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Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon

EMAIL PRINT ds

6.5 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 41 critic reviews
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Based on 31 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Nintendo

Developer: Intelligent Systems

Genre(s): Turn-Based Strategy

Players: 2

ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older)

Release Date: February 16, 2009

Summary

Fire Emblem returns to its roots with a total overhaul of an NES classic never before released in America. New features include touch-screen controls, multiple save options and easy-to-follow tutorial chapters that shed new light on Marth's story. New players can jump into the action, even if they've never played a Fire Emblem game before. Medeus, the king of the dragonkin, has been revived and is forming an alliance with a fearsome sorcerer named Gharnef. Together, they threaten to the throw the entire continent of Archanea back to an age of chaos and war. Now, it's up to young Prince Marth and his small band of loyal followers to rise up and rally all those left in the land to make one last desperate push to free Archanea from the tyranny of the Shadow Dragon. How to progress through the game: Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon is a turn-based strategy game with a fantasy setting. Players alternate turns with opponents, moving their pieces (units) and attacking enemy units on the battlefield. There are dozens of units and different weapons and magic spells, each with its own strategic benefits-high-flying Pegasus knights move effortlessly over varied terrain, fast-moving mounted cavaliers can use swords and lances, unarmed curates use healing staves to mend the wounds of other units and so on. [Nintendo]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Pocket Gamer UK

Fire Emblem's DS debut has been a long time coming but it's unquestionably worth the wait. Shadow Dragon provides astonishingly compulsive turn-based action.

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LEVEL (Czech Republic)

Back from the 90’s comes a classical RPG / turn–based strategy mix. You can expect hours and hours of epic battles in the best of “Sword & Sorcery” style. [Issue#174, Jan 2009]

Cheat Code Central

An excellent DS debut and offers a solid introduction point to the series for new players. It refines and fine-tunes the gameplay to provide a largely enjoyable strategy adventure. The only major complaint is the game doesn't really bring anything new to the table, aside from changes made to properly utilize the DS hardware.

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GameDaily

Series veterans will recognize the familiar play style of the previous installments and jump right into the story, as a tutorial helps newcomers learn the basics. Because of these changes, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon is the gem of the series and a must play for DS owners.

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Wii Brasil

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon doesn't miss the target anywhere, but it doesn't exceed the expectations in many aspects, too. A good game and well recommended, but not a must-have if you're not a fan of the series.

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3DJuegos

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon debuts on Nintendo DS with a classic chapter adapted to these times. The deeply interesting story of the game with many characters to recruit and different strategies for the victories offers a unique experience. The most important feature is the online mode, simple but correct in its way. This is one of the best games to come out this year for Nintendo DS.

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Official Nintendo Magazine UK

While it's nothing Fire Emblem fans wont have seen before, this is a hugely enjoyable tactical RPG.

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Nintendo Power

Once this game goes into my DS, it'll be there until I've experienced every nuance. [Mar 2009, p.86]

IGN

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon doesn't offer a revolutionary experience, but it is a highly polished and well-balanced example of strategy gaming. Nintendo did a nice job making sure it kept the challenge the series is known for while at the same time providing a friendlier experience for newcomers.

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Da Gameboyz

The gameplay is great, the story is interesting, and the online functionality is superb.

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NintendoWorldReport

While not revolutionary by today's standards, it is easy to understand why the original was groundbreaking in its day.

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Gameplanet

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon is an exceptional strategy title for the DS. It may be hard, but it has tremendous replay value and will keep you entertained for hours. Highly recommended.

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Armchair Empire

War has never been so compact and accessible.

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Games Master UK

Naturally, a must for fans, but the gentle learning curve makes it a tactical fun-for-all. [Feb 2009, p.76]

1UP

Nintendo and Intelligent Systems succeeded in making the first Fire Emblem more casual, and is an excellent choice if you either found the previous games intimidating, or have never played one. Still, those looking for a hardcore strategy game will be sorely disappointed.

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NGamer UK

Shadow Dragon boasts some of the most intense turn-based squabbling in existence. [Feb 2009, p.60]

The Onion (A.V. Club)

It shouldn’t have taken 19 years for Nintendo to dig up this Famicom gem.

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Game Revolution

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon is a great entry in the series, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. Whether you’re new to the series or genre or you’re a seasoned FE fan this is a great game. It adds just enough new material without making it too different.

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RPG Fan

Remake or not, this is the first time we've seen the original game in the series here in the US, and almost 20 years later it's still worth playing.

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Gaming Age

Another great game in the series.

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GameFocus

Part of what has made Fire Emblem such a beloved series is the emotional attachment the player makes to the characters, and unfortunately, this is largely missing in Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon. Shadow Dragon is not a bad game; heck, its a very good game. It’s a great buy for fans of the series or the genre. It’s just missing that charm that earlier games in the series had, at least for me.

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GameTrailers

The reincarnation of the original Fire Emblem isn’t the best in the series, but it certainly does enough to make it a worthy addition.

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Pelit (Finland)

It may not be an innovative title, but still a tactical and worthwhile RPG with excellent fights. [Feb 2009]

NZGamer

It’s not the best title for newcomers (who should try Path of Radiance on Gamecube or Sacred Stones on GBA if they want an easier route into the series), but veterans of Fire Emblem, or strategy games in general, should at least consider this purchase.

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Eurogamer Portugal

Fire Emblem:Shadow Dragon, despite its old age - gracefully disguised by the new aesthetics - is everything Fire Emblem always strove to be. An addicting game, where success truly rewards the player. It might not offer a very complex story and even leaves certain characters a blank slate, something that simply isn't the case with the more recent games, but everything else is right there. Essential to any fan, it's a great way to introduce someone to the genre.

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IGN UK

It hasn’t toppled the Sacred Stones from its berth as the best game in the series (or, if you’re a purist, Fire Emblem on the GBA), and it feels a bit like a missed opportunity to ally the game that started it all with some of the many incremental improvements that have been introduced since. Still, though, it is a Fire Emblem game, and for some of us, that’s enough.

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Meristation

Shadow Dragon is a very good Strategic RPG in which we'll be able to play the role of an imperial prince who has to save his world. Its a fair game, with good graphics and very much the same gameplay that made Fire Emblem famous. The multiplayer feature is still a work in progress, so perhaps next time.

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Eurogamer

Shadow Dragon will live long in a lot of DS slots - and probably even long enough to show the US gamers who's boss for a while in 2048 or whenever it comes out over there. Sorry guys.

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Level7.nu

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon continues the series' trademark strategic gameplay, this time on the Nintendo DS. If you're a sucker for the combination of strategy and roleplaying elements, this game will let you burn countless hours on your DS. Upgrading your units and making sure they survive is very addictive and fun, and the intuitive online mode is a great bonus. This is not an easy game though and not for the casual player, but for all of you strategy nuts out there, this is one great buy.

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RPGamer

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon could be played by someone new to the series quite easily thanks to its many refinements and the tutorial contained within the Prologue chapters. Veterans of the series will find a game that combines the refinements of more recent entries, save for a lack of variety in battle objectives.

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Gamervision

This is the first chance Americans have gotten to see where this classic franchise got its start, and upon playing it, it’s easy to see how it became so beloved.

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GameZone

An excellent real-time strategy game that will devour your hours just as quickly as its predecessors did on the Game Boy Advance.

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Game Informer

The turn-based tactical battles and permanent character death are as unforgiving as ever, and the story is banal as only mediocre heroic fantasy can be. Fans will love this for being a nicely updated piece of history; the rest of us will wonder why Nintendo is re-skinning this venerable franchise yet again.

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Gamer 2.0

All Nintendo fans will take pride in the fact that they can finally experience Marth’s adventure, and it’s a lengthy one that should keep Nintendo's "hardcore" gaming audience busy for quite a while.

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Worth Playing

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon makes for an interesting introduction to the series, but it's going to feel a bit backward to anyone who has played the "older" games in the franchise.

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GameSpot

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon rejuvenates Marth's 18-year-old journey with tactical dexterity and finesse.

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Gaming Target

Despite its shortcomings, Shadow Dragon lives up to the franchise by offering deep characters, an incredibly diverse cast of characters, a lengthy and engaging campaign, challenging gameplay and for the first time, online multiplayer.

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Extreme Gamer

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon is a must for all Fire Emblem collectors. Die-hard tactical fans might be a little bored with the old school nature of the game, and who can blame them.... given there are so many solid Fire Emblem games to pick from.

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games(TM)

The pinnacle of the series’ handheld bloodline but also nothing that we haven’t really seen before. [Feb 2009, p.112]

Edge Magazine

The beginning is a sensible place to start, but rest assured, it gets much, much better. [Feb 2009, p.91]

G4 TV

Fans of the series will be quick to pick this one up and will likely get much enjoyment. New players might find more to love in the newer games in the series. Either way, Shadow Dragon is a good move for tactical strategy gamers.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 6.5 (out of 10) based on 31 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Wallid K gave it a7:
Hmm. This game may be very frustrating to someone who has no idea what Fire Emblem is as it's a very hard game. THIS IS VERY HARD. Either way, despite the features it takes out like preparing for battles, it replaces it with fresh new ones like difficulty settings and save points. If you liked Fire Emblem before this, pick this one up. If not, you might want to borrow this from a friend first AND PLAY ABOUT AN HOUR IN. If not, you may think this game is still easy and be killed later.

Robert C gave it a4:
As a long-time fan of Fire Emblem games, I was extremely disappointed in this one for the following reasons: The story was ATTROCIOUS. No twists, just a plain old linear storyline. I could practically call the story from the beginning, and when I was fighting the final battle, I didn’t feel any sense of an epic fight at all, as he wasn’t built up. The characters weren’t expanded at all. Once you recruited them, they didn’t speak again unless they died. The portraits were changed to 3D, not fitting in with the beautiful hand drawn images. Supports and relationships were completely removed. I didn’t care if my troops died, because they were “bricks with faces.” I usually enjoy the epilogue, but at that point I was trying to power off. There were some features that were not loyal to the game play of the Fire Emblem series. One of them was the re-class ability. A person who aspired to be a mage, and had a few lines of text had tied to them, should stay a mage. Also, killing off your characters to get to play extra chapters? That defies the usual rules of conserving your troops. I should not have to kill 20 characters so I can unlock extra chapters. The music was decent, but it didn’t have some epic pieces, like for the final boss, that it normally does. Overall, this game was not worth my two days, nor my 35 dollars. ~Robert C.

Phil G gave it a9:
Challenging, and a bit cluttered at times with a few too many details (I could have done without weapon forging especially when said weapons break a lot) and lacks a little on the story side. That being said, it is a very strong entry in the series and the best handheld tactics game to pick up on the DS. Addictive, challenging, and very rewarding when you discover new ways to beat levels. And (thank god) Nintendo decided to LEAVE THE BUTTON CONTROLS ALONE unlike LoZ: PH on the DS so you can use touch screen or buttons. Only other gripe is an undo feature would be nice (not to prevent characters dying, but if you move someone in the wrong spot or something) but I can see why it's not in there (don't want you screwing around until you find the best outcome).

Kevin Q gave it a10:
It's a wonderful remake of a series that Nintendo seems to be neglecting handheld wise. Can you believe that this is the first DS Fire Emblem game?! It's unconceivable how little attention Nintendo gives this series. Anyways, this is a good remake of the very first Fire Emblem game. It tells the story of Marth, which I'm sure everyone recognizes from the Smash Bros series. The story could be better, and the permanent loss of characters maybe be hard at first, but it brings a new level of strategy to it. Buy this game, and you won't be disappointed.

[Anonymous] gave it an8:
It's Fire Emblem. In short, the game is a good remake for those who haven't already played the game, but there's nothing here that won't disappoint those who have. The audio and overhead visuals work well, the leveling system is nicely done, and there are many more characters obtained much more quickly than there were in the other two US releases, which does a good job of improving replay value. The story is closer to that of Sacred Stones than that of the original GBA US release; it's shallow, doesn't make you think, and just feels like an afterthought. There are plenty of Fire Emblem games that would have been better to bring to the US; Nintendo probably only chose this one because it had Marth... *cough* sellout *cough*. To balance that out, though, gameplay is excellent and the whole thing feels very polished. The whole thing except for the battle scenes, at least. For some reason, Nintendo decided to make the battle animations 3d-rendered instead of sprite-based. As you can imagine, 3d rendering does not mix well with a 2-dimensional game. The new animations lack the character of the original sprites, they got rid of the over-the-top critical hits that were so enjoyable in previous releases. Overall, they make a stark contrast with the rest of the game, and really pull you out of the action. Nonetheless, the game is a solid addition to the series. I wouldn't recommend it over either of the other two handheld Fire Emblem games, though. Graphics: 6/10 The new rendered characters feel out of place and make fights pull you out of the action, rather than drawing you in. Sound: 9/10 I took a point of for the incredibly grating music that plays once all the enemies on a map are dead. Gameplay: 10/10 It's a Fire Emblem game, and in terms of the core mechanics, it lives up to the standards set by its predecessors. Story: 7/10 The story won't fool anybody - it's shallow and doesn't even pretend to be plausible. Overall: 8/10 Enjoyable, but not worth it if you're not a fan of the series.

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Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon

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