Probably the very best turn-based strategy game released in North America to date!
Like most FEs, you start off with a lord and a EXP-wasting Paladin, or other second-tier class unit. However, unlike other FEs, you get a world map to traverse, so you can buy materials wherever and whenever you like. You also can go to a tower for training your weaker units after certain conditions have been met. Also unlike other Fire Emblems, you get to choose the next class a unit will take after gaining enough EXP, which gives it an edge over other games in the series.
The amount of characters you get may seem scarce at first, but gradually you get to recruit new units as the story progresses. Actually, the amount of characters you recruit in the game seems just right; not an overwhelmingly high amount like that of Shadow Dragon, but not too little. By the end of the game, you can probably have one of every second-tier class possible, making you want to keep all of your characters alive. Several of the characters are also more memorable and have more personality than those of other Fire Emblem games.
Sacred Stones is a superb game, and if you own a GBA or DS, and are a fan of turn-based strategy games, this is a must-have.