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Fire Emblem Awakening: Difference between revisions

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{{Game Infobox
{{Game Infobox
|title=Awakening
|title=Awakening
|image=[[File:Ba america fe13.png|250px]]
|image=[[File:FEA Logo white.png|200px]]
|caption=American boxart.
[[File:Ba america fe13.png|200px]]
|caption=North American (NTSC) English logo and box art.
|developer=[[Intelligent Systems]]
|developer=[[Intelligent Systems]]
|publisher=[[Nintendo]]
|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
|released={{JP}}April 19, 2012<br>{{US}}February 4, 2013<ref name="america">[http://www.nintendo.com/nintendo-direct/archive/12-05-2012/ Nintendo Direct (Nintendo of America), December 5, 2012]</ref><br>{{EU}}April 19, 2013<ref name=europe>[http://www.nintendo.co.uk/Misc-/Nintendo-Direct/Latest-Nintendo-Direct/Nintendo-Direct-698557.html Nintendo Direct (Nintendo Europe), February 14, 2012]</ref><br>{{AUS}}April 20, 2013
|platforms=[[Nintendo 3DS]]
|platforms=[[Nintendo 3DS]]
|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>}}
|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>|USK=12}}
|predecessor={{FE12}}
|predecessor={{FE12}}
|successor=None
|successor={{FE14}}
}}
}}
'''''Fire Emblem: Awakening''''' (ファイアーエムブレム覚醒 ''Fire Emblem: Awakening'') is a [[Nintendo 3DS]] game, the thirteenth installment 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 [[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]].
'''''Fire Emblem Awakening''''' (Japanese: {{hover|ファイアーエムブレム覚醒|Faiā Emuburemu Kakusei}} ''Fire Emblem Awakening'') is a turn-based strategy role-playing game for the [[Nintendo 3DS]] console, released in Japan in 2012, and the rest of the world in 2013. It is the thirteenth overall game installment in the {{FES}}, the eleventh original title and the first original installment in the five years since {{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"/>.
''Awakening'' is the first title on a [[Nintendo]] console to facilitate the creation and sale of [[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"/>


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.
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.


==Plot==
==Plot Summary==
{{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 Japanese logo<ref name="feb10">Andriasang.com: [http://andriasang.com/comzyw/fire_emblem_permadeath/ Fire Emblem 3DS Includes Permadeath Option]</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 the royal family of [[Ylisse]], 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 [[Fire Emblem (Archanean item)|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 (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.
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.
== Plot ==
=== Prologue ===
The game begins with [[Chrom]] and the avatar, [[Robin]], in a strange building, fighting a man named [[Validar]]. After defeating him, Validar attempts to kill Chrom, but Robin takes the blow instead. With the battle seemingly won, Robin's eyes glow red and they stab Chrom in the stomach, killing him. There is an ominous laugh as the scene fades.
=== Ylissian-Plegian War ===
During the time of Emmeryn's reign over [[Ylisse]], Chrom began a small militia called the [[Shepherds (group)|Shepherds]]. On route to [[Southtown]], they encounter a collapsed amnesiac, Robin, and help them, but find themselves heading to South Town in order to deal with [[Plegia]]n Barbarians. After disposing of the threat, the group rests in a nearby forest, only to find the earth collapsing under their feet and setting fire to the forest. Eerie undead beings appear from a portal and try to kill Chrom and [[Lissa]]. Chrom disposes of one and with the help of a [[Lucina|man]] who appears through the portal, disposes of the second one. After killing the remainder of the beings, the masked man asks to be referred to as [[Marth]] and quickly leaves after telling the royal family that tonight was just a prelude to the future.
Chrom returns to Ylisse's capital and has a discussion with his [[Emmeryn|sister]] and the rest of the council about the new threat, deciding to call the undead beings [[Risen]]. Chrom is tasked to seek aide from the northern country of [[Regna Ferox]] and its [[Basilio|Khan]]. On route, Chrom's Shepherds are attacked by Risen, but are able to defeat them. Chrom then arrives at Regna Ferox, but the border guard accuses him of lying about his noble birth. After winning the guards' trust after a long battle, the Shepherds arrive at Regna Ferox and talk to the East Khan, [[Flavia]]. The Shepherds fight for the East Khan against Marth and his warriors. Before battle, Chrom realizes Marth has a similar [[Parallel Falchion|Falchion]] to his own and the two clash in single combat, their battle skills and stances echoing one another. Marth lets a bit of his past slip, stating that his father taught him how to fight, before he continues the assault against Chrom. After Chrom wins, Marth disappears, leaving the prince to gain a new ally in Regna Ferox.
[[Gangrel]], the King of Plegia, then threatens Ylisse with war over the fact that Ylissean noblewoman [[Maribelle]] crossed the border. Plegian barbarians then attempt to take the Emmeryn's life, but Chrom steps in and he kills one of them, giving Gangrel reason to declare war between Plegia and Ylisse. After saving Maribelle, the Shepherds and their Exalt return back to the capital. Marth again returns to warn Chrom of the impending future and does so by drawing his blade. Speaking, he says, "I am about to save your life--from him", then quickly jumps into the air and slashes downwards, killing an assassin who sought to kill Chrom. Marth asks if this proves his claims, and Chrom answers in the affirmative just before a second assassin attempts to strike down Marth. The assassin is able to cut Marth's mask in two before Chrom kills the attacker. It is then revealed that Marth is actually a woman. Marth and Chrom then head into the castle to defend Emmeryn from more assassins, defeating their mysterious leader, [[Validar]]. Marth then leaves the royal family, as they are once more safe. However, in the darkness, something revives Validar.
Emmeryn is brought to a second castle, but along the way, the Shepherds are ambushed. Emmeryn decides to return to Ylisse, but not before handing the [[Fire Emblem (item)|Fire Emblem]] to Chrom, instructing him to take care of it. Chrom and the group ask Regna Ferox for aide as the two countries go to war against Plegia. At the height of the war, Emmeryn decides to sacrifice herself to protect her people. Instead of allowing Chrom to save her by giving up the Fire Emblem, she decides to fall off the edge of a cliff, ending her life. Chrom and his shepherds then continue their assault on Plegia, eventually killing Gangrel and bringing peace back to the continent.
=== War Against Valm ===
Sometime after the war, Chrom marries a woman and has a daughter named [[Lucina]], who bears the Brand of the Exalt in her left eye. [[Virion]] and his escort, [[Cherche]], bring word of a new threat coming to the continent of Ylisse. [[Walhart]], the emperor of the western continent of [[Valm]], seeks to expand his rule and is coming to claim their continent. Chrom seeks aide from Validar, the new king of Plegia, to help them gain ships to head towards Valm. On route there, Marth returns to protect Chrom from being killed by Risen, and inadvertently calls him her father. She reveals her true name, Lucina, and that she has traveled from ten years in the future to prevent [[Grima (character)|Grima's]] reawakening.
Chrom and his shepherds then war against Valm. After taking control of a Valm port and saving [[Say'ri]], they head for [[the Mila Tree]] and save [[Tiki]], [[Naga|Naga's]] voice and one of the few remaining [[Divine Dragon|Divine Dragons]]. Tiki mentions that in order to prevent Grima's awakening, they will need to preform the [[Awakening (rite)|awakening]] on [[Mount Prism]] with the completed Fire Emblem. Chrom manages to free the south from [[Yen'fay|Yen'fay's]] side of the Valm army while West Khan [[Basilio]] and East Khan Flavia fight against Walhart, who manages to defeat Basilio. Basilio gives one of the gemstones needed for the Fire Emblem to Flavia and instructs her to run. Chrom gathers his troops and they fight against Walhart twice, finally defeating the conquerer and bringing a temporary peace back to the world.
=== Grima's Return and the Ending ===
Searching for the last remaining gemstone for the Fire Emblem, Chrom heads to Plegia on the request of Validar. It is there that Validar ambushes Chrom and his troops. Before they can escape, Validar takes control of Robin, explaining that since Robin is actually his child, Validar can use Grima's blood between them to control them. After obtaining the Fire Emblem from Chrom, Validar escapes to the [[Dragon's Table]]. Thousands of mind controlled people arrive at the table and the Shepherds defeat Validar before he can revive Grima. However, the hierophant from before arrives and states that they are the Robin of the future and use the remaining energy and life force in Dragon's Table to refuel their energy, making the dragon form of Grima reappear.
Seeing that they have little time left, the Shepherds head for Mount Prism. After defeating the Risen that plagued the mountain, Chrom appears in a temple and completes the Awakening inside. Naga, seeing Chrom's conviction, lends him her power and unlocks Falchion's power which laid dormant within the sword. The Shepherds then head back to the west and ride upon the back of Grima to begin the final battle. Two scenarios can happen, depending on the player's choice.
If the player chooses to have Chrom deal the final blow, Grima falls asleep for another thousand years, after which he will return to destroy the world. Chrom comments how that Robin belongs with them, even if Robin's future linage is stained with Grima's blood. The Shepherds then decide to make the world a better place and plan for Grima's eventual return.
If the player decides to sacrifice themselves, Robin deals the final blow and disappears in the air, hoping they meet Chrom again in another life. After the credits, the beginning of the game plays again, with Lissa and Chrom wondering what to do about the person on the ground. After picking Robin up, who no longer has the [[Fell Brand]] on their hand, Chrom states that it is finally over and "welcome back".


==Gameplay==
==Gameplay==
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 development team of ''Awakening'' described the game as being intended as an "all-star" assortment of ideas from past {{FES}} installments.<ref name="iwata asks">Iwata, Satoru ''et al.'' (2013). ''[http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/3ds/fire-emblem/0/0 Iwata Asks: Fire Emblem Awakening]'' [online] Nintendo. [Accessed 2014-07-26]</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" />
* Two new mechanisms are introduced which are additions to the [[support]] system: [[Pair Up|Dual and Pair Up]]. The Dual system grants the player's units statistical bonuses in battle when standing next to each other, which can be boosted through gaining supports. The Pair Up system allows two units to fight together to defeat their enemies, with the supporting unit having a chance of dealing more damage to the enemy or protecting their ally from damage the enemy would deal.<ref name="feb10" />
* As in {{title|Shin Monshou no Nazo}}, the [[Avatar (Awakening)|Avatar]] 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 (mechanic)|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.
* Returning from {{title|Genealogy of the Holy War}} is a multi-generational character system, in which the characters of the game's first generation can fall in love (this time through the mechanics of the [[support]] system) and ultimately marry and have children with each other, with different parent combinations [[Inheritance|affecting]] the children's stats and skills. Unlike in ''Genealogy'', these children are not the subject of a separate second-generation story and instead fight alongside their parents through time travel.


==Chapters==
==Chapters==
{{main|List of chapters in Fire Emblem: Awakening}}
{{main|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 [[List of bonus chapters and downloadable content in Fire Emblem: Awakening|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 [[Downloadable content in Fire Emblem Awakening|downloadable content]].


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


The core game of ''Awakening'' features 43 playable characters, divided into two 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.
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 [[Robin (Awakening)|Robin]]; this games Avatar character.


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 ''Awakening'''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 [[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: Awakening}}
{{main|List of supports in Fire Emblem Awakening}}


==Pre-release information==
==Development==
{{main|Fire Emblem: Awakening pre-release information}}
{{main|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 {{FES}}.
''Fire Emblem Awakening'' was first announced in Japan, only generically known as as ''Fire Emblem 3DS'', in a Nintendo 3DS conference held by Nintendo on September 13th, 2011. As a result of the ''Fire Emblem'' series experiencing declining sales over the preceding few titles, Nintendo had delivered an ultimatum on the series' fate to the development team at Intelligent Systems: ''Awakening'' needed to reach at least 250,000 copies sold, otherwise the series would be brought to an end.<ref>Laura (May 25, 2013). ''[http://www.siliconera.com/2013/05/25/fire-emblem-awakening-was-almost-the-last-game-in-the-series/ Fire Emblem Awakening Was Almost The Last Game In The Series]'' [online] Siliconera. [Accessed 2014-07-26]</ref> In response the developers eventually settled on constructing ''Awakening'' as a culmination of elements and lessons from the past ''Fire Emblem'' titles, with a particular emphasis on individual characters and the bonds between them; the latter led to the introduction of the [[Pair Up]] system as a way to further units supporting each other in battle.<ref name="iwata asks" />
 
As with {{FE11}}, the translation and localization process for ''Awakening'' was contracted out to the Japanese firm [[wikipedia:8-4|8-4]], rather than being handled in-house by Nintendo of America's Treehouse division like earlier ''Fire Emblem'' titles.


===Demo version===
===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.
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 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>
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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 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>.
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===
===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>
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.
''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.
[[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>
File:Ba america fe13.png|American boxart
File:Ba japan fe13.png|Japanese boxart
File:Ba europe fe13.png|European boxart
File:Ba america fe13 special.png|American special edition boxart
File:Ba japan fe13 special.png|Japanese special edition boxart
File:Ba europe fe13 special.png|European special edition boxart
File:Fire Emblem 3DS.png|Bundled special edition [[Nintendo 3DS]]
File:Prepaid card.png|Prepaid card
File:Prepaid card holder.png|Prepaid card with holder
</gallery>


==Etymology and other languages==
==Etymology and other languages==
{{Names
{{Names
|eng-name=''Fire Emblem: Awakening''
|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]].
|eng-mean=The title is in reference to the [[Awakening (rite)|Awakening]], a rite for invoking the power of [[Naga]].
|pal-name=''Fire Emblem: Awakening''
|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''
|jap-mean=Officially romanized as '''''Fire Emblem Awakening'''''
|fren-name=''Fire Emblem: Awakening''
|ger-name=''Fire Emblem: Awakening''
|span-name=''Fire Emblem: Awakening''
|ital-name=''Fire Emblem: Awakening''
}}
}}
==Gallery==
===The core game===
<gallery>
File:Ba america fe13.png|American (NTSC) box art of ''Awakening''.
File:Ba japan fe13.png|Japanese box art of ''Awakening''.
File:Ba europe fe13.png|European (PAL) box art of ''Awakening''.
File:FEA Logo.png|NTSC English logo of ''Awakening''.
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''.
</gallery>
===Merchandise and special editions===
<gallery>
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>


{{refbar}}
{{refbar}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.fireemblemawakening.com/ ''Fire Emblem: Awakening''] official American website
* [http://www.fireemblemawakening.com/ ''Fire Emblem Awakening''] official North American website
* [http://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/afej/index.html ''Fire Emblem: Awakening''] official Japanese 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


{{Nav13}}
{{Nav13}}
{{NavSeries}}
{{NavSeries}}
[[Category:Games]]
[[Category:Games]]
[[Category:Fire Emblem: Awakening]]
[[Category:Fire Emblem Awakening]]

Revision as of 23:34, 18 September 2017

Awakening

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

Developer(s)

Intelligent Systems

Publisher(s)

Nintendo

Release date(s)

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

Rating(s)

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

Platform(s)

Nintendo 3DS

Predecessor

Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem

Successor

Fire Emblem Fates

On partnered sites

Fire Emblem Awakening (Japanese: ファイアーエムブレム覚醒 Fire Emblem Awakening) is a turn-based strategy role-playing game for the Nintendo 3DS console, released in Japan in 2012, and the rest of the world in 2013. It is the thirteenth overall game installment in the Fire Emblem series, the eleventh original title and the first original installment in the five years since 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 Summary


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.

Plot

Prologue

The game begins with Chrom and the avatar, Robin, in a strange building, fighting a man named Validar. After defeating him, Validar attempts to kill Chrom, but Robin takes the blow instead. With the battle seemingly won, Robin's eyes glow red and they stab Chrom in the stomach, killing him. There is an ominous laugh as the scene fades.

Ylissian-Plegian War

During the time of Emmeryn's reign over Ylisse, Chrom began a small militia called the Shepherds. On route to Southtown, they encounter a collapsed amnesiac, Robin, and help them, but find themselves heading to South Town in order to deal with Plegian Barbarians. After disposing of the threat, the group rests in a nearby forest, only to find the earth collapsing under their feet and setting fire to the forest. Eerie undead beings appear from a portal and try to kill Chrom and Lissa. Chrom disposes of one and with the help of a man who appears through the portal, disposes of the second one. After killing the remainder of the beings, the masked man asks to be referred to as Marth and quickly leaves after telling the royal family that tonight was just a prelude to the future.

Chrom returns to Ylisse's capital and has a discussion with his sister and the rest of the council about the new threat, deciding to call the undead beings Risen. Chrom is tasked to seek aide from the northern country of Regna Ferox and its Khan. On route, Chrom's Shepherds are attacked by Risen, but are able to defeat them. Chrom then arrives at Regna Ferox, but the border guard accuses him of lying about his noble birth. After winning the guards' trust after a long battle, the Shepherds arrive at Regna Ferox and talk to the East Khan, Flavia. The Shepherds fight for the East Khan against Marth and his warriors. Before battle, Chrom realizes Marth has a similar Falchion to his own and the two clash in single combat, their battle skills and stances echoing one another. Marth lets a bit of his past slip, stating that his father taught him how to fight, before he continues the assault against Chrom. After Chrom wins, Marth disappears, leaving the prince to gain a new ally in Regna Ferox.

Gangrel, the King of Plegia, then threatens Ylisse with war over the fact that Ylissean noblewoman Maribelle crossed the border. Plegian barbarians then attempt to take the Emmeryn's life, but Chrom steps in and he kills one of them, giving Gangrel reason to declare war between Plegia and Ylisse. After saving Maribelle, the Shepherds and their Exalt return back to the capital. Marth again returns to warn Chrom of the impending future and does so by drawing his blade. Speaking, he says, "I am about to save your life--from him", then quickly jumps into the air and slashes downwards, killing an assassin who sought to kill Chrom. Marth asks if this proves his claims, and Chrom answers in the affirmative just before a second assassin attempts to strike down Marth. The assassin is able to cut Marth's mask in two before Chrom kills the attacker. It is then revealed that Marth is actually a woman. Marth and Chrom then head into the castle to defend Emmeryn from more assassins, defeating their mysterious leader, Validar. Marth then leaves the royal family, as they are once more safe. However, in the darkness, something revives Validar.

Emmeryn is brought to a second castle, but along the way, the Shepherds are ambushed. Emmeryn decides to return to Ylisse, but not before handing the Fire Emblem to Chrom, instructing him to take care of it. Chrom and the group ask Regna Ferox for aide as the two countries go to war against Plegia. At the height of the war, Emmeryn decides to sacrifice herself to protect her people. Instead of allowing Chrom to save her by giving up the Fire Emblem, she decides to fall off the edge of a cliff, ending her life. Chrom and his shepherds then continue their assault on Plegia, eventually killing Gangrel and bringing peace back to the continent.

War Against Valm

Sometime after the war, Chrom marries a woman and has a daughter named Lucina, who bears the Brand of the Exalt in her left eye. Virion and his escort, Cherche, bring word of a new threat coming to the continent of Ylisse. Walhart, the emperor of the western continent of Valm, seeks to expand his rule and is coming to claim their continent. Chrom seeks aide from Validar, the new king of Plegia, to help them gain ships to head towards Valm. On route there, Marth returns to protect Chrom from being killed by Risen, and inadvertently calls him her father. She reveals her true name, Lucina, and that she has traveled from ten years in the future to prevent Grima's reawakening.

Chrom and his shepherds then war against Valm. After taking control of a Valm port and saving Say'ri, they head for the Mila Tree and save Tiki, Naga's voice and one of the few remaining Divine Dragons. Tiki mentions that in order to prevent Grima's awakening, they will need to preform the awakening on Mount Prism with the completed Fire Emblem. Chrom manages to free the south from Yen'fay's side of the Valm army while West Khan Basilio and East Khan Flavia fight against Walhart, who manages to defeat Basilio. Basilio gives one of the gemstones needed for the Fire Emblem to Flavia and instructs her to run. Chrom gathers his troops and they fight against Walhart twice, finally defeating the conquerer and bringing a temporary peace back to the world.

Grima's Return and the Ending

Searching for the last remaining gemstone for the Fire Emblem, Chrom heads to Plegia on the request of Validar. It is there that Validar ambushes Chrom and his troops. Before they can escape, Validar takes control of Robin, explaining that since Robin is actually his child, Validar can use Grima's blood between them to control them. After obtaining the Fire Emblem from Chrom, Validar escapes to the Dragon's Table. Thousands of mind controlled people arrive at the table and the Shepherds defeat Validar before he can revive Grima. However, the hierophant from before arrives and states that they are the Robin of the future and use the remaining energy and life force in Dragon's Table to refuel their energy, making the dragon form of Grima reappear.

Seeing that they have little time left, the Shepherds head for Mount Prism. After defeating the Risen that plagued the mountain, Chrom appears in a temple and completes the Awakening inside. Naga, seeing Chrom's conviction, lends him her power and unlocks Falchion's power which laid dormant within the sword. The Shepherds then head back to the west and ride upon the back of Grima to begin the final battle. Two scenarios can happen, depending on the player's choice.

If the player chooses to have Chrom deal the final blow, Grima falls asleep for another thousand years, after which he will return to destroy the world. Chrom comments how that Robin belongs with them, even if Robin's future linage is stained with Grima's blood. The Shepherds then decide to make the world a better place and plan for Grima's eventual return.

If the player decides to sacrifice themselves, Robin deals the final blow and disappears in the air, hoping they meet Chrom again in another life. After the credits, the beginning of the game plays again, with Lissa and Chrom wondering what to do about the person on the ground. After picking Robin up, who no longer has the Fell Brand on their hand, Chrom states that it is finally over and "welcome back".

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.
  • Two new mechanisms are introduced which are additions to the support system: Dual and Pair Up. The Dual system grants the player's units statistical bonuses in battle when standing next to each other, which can be boosted through gaining supports. The Pair Up system allows two units to fight together to defeat their enemies, with the supporting unit having a chance of dealing more damage to the enemy or protecting their ally from damage the enemy would deal.[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.
  • Returning from Genealogy of the Holy War is a multi-generational character system, in which the characters of the game's first generation can fall in love (this time through the mechanics of the support system) and ultimately marry and have children with each other, with different parent combinations affecting the children's stats and skills. Unlike in Genealogy, these children are not the subject of a separate second-generation story and instead fight alongside their parents through time travel.

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 Robin; this games Avatar character.

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

Development

Main article: Fire Emblem Awakening pre-release information

Fire Emblem Awakening was first announced in Japan, only generically known as as Fire Emblem 3DS, in a Nintendo 3DS conference held by Nintendo on September 13th, 2011. As a result of the Fire Emblem series experiencing declining sales over the preceding few titles, Nintendo had delivered an ultimatum on the series' fate to the development team at Intelligent Systems: Awakening needed to reach at least 250,000 copies sold, otherwise the series would be brought to an end.[8] In response the developers eventually settled on constructing Awakening as a culmination of elements and lessons from the past Fire Emblem titles, with a particular emphasis on individual characters and the bonds between them; the latter led to the introduction of the Pair Up system as a way to further units supporting each other in battle.[7]

As with Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon, the translation and localization process for Awakening was contracted out to the Japanese firm 8-4, rather than being handled in-house by Nintendo of America's Treehouse division like earlier Fire Emblem titles.

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.[9] 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.[10]

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.[11] Awakening was also number one on the Japanese game charts for its first week.[12] 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.[13]

Critical reception

Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu scored Awakening at 36/40, broken down between its four reviewers as 9/10 each.[14]

Awakening has received widespread critical acclaim from western reviewers. The game currently has a rating of 92 on Metacritic[15] and 92.52% on GameRankings,[16] 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."[17] 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."[18] The Game Informer review scored the game at 9/10,[19] as did Electronic Gaming Monthly, despite their misgivings about the visual style of the game's battle models.[20] The Escapist awarded the game a perfect 5/5 score,[21] and both GameSpot[22] and GameTrailers[23] gave it the equivalent of a 8.5/10 score.

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.

English
(Europe)

Fire Emblem: Awakening

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Spanish

Fire Emblem: Awakening

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French

Fire Emblem: Awakening

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German

Fire Emblem: Awakening

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Italian

Fire Emblem: Awakening

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Gallery

The core game

Merchandise and special editions

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Nintendo Direct (Nintendo of America), December 5, 2012
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Nintendo Direct (Nintendo Europe), February 14, 2012
  3. Australian Classification Board: Fire Emblem Awakening
  4. Entertainment Software Rating Board: Fire Emblem Awakening
  5. Nintendo World Report: Fire Emblem Awakening Coming to North America
  6. 6.0 6.1 Andriasang.com: Fire Emblem 3DS Includes Permadeath Option
  7. 7.0 7.1 Iwata, Satoru et al. (2013). Iwata Asks: Fire Emblem Awakening [online] Nintendo. [Accessed 2014-07-26]
  8. Laura (May 25, 2013). Fire Emblem Awakening Was Almost The Last Game In The Series [online] Siliconera. [Accessed 2014-07-26]
  9. GoNintendo: DLC Keeps the Epic Adventure of Fire Emblem Awakening Burning Bright (demo next week)
  10. Serenes Forest Forums: USA DEMO UP!!!!
  11. 4Gamer.net: 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)
  12. My Nintendo News: Nine Nintendo Games In Japanese Top Ten
  13. GameInformer: Fire Emblem Awakening Delayed Due To Shipping Error
  14. The Magic Box
  15. Metacritic: Fire Emblem Awakening for 3DS Reviews, Ratings, Credits and More
  16. GameRankings: Fire Emblem Awakening for 3DS
  17. IGN: Fire Emblem Awakening Review
  18. Destructoid: Fire Emblem Awakening
  19. Game Informer: Lighting Your Brain With Brilliance - Fire Emblem Awakening - 3DS
  20. EGMNOW: EGM Review: Fire Emblem Awakening
  21. The Escapist: Fire Emblem Awakening Review
  22. GameSpot: Fire Emblem Awakening Review
  23. GameTrailers: Fire Emblem Awakening Review

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