Fire Emblem: Sacred Contention is one of those GBA games that just sticks with you. Right from the start, you're thrown into this war-torn continent where every move matters—mess up a turn, and suddenly your favorite swordmaster is gone for good. The grid battles feel like chess with way more drama, especially when characters start bonding between fights. I remember restarting chapters just because I couldn’t bear losing the cocky archer who kept critting at the worst (or best) times.

The story’s got that classic Fire Emblem weight—political betrayals, reluctant allies, and at least one lord who takes five maps to stop being naive. And the sprite work? Still gorgeous. There’s something satisfying about watching tiny pixel soldiers clash, then panicking when the enemy wyvern riders show up unannounced. If you like tactics games at all, this one’s a must-play—just maybe keep a backup save.