Breath of Fire

by Capcom

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005NCD0
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: December 12, 2001
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,431 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Since the early '90s, the Breath of Fire series has been a staple on both the Super Nintendo and Sony PlayStation systems. This version for the Game Boy Advance is a perfect handheld port of the original Super Nintendo game that started it all.

The story is standard, but solid, fare--you are Ryu, a member of the White Dragon clan, and your task is to save the world from the Black Dragon clan. In times past, the two clans were actually one clan, but split in a horrendous war due to an evil and meddling goddess. While the White clan has maintained peace since then, the Black clan hasn't. Get the drift?

While the story is fairly black and white (pardon the pun), the gameplay itself is where the game shines. Each character has unique skills and abilities that unlock special areas of the game. For example, Ryu can fish if he finds a fishing pole. Later in the game, he can transform into a dragon during battle. Another character can walk through forests unimpeded and shoot animals for food. What's neat about this system is that as you gain companions with different skills, you can go back to earlier parts of the game to unlock areas that are only accessible via their skills. This adds to the replay value and depth of the game.

The battle system is the standard turn-based, random-encounter biscuits and gravy that most console gamers have come to expect. While not as engrossing as, say, Golden Sun's battle system, the shape-shifting at higher levels adds some enjoyment while fighting the ubiquitous nasties. Two added feature for the GBA version are automatic fighting, which is good for when you don't want to go through all the motions of turn-based combat, and an ability to swap items with a friend's version of the game through the separately sold link cable.

The graphics and sound are decent, but largely unimproved from the original SNES version, so they will seem dated. However, if you are into 16-bit, 2-D role-playing games, you'll find that the graphics look good on the GBA's screen. The sound is a faithful reproduction, but can sound tinny at times. --Bryan Karsh

Pros:

• Fun skill system that allows you to unlock hidden areas in the game
• Link option to trade items with friends
• Auto fighting option for those endless battles
• A nice story and a huge world to explore

Cons:

• Too many random battles
• Graphics are dated
• Sound is a little tinny

Amazon.com Product Description

You control the fate of Ryu, a young warrior and descendant of the Light Dragon Clan. Along with your mystical friend Nina, you must search for magic spells and mysterious secrets in a dark land. Along the way, you'll gain experience and skill as you battle strange monsters and uncover valuable secrets that will help you on your adventure and unlock the secrets of the Dragon Clan. You will need all your combat and exploration skills on your quest--you'll even learn to fish! Hundreds of magic spells help characters transform and combine into dragons and other beasts. You can exchange items with your friends by linking up two Game Boy Advance systems using the Game Link cable.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for RPG fans, December 14, 2001

By 

Casey - See all my reviews

This review is from: Breath of Fire (Video Game)

Breath of Fire is a must-have for RPG fans!

After being spoiled by the graphics and sound of the recently released Golden Sun title, I was expecting a little bit more in the graphics and sound department. But don't let its slight lack of eye-candy fool you. This game has an excelent story line and great gameplay and makes up for its lack of glitter.

Breath of Fire has a similar layout to Golden Sun, consisting of an overhead map, groups of players, town scenes, and random battles. The story starts out in your typical "wake up!" senerio, as your home town is in trouble. Although, there is a slightly different ending to this situation then I would have expected.

Battle scenes are 3/4's overhead, and similar to Crono Trigger, including the small HP numbers that drop down as well as HP indicators. The battle mode has an "auto" function, which makes things much easier when you just need to "attack" something. It can be interrupted at any point. You are also able to use various items and spells that you collect during your travels.

The overhead map has a gradual day-and-night feature, which intergrates very well into the storyline. You can also run, which makes travel between two points much more managable than Golden Sun.

In the towns, you can talk to people, purchase and sell items, and uncover secrets. There are also the occasional "tasks" which sidetrack you from your ultimate journey, but these tasks add a slight twist that we have seen in many other RPG's.

Control is sometimes changed between two characters, as you take the role of others in the game. This feature makes you feel much more part of the story, rather than being forced into something without choice.

Make sure you pick up a copy! You wont be disappointed!

27 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't listen to the imbecils., October 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Breath of Fire (Video Game)

Read above. The first guy had to ruin it. "I IMMEDIATELY RETURNED THIS GAME!!" said the fool. Then how can you give a fair review of it?

Anyway, as someone like myself who has played almost any RPG in existance, and have not been fond of the lackluster games released on the Playstation for the past few years, I must go back and say Breath of Fire is one of my top 5 RPG's of all time. Right next to the likes of Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy 3, Earthbound and Illusion of Gaia. The game has beautiful music, basic but nice graphics, a solid story, tons of towns and enemies, and just all around fun. Breath of Fire 1 completely annhilates Breath of Fire 3 and 4, so even if you did not like those, don't worry. From someone who loves the classic SNES RPGs, take my word for it: GET THIS GAME!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Purchase, February 13, 2002

By 

funkymushroom "funkymushroom" (Cambridge, MA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Breath of Fire (Video Game)

Firstly, CAPCOM knows how to make Role Playing Games (RPG)
A good cast of characters, a good storyline, and challenging gameplay.
Not only does your main character,Ryu, grow in strength as you travel alongside him, but he meets other characters whom you can have join you, and enjoy each of their unique skills:
Ryu can fish, and the fish he catches can be used to heal, cure and others.
Bo can hunt, catching Deer or Wild boars,
Ox can knock down walls and smash coconuts from trees.
Twists in the storyline have you searching for a volcano under the sea, entering someone's dreams to rescue them, and searching for cracks in the wall...to find a master thief...
The replay value is astounding, and even though I cleared the game, I was still left longing for more.
The graphics are awesome, the sound is awesome, and a new challenge is that you can only have four characters in the frontlines of your party at a time...
And parents, this game is safe for kids...cartoon graphics and no realistic violence make this a winner, although the ability to read is required.
Because of games like this, I always buy capcom RPGs