahNoireNowiOliviaOwainPannePriamRickenRobinSay'riSeveraStahlSullySumiaTharjaTikiVaikeVirionWalhartYarneYen'fay
Non-playable characters HollandMaidenNagaOld HubbaPhila
Bosses AlgolAnguillaArdriAversaBovisCampariCanisCassiusCervantesChalardDalenDaltonDracoEquusExcellusEzraFarberGallusGangrelGarrickGeckoGrimaGyralIgnatiusJamilLepusMarthMorristanMusMustafaNelsonNombryOrtonOvisPherosPorcusPriamRaimiRisen ChiefRoddickRugerSimiaTigrisValidarVastoVictorVincentWalhartXalbadorYen'fayZanth
Background characters First exaltKe'riMarth
DLC characters AlmCatriaCelicaEirikaEldiganElinciaEphraimEstIkeKatarinaLeifLynPrince MarthMicaiahPallaRoySeliph
SpotPass characters Shadow Dragon CaedaGharnefLindeMerricMinervaNavarreNynaOgmaPrince MarthTiki
Gaiden AlmBoeyCelicaClairCliveDeenLuthierMycenNomahValbar
Mystery of the Emblem AthenaCatriaEtzelHardinHoraceKatarinaKing MarthLegionMaliceNorne
Genealogy of the Holy War G1 ArdenArvisAyraDeirdreEthlynJamkeLewynQuanRaquesisSigurd
Genealogy of the Holy War G2 AltenaAresArthurCedFeeJuliaJuliusLarceiSeliphUlster
Thracia 776 DagdarEyvelFinnLeifMareetaNannaOlwenRaydrikSaiasSalem
Binding Blade CeciliaLilinaLughPercevalRaighRoyShannaSophiaWoltZephiel
Fire Emblem EliwoodFlorinaHectorJaffarKarelLynMatthewNergalNinoSerra
Sacred Stones AmeliaEirikaEphraimInnesL'ArachelLuteLyonMarisaMoulderSeth
Path of Radiance AshnardElinciaGeoffreyIkeLuciaMiaMistSorenTitaniaZihark
Radiant Dawn Black KnightBromEdwardLeonardoMicaiahNepheneeSanakiSephiranSigrunSothe
Others CamusIshtarLinusLloydNarcianOliverPetrineSelenaTravantUrsula
Regalia and personal weapons AmatsuArmadsBalmungBook of NagaDouble BowExcaliburFalchion (Exalted FalchionParallel Falchion) • ForsetiGáe BolgGoddess StaffGoetiaGradivusGrima's TruthGungnirHauteclereHelswathMercuriusMissiletainnMjölnirMystletainnNidhoggNoble RapierParthiaRagnellRapierSol KattiTyrfingValflameWolf BergYewfelle
Chapters Main story Pm: Invisible Ties • P: The Verge of History • 1: Unwelcome Change • 2: Shepherds • 3: Warrior Realm • 4: Two Falchions • 5: The Exalt and the King • 6: Foreseer • 7: Incursion • 8: The Grimleal • 9: Emmeryn • 10: Renewal • 11: Mad King Gangrel • 12: The Seacomers • 13: Of Sacred Blood • 14: Flames on the Blue • 15: Smoldering Resistance • 16: Naga's Voice • 17: Inexorable Death • 18: Sibling Blades • 19: The Conqueror • 20: The Sword or the Knee • 21: Five Gemstones • 22: An Ill Presage • 23: Invisible Ties • 24: Awakening • 25: To Slay a GodE: Grima
Paralogues 1: Sickle to Sword • 2: The Secret Seller • 3: A Strangled Peace • 4: Anna the Merchant • 5: Scion of Legend • 6: A Man for Flowers • 7: Noble Lineage • 8: A Duel Disgraced • 9: Wings of Justice • 10: Ambivalence • 11: Twin Wyverns • 12: Disowned by Time • 13: Rival Bands • 14: Shadow in the Sands • 15: A Shot from the Dark • 16: Daughter to Dragons • 17: The Threat of Silence • 18: The Dead King's Lament • 19: Irreconcilable Paths • 20: A Hard Miracle • 21: Ghost of a Blade • 22: The Wellspring of Truth • 23: The Radiant Hero
Xenologues Champions of Yore 1Champions of Yore 2Champions of Yore 3The Golden GaffeEXPonential GrowthInfinite RegaliaLost Bloodlines 1Lost Bloodlines 2Lost Bloodlines 3Smash Brethren 1Smash Brethren 2Smash Brethren 3Rogues & Redeemers 1Rogues & Redeemers 2Rogues & Redeemers 3Death's EmbraceFive-Anna FirefightRoster RescueHarvest ScrambleSummer ScrambleHot-Spring ScrambleThe Future Past 1The Future Past 2The Future Past 3Apotheosis
Locations YlisseFerox (Arena Ferox) • Outrealm Gate (Outrealms) • Plegia (Dragon's Table) • YlisseValmChon'sinRosanneValm
Groups, objects, and concepts AwakeningEinherjarFire EmblemGrimleal (Deadlords) • RisenShepherds
Lists ChaptersCharactersClasses (Class change) • Hidden treasureItemsScriptsSkillsSupportsWeapons
Related topics Ancient LettersBirthdayDouble DuelDownloadable contentName chartNintendo Dream comics • Other games (GaidenGenealogy of the Holy WarShadow DragonNew Mystery of the Emblem) • Pre-release information (Unused content) • Unit Gallery (Soundtrack) • SpotPassStreetPassTimelineWorld map
Fire Emblem series
Main series Shadow Dragon & the Blade of LightGaidenMystery of the EmblemGenealogy of the Holy WarThracia 776The Binding BladeThe Blazing BladeThe Sacred StonesPath of RadianceRadiant DawnShadow DragonNew Mystery of the EmblemAwakeningFatesEchoes: Shadows of ValentiaThree HousesEngage
Spin-offs Archanea SagaTokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FEHeroesWarriorsWarriors: Three Hopes
Crossover games Super Smash Bros. (MeleeBrawlfor Nintendo 3DS and Wii UUltimate) • Club Nintendo Picross+Code Name: S.T.E.A.M.Project X Zone 2WarioWareDragalia Lost
Unreleased games and prototypes Fire Emblem 64The Blazing Blade pre-release build 0206The Blazing Blade pre-release build 0219The Sacred Stones prototypeFire Emblem Wii
TearRing Saga series Yutona Heroes War ChroniclesBerwick Saga
Vestaria Saga series War of the ScionsThe Sacred Sword of SilvanisterLucca GaidenChronicles of the Norden Civil War
Related titles Mario Kart: Double Dash!! bonus discLINENintendo Badge Arcade
Versions and releases List of version differencesLocalization of the Fire Emblem seriesVirtual Console
Other References in other mediaReferences to other media