Fire Blade - Strategy Guide (Page 01)
Below are the cheat codes, hints and help for Fire Blade - Strategy Guide (Page 01).
Fireblade Game FAQ/Walkthrough (v 1.10)
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Game: Fireblade
System: Xbox
Publisher: Midway
Developer: Kujo
Genre: Action
Released: Fall 2002 [US] (Xbox)
Website: www.midway.com
Author: rtbull (GameFAQs ID)
E-mail: rtbull77@yahoo.com
Version: 1.10 04/25/03 (orig. 02/08/03)
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_____________________________________________________________
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| Fireblade Game FAQ/Walkthrough, v 1.10 |
| |
| |
| Major Sections |
| |
| I. Introduction, Copyright, etc. |
| Introductory Comments |
| Xbox Controller |
| Fireblade Game Overview |
| Campaign 1-4 Overviews |
| |
| II. Fireblade Quick/Start Guide |
| A. Essential Techniques / Notes |
| B. Weapons |
| C. UES Vehicles & Stats |
| D. Additional Notes |
| |
| III. Mission Overviews, Tactics & Walkthroughs |
| [ walkthroughs for difficult missions ] |
| |
| IV. Enemy Numbers, by Mission |
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| V. Closing Comments |
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|_____________________________________________________________|
Versions:
0.25 - Completed 2/8/03
0.50 - Updated on 2/24/03
- Campaign Two Overview
- Campaign Two Missions
0.75 - Updated on 2/28/03
- Campaign Three Overview
- Campaign Three Missions
1.00 - Updated on 3/8/03
- Re-Rated C2/M5 (Train) as Hard (Walkthrough)
- Campaign Four Overview
- Campaign Four Missions
1.10 - Updated on 4/25/03
- Intro: Xbox Controller Section
- Vendetta/Talon Helo Comparison
- New Section: Enemy Numbers, by Mission
===========================================================================
====================================
I. Introduction, Copyright, etc.
====================================
===========================================================================
- Introductory Comments
- Copyright Info
- Xbox Controller
- Fireblade Game Overview
- Campaign 1-4 Overviews
=============================================
INTRO: Introductory Comments
=============================================
Fireblade is similar to other games where you progress linearly
through missions, solving problems, and where the sequence in which
you act is often critical to success or failure.
Fireblade can be very frustrating at times, especially missions 3
and 5 of Campaign 1 and M3 of Campaign 2 starting out. Use
persistence and master certain techniques and tactics and you'll
have success.
The objective of this guide is to provide the appropriate level
of assistance you need to get through the entire game. To begin,
read the Quick/Start section for hints and techniques. If that's
not enough, then go on to read the mission Overviews, and Tactics &
Approach. Finally, Walkthroughs are provided for the toughest
missions: (C1/M3,M5), (C2/M3,M5), (C3/M5), and (C4/M1,M5).
This FAQ/Walkthrough now covers up through all four campaigns in
this updated version. For the most part this guide is complete, but
I'll do updates in the future to add additional instruction or make
corrections if necessary.
This guide is specifically for Xbox, but may also generally apply
to other console Fireblade games.
=============================================
INTRO: Copyright Info
=============================================
This Fireblade FAQ/Walkthrough is copyrighted, 2003, by
me, as author. (gamefaqs.com ID: rtbull, rtbull77@yahoo.com)
I am not affiliated with Midway or Kujo Entertainment. Fireblade
is a trademark of Midway Home Entertainment Inc.
If you would like permission to post this document on a website
other than www.cheatcc.com, please send the email request to
rtbull77@yahoo.com and include the URL of the designated website,
with your name and contact information.
This FAQ is not to be edited, altered or changed without my
permission. Questions, comments, and suggestions should be
sent to me at rtbull77@yahoo.com.
=============================================
INTRO: Xbox Controller
=============================================
[A,B,X,Y]
Fire Missile/EMP A
Thermal Imaging B
Turbo X
Stealth Y
[Thumbsticks]
Copter Movement L
Fire Missile/EMP L (click)
Altitude/Strafe R
Select Target R (click)
Sniper Aim L (stealth mode)
Sniper Zoom R (stealth mode)
[Triggers]
Rockets L
Minigun/Canon R
[Other]
Pause Game Start
Camera View Back
Sniper View Pad (up)
Sniper View Black
=============================================
INTRO: Fireblade Game Overview
=============================================
Fireblade puts you up against the renegade forces of the UES, or
United Eastern States. There are 4 campaigns consisting of a total
20 missions - although the Xbox game cover says 18. The campaigns
take place in the mountains of Switzerland, a South American desert,
Latin America, and the Artic.
You fly either the Talon transport chopper or Vendetta attack
chopper in each mission depending on the objectives. Both have
stealth capabilities and a moderate armament of weapons (consisting
primarily of missiles, rockets, a minigun, and an EMP canon). The
missions range from relatively easy to very difficult, and there
are no custom difficulty settings for the game.
You extend your weapons, health, and other capabilities by flying
over power-ups, which usually become available when enemy vehicles
are destroyed.
To get the highest stat ratios, you'll need to handle the Vendetta or
Talon skillfully, apply the best weapons against the targets, evade
fire and maintain health, have patience and be resourceful.
The missions have a good variety of environments, objectives and
tasks you perform, and degree of latitude you have to choose your
course through a mission or whether you follow a predetermined path.
Fireblade is a game that's probably best to take your time on.
You'll require numerous replays on tougher missions. There are no
instant action or multiplayer features. So completing the missions,
raising your stats, and trying out alternate strategies is where you
get your value from this game.
=============================================
INTRO: Campaign 1-4 Overviews
=============================================
Campaign One Overview
-------------------------
Mission 1 is a basic training mission, with no time requirement. Go
through it a second time to improve on mastering missiles, rockets,
gunfire, and the EMP. When basic training is completed, you return
with the instructor to briefly defend the training base. Stick around
and battle the enemy for as long as you want on subsequent replays.
In Mission 2 you blow up two bridges, and the sooner you do this the
less enemy vehicles cross to attack the base, which you are tasked
to defend as an objective.
Mission 3 uses the stealth mode throughout the mission, and proper
firing of the EMP and sniper canons is critical. You also need to
know what targets to hit, in what order, and what ones to leave
alone.
Mission 4 is a mission played at your own pace and direction.
You eliminate 2 communications towers and 3 bases, but you have no
time limit or sequence in which you need to do this. So use M4 to
master the various weapons, weapon combinations, strafing and evading,
and so on. (You'll need these skills for M5.)
Mission 5 is the most difficult of Campaign 1, and will probably take
most people a number of replay tries before successfully completing it.
You destroy 3 fleets, destroy a supply depot, and defend a village.
Most people won't have a problem with fleets 1 & 2 and the 2 secondary
objectives. Destroying the 3rd fleet seems near impossible, until you
figure out the optimum approach (see walkthrough below). Luck also
factors in somewhat in eliminating the 3rd fleet.
Campaign Two Overview
-------------------------
This campaign is situated in the South American Desert. There are also
5 missions to this campaign. I rated missions 1,2,4 as moderate and 5
hard. Mission 3 is the most difficult for this campaign - or at least
seems that way until you get about halfway through the mission.
In mission 1 you defend a base from attack, safeguarding two buildings
plus some scientists. You get minor help from Brooks and a couple
friendly tanks. The firefights are a bit frantic at the start but level
off to miscellaneous infantry cleanup work inside the base.
In mission 2 you have to rescue Brooks in a downed helicopter. You fly
the slow transport helicopter Talon which is less adept at maneuvers.
There are several waves of vehicle attacks, and then after boarding
Brooks, you have to defend against a few pairs of UES chopper attacks.
Mission 3 is the most difficult so far to this point, or at least in
regard to sniping infantry. You protect a special ops team that includes
Brooks, whose objective is to recover a stolen Vendetta at a UES base.
You're responsible for the safe entry and exit of the ops team vehicle,
and Brooks' safe getaway in the Vendetta. M3 is worth the effort to get
through, as missions 4 and 5 are fairly decent.
Mission 4 requires you to lend support to a sizeable array of vehicles
that attack a well-defended UES base. You see missile turrets for
the first time and have to defend against UES helicopters. This
mission is fairly lengthy since you have to destroy about everything.
For mission 5 you back up the special ops team once again, who is
trying to steal UES rail gun technology from a train inbound to a UES
base. There are 6 or so battles of vehicle attacks throughout the
mission. One of the challenges is trying to stay oriented to where the
train tracks are and where the ops team ambushes the train, all while
fighting off the UES. This mission has a good variety of action.
Campaign Three Overview
-------------------------
To me, Campaign 3 appears to be the easiest one so far. I assigned
mission 1 as moderate in difficulty, 2-4 as easy (although I didn't
work mission 4 through properly and so the rating may actually be
more moderate - I'll replay that mission in the correct order when
I have more time.) Mission 5 is the only one that gives you any real
trouble, and I rated it hard. So mission 5 has a walkthrough.
Although this campaign is easier, all 5 missions are still pretty
interesting. Campaign 3 occurs in Latin America.
In mission 1, you provide support to 3 convoys of vehicles that are
attacking a UES position at the top of a crater. There are different
ways you can play this mission. Mission 2 requires you to use the
rail gun to fire down some ventilator shafts to destroy enemy hideouts
in underground tunnels. (Not a big use of the weapon, but there are
sufficient enemies surrounding the vent areas to make it interesting.)
For mission 3 you use stealth, or not if you don't want to - you have
the option. Thermal imaging definitely helps, and the action mostly
takes place inside 2 city areas on both sides of a river. Mission 4
has you lending support to the special ops team (2 APCs) that rescue
a group of prisoners at a UES base. The action is varied, and is
probably fairly hectic in places if played through properly.
Finally, in mission 5 you really need to watch your health. This is
another mission that you have to know what to attack and what to
leave alone. Your special ops team makes it to a UES dam, plants
charges, and then you have to extract them to safety before the
dam blows.
Campaign Four Overview
-------------------------
Starting off, mission one is pretty hard, but if you know a good approach
through, its not too bad. Then missions 2 and 3 I rate as moderate, 4 is
actually somewhat easy, and finally 5 - this one is extremely difficult to
get through. You've got to have everything working well for you, including
a bit of good luck. Once you complete it, you get to view a pretty good
mini-movie of a missile being shot from a satellite. Walkthroughs are
provided for missions 1 and 5.
Mission 1 requires you to destroy two fort defenses in the Artic Circle.
In mission 2, you use swarmer missiles for the first, and only time. You
get 40 missiles, and there are no power-ups for it so enjoy them while
you can. You stop and destroy two large hovercraft, a number of snowmobiles
and then a fairly well-fortified base. Mission 3 requires you to use
stealth and careful planning to eliminate various hovercraft and snow
vehicle patrols while rescuing the special ops team from a village. Not
a very difficult mission though. Mission 4 is basically a minigun shoot-up
where the only tricky part is distinguishing friendly POWs from enemy
infantry. Then finally, the hardest of all Fireblade missions - The
Fortress. You have to deal with a variety of threats and its a race
against the clock to do your work while the satellite stays in view
overhead.
Throughout campaign four, the enemy uses the rail gun against you. For
the most part it is not very effective except in mission 1. You need to
use the rail gun yourself in mission 5 to destroy the giant laser that
comes up out of the fortress.
===========================================================================
====================================
II. Fireblade Quick/Start Guide
====================================
===========================================================================
A. Essential Techniques / Notes
B. Weapons
C. UES Vehicles & Stats
D. Additional Notes
================================================
Quick/Start: A. Essential Techniques / Notes
================================================
Notation: (C1/M5) = Campaign 1/Mission 5
and M5 = Mission 5
The following is a list of key skills and techniques that, if you
master them, should assist you substantially in passing the more
difficult missions.
1. Camera Perspective -- Use the camera perspective that works best
for you. The cockpit view probably makes for better weapons accuracy
and flight performance for most people. Use the Back button to switch
views. There are 4 available camera views.
2. Altitude Control -- Switch the Altitude control from Inverse to
Normal and see if that improves your flying performance.
(Start button > Options > Altitude > Normal)
3. Sniping Infantry -- Critical for mission 3 (C1/M3) success. To
bring down infantry, whether standing or moving, always make a double
shot. For running infantry, move your target reticle ahead of the
soldier and wait until they reach your reticle, then hit them with
2 quick shots. For other moving infantry (they move erratically),
follow behind them with the reticle and wait until they reverse
directions, and then take them down with a double-shot to the legs.
4. Minigun targeting & firing -- Critical for mission 5 (C1/M5).
Some UES vehicles, such as jeeps and other light armor, explode after
a 2 second minigun burst. Others, such as the large hovercraft,
require about a 10 second burst. Know what it takes to down each UES
target, including infantry (0.5 second burst). Once your target has
begun to destruct, release the right trigger to allow the gun to
acquire another target. The gun will try to lock on the target
closest to your center of screen.
5. Weapons Impacts -- Be aware of what it takes (in bullets,
rockets, or missiles) to take out each type of vehicle or craft. This
is helpful when you have limited weapons. For instance, use the
minigun on jeeps and small water craft - don't waste missiles on them
if you need to conserve. (see the UES Vehicles & Stats section for a
chart on UES hit levels)
6. Strafing and Evading -- When evading enemy fire, remember that
their bullets and missiles track to where you've been, not where you
are going. You get hit usually when you double back when strafing or
when you move haphazardly. Try using a smooth circular strafing arc
when surrounded by multiple enemies.
7. Rockets -- Rockets are best used when stationary, particularly
when combined with the EMP canon and when stealth is not required.
Rockets are also effective when you approach a convoy of vehicles or
craft from low and behind where you can get reasonably close and be
fairly accurate.
8. Targeting Missiles -- (critical for M5) Fire, retarget, fire,
evade... You need to master this sequence and be able to fire and
retarget quickly, while evading enemy fire. When chasing a group of
vehicles or vessels from a distance, you may only be able to lock
onto the last 2 targets. When closer to or in the midst of a number
of enemies targets, you can quickly fire/retarget/fire... out
your entire rack of missiles. Be careful you don't lock onto a
target that has already been fired upon or you'll waste missiles.
The missiles are dumb in that they won't acquire a new target once
fired. However, you can be reasonably assured that once a missile
has locked on and been fired, the target will be destroyed, unless
the enemy vehicle requires 2 missiles (large hovercraft and the
helicopters).
9. Acquiring Power-ups -- (critical for M5) In times of furious
combat, you need to be able to identify and acquire power-ups
quickly and efficiently - a single pass at full speed. They show
up on the radar as green markers but are sometimes difficult to see
on the radar and down below. Missile racks are particularly
difficult to see, and especially so on the river in mission 5.
You can toggle momentarily to your Thermal Imaging mode (B button)
to help see power-ups on the ground or in the river.
10. Radar Use -- Though it is hard to read and the symbols are
difficult to identify sometimes, use your radar to locate enemy
threats (in red), where to fly for your next objective (blue or
yellow arrow at the edge), where the power-ups lie (green markers),
units you need to protect (blue box), and to monitor your Stealth
Indicator. When in stealth mode, gold bands will arc up from the
bottom of the radar when you are approaching an enemy too closely
and risk detection.
11. Health Indicator -- Each health power-up replenishes your
health by about 25-33% of full. So when your health is nearly gone,
you'll need at least 1 or 2 to regain at least 50% health.
12. Turbo Boost -- (critical for M5) Be able to read the boost
indicator. Four arrows (>>>>) turn solid white when turbo has
regenerated. To the right of the arrows is a bar measuring the
total boost left. For mission 5 you have about 5 good solid turbo
boosts you can use. Save most or all of them for the 3rd fleet at
the end. (See the M5 Tactics and Walkthrough for more on this.)
Turbo is not available for the Talon transport helicopter.
================================================
Quick/Start: B. Weapons
================================================
Your weapon loadouts, when full, are as follows (Xbox):
8 Missiles
48 Rockets
6 Rail Gun Steel Slugs
40 Swarmer Missiles (used only in C4/M2)
Respective power-ups replenish you back to these levels.
(You get Unlimited EMP Canon, Sniper Canon, and Mini-Gun.)
MiniGun / Sniper Canon --
The minigun will lock onto the target nearest the center of the
screen. As soon as you've destroyed one target, release your
right trigger to allow the minigun to lock on the next target. For
infantry, only hold the trigger for 1/4 to 1/2 a second before
releasing. Use the scope in non-stealth for a rapid burst of shots,
but note that the bullets disperse in a widening pattern after about
one second. You can take out distant targets with guns and rockets
by using the scope and non-stealth. The minigun and rockets actually
have a striking distance capability that is beyond the point which
missiles can lock on a target. You can be beyond enemy detection and
enemy fire, and effectively take out the enemy with the minigun
and rockets. Limit the minigun to successive one-second bursts in
this case.
While in stealth, the minigun turns into a sniper canon, but is
only effective against infantry, not vehicles.
Rockets --
Rockets are useful if you can fire from a stationary position without
being exposed to enemy fire. During a combat melee, a barrage of
rockets can do a fair amount of damage to a close group of vehicles
or an infantry squad. Rockets also work well when coming up behind
a convoy of vehicles or water craft, when you are close enough to be
fairly accurate with your aim. Use the sniper view with rockets
for greater accuracy while hovering in a stationary position.
Missiles --
Push the L thumbstick to fire and the R thumbstick to switch to
another target. What targets you lock onto are generally
determined by where your targeting reticle is pointed. So be
careful you don't fire a missile, switch to another target, fire,
then switch back to your original target. The missiles are not
smart enough to find a new target on their own if their original
designated target is destroyed. You can also effectively use the
scope with the missiles - press up on the directional pad. Often
you can fire from a distance and be relatively safe from any enemy
return fire. You only get 8 missiles per rack so use them effectively.
EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse) Canon --
The EMP canon can be used against vehicles as well as infantry,
and is a necessity for use with stealth in mission 3, campaign 1.
The EMP will eliminate an infantry soldier with a single shot, and
will sometimes do so without alerting nearby infantry. When you need
to be stealthy against a small group of infantry, try taking the
first out with the EMP before using the Sniper Canon on the others.
Rail Gun --
You use the rail gun for the first time in mission 2 of campaign 3.
(You might also have the opportunity to use it in M4 and M5 of that
campaign. The enemy uses the rail gun against you in M5, but I
wasn't able to determine if it had any impact on me during the
firefights I encountered. The infantry shoot the rail gun for the
UES.) You can tell when the rail gun is fired because it makes a
series of blue rings out to the target.
Swarmer Missiles --
This weapon shoots multiple warheads at targets you light up prior
to firing. To select the targets, press and HOLD the A button or the
left thumbstick. Then release to fire the missiles. You get about 40
so use them sparingly. You only get to fire one rack for this weapon
in C4/M2. As far as I can tell, there is no power-up available in
that mission either.
At times, you can use missiles, rockets, and the minigun simultaneously
and have them firing on separate targets. Rockets fly unguided to where
your reticle is aimed, the minigun locks onto targets near the center
of the screen, while missiles lock onto targets near where your reticle
is pointed.
================================================
Quick/Start: C. UES Vehicles & Stats
================================================
Below is a chart showing weapon counts necessary to destroy the
various UES targets. (Gun bursts in seconds are estimates.)
(burst)
Guns Rckts Missls EMP
Hovercraft:
Large | 10 sec 8 2 2
Medium | 5 3 1 1
Small | 4 2 1 1
Ground Vehicles:
APCs | 4 sec 1 1 1
Light Armor | 2 1 1 1
Heavy Armor | 8 4 1 1
Other:
Artillery/AA | 5 sec 1-3 1 0-1
Helicopters | 8 3 2 2
Infantry | .5 sec 1 1 1
When missiles need to be conserved, use them on large and medium
hovercraft and heavy armor. Use the minigun on small craft, light
armored vehicles, and APCs if you need to.
The EMP is not effective against the missile turret (AA). I
group Artillery and Anti-Aircraft (AA) together.
Enemy Fire:
[1] The enemy fires to where you are, or hopefully were. They don't
anticipate your movement, and they don't shoot randomly. Therefore,
if you properly strafe and evade, usually in a continuous arc from
side to side, you should be able to avoid most gunfire and missiles.
[2] In addition to [1], flying over an enemy convoy at the maximum
height usually enables you to avoid enemy hits since their bullets
and missiles will track behind you.
[3] Moving from high-to-low or the reverse is almost as effective
as side-to-side evasion. You are least vulnerable when both types
of movement are used.
[4] Another successful evasive technique is to fire one or two
missiles, and then dip below a ridge or behind a structure. Wait
a second or so, then repeat, or move slightly to the right or left
and then reappear.
Below is my informal assessment of which enemy vehicles are the
most dangerous to your helicopter. (highest danger ranked first)
Missile Turrets
Heavy Armor Missile Trucks & Missile Hovercraft
AA - Anti-Aircraft Guns (stationary)
APCs (use some type of minigun)
Jeeps and Infantry (small caliber)
Tanks (fires a single intermittent shot)
UES helicopters are usually fairly easy to evade, depending on
the environment. Often you can manage to take out 2 or 3 at
once, even just primarily using the minigun. The minigun and
missiles are the most effective against airborne helos, but you
can occasionally be successful with the EMP as well. The enemy
chopper will fall from the sky if hit by the EMP twice. If you
have room to back up, you can allow your minigun to acquire the
enemy chopper, then just retreat and stay out of range from its
return fire.
Fireblade Helo Comparison
--------------------------
AV-76 UV108
Vendetta Talon
-------- --------
Dimensions:
Wingspan 10.5m 21.5m
Height 3.5m 7.5m
Length 12.8m 25.0m
Payload:
ARK17 Missiles 8 8
ASP Rockets 48 48
30mm Cannon Y Y
22mm Silenced Rifle Y Y
EMP Rifle Y Y
Combat Troops N/A 6
Flight Modes:
Combat Operations Y Y
Transport N Y
Stealth Y Y
Jet Turbo Y N
Top Speed Mach 0.8 180mph
Turn Speed 180deg/sec 120deg/sec
Maximum Lift 4g 2g
The Vendetta is faster with better stealth capabilities,
while the Talon has superior armor for transport purposes.
================================================
Quick/Start: D. Additional Notes
================================================
1. Flying too high up and close to a mountain ridge will slow you
down and make you an easy target for the enemy. So give turns and
bends around mountains a moderately-wide berth.
2. You'll receive a bronze (50%), silver (75%), or gold (90%) medal
depending on your total kill ratio - which combines all the enemy
infantry, vehicles, and structures for the mission. For completing
the secondary objective you receive a Distinguished Service medal.
You obtain a Purple Heart medal if you complete the mission with
only a sliver of health remaining (you can also intentionally knock
your health down at the end of a mission to receive this). Lastly,
there is a medal for completing each campaign as well as one for
finishing the entire game.
3. A single rocket shot in the midst of a group of infantry is
very effective. If properly placed, a rocket can take out a squad
of infantry and also inflict some damage on other nearby targets.
4. When you destroy an enemy vehicle or vessel from a distance,
quickly switch to sniper view (non-stealth) to identify if and what
type of power-up has been released.
5. Toggle to Thermal Imaging mode to also help see power-ups as
you are flying along.
6. The Mission Map available to you has very limited use and benefit.
Ideally, it should have been designed to allow you to zoom in on
areas for better inspection.
7. The Mission Log is useful at times for showing previous messages
and commands for what tasks or actions you need to conduct.
8. You might find it helpful to track or log your replays on harder
missions. This can help you plan your strategy or approach for
successive replays, it can put you back in the proper frame of
mind for the mission if you've set the game aside a few days, and
it'll help you see where you're making progress.
9. Use a timer and set it to 4 minutes or so to alert you to go
back and re-EMP vehicles when you need more time to accomplish
your objectives. (Vehicles return to normal operation after 5
minutes.)
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