Gemfire
Fantasy strategy game where players conquer kingdoms through tactical battles and political maneuvering. Features a mix of turn-based strategy and real-time battles with mythical creatures.
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Story
Gemfire takes place in the fictitious Isle of Ishmeria. Long ago, six wizards, each wielding a unique brand of magic, used their powers to protect the island and maintain peace. This was disrupted when they were collectively challenged by a Fire Dragon, summoned forth by a wizard intent on plunging the country into darkness. The sea-dwelling dragon of peace known as the Pastha charged the six wizards with the task of fighting back.
They succeeded, sealing the Fire Dragon away into a ruby at the top of a crown, and themselves became the six jewels around the crown's base. The crown, called Gemfire, became a symbol of utmost power and authority. When Gemfire fell into the hands of the King of Ishmeria, Eselred, he sought to abuse the object's power, using it to embark on a tyrannical reign, instilling fear within his oppressed subjects. His young daughter, Princess Robyn, being unable to bear with her father's grievous misdeeds any longer seized Gemfire and pried the six wizard gems loose, causing them to shoot upward into the sky before scattering themselves to different parts of Ishmeria.
When a furious Eselred learned of Robyn's actions, he had her locked away in a tower. Meanwhile, the six wizard gems each take up residence with a prominent family of Ishmeria. The two most powerful of these clans are the Blanches, led by Prince Erin and supported by Zendor, Emerald Wizard and Wielder of Lightning; and the Lyles, led by Prince Ander and backed by Pluvius, Sapphire Wizard and Caster of Meteors. Four other clans (Flax, Coryll, Chrysalis and Molbrew) also have wizards (Scylla, Empyron, Chylla and Skulryk respectively) of Gemfire at their disposal in the beginning.
With the breaking of the spell on Gemfire, each of these clans sets out to unseat Eselred, claim the throne as their own and restore order and peace to Ishmeria.
Gameplay Systems
At the outset of the game, the player has the option of selecting a scenario and family. All four scenarios use the same game board, but they differ in which families are present and what provinces , vassals and gems they have. Ultimately, the player must conquer the entire map to win the game. Gameplay is divided into the main tactics screen and individual battle screens.
On the tactics screen, the player is allowed one action per turn (in-game month) per territory. With that action, the player may hire or move troops, upgrade the territory's economy or defenses, engage in diplomatic actions (such as plunder an adjacent province or propose alliance with another family), or attack an enemy territory. Only adjacent territories may be attacked. Upon attacking or being attacked by an enemy, the focus shifts to battle, wherein a player may field five units (archers, knights, horsemen, and either a wizard or a hired unit).
The player moves individual companies of troops about the map in a turn-based tactics fashion; certain units may build fences to keep enemies out. One army wins if the enemy base is captured, all enemy units are defeated, or the enemy army runs out of food.
Media Reviews
About Gemfire
Gemfire is a classic video game released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System on January 1, 1992. Developed by Koei and published by Koei, this title has become a beloved entry in the retro gaming library.
This wiki entry provides comprehensive information about Gemfire, including release details, gameplay information, and story synopsis. Whether you're looking to revisit a childhood favorite or discover classic games for the first time, Emulator Games Wiki has you covered.
Some information sourced from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 3.0.