Gameplay modes: Difference between revisions
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==Difficulty modes== | ==Difficulty modes== | ||
The first game to feature different formal modes of difficulty was {{ | The first game to feature different formal modes of difficulty was {{FE4}}. Since then, almost every game has featured at least two different difficulty modes, chosen by the player at the beginning of a new game. Between games, there is considerable variation in the difficulty of seemingly the same levels. | ||
{|width="85%" align=center cellpadding=3 cellspacing="3" style="margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; {{round}}; border:1px solid {{Color2}}; background-color: {{Color1}}; text-align: center" | {|width="85%" align=center cellpadding=3 cellspacing="3" style="margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; {{round}}; border:1px solid {{Color2}}; background-color: {{Color1}}; text-align: center" | ||
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!style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" width="15%"| Difficulty mode | !style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" width="15%"| Difficulty mode | ||
!style="{{Roundtr}}; border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" width="65%"| Unlock conditions and notes | !style="{{Roundtr}}; border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" width="65%"| Unlock conditions and notes | ||
|- | |||
{{!}}style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" rowspan="2" {{!}} {{title|Gaiden}} | |||
{{!}}style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}"{{!}} NORMAL | |||
{{!}}style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}"{{!}} The game's default and highest difficulty setting. | |||
|- | |||
{{!}}style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}"{{!}} EASY | |||
{{!}}style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}"{{!}} Identical to Normal Mode, except all [[experience]] gain is doubled. This mode is hidden and, to be accessed, the following button combination must be pressed on the main menu: Select + Start + A | |||
|- | |||
{{!}}style="border:none; background-color:{{Color1}}" colspan="3" {{!}} <!--blank spacing--> | |||
|- | |||
{{!}}style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" rowspan="2" {{!}} {{title|Genealogy of the Holy War}} | |||
{{!}}style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}"{{!}} Normal | |||
{{!}}style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}"{{!}} The game's default difficulty setting. | |||
|- | |||
{{!}}style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}"{{!}} Hard | |||
{{!}}style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}"{{!}} Unlocked by completing the game once. Unlike other Hard Modes, this Hard mode only modifies enemy AI to make them more aggressive and challenging, leaving their stats and quantity untouched. The difficulty mode can be toggled at any time during gameplay from the options menu, and is not set when starting a save file. | |||
|- | |||
{{!}}style="border:none; background-color:{{Color1}}" colspan="3" {{!}} <!--blank spacing--> | |||
|- | |- | ||
{{!}}style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" rowspan="2" {{!}} {{title|The Binding Blade}} | {{!}}style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" rowspan="2" {{!}} {{title|The Binding Blade}} | ||
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{{!}}style="border:none; background-color:{{Color1}}" colspan="3" {{!}} <!--blank spacing--> | {{!}}style="border:none; background-color:{{Color1}}" colspan="3" {{!}} <!--blank spacing--> | ||
|- | |- | ||
{{!}}style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" rowspan="2" {{!}} {{ | {{!}}style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" rowspan="2" {{!}} {{FE7}} | ||
{{!}}style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}"{{!}} Normal Mode | {{!}}style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}"{{!}} Normal Mode | ||
{{!}}style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" rowspan="2" {{!}} [[Gameplay modes#Eliwood, Hector and Lyn's stories|See below]]. | {{!}}style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}" rowspan="2" {{!}} [[Gameplay modes#Eliwood, Hector and Lyn's stories|See below]]. | ||
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{{!}}style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}"{{!}} Lunatic Reverse Mode | {{!}}style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}"{{!}} Lunatic Reverse Mode | ||
{{!}}style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}"{{!}} Unlocked by completing Lunatic Mode{{hover|*|If Lunatic Mode is completed on Casual Mode, Lunatic Reverse Mode is only available on Casual Mode, and completing Lunatic on Classic Mode will be required to unlock Lunatic Reverse Classic Mode.}}, in Lunatic Reverse mode, enemy units will always strike first when [[attack]]ed, even on | {{!}}style="border:none; background-color:{{Color3}}"{{!}} Unlocked by completing Lunatic Mode{{hover|*|If Lunatic Mode is completed on Casual Mode, Lunatic Reverse Mode is only available on Casual Mode, and completing Lunatic on Classic Mode will be required to unlock Lunatic Reverse Classic Mode.}}, in Lunatic Reverse mode, enemy units will always strike first when [[attack]]ed, even on [[Turn|player phase]]. Lunatic Reverse Mode save files are marked with an L' and three stars (★★★). | ||
|- | |- | ||
{{!}}style="border:none; background-color:{{Color1}}" colspan="3" {{!}} <!--blank spacing--> | {{!}}style="border:none; background-color:{{Color1}}" colspan="3" {{!}} <!--blank spacing--> | ||
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:<small>This gameplay mode appears only in {{title|Thracia 776}}.</small> | :<small>This gameplay mode appears only in {{title|Thracia 776}}.</small> | ||
In {{title|Thracia 776}}, '''Paragon Mode''' is a secret gameplay mode, unlocked by inputting a button combination at the "New Game" menu. In this mode, every playable character has the [[Paragon]] skill applied to them, doubling their [[experience]] gain; characters who already have Paragon in normal gameplay or are currently wielding the [[Paragon Sword]] have the effect doubled, gaining quadruple the experience. | In {{title|Thracia 776}}, '''Paragon Mode''' (Japanese: {{hover|エリートモード|Erītomōdo}} ''Elite Mode'') is a secret gameplay mode, unlocked by inputting a button combination at the "New Game" menu. In this mode, every playable character has the [[Paragon]] skill applied to them, doubling their [[experience]] gain; characters who already have Paragon in normal gameplay or are currently wielding the [[Paragon Sword]] have the effect doubled, gaining quadruple the experience. | ||
{{FE2}} has an identical mode which comprises its [[Gameplay modes#Difficulty modes|EASY mode]]. | |||
==Eliwood, Hector and Lyn's stories== | ==Eliwood, Hector and Lyn's stories== | ||
[[File:Ss fe07 mode select.png|thumb|240px|right|Selecting the gameplay mode in '' | [[File:Ss fe07 mode select.png|thumb|240px|right|Selecting the gameplay mode in ''Fire Emblem''.]] | ||
:<small>These gameplay modes appear only in {{ | :<small>These gameplay modes appear only in {{FE7}}.</small> | ||
{{FE7}} is divided into three "story" modes, each focused around one of the three [[Lord|main characters]]. [[Lyn]]'s story ([[A Girl from the Plains|Prologue]] to [[The Distant Plains|Chapter 10]]) and [[Eliwood]]'s story ([[Taking Leave|Chapter 11E]] to [[Light (chapter)|Final]]) comprise the initial "main story"; on an initial playthrough, the player plays through both of them back-to-back. Upon completion of the game for the first time, the player gains the option to choose either game mode upon starting a new game, as well as the option to choose Hector's story ([[Another Journey|Chapter 11H]] to [[Light (chapter)|Final]]). Hector's story is a retelling of Eliwood's story from the perspective of [[Hector]]; it differs in that it features four unique chapters ([[Talons Alight]], [[A Glimpse in Time]], [[Crazed Beast]] and [[The Value of Life]]), two unique recruitable characters ([[Farina]] and [[Karla]]), a number of potential ending variations based on gameplay performance, minor rewrites introducing new subplots and sequences, and a generally higher difficulty. | {{FE7}} is divided into three "story" modes, each focused around one of the three [[Lord|main characters]]. [[Lyn]]'s story ([[A Girl from the Plains|Prologue]] to [[The Distant Plains|Chapter 10]]) and [[Eliwood]]'s story ([[Taking Leave|Chapter 11E]] to [[Light (chapter)|Final]]) comprise the initial "main story"; on an initial playthrough, the player plays through both of them back-to-back. Upon completion of the game for the first time, the player gains the option to choose either game mode upon starting a new game, as well as the option to choose Hector's story ([[Another Journey|Chapter 11H]] to [[Light (chapter)|Final]]). Hector's story is a retelling of Eliwood's story from the perspective of [[Hector]]; it differs in that it features four unique chapters ([[Talons Alight]], [[A Glimpse in Time]], [[Crazed Beast]] and [[The Value of Life]]), two unique recruitable characters ([[Farina]] and [[Karla]]), a number of potential ending variations based on gameplay performance, minor rewrites introducing new subplots and sequences, and a generally higher difficulty. | ||
Additionally, all three stories have a matching Hard Mode, with "Hector Hard Mode" being the most difficult mode '' | Additionally, all three stories have a matching Hard Mode, with "Hector Hard Mode" being the most difficult mode ''Fire Emblem'' has to offer; "Lyn Hard Mode" and "Eliwood Hard Mode" are unlocked upon completing the game once, while "Hector Hard Mode" is unlocked by completing "Hector Normal Mode" once. | ||
Each story mode is associated with one save file color, regardless of difficulty setting. Lyn's Story saves are colored teal, Eliwood's Story files are a bright blue, while Hector's Story uses a darker steel-blue. | Each story mode is associated with one save file color, regardless of difficulty setting. Lyn's Story saves are colored teal, Eliwood's Story files are a bright blue, while Hector's Story uses a darker steel-blue. | ||
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:<small>These gameplay modes appear only in {{title|New Mystery of the Emblem}} and {{title|Awakening}}.</small> | :<small>These gameplay modes appear only in {{title|New Mystery of the Emblem}} and {{title|Awakening}}.</small> | ||
One of the most well-known caveats of the ''Fire Emblem'' series is its use of permanent character deaths. In {{title|New Mystery of the Emblem}}, '''Casual Mode''' was introduced, an effort to soften the blow for players new to the series by disabling permanent death for the course of a playthrough. Instead, characters who are killed in battle merely retreat, and return in the next chapter as if nothing ever happened. '''Classic Mode''' is the other option, enabling the standard permanent-death setup of the series. Both of these options are separate from the difficulty modes and are chosen separately, allowing the player to, for example, enable Casual Mode on a Reverse Lunatic playthrough. The Classic/Casual Mode options returned in | One of the most well-known caveats of the ''Fire Emblem'' series is its use of [[Death|permanent character deaths]]. In {{title|New Mystery of the Emblem}}, '''Casual Mode''' was introduced, an effort to soften the blow for players new to the series by disabling permanent death for the course of a playthrough. Instead, characters who are killed in battle merely retreat, and return in the next chapter as if nothing ever happened. '''Classic Mode''' is the other option, enabling the standard permanent-death setup of the series. Both of these options are separate from the difficulty modes and are chosen separately, allowing the player to, for example, enable Casual Mode on a Reverse Lunatic playthrough. The Classic/Casual Mode options returned in {{title|Awakening}}, working the same way; Casual Mode is renamed '''Newcomer Mode''' in the European English release of the game. | ||
==Trivia== | |||
==Gallery== | |||
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{{NavMech}} | {{NavMech}} | ||
[[Category:Game mechanics]] | [[Category:Game mechanics]] |
Revision as of 03:48, 20 December 2014
Across the Fire Emblem series, there are a number of alternate modes of gameplay. While the most common are difficulty modes, allowing an adjustible challenge for players, other games feature their own types of modes varying the general flow of gameplay or the story, to either the benefit or detriment of the player.
Difficulty modes
The first game to feature different formal modes of difficulty was Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War. Since then, almost every game has featured at least two different difficulty modes, chosen by the player at the beginning of a new game. Between games, there is considerable variation in the difficulty of seemingly the same levels.
style="Template:Roundtl; border:none" width="100%" colspan="5"|Difficulty modes by game | ||
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style="Template:Roundtl; border:none; background-color:#222222;" width=20%"| Game | Difficulty mode | style="Template:Roundtr; border:none; background-color:#222222" width="65%"| Unlock conditions and notes |
Gaiden | NORMAL | The game's default and highest difficulty setting. |
EASY | Identical to Normal Mode, except all experience gain is doubled. This mode is hidden and, to be accessed, the following button combination must be pressed on the main menu: Select + Start + A | |
Genealogy of the Holy War | Normal | The game's default difficulty setting. |
Hard | Unlocked by completing the game once. Unlike other Hard Modes, this Hard mode only modifies enemy AI to make them more aggressive and challenging, leaving their stats and quantity untouched. The difficulty mode can be toggled at any time during gameplay from the options menu, and is not set when starting a save file. | |
The Binding Blade | Normal Mode | The game's initial difficulty setting. Normal Mode save files are colored yellow. |
Hard Mode | Unlocked by completing the game once. Hard Mode save files are colored red. | |
Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade | Normal Mode | See below. |
Hard Mode | ||
The Sacred Stones | Easy Mode | "For first-timers. Game rules and controls will be explained to you as you play." Easy Mode save files are colored green. |
Normal Mode | "For experienced players. No game-play hints will be provided to you as you play." Normal Mode save files are colored teal. | |
Hard Mode | "For players seeking a real challenge. No instructions are given & difficulty is set to high." Hard Mode save files are colored red. | |
Path of Radiance | Easy Mode | |
Normal Mode | ||
Hard Mode | ||
Radiant Dawn | Easy Mode | |
Normal Mode | ||
Hard Mode | This difficulty is unlocked by completing the game once on any other difficulty. | |
Shadow Dragon | Normal Mode | "Recommended for beginners and those playing the game for the first time. A special prologue introduces the story and game play." Normal Mode save files are not specially marked. |
Hard Mode | "Recommended for those seeking a challlenge. Enemies are up to five degrees tougher than those in Normal mode. No prologue is included." There are five different modes under the Hard Mode umbrella: Hard (★), Brutal (★★), Savage (★★★), Fiendish (★★★★) and Merciless (★★★★★). A save file of these difficulties is marked with the matching number of stars. | |
New Mystery of the Emblem | Normal Mode | "An entry-level difficulty for players with little experience. You can play the game while learning the basics." Normal Mode save files are not specially marked. |
Hard Mode | "Recommended for those looking for responsive gameplay. Enemies are stronger than normal. Reinforcements act as soon as they appear." Hard Mode save files are marked with an H and one star (★). This difficulty is available by default. | |
Maniac Mode | "Recommended for players seeking a challenge. The enemies are stronger than in Hard Mode." Maniac Mode save files are marked with an M and two stars (★★). This difficulty is available by default. | |
Lunatic Mode | "Stronger enemies than Maniac Mode, this mode easily has the highest level of difficulty the series can provide." Lunatic Mode save files are marked with an L and three stars (★★★). This difficulty is available by default. | |
Lunatic Reverse Mode | Unlocked by completing Lunatic Mode*, in Lunatic Reverse mode, enemy units will always strike first when attacked, even on player phase. Lunatic Reverse Mode save files are marked with an L' and three stars (★★★). | |
style="Template:Roundbl; border:none; background-color:#222222" rowspan="4"| Awakening | Normal Mode | "For series beginners." The first few chapters in Normal Mode are tutorialized. |
Hard Mode | "For experienced players." | |
Lunatic Mode | "For expert players." Lunatic Mode is primarily notable in that later chapters give some enemy units forged weapons which exceed the normal forging parameters available to players. | |
Lunatic+ Mode | style="Template:Roundbr; border:none; background-color:#222222"| "For Fire Emblem masters." Lunatic+ Mode is mostly identical to Lunatic Mode, with the addition of random distribution of a set of powerful and/or enemy-exclusive skills among all enemy units. |
Paragon Mode
- Main article:
Paragon - This gameplay mode appears only in Thracia 776.
In Thracia 776, Paragon Mode (Japanese: エリートモード Elite Mode) is a secret gameplay mode, unlocked by inputting a button combination at the "New Game" menu. In this mode, every playable character has the Paragon skill applied to them, doubling their experience gain; characters who already have Paragon in normal gameplay or are currently wielding the Paragon Sword have the effect doubled, gaining quadruple the experience.
Fire Emblem Gaiden has an identical mode which comprises its EASY mode.
Eliwood, Hector and Lyn's stories
- These gameplay modes appear only in Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade.
Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade is divided into three "story" modes, each focused around one of the three main characters. Lyn's story (Prologue to Chapter 10) and Eliwood's story (Chapter 11E to Final) comprise the initial "main story"; on an initial playthrough, the player plays through both of them back-to-back. Upon completion of the game for the first time, the player gains the option to choose either game mode upon starting a new game, as well as the option to choose Hector's story (Chapter 11H to Final). Hector's story is a retelling of Eliwood's story from the perspective of Hector; it differs in that it features four unique chapters (Talons Alight, A Glimpse in Time, Crazed Beast and The Value of Life), two unique recruitable characters (Farina and Karla), a number of potential ending variations based on gameplay performance, minor rewrites introducing new subplots and sequences, and a generally higher difficulty.
Additionally, all three stories have a matching Hard Mode, with "Hector Hard Mode" being the most difficult mode Fire Emblem has to offer; "Lyn Hard Mode" and "Eliwood Hard Mode" are unlocked upon completing the game once, while "Hector Hard Mode" is unlocked by completing "Hector Normal Mode" once.
Each story mode is associated with one save file color, regardless of difficulty setting. Lyn's Story saves are colored teal, Eliwood's Story files are a bright blue, while Hector's Story uses a darker steel-blue.
Random and Fixed Modes
- Main article:
Growth rate - Main article:
Growth point - These gameplay modes appear only in Path of Radiance.
Upon completing Path of Radiance for the first time, the player receives the option to choose between Random Mode and Fixed Mode upon starting a new game. These modes are concerned with variances in the statistical growth of playable units. Random Mode is merely the standard way growth rates work throughout the series, whereas Fixed Mode implements a new system revolving around growth points. Using the growth rates of characters as their base growth point values, further growth points in stats are accumulated through defeating enemies and vary depending on the weapons and items equipped by the unit, and higher growth points in stats result in greater increases in the stats in question.
Classic and Casual Mode
- These gameplay modes appear only in New Mystery of the Emblem and Awakening.
One of the most well-known caveats of the Fire Emblem series is its use of permanent character deaths. In New Mystery of the Emblem, Casual Mode was introduced, an effort to soften the blow for players new to the series by disabling permanent death for the course of a playthrough. Instead, characters who are killed in battle merely retreat, and return in the next chapter as if nothing ever happened. Classic Mode is the other option, enabling the standard permanent-death setup of the series. Both of these options are separate from the difficulty modes and are chosen separately, allowing the player to, for example, enable Casual Mode on a Reverse Lunatic playthrough. The Classic/Casual Mode options returned in Awakening, working the same way; Casual Mode is renamed Newcomer Mode in the European English release of the game.