Chrom

Did You Know?

• Chrom was considered for Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U but was deemed too similar to other Fire Emblem characters on the roster at the time, appearing only in non-playable cameos.
• Chrom was made playable in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate by popular request, particularly from within Japan.
• The game's English localization took approximately one year and was handled collaboratively by Nintendo of America and independent localization company 8-4.

Synopsis

Chrom is the prince of the Halidom of Ylisse, a country that worships the Divine Dragon Naga and is defended by the Shepherds. Fifteen years before the events of the game, Chrom's father, the last Exalt, waged a religious war against Plegia that left both nations damaged. Chrom's sister Emmeryn rules as Exalt and pursues peace. The Shepherds gain an alliance with Regna Ferox and fight Plegian forces and Risen, aided by a masked woman calling herself 'Marth'. The Shepherds eventually defeat Plegia's ruler Gangrel and restore peace to the continent.

Development

Fire Emblem Awakening was developed by Intelligent Systems with supervision from Nintendo. The project manager was Masahiro Higuchi, who had first worked on Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War, and the Intelligent Systems producer was Kouhei Maeda, who first worked as a scenario writer for Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade. Development began in 2010 after the completion of Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem. The first year of development was very slow, after which producer Hitoshi Yamagami organized the game's development structure and handed main production duties to co-director Genki Yokota. The art director was Toshiyuki Kusakihara, and character designs were done by Kusakihara and Yūsuke Kozaki.

Reception

Fire Emblem Awakening received widespread critical acclaim, with an aggregate score of 92/100 on Metacritic based on 72 reviews. Famitsu said the game could be enjoyed by hardcore fans and newcomers alike, praising the new gameplay features. IGN's Audrey Drake called it 'the most fluid and stunning strategy RPG experience available on a portable.' Jeremy Parish of 1UP.com said the changes Intelligent Systems implemented made Awakening 'an engrossing title that should enjoy impressive shelf life,' though he criticized the enemy AI for occasionally unbalancing gameplay.

Ray Carsillo of Electronic Gaming Monthly called it 'probably the best Fire Emblem to come to the States yet.' Eurogamer's Rich Stanton gave the game a perfect score, calling it 'a special game.' GameTrailers said the game 'takes positive strides forward with new additions.' GameSpot's Heidi Kemps called Awakening the best installment in the series for some time. Game Informer's Kimberley Wallace said the game 'made me scratch and claw for victory.'