No way!! The demo forces you into casual mode. Oh well. It's just a demo after all!

I just played the demo. I believe I shall place a pre-order.

Just beat the demo on normal. I was hoping this would make it easier for me to decide between this and Starcraft II: Heart of the Swarm, but I'm still stuck.

What's making you stuck. Do you know you will like starcraft? Did you like the demo? If after the demo you're still stuck then go with the one you know you will like.

Yeah, have you tried the Starcraft 2 demo?

Downloading the demo and will pick it up when I get off of work tonight.

This is my first Fire Emblem game...wish me luck. If I like it I just may buy it.

Take your time with it. Don't rush through
FE is probably my favorite series, I hope you love it.

@lightbringer
Thanks.

@Tech101
What's casual mode?

And, is the demo pretty long? How's the 3D look on it?
I can't wait to get home and download and play.
3hrs to GOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!!!

Thanks buddy. I'll be sure to post my impressions.

As far as I know, units get resurrected after they die, no permadeath. I.E. it's lame

That's it. It's confirmed. I have played the demo and...

I FREAKING LOVED IT!!! I mean, I liked it a lot more then I thought I would. Certainly going to be added to my library as soon as it comes out! Gotta pre-order it soon...

@Lan
Thanks, playing the Fire Emblem The Sacred Stones, i've come to like the premadeath option. Makes the game more tense and makes you think before making your move. Cool, can't wait to try it out later.

Just tried the demo.

I can't believe this series has escaped me all of these years. I really liked it. The gameplay is right down my ally. Reminded me a lot of Final Fantasy Tactics, which I love.

I also skipped the cutscenes and such, its a demo, I don't want story bits before I play the full game.

3D effect was really nice, I also really liked their use of traditional sprites on the battlefield.

I'm pre-ordering at Gamestop for my free art book!

To pre-order and have even less money when it comes out or not to pre-order and wait until I have more money... that is the question.

I thought the 3d was ok. Reason being is the graphics are so good it almost looks like 3d when turned off. I didn't have the time to finish the demo but looks great so far.

For those that played it does the normal mode hold your hand and explain things to you? Hard mode didn't and I thought that was cool. Let's us veterans step right in and get going!

Also casual mode seems to let you save anywhere you want on the battle field when in the past once save the file was deleted once you resumed your game!

Think of it this way: Pre order, you're out $40 bucks. But you'll also get tons of hours of entertainment. You'll be spending this time playing the game, and not eating food (which you'll have to replace with money) or taking women out on dates (which also takes money) or driving around (gas prices, man) or experimenting with drugs due to boredom (addictions can get expensive. or so I've heard).

So you like it but are short on cash and one will have to wait. Get which ever comes out first then wait on the second one till you have the funds!

On the second map the 3D really stood out

@Tech101
Good to know, thanks. I'm not familiar with turn-based strategy games, so on The Sacred Stones, i'm playing it with the help menus popping up. I'm learning bit by bit. But i like it. I think i like this genre now that i've taken the time to actually try it instead of just hating on it. I might try Awakening in this manner as well for the first run thru, then i'll try a harder level.

Good to see everybody's loving it so far!
Maybe there will be more FE fans now!
But this is going to be the best in the series, no doubt about it after playing the demo.