Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light Reviews
Although it earns points for its significance for the Fire Emblem series and the Strategy genre as a whole, this game is archaic and barely playable by today’s gaming standards.
This is definitely not a game for newcomers, but die-hard fans of the Fire Emblem series may find enjoyment, along with gaming historians who simply want to experience a time piece of how the whole tactical RPG franchise started.
As someone who has finished and loved the GBA, 3DS, and Switch iterations, I can't wholeheartedly recommend the Famicom/NES version of the first Fire Emblem game. The DS remake, however different from the original, would be a much better way to slake your tactics thirst. Unless you're prepared for a slow and meandering, albeit decent for the time, 10-15 hours, get your Fire Emblem fix somewhere else.
It's difficult to land on a fitting score for Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light. On one hand, historical context is vital and you can't expect too much out of a thirty-year-old game. On the other hand, granting a generous score to a title as fundamentally flawed as this would be dishonest; by modern standards, it's really not a good game anymore. Considering the low cost of entry and the inclusion of new features, we'd say it's probably worth a look for long time Fire Emblem fans who are curious how it all began. If you don't fall into that category, we'd encourage you to look into more modern games for your strategy gaming fix.
Despite my less than enjoyable time with Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light, I can’t help but appreciate its existence as the precursor to some of my favorite JRPGs of all time. However, as is often the case with pieces of history, it’s best left in a museum to be admired for all future generations.
I can’t argue that at the heart of Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & The Blade of Light is the tried-and-true Fire Emblem formula. And when used as nothing more than a reference to how far the series as a whole has come in 30 years, it answers the question of whether or not it’s worth your hard-earned $6. But I’d bet the farm that the majority of casual Fire Emblem fans won’t be able to deal with the games offensively slow pace. And to top it all off, I love the sights and sounds of the eight and sixteen-bit by-gone era, but by the end of the campaign, I was ready to never again play another classic. There are only so many beeps and crumple sound effects that I can handle in one lifetime.
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light lays the foundations for the Fire Emblem games of present, unfortunately, however, as a 30-year-old game, feels incredibly obtuse and slow and really shows its age. For anybody interested in the Fire Emblem series, this is worth picking up. For anybody looking to play a genuinely fun strategy RPG, maybe give this a miss.
Despite some problems that could already be noticed in the original release, what plays in favor of the release of Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light on the Nintendo Switch is its loyalty to the original title. Besides that, it is interesting to note how the game is, until today, a profound influence on the TRPG genre. On the other hand, loyalty is also a problem. Don't get me wrong, the first Fire Emblem continues to have many features that will leave some fans of the series well satisfied, but, by today's standards, it is dated — its sword of light no longer shines as it did 30 years ago and many will question whether it is worth seeking it to defeat the dark dragon.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
This well written english translation of Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light proves true to the original script while cutting short through the narration in comparison with the DS remake, just like the gameplay charges straight to the point. A real testament to Fire Emblem's traditional values, though some archaic principles bound this version to an historical interest, even with additional modern options that only alleviate the aging elements.
Review in French | Read full review
All the improvements that have been added over the years in the gameplay, here directly do not exist. That is why we believe that it is a necessary historical document in Europe (because it has not arrived earlier in our country), but little else.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Quotation forthcoming.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Very first Fire Emblem game from 8-bit era now on Nintendo Switch. Good choice for nostalgic players.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
The combat system of Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light works great, but it's let down by frustrating maps and poorly presented information.
Fire Emblem: Shadow of Dragon & The Blade of Light is a controversial operation. If it is undoubtedly precious and at times pleasant to discover the origins of a franchise that is part of the excellence of turn-based strategy of fantasy matrix, the first chapter carries on its shoulders in a not too solid way the weight of its 30 years, with a game formula so sufficiently varied and stimulating, yet conspicuously aged to the present day.
Review in Italian | Read full review
While Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light is a fantastic game that somehow holds up after 30 years, it's presented in a barebones package that feels too little too late as an anniversary release. If Nintendo is hell-bent on destroying their own history, they'll have to do a lot more than adding savestates and speed modifiers.
After 30 years, the original Fire Emblem gets a Western release, an English localization and some new features meant to smoothen the experience. It's a neat history lesson, but gameplay wise Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light shows its age.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light presents in a classic way how the famous hero Marth grows from a little prince to a shining hero. But the path is long and arduous, and not only for him. When playing this spin-off of the series, you have to be aware that you'll have to do without certain features. No battle prediction or fade-in movement radius. But instead, a certain thrill kept coming up for me during the game, which I miss in modern games. But if you get into the gameplay, you'll experience a captivating story. An absolute must for veterans of the series, but newcomers should perhaps go for a newer part with more beginner-friendly features.
Review in German | Read full review
If you are a fan of the series, it is worth giving him a chance to learn the beautiful story and see how this wonderful IP started.
Review in Greek | Read full review
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light provides a look back at the humble beginnings of this SRPG series that continues to find new fans to this day. It shows its age in systems and visuals, but the added options to speed up the experience and save anywhere makes it accessible for non-seasoned retro gamers. This is a game that I’m glad made it to this generation, at least to preserve its official western release.