What is the most important facet of the Fire Emblem experience?

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…ENGAGE

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From what I can tell, Fire Emblem is not a set formula. Let me explain.

Fire Emblem is a sub-genre of SRPGs. It’s got some things consistent to it that give it that fire emblem game feel. This includes (but is not limited to):

  • The presence of mages.
  • The ability to recruit allies, especially from enemy lines.
  • A main, driving ‘lord.’
  • Multiple characters who can cover each other.
  • The presence of a progression system (growths and level ups).
  • The ability to switch out weaponry.
  • Girls.
  • Consequences for units reaching 0 HP (in most cases permadeath)

Now, there are other things that can spice up this baseline:

  • Characters who can interact and clash with each other in conversations.
  • Unique skills that can change the outcome of combat.
  • Big boss enemies that act as landmarks/goals for a stage.
  • Well-made animations to bring battle to life.
  • A story.
  • Purchasable items/weapons.
  • Good Music.

And there are ways to take this to the next level. Some ideas off the top of my head:

  • Customizable units.
  • Map roaming/world traversal.
  • Multiple routes/campaigns.
  • Unique maps with unorthodox objectives.
  • Voice acting and sound design.
  • Cutscenes/CG art.
  • Multiple endings.
  • Getting to play multiple sides of the same war.

Do you need a fire emblem to make it a fire emblem game? Not really. It’s a name that’s transcended the need for one. It’s not like Legend of Zelda, where it’d be a weird game without Zelda.

Anyway, Vesly’s answer works too.

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