10 years ago today, Fire Symbol: Awakening was released on the 3DS in Japan. At the time, the series had a core and devoted audience, but they struggled to make a meaningful commercial breakthrough outside of Japan. Still, there’s no doubting developer Intelligent Systems’ development and storytelling talent, and the foundation of the game’s creation is now well known and frequently repeated. This is the final push for the series, with presentation, budget, and ultimately a global release on the 3DS – if it struggles, like many of its predecessors, the series could have died right there.
Instead, something pretty adorable happened. With the 3DS platform slowly reviving, the game has found its footing in the West, even as the 3D characters in the game did not have legs. However, we can all ignore that oddity, as the game captures the imagination and makes it a must-have on mobile devices. This, remember, is after the West had to wait for it – it’s the 10th anniversary in Japan, but 9–five celebrated in Europe (it arrived in North America a few months before the EU). It remained a somewhat sketchy and unstable global release, something that is now rare with first-party games, but that hasn’t stopped its success.
Awakening’s sales success – comfortably surpassing 2 million copies – means an IP mostly known only from Super Smash Bros. now indispensable in the 3DS generation. Nintendo and Intelligent Systems saw the gap in the market (and N’s vast library) and went all in; big Fire symbol fate next, along with a compelling remake Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentinesaw the return of 8-4, the company behind Awakening’s excellent localization.
The series is also going strong on Switch, with Fire symbol: Three houses is the best-selling entry in the series and we will soon two Warrior game, with Fire icon warrior will soon be accompanied by upcoming Three hopes.
To celebrate the arrival and eventual success of Fire Emblem Awakening, a few of the team took a look back at this 3DS cart slot staple…
Tom Whitehead, deputy editor
I, like many 3DS owners, am new to the Fire Emblem series. I know the name, and its characters are kind of fantasy with awesome swords, but that’s mostly because Smash Bros. It seems like one of Nintendo’s key IPs in terms of the company’s history, and I know Intelligent Systems because of its reputation for tactical excellence. However, aside from playing with Fire Symbol: Sacred Stones as part of the 3DS’ Ambassador Program, that’s largely a mystery to me.
However, I did absolutely love the 3DS, and when Nintendo announced Awakening, I was initially impressed by its production value and storytelling. Looking back, I suspect that was important in attracting a larger audience for the game, beyond the daredevils. The story sequences and stylish animations, the extensive music, and the superb character design give it an epic feel in a lot of its marketing. It’s all superficial in a sense, but the important thing – get people interested in the setting and characters when it’s a ‘new’ IP to them, then they can be enchanted with style play.
Importantly, the actual tactical/strategy gameplay is awesome. I love games like this where you play at your own pace and try to defeat your enemies, and combined with the great storytelling it has drawn to me. Combining the classic pixel grid look with 3D battle animations – even without the legs – is a moving marvel, especially for those of us who love having the 3D slider up.
Given the production value, the storytelling and most importantly the out-of-the-box gameplay, I fell in love. It made me a fan of the series, and it’s funny that after suggesting to my mom that she might like Fire Emblem: Three Houses on Switch, she’s also a huge fan of the series now. That’s where Fire Emblem: Awakening started – it shows gamers of all ages and audiences that this is a series not to be missed on Nintendo hardware. It can also go on long.
Alana Hagues, editor
While I love the RPG genre, strategy RPGs have never really been my favorite. However, I must admit that I fell in love with Fire Emblem right after that Super Smash Bros. Super Smash Bros. was released. Like many people, I had never heard of the series before Marth and Roy appeared in the platform fighter. So when Fire Emblem came to the GBA, which marked the launch of the series in the West, I grabbed it. And I love it. Sacred Stones followed, and I liked it, but I dropped the series after that.
However, my foray into the anime-style strategy RPG series returned with Awakening. I missed it at launch, removed it because I’m still wary of SRPG gameplay; It was Lyn, Eliwood, and Hector who got me hooked on what we now know as The Blazing Blade. But the new difficulty mode, heavy focus on characters and relationships, and the sheer amount of praise for the game made me irresistible. I had to create my own avatar, ‘My Unit’, and I was able to interact with other characters on and off the field. Pair Up is a cool new feature – similar to Rescue Command but without the downside, two units can become one and increase each other’s stats to help strengthen or increase their defense. Doing this also fosters the characters’ relationships with each other and many characters can even enter into relationships and these ‘helps’ can level up, making their Pairing even worse. even better.
The support system isn’t just about increasing stats and trying to optimize the sentiments of the characters so I can get the best subunits has become a little game with some paper and a pen. Except when it comes to my “Robin”. I’m a bit enamored with certain anime stories, and so much of Awakening’s cast is so focused on these that you can often sum it up in a single sentence. Like Gaius’s candy addiction or Lon’qu’s potato cutting. So I’m obviously married to the potato-cut myrmidon. It’s also Travis Willingham’s voice! It’s probably not optimal, but they say you don’t choose who you fall in love with.
More accessible gameplay, colorful characters, great music, and those heartbreaking story moments (Chapter 10?) made Awakening a winner for me. But I, once again, drifted away from the series. I regret that, because Awakening has restarted the entire franchise. Perhaps one day the Three Houses or the Shadows of Valentine will call me.
Gavin Lane, editor
I wrote before about Genius Awakening – I chose it as My pick for Nintendo Game of the Decade back in the hazy and distant fog of time (January 2020) – so I won’t waste time repeating myself about the distinctive writing, or the wonderful subtle use of the bar 3D slide, or lovable character roster, or whatever Tom and Alana got right above.
However, there’s one thing I didn’t really mention when writing about the game; it’s my very retail game that i bought digitally. Before the Awakening, the thought of not having the box and the manual (well, the manual was replaced by a pamphlet or two by that time, so let’s just say more bumpy) along with the seemingly inconceivable cartridge. However, my eagerness to not have to wait and visit a store made me better, and it turned out to be a good move – I’ve spent over 100 hours on the game and haven’t had a single one. Any cargo car to take behind the bus seat is a boon.
A few months later, I will buy Animal Crossing: New Leaf digital and start a dangerous digital path that helps disguise a backlog so large and embarrassing it will put the whole London dollar iceberg to shame. But it was Fire Emblem: Awakening that set me off on a path of less physical clutter and more digital clutter. Thanks, Fire Emblem (I think).
In a strange coincidence, this morning I finally got my hands on Shadows of Valentia, a game I wanted to play. five now that i ordered just a few weeks ago. With my memories of Awakening alive and well, it feels like a fitting tribute to soon return to the system that started my love of the series nearly a decade ago and started a battle. new.
Please discuss below your memories of this best game below.
