Is Gemfire [SNES] Worth Playing Today? - SNESdrunk

New SNES-related video every Tuesday, and something else (Genesis, Game Boy, whatever) on Thursdays
SNESdrunk's Patreon page, if you're into that sort of thing: / snesdrunk
Binge watch SNESdrunk: • All Reviews (Newest to...

[@billmcleod353]

I was immediately hooked, I don't think any strategy game has ever done this to me before. One of the few that's stood the test of time. Still a standout nearly 30 years later in 2020.

[@erikrick]

I still play this game. It is definitely not for everyone, but I enjoy it.

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

Every once in a while I will. And it's almost time again.

[@jaymethysell5111]

Would you say this is a hidden gemfire?

[@michaeloffgrid]

Underrated comment.

[@goatbone]

You’re gemfired!

[@spacecat6019]

Go to your room. Lol

[@Margatroid]

The main problem with Gemfire is that playing it solo is too easy, because while the AI is pretty good at managing its provinces and knowing when to attack, the combat AI is dire. Once you get yourself a couple gems it's easy to outwit the computer, since most of the wizards can practically carry a small-scale battle on their own, and you can bait the computer into using their gem in a battle and then immediately retreat, only to immediately attack again with your own wizard in tow. The AI also has a silly propensity for breaking its own fences on the turn that it built them. However, as a multiplayer game played by people who are willing to take the game at its intentional pace and participate creatively with their imaginations, Gemfire is one of the most fun games I've ever played. It's the kind of thing you're meant to play with a friend or several friends over weeks, or even months, with long-term strategy and plenty of deal-making and backstabbing. There is quite a lot of depth to the game that you didn't touch on here (I know, it's just a short video), particularly what you can accomplish through diplomatic actions. Strategic alliances with other families are invaluable, making them unable to attack you for the time being, and through diplomacy it's possible to get lords or vassals from other families to defect to your side--which, if they currently control another province, means that it instantly becomes yours. This opens up many creative options in how you can play, and the game has a well-designed natural balance to it where players who attempt to be warmongers will quickly find themselves very unpopular, and can be upended by rulers who are skilled with a softer touch, like the passive-but-beguiling Gweyn. Not only that--if you please your population enough, the Pastha may join you, and it's on par with the Dragon in power. Because of this, playing defensively and building up your reputation can pay off well, and that makes the game much deeper than being simply a race to conquer the entire island. The variety of strategy available, along with the vast cast, gives the game a lot of flavor. Every character is useful for some strategy or another (except for some who just suck, and who are fun to make fun of) and once you become familiar with the families and start recognizing the many individual faces, you get an idea of what their various personalities might be like, and there's an element of roleplay that emerges in the game. Some of this is even coded in intentionally; for example, at the start of the "Gemfire" scenario, Pender is fed up with Eselred and will instantly join any family who attempts to recruit him, bringing along his strategically-placed province as part of the deal. Events like this give dramatic life to the game, and in the course of a campaign you end up writing a story in your head about what's going on and what the different characters think about each other, especially if your friends are playing as some of the other families. Graphically, Gemfire is quite dated. It was ported to the NES even before it came to the SNES, and it hearkens back to an era of simulation and roleplaying games that were meant to be played at a slow pace for a long time and really savored in the imagination. I played it with a good friend of mine back in the 90s, and we spent a lot of time making lists of the various lords and their stats, and even imagined some of them as AD&D characters. About a decade ago, we replayed it over ZSNES netplay, and our scenario lasted for weeks and was just as fun as it had been back then. Even moreso, in some ways, because we understood the game mechanics better and were playing as crafty adults. I think if you got a few friends together who were committed to appreciating the game for what it is you could still have an enormous amount of fun with it. It's simple enough to learn the fundamentals quickly, but sophisticated enough that there are a lot of secrets and tricks to learn, and no two multiplayer campaigns ever play out in the same way. There are things I would improve about Gemfire, especially the combat, but I think there's a psychological phenomenon with games, where the level of graphical complexity is deeply tied to how much you can and will imagine on your own. Things that are simpler are more evocative, in a powerful way. They inspire us to dream more, and you really find this in well made 8- and 16-bit games. For me, it's hard to beat the vibrant and yet simplistic character portraits in this game, and the sense of a real world that all the various interactions of relatively simple systems create. Things like the random seasonal events, which are based on population loyalty and charisma--or simply upon the bad luck of a volcano erupting--are same of the best parts. They add just enough flavor to the overall presentation that after a while, Ishmeria comes to life in your mind, and you become deeply invested in what's going on--not because the events are rendered in vivid detail, but because the game is a collaborative piece of art where the developers have left a lot of the imaginative work up to you, and that imagining is the fun itself. In an era of fully-voiced, photorealistically-rendered RPGs, it's easy to see why a lot of people find a game like Gemfire "dull" in its initial presentation, but it's not at all meant to be the same kind of experience as something like Total War. Rather than being like a film, it's something more like a novel. And just like a good novel, the magic is in what happens inside your mind. I wish more games like this were made nowadays.

[@SeanTrn]

Mike OB1 I see it as a mini-review. I appreciated his detail and information as it was a nice opinion to take into account along with Drunks review. ....And, side note here, let’s be honest O’holier-than-tho Mike... shouldn’t we ALL go outside a little more. Well maybe not you yourself, there are enough rude tool-bags to deal with out there as is

[@Margatroid]

@@SeanTrn Check it out, "X" is how Mike "makes his mark." He's too illiterate to sign his name.

[@HerculesMays]

Wow, I really appreciate this review of yours on Gemfire. I do agree that there is a certain charm from these 8 and 16 bit games; they forced you to use your imagination a good deal and, like with many books that get movie adaptations that are let-downs, can be much better than seeing the game remade with modern graphics. I guess a large part of that "dullness" or difficulty in approaching a game like this is that it's just very different in pace and visual presentation from most of the games you see nowadays. I'd say Gemfire is something of an acquired taste that can take your patience with getting into, but can be highly rewarding once you adapt to it.

[@ramseydoon8277]

Thanks for expounding on the game, its charm and long-lasting strategic/replay value. I'd never heard of Gemfire before, but Drunk's synopsis and your insights pair well together and portray the game as one that is worth trying. Appreciate ya!

[@RockEsper]

I enjoyed this mini essay. No really, it was cool to read about this perspective.

[@anthonybird546]

I've had music from this game in my head for 30 years.

[@Lugosi2006]

Same, glad I can find someone else. Awesome soundtrack.

[@jake7991]

Got to love it when you wake up to a snesdrunk upload. Keep going man!

[@SNESdrunk]

Thanks for watching

[@deiradinn]

This is an amazing story just sitting there waiting to be adapted into an amazing anime, tv show, movie, etc. These characters and overall story/theme has entranced me since the beginning of my SNES days. It was my first time playing a game like it, and still love it.

[@lilchristuten7568]

I actually thought it was based on some kind of book or movie when I was younger. Later I tried to write a fanfic but it never went anywhere.

[@UltimateCarl]

I know it's a pretty meh game overall, but oh man Gemfire was my JAM when I was a kid. I still give the DOS version a spin every now and then today. Something about the music, the art style (it's *very* Koei/early 90s anime-style pixel art that you normally only saw in PC-98 games rather than SNES or the other consoles that made it stateside), and the actual setting/world itself... I dunno, I can't bring myself to hate it.

[@JohnnyProctor9]

I like the console versions better than the DOS version though, because you get the option to begin with a female ruler in one of the scenarios...I'm not sure if the other personal computer versions feature this option or not, but when I played the DOS version I found that it wasn't an option and the only other way to get a female ruler as far as I'm aware is to get your head-of-family captured and banished by an enemy.

[@UltimateCarl]

I love the PC-98. Some day when I have enough spare cash and room, it'll probably be one of the first residents of my "old computer room".

[@rlam905]

I enjoyed this game when I was a kid also. The fantasy setting was appealing to me and once I learned the mechanics of buying and selling and growing crops I was hooked.

[@starlightwitch12]

This game is known in Japan as Royal Blood, and was also released on PC98, X68000, and FM-Towns. A sequel to this game was released in 1999 called Royal Blood II ~Dinar Oukoku Nendaiki~ was released for PCs but only in Japan. I actually remembered playing this game before (in the SNES, X68000 and DOS versions). This was the first game in Koei's Imagination Series (alongside Celtic Tales: Balor of the Evil Eye). I liked the title theme of this game though. Edit: Speaking of Royal Blood II ~Dinar Oukoku Nendaiki~,someone is doing an English translation patch for that game.

[@orinanime]

Sophie Neuenmuller Arbeith XII Thanks for the info!

[@hemangchauhan2864]

What other KOEI old school strategy games have you played?

[@JohnnyProctor9]

VERY informative...have you also played the Brigandine games or Koei's more recent crossover title Pokémon Conquest?

[@SightInjection]

I loved this game when I was young, I think I still have it in my collection. Snes drunk you’re he best!

[@starlightwitch12]

The other oldschool Koei strategy games I played aside from Gemfire are Romance of The Three Kingdoms IV: Wall of Fire, Nobunaga's Ambition: Lord of Darkness, Celtic Tales: Balor of the Evil Eye, Rise of the Phoenix, Bandit Kings of Ancient China, Operation Europe: Path to Victory 1939-45, Liberty or Death, and Sangokushi Eiketsuden.

[@spacecat6019]

One of my all time favorites. My old ass still plays it to this day.

[@childofthesun32]

Am I the only one that's considered the possibility that taking LSD and listening to a compilation of all the SNES Drunk Intros, could quite possibly reveal all the secrets of the universe, splayed out before you, in a concise and thorough video format?

[@dycedargselderbrother5353]

Besides angle of attack, relative number of troops and the general's attack rating play into success ratio. If you have significantly more troops, a superior general, and avoid frontal attacks (though this is the least important of the three), you can win battles with barely any losses. Keeping the best generals on the front lines is important but since they win all the time as they push forward you don't need to transfer them.

[@GradiusPilot]

This was a great overview, thanks. Thought you dissected the strategy a lot to help a first-time player. I have a Genesis copy and might (gem)fire it up sometime soon.

[@TheGunmanChannel]

Fuck yeah, new SNESdrunk vid!!

[@andrewhilton6375]

I have the NES, SNES, and genesis copy of this title and absolutely love replaying scenarios even though I've beaten each campaign countless times, in fact I have the genesis game playing itself while I'm at work, always interesting to see how things play out for whichever family that wins. Great music also!

[@Lugosi2006]

Fantastic game and yes the music is great.

[@Lugosi2006]

One of the first game I played on the SNES, so many memories with this one. Seems to be in the minority but I love it.

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

This was actually the 1st game I had for SNES. My brother got one without Mario and picked out this game. I had played at Mario & maybe other games on a friend's SNES though.

[@magustrigger9195]

Wish they made more games like this still. Old KOEI was the shit, now its all 1000 hit combo bs . They could make these style with high graphics and similair play style real cheap

[@Margatroid]

Think about how fun it would be if they made an online version of a game like this. Gemfire with netplay and a tuned-up combat AI would be fantastic. And of course, it could be ported to everything. It's pretty funny that this game has had netplay via ZSNES since the early 2000s, but KOEI will probably never do it themselves.

[@magustrigger9195]

@@Margatroid id buy it on steam, probably 20 bucks realistic price im willing to do

[@levisimpson516]

This is actually one of my favorite games. I have always enjoyed Gemfire and I disagree with the comment about the music. It's one of my favorite soundtracks for a game hands down, Final Fantasy VI being the other. What I think makes Gemfire a good game is that yes, it is a strategy type game with turn based battles, but it's simplistic enough to pick up without having to spend to long learning every bit of it. You can delve into it a bit, but it's true, it's not that deep of a game. I enjoy that you can also upgrade characters with special items you can find while searching different provinces, and coming up with other ways to defeat your enemies. I love the challenge of being a small family with no wizard. Just a great little game not enough people got around to playing.

[@TheDospyimp]

You Should Check out Sean Schafianski, He does hi res audio of the gemfire music. That coming of September tunage gets me everytime!!!

[@epicglitter7218]

I agree! Just wondering- do you know if the hidden items are a feature in every version of the game?

[@Margatroid]

They're in all the versions, as far as I know. And they reliably appear in certain provinces, as long as your stats are good enough to find them.

[@Margatroid]

Also, I agree, the soundtrack is fantastic. Love the seasonal themes. There's an arranged album too, and it's great: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5bJiWl_q72oZq8

[@epicglitter7218]

thanks!

[@morgandavidson1219]

i still play this on snes

[@evanevans5428]

I used to love this game. I actually beat it. The intro song, if I remember correctly, was a banger.

[@pp-vf8ls]

for those who like to play sim strategy series, i really recommend this one basically, its the beginning of the ROTK series (or Nobunaga Ambitions) i really hook up with this game, after that i play Nobunaga Ambition, and then ROTK II

[@Sbc-hk8tm]

Played this game for months when i was younger, it's amazing

[@jonathanb.814]

The combat in this reminds me of Kings Bounty, which I played all the time. Not an SNES game, but did get a Genesis release. Keep up the good work!👍

[@prismaticpaul]

I've recently played another round of Gemfire. I'm not a fan of strategy games generally because they can be sooo complicated. Only ones I really liked are this one, and Master of Monsters. This one, however, isn't too hard to understand in my opinion. I have to say, combat is quite simple, but the sheer amount of 5th units available adds some variety to your army, and ultimately, changes your playstyle. 5th units are probably the ones that are going to see the most action, when you decide to bring them, that is. My personal favorite are Spearmen: cheap, 3 movement, ranged attack, there's 150 of them and they can make mincemeat even out of the Dragon, if carefully positioned. Great review!

[@buffdogg]

Been playing this game since it came out. Still play it every now and then. Love it.

[@NmyLogan]

great videos! just discovered you and I'm going through the catalog, only 50 vids in but I haven't seen these two games. if you have already done them then disregard me but I would love to hear what you think of both Burning Force for Sega Genesis, as well as Rock and Roll Racing for SNES. Thanks for listening and keep up the good work!

[@mattgrundy27]

I'd love to see an updated game like this. Not enough strategy games like this. Great video.

[@jv-em1kx]

Loved KOEI games growing up. Genghis Khan 2, Gemfire, PTO II, Liberty or Death, and Aerobiz. I remember renting Gemfire from our local video store and I kept it for 2 weeks.

[@b.moriarty4768]

I don't even care for this game or alot of these games in general, but I always enjoy your content.

[@SNESdrunk]

Thanks for watching

[@RetroCabeza]

Another game I've never heard of, another great video :)

[@SNESdrunk]

Thanks for watching

[@johnbakasmoothhotchocolate]

I spent so much time playing Super Mario World and DKC that I didn't even know this game even existed.

[@christophercobb8008]

Gemfire is a classic. It's really the simplest of the Koei games of the NES/SNES era and while that works in its favor it also is its biggest flaw. This is one I come back to every couple years to beat and it's never boring. I've been playing this since it came out back in the early 90s and while the graphics aren't anything to write home about, they're still just fine by many of the modern retro games out there.

[@oftenKICKEDbaby]

I like the art style in this game, despite it being kind of bare bones i think it looks nice especially for the time

[@megamaux777]

one of my all time favorite games. i played this for like 4 or 5 months straight. totally recommend...though i would also say it doesnt hold up to new or better titles. it was the first game like it i got to play, so there could be my bias source. blockbuster in my town was eclectic and i did normally scoop up random good looking box art from time to time. this was that, but i kept the game and i think my parents had to pay like 20 bucks plus the 18 in late fees. still worth it. blockbuster was cool four a second in the past. maybe doesnt get enough credit for spreading all those game and movie experiences to people who couldnt afford buying everything. i felt like a rental serviette sometimes when i went and caught others pondering. i miss renting games. it was of great pleasure.

[@torgogorgo1888]

If you want to check out a pretty solid tactical RPG exclusive to Genesis, check out Warsong. It's can get a little slow as you have to wait for the computer to move each unit individually, but I found it quite entertaining (the battle animations are fun) for such an early strategy rpg.

[@JohnnyProctor9]

Torgo Gorgo Good classic, but Der Langrisser and Langrisser Dramatic Edition are better in some ways than the original (the only thing that I prefer about Warsong is the larger army sizes)...

[@outerspaceman7534]

This game looks damn sweet.

[@endymallorn]

The problem I see with a lot of Koei games (and others like Hydlide) is that these games were made for a home PC, and unfortunately they were ported to the S/NES without radically modifying the graphics or the control scheme. On one hand, that's great, because as a fan of PC turn-based strategy I can pick up one of these games and know exactly what I'm getting into and learn to adapt what I know on PC to the game system in question - including learning to use the controller instead of my keyboard & mouse. On the other, that stinks, because people who aren't fans of a very particular subgenre of games aren't as likely to get into it. If these games were compatible with the SNES mouse, you'd find much less to complain about. Thank you for reminding me of Gemfire - now I need to go find my old floppies!

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

If you think this was a bad transition from computer to SNES you should see Eye Of The Beholder.

[@endymallorn]

@@CurlyFromTheSwirly Sadly, I have seen it. Though, I liked the GBA version, which updated the rules to 3.5 and had Gold Box style combat. It was a radically different experience.

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

@@endymallorn, That's awesome. 3.5 is much better. AD&D was rough, especially for a video game.

[@epicglitter7218]

Completely fell in love with this game when I was a kid, and still pick it up regularly today. That doesn't mean I think it's great (battles are embarassingly exploitable, for instance). I just enjoy it. Among strategy games I think of it as an entry-level game to introduce someone to the genre, since it is far less complex than, e.g., Romance of the Three Kingdoms series.

[@efilwv1635]

SNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNES DRUNK!

[@SNESdrunk]

Hey I know that guy

[@ElBribri]

I love these kind of games

[@chaser5616]

Me:Let's play gemfire Brother :...No Me:*open gemfire brother :..... ahh childhood memories XD

[@ScottyPhoton]

I really enjoyed this game years back when I finally decided to play the cart I had bought when rental stores were selling off their SNES inventory, haha. I haven't played UW: New Horizons, but I do like Gemfire more than the original Uncharted Waters.

[@wickedfierce]

This is one of my favorite games on SNES. Even now I could go back and kill everyone before the first payday. I played it through one time and let everyone die. Just to see what happens. Everyone dies around 80 years old. The Wyvern is the strongest in the game. I don't even use the wizards or dragons. I just make sure I have a solid attack rating and go to town. The computer is pretty stupid. You can defend against an army with one troop. They will always try go around to the opening at the top or bottom. If you know what I'm saying you're probably as crazy as I was about playing this game.

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

Yes, everyone dies at about 80 years old in this. It can be delayed a little, but it's inevitable. That means that in theory, all you would have to do is have a family with a really young character, lile Kayla or Arkin, and wait it out. The advisors actually give a clue to this if you stop wagging war and just take care of domestic issues. They all say good things come to those who wait. The wyvern is one of my favorite 5th units. I can't say that it is the most powerful though. It has 150 HP, the same as Zendor. Pluvius & the Dragon both have 160 HP. Warriors & Lancers have 180 units. In theory, the wyvern isn't as good as others here. However, as mentioned in the video here, it's best to avoid attacking in front. If the wyvern gets the 1st hit against another 5th unit, and makes it a rear attack, it will decimate their HP/units. 1 troop to defend is a bit of a stretch. However, the comp AI has many flaws that can be exploited.

[@SaintC1981]

I'd really like to see a video on "Utopia: Creation of a Nation" if possible. It's one of the first strategy games I played aside from C&C and SimCity. Love the nostalgia regardless.

[@redpointt]

I loved this game, but found it ran more smoothly on Genesis. Either way very fun though ! Loved the immersive passing of time and music. It had an interesting way of drawing you in.

[@prushimush]

It simulates at least twice as fast on the Genesis. The Genesis' 68000 CPU handles arithmetic operations much more quickly than the SNES 5A22, and Koei games move a lot of numbers around. "Blast Processing" at work, lol.

[@ProfessorHurt]

I can see that some mechanics look a lot like Pacific Theater of Operations (aka P.T.O.) on the SNES also by Toei. I never knew about this game but given it looks like the same stuff. I might check this out cause I loved PTO.

[@alexmotts]

Yes. Yes it is. Id play it right now if i still had acess to it. Locwd this game back in the day

[@mathewlang7436]

Finally !!! Gemfire favorite snes game of all time

[@oftenKICKEDbaby]

Oh man i played this game way back and i forgot what it was called. It took me hours when i was a kid just to figure out how to start playing the game and even longer to figure out what everything was i would get so frustrated but once i figured out how to play i acctually liked it quite a bit.

[@TheDospyimp]

Literally my fav game for the system. Wish we woulda got the sequel here.

[@icebot1]

This game should have been called Leander of Molbrew: The Ultimate Badass. (Also, that fence-building ability was absolutely clutch on defense!)

[@SoloAdvocate]

Right, fence building was actually really good since the AI was not too bright. I think against another player it could be useful but a lot harder to use properly. I just hate how often you fail to build them lol

[@nicolasfurger1032]

I love Gemfire!

[@Phitoland]

This was the strategy game that ruled my childhood. Músic, the char plots AND the simplicity but amaziingly well done of the ambient scenario were the Jam. Your comment dissapoints the real quality of this gem

[@SNESdrunk]

You're in the minority, I put up a poll after this video dropped: kzbin.info/door/fBLXTwLoUpDAkHcHizW3Jgcommunity?lb=UgwgcG5VvsBGJH9sJxZ4AaABCQ

[@RJ-hk1ni]

Could anyone recommend whether or not to play another strategy games on SNES? Games like rise of phoenix, PTO, super conflict, nobunaga or operation europe.

[@arseniy]

I actually love the music in this game

[@GeovaneSanciniSR]

I wonder one thing... What if koei made (in PS2 gen) a game like this with the Dynasty Tactics/Kessen gameplay. It could be great for tactical genre.

[@andrewvarcoe4741]

Found this game as a rom and love it, I watched my dad play this game years ago on snes with the son of someone he was dating. I figured out the around the edges by thinking like a commander, less avenues for the enemy to launch an attack from etcetera.....and this game was so slow lol. Choosing your start is like choosing difficulty, the hirelings were nifty, swordsmen,ologh haise?, the skeletons were my favorite, looked nifty, but sucked in combat lol

[@kingwebster1]

I would love to see a Streets of Rage series Sega Drunk. Please. 2 is my favorite game.

[@MrStarkisser]

You should try cyber knight on the snes...it a good rpg and has a sequel :) I would love to know your thoughts on it

[@thorinbane]

Loved this game

[@jacobnolido8438]

Definitely my favorite game, when I was young, I hope they will make an updated version of this game. The AI is very easy to defeat but definitely fun to play against someone.

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

I prefer playing with a,weaker family. The challenge of building them up, rathed than using Blanche or Lyle for a,quick win.

[@slurmalystwormfast1985]

I really enjoyed Koei games back in the day, but kingdom management has been done much better more recently on the PC, whether you enjoy something more accessible like the Total War series or something more hardcore like Crusader Kings 2. The people still playing Gemfire in 2018 have huge nostalgia goggles. The two Koei games that probably are not outmatched by a modern game: Uncharted Waters: NH and Aerobiz. If you look at another Koei game, I'd suggest Aerobiz (or the sequel). I'm not the biggest fan, but it's certainly unique.

[@JohnnyProctor9]

One of the BEST strategy games EVER made!!! I've enjoyed playing this since I was around 11 or 12 right along with Shining Force and Warsong...if you're looking for a more modern spiritual successor to this game, try Brigandine or Brigandine Grand Edition for the PS1 or Pokémon Conquest on the Nintendo DS! }:-D>

[@MoltoRubato88]

I have copies of Heir of Zendor and PTO II for the Sega Saturn. These are also heavy on strategy and really slow. I'm pretty sure that PTO II also got a SNES port.

[@MoltoRubato88]

What really saves Heir of Zendor from being a mess of a game is the soundtrack. It's like a fusion of indigenous/African music and 80s/90s techno. Plus, the piano solo in the "Settings" menu is really soothing: almost like something out of Final Fantasy or Ys.

[@nikolaikalashnikov4253]

I had problems with the Gemfire & Genghis Khan ROMs on the Genesis... Luckily, they're working for the SNES.

[@Dermetsu]

This reminds me of that DS game I always forget the name of.

[@PersianImm0rtal]

Great review, you are doing gods work!

[@SNESdrunk]

Thanks for watching

[@samuelradoranchohs9500]

I fucking rule Gemfire...live this game!!! Still playing it now!!!

[@ElBribri]

great

[@bryanx0317]

I make scenerios. NOW.

[@avengingme]

How long have you all been eating poop?

[@MrSerpico145]

Like the game cover, at least (the genesis version anyway).

[@prushimush]

Genesis version is better overall. The SNES version looks nice and has transparent graphics, but the Genesis version simulates at least twice as fast, and looks decent. Try to compare them side by side, you'll be shocked how slow the SNES version is when the computer is planning its moves.

[@frankflores6793]

Played this a week or so ago. My wife got into it

[@mikecestaro9200]

This game still rules!!!

[@alexandregagnon1629]

one of the best game on NES!

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

With attacking, it's more than just avoiding head on attacks. Flank does more damage, and rear does most, yes. But there is something the game cheats at. Some characters aren't as good at being generals as others, which affects w how well the troops attack. Learn which have higher military prowess. With the sword symbol on their profile. However, sometimes the computer just cheats and gives less.

[@albertamalachi3560]

Ah yes -Brigandine- Gemfire. The music kinda made me insane.

[@metalmat3651]

Its a fun game that’s pretty easy to learn for a strategy game but once you learn the mechanics it’s pretty easy to roll over the AI in any of the given scenarios. While the graphics and sound are certainly an improvement over the NES they didn’t add anything else to make this stand out over the 8 bit version.

[@tyaustin6114]

Reminds me of Dragon Force on the Sega Saturn

[@Tanakun09]

Do Gengihs Khan legend of the blue moon

[@madpossum24]

You haven't done Liberty or Death yet? It's probably the best SNES Koei game.

[@chusganzerla14]

Have you heard of Kabuki Rocks, man?

[@luminous6969]

Hope you like figuring how to play based solely on tiny picture, cos that's the only indication of what each command does.

[@prushimush]

Gemfire can be fairly fun, but it is WAY TOO SLOW on the SNES. The slow arithmetic operations on the 5A22 really hurt it, it takes the computer roughly 3 times as long to make its moves compared to the Genesis version. Play the Genesis version, it helps a lot with the slow pace(this goes for any Koei strategy game, they all use the same code)

[@SrSacaninha]

Those graphics seem fine to me.

[@jasongibson7896]

I loved gemfire when I was a kid. But then discover ROTK and never looked back at it

[@kromok3532]

I borrowed this from my friend when I was 10

[@masonla653]

Reminds me of romance of the three kingdoms.

[@Bloodgaze]

Mason LA I was thinking the same thing.

[@CM-wv8ns]

Mason LA yeah... it's a KOEI game...they are all like this... oh the memories...

[@Bloodgaze]

C M see he kept saying that, but I had no fucking idea what he was talking about.

[@masonla653]

C M ill have to look into the koei catalog, i love romance.

[@CM-wv8ns]

Bloodgaze hehe... once you've experienced a KOEI tactical game, it's a feeling you wont forget... like an old college girlfriend--it's been a few years, but no regrets going our seperate ways..hehe

[@noperopepope]

I both hated and loved this game when I played it as a child.

[@SuperGamesLegend]

I hope its worth it..I'm planning on mortgaging my house to be able to afford a complete copy! Seriously though anyone know if the Genesis version is as good?

[@marywallace3620]

The genesis version has slightly better music but it's still just as a good.

[@SuperGamesLegend]

@@marywallace3620 Cool. Thanks!

[@Derikregan]

The skeletons on 2:07 are having sex or is just me imagining things @_@ Can't unseen what I just saw

[@kevindewaynelowe]

Seems like it is worth a play.

[@brandenjordan1503]

This game reminds me of game of thrones

[@matthewsantos8525]

I have Gemfire for Nes, and the graphic looks way better.

[@awfpunisher]

This game fucking rules

[@DaraM73]

What’s with the Elizabethan map of Ireland?

[@nikolaikalashnikov4253]

For *_Romance of the Three Kings_* series, you had to conquer & unify all of China. So it only makes sense that they'd romanticize another part of the world. *_Nobunaga's Ambition_* is set in Japan. I personally think ancient Greece would have made for an interesting battleground. But the idea of playing as Knights & Wizards in Ireland sound like a lot of fun! Which area(s) would you have chosen ?

[@josepartida1711]

I think now as an adult I would enjoy these games, just gotta make the time. But as a kid I remember being confused when I rented these types of games. Getting reeled in by the badass cover art then hit with major disappointment.

[@blackraptor311]

Gemfire, it's Game of Throne Rated G.

[@Pericoflexible2]

Looks okay, BUT, IT NEEDS a good hack (graphics, sprites and more gameplay).

[@superduty4556]

Looks like the kind of game a parent would gift their child based solely on box art.

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

How did 6 gems scatter themselves? The princess scattered them.

[@georgielockhart6686]

I used to play this when I was like maybe 10 and I found ot fun at the time. Especially going into battle with my wizards. But aeeing it now it looks a little lame.

[@kernel5anders420]

I remember sitting around smoking and playing this and master of monsters with a few friends and it was great someone always ended up getting fucked over lol