Fire Emblem: Awakening has been critically acclaimed and earned plenty of praise from Nintendo gamers since its arrival in North America; whether it's the expansive amount of content and gameplay, clever tweaks to the formula or polished mechanics, it's been popular in the Nintendo Life community and, frankly, making a lot of us in PAL regions very jealous.
One aspect of the title that adds even more depth, at a price, is the broad range of DLC being offered — these maps and missions often reward the player with new characters or abilities, but not everyone is willing or able to pay for more levels. The good news is that Nintendo will be using SpotPass to send free additional content to everyone with the game — this will eventually include new weapons, characters or challengers for the Double Duel multiplayer mode. Most importantly, however, there'll be new maps to take on, adding new levels to the experience; it starts today with "A Hard Miracle", and new maps will follow every two weeks until 25th April. Details from the press release are below.
Fire Emblem Awakening launched on Feb. 4, exclusively on Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL, but bonus content keeps the game play going strong. Fans will continue to look forward to and receive free game content via SpotPass all the way through spring. This new SpotPass content is different from the downloadable content that is currently available through the game's Outrealm Gate. The free SpotPass map available today is called "A Hard Miracle," and follows the story of Fire Emblem Awakening main character Chrom as he encounters a mysterious woman and sets off on a journey with her to rescue a group of kidnapped villagers.
During the next few weeks, more maps will become available through the SpotPass feature. These include "Ghost of Blade" on March 28, a haunted tale about a ghost and the ultimate sacrifice; "The Wellspring of Trust" on April 11, a map full of challenging enemies; and "The Radiant Hero" on April 25, which takes place on an isolated island as Chrom and his allies search for a legendary hero. Players can also look forward to other special items that will be distributed for free via SpotPass, such as special weapons, additional playable characters and bonus challengers for the game's Double Duel multiplayer mode.
So, make sure your 3DS is online and wait for the free content to flow. Just how happy are you about this, Fire Emblem: Awakening fans?
Comments 35
YES! I'm very happy to hear this news. I like how much Nintenoo is supporting this, it really nice!
Woot! More free extra stuff!
Good stuff. Really great game, and I almost never play RPGs! I think there was another couple DLC's in Japan that looked interesting to me that isn't listed here. Can't be too picky though.
here's hoping these 'kidnapped villagers' don't go out of their way to get killed like all the other villagers you try to save do, haha D:
I'm glad for this added stuff jsut because I played this game to death for about 2 weeks once I bought it, then I beat the story and don't feel much of a reason to go back.
Free maps are and will always be welcome.
@Haywired The DLC is more expansive than the SpotPass content, and it gives you actual rewards that become very useful to the gameplay.
That said, I love being able to expand the awesome of this game!
@haywired
Because unlike the DLC, these spotpass paralogue missions build on the main story, and so Nintendo gives them away for free.
The DLC maps are all bonuses with characters from other games (season 1) or alternate stories/extreme challenges/some jokish conversations (season 2)
Everyone should make a point to play the spotpass downloads, especially the last one, which gets you one final character in the game.
Argh... you lucky barstewards
Europe will get the game only on April 19th!!!
Such a long wait...
Yesssss. I love all the spotpass content and DLC, no other game has held my attention so long. Downloaded on launch day and haven't put it down since.
@Haywired
The content really is added. Nintendo doesn't do that on-disc/cart crap. They at least have to had made the season 2 DLC with the new Risen and newer music and maps.
@Haywired I for one can tell you I bought the game because of the free content. It's marketing. When someone looks at a product and sees so much content for the initial buy in or the words "FREE!", they're apt to take a second look or make a purchase they were borderline on making. It is a great business decision because not only did I buy the game, but I rushed to buy the discounted content before the price went up... In my mind, I saved $2 but Nintendo made $49.99 off me so far.
The SpotPass stuff has been coming out since the game's release or shortly thereafter. Two out of the five extra maps have already been unlocked. It's weird that there's only a press release now.
@Haywired
There were 25 DLC maps in the Japanese version so I estimate it'd be around $50 - $60 for the whole set. They're not being shady and charging for 'preloaded' DLC, but the whole set isn't exactly cheap.
@dsparil I guess it's just raising awareness, being in Europe I wouldn't know from personal experience!
I just started Fire Emblem a couple weeks ago. Not sure how the Spot Pass feature works with it? Do I just wait for the content to show up in the game or do I need to go somewhere in the FE menu and download this stuff?
@Bingly
It needs to be downloaded from inside a loaded game. There's also a system notification when new stuff is released. The extra missions get added to the world map, but they're actually only playable right before the last map.
Booyah! I've been waiting for these.
LOVE the SpotPass maps! Super excited for these new ones!
Only issue I've had: I cannot seem to find anyone on the Double Duel multiplayer mode.... I've tried all times of day, for the last two weeks and I cannot find anyone on the multiplayer arenas. Has anyone had luck with this feature? Does it require teaming with friends? More importantly... anyone interested in a Double duel!?!?
This is both unexpected and exciting! I already love the game and everything it has to offer. They just want to make sure I live and die with this game, and that's fine with me.
I'm not certain, but I think free giveaways like this are designed to keep you from finishing the game and then selling it. It's a way to combat the secondary market by keeping the supply of used games low. That way, used copies cost only slightly less than new copies, and a new costumer who wants to buy the game is more likely to go ahead and grab the new one for just a few dollars more instead of buying the used copy ($0 of whose sale would go to Nintendo).
I was thinking about this the other day with regards to the new Mass Effect III multiplayer DLC on the 360. A whole year after release, they're still putting out free additions to the multiplayer (though I think last week was the last one). It seems really clever, but it's got to be pretty expensive to keep giving this stuff away. I guess it's folded into the original purchase price of the game? I think this is worth thinking about some more.
I cannot tell you how proud I am to own this game!!
So freaking good!
Free stuff!!
What if I dont have the game until later on? Do I still get these? I can't pick up the game in time for the first 2 levels.
5 more weeks, 5 more weeks.......
man, i really gotta grab a copy of FEA
@Haxonberik You should be able to get these anytime, when you do get the game you should get a whole ton of stuff from Spotpass when you activate it and get a few chapters into the game where it unlocks the wireless function.
And two extra levels already released, actually.
@Retronaut I've never before heard that the free content is supposed to keep people from selling the game. Your explanation is the best I've ever seen. I still hate that they didn't just give us all the spotpass content.
@Bingly when you are on the world map press the Button and select "Wireless," then "Bonus Box," then "Bonus Maps." You can't play then until you finish the second to last chapter.
@Retronaut
Interesting. Thanks!
@Retronaut
That is a good theory and likely part of the reason companies would provide free content. However, I've seen this happen with digital games too. Not only does free DLC decrease the number of used games circulating, it also increases PR. DLC is relatively cheap to create and so it can satisfy customers with little costs. Happy customers will result in them continuing to support the company, as this indicates future games will have lots of free content. Also, it can rope in extra customers when they discover the game continually receives FREE content. Third, free DLC keeps customers playing the game, and the more time invested in the game the more likely they will buy paid DLC.
I never considered that it keeps players from reselling their games but chalk that up to yet another reason for free DLC!
I read this article, then went to Gamestop on my lunchbreak and bought a copy.
...now I just need to explain it to my wife. sigh
@DrthGeek - You need a local opponent.
They've actually been launching this stuff since the Thursday after launch. I'm happily enjoying it.
@Aqueous Thx!
Well, I will be buying a 3DS just for this game. It's a system seller for me. As you can see from my Avatar, I'm a huge Fire Emblem fan and I have kept hold of the 2 games on Gamecube and Wii. Cannot wait! currently replaying Radiant Dawn.
More free DLC.
This game is a gift that keeps on giving. Wish more game publishers offered so much to the fans.
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