Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones 2004

Is it still worth playing?

Intelligent Systems' 2004 tactical role playing game for the Game Boy Advance, with turn based battles on grid maps and an overworld between them. On the continent of Magvel, the Grado Empire invades its neighbours and starts destroying five sacred stones, and Eirika and Ephraim, of the royal family of Renais, set out to stop its conquest and uncover the reasons for the war. A Weapon Triangle works like rock paper scissors, weapons have ranks, items wear out, fallen units die for good and units change class at level 10. The overworld opens up as you unlock areas, with shops and optional monster challenges, and local multiplayer for up to four is possible with permadeath off. Today it still offers polished mechanics, three difficulty levels and a branching route with choices between battles.