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B of Fire 4

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: April 27, 2008
Author: Amazon User

This game took the breath of fire title to new levels. I love this game very much.

Best of the series; one of the top ten RPGs of all time

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: September 02, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Before I go into my review, I'd like to point out that some people reviewing the game seem to have done so without PLAYING the game. The [...] review, for instance, talks about "stragglers, some of which can transform." No one in this game except Ryu can transform. That reviewer also states that the game is a continuation of the ongoing BOF storyline, which it isn't at all, as the Goddess Myria has nothing to do with this game. Another reviewer mentions that the game has only 8 directional control, unlike the Final Fantasy games. Well, that'd be because the game uses 2D sprites, not 3D models, and for every angle there has to be a different sprite. Unlimited directions simply are not possible in a 2D game - even if it's on a 3D background. Moving on...

What Breath of Fire IV has that so many RPGs lack, is a solid, coherent story that doesn't rely on the Japanese convention of pseudo-philosophical and over-convoluted mish-mash. The characters are fleshed out pretty well, some better than others, but all with some measure of substance.

The battle system is brilliant - following the standard formula enough to make it simple for newcomers to the series or genre to jump right in, but adding enough complexity to reward the long-time RPGers who crave a little something extra. The combo system and all of the variations on the standard attacks that it creates make combat much more interesting.

The character animations for combat and cut scenes are incredible. Capcom used 3,000 frames of animation for every major character, which is simply unheard of in 2D games, and the pastel art style makes them well-integrated into the 3D backgrounds. And speaking of those backgrounds, there is a lot more attention to detail in every location, from small meaningless objects in random rooms to the splendor of the Emperor's Palace. This game is - for its generation - simply gorgeous.

The music is of collectible quality - Yoshino Aoki delivers a performance that makes the rather odd jazzy tracks of Breath of Fire III a distant memory, and puts her on the same tier as some of the bigger name composers. The eastern-influenced themes go well with the overall Asian aesthetic, making the games various elements gel together seamlessly to provide complete immersion.

I really can't say enough about this game, but my final words are simply this: Buy it.

Good hard fun

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: June 27, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This game has dragons, swords, and a great storyline. It's a challenging game, but it doesn't get too hard. It is fun and filled with mini games.

A MUST HAVE GAME

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: August 10, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This Is the best game I ever played on playstation 1 and I wish it can be made again on the playstation 3 console.

One of the Best RPG's Ever

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: April 12, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This game is one of the best RPG's I've ever played. The game has a great storyline,great graphics, and fantastic gameplay. So if you want a good RPG for the Playstation this game is for you.

My take: better than BOF 3

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: December 09, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Many have said that this game is not as good as BOF 3. I must part ways with that opinion. There are two things that I liked more in Breath of Fire 3:
-More Dragon forms and variations were in 3; however each Dragon form in this game (4) has more than a handful of abilities. Each Dragon form in this game has about six or seven unique abilities. Also, the Dragons each have a spell that is like a summon; this is a neat angle for those who enjoy Final Fantasy spells like Ramuh and Titan.
- Overall I like fishing in this game better; however there is a tendency for a fish to get "hung up." This happens fairly rarely though.

Now, the ways in which this game is better:
-There are more skills for your party to learn, and a new combo system. I came up with an 82 hit combo! There is a tactical challenge in this game that is far greater. There are twelve masters, and there is some freedom with how you develop the characters' stats. Also, there is more diversity in creating combos.
-This game is broken into four chapters, and the last two allow for less linear gameplay and storylines. You must search for the Dragons around the world.
-The benefits of doing the Fairie village may be better in 3, but the village sidequest in 4 is more accessible. It is easier to understand what you need to do.
-The graphics are better in this game, more detailed and there are some good special moves animation.
-The music is awesome! I like the boss music, the dungeons have some good music, really the music is great in creating the right attitude: For instance, a song with a creepy feeling when you are investigating in caves, or a light hearted tune in the fairie village, the music is well chosen and prepared.

I really enjoyed this breath of fire. I believe that 3 was good, 4 was really good, and Dragon Quarter was totally awesome (the BOF for Playstation 2). Each Breath of Fire seems to get better and better. I can't wait for the next one!

A Grave Disapointment

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 4
Date: October 25, 2004
Author: Amazon User

When I bought this game I expected something as good as BOF III or better. Sadly it turns out this game is the Mystic Quest (for those familiar with the Final Fantasy series) of the BOF RPG's. Since I only paid 16 dollars including shipping I don't feel too bad, but I can recomend this game only for completist collectors unless you can get it for what I paid or less. If you have an old Super Nintendo game box and don't have BOF and BOF II, get them first, they're better.

Breath of Fire Review and conclusion (By Steven Lawrie)

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: July 21, 2004
Author: Amazon User

For a PS1 game this rules! Graphics are good (For a PS1 game) loads of spells to learn, hundreds of enemies to beat, good storyline, can carry loads of items, lots of possibiltes and the list goes on! Plus the game is long not a puny 5 level game and that's it! this game lasts! A must have!

This is a very fun and cool game...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: May 31, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I'd say that this is a very fun and interesting game. The sidequests are good, because it makes the game even longer. The only thing about this game that many people don't like, is the camera settings. People say that they can be very frustrating. The music for this game is great. The themes for the variety of towns is fantastic! The battle system is pretty good too. You can learn different abilities from enemies by gaurding. If the name of the attack appears in blue, then that means it can be learned, but it may take some time to learn it. All the characters in this game are all skilled fighters, so you might want to rotate which ones you'll use. Also, everyone will get the same amount of experince points (EXP) after a battle. Hope this review helped!

To me, this is one of the best games I have ever played! I hope you buy it, becuase you'll love it!

Improves with Age...

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: April 20, 2004
Author: Amazon User

When I bought BOF IV on its release, I was thoroughly unimpressed with the simple plot and rather poor graphics.

However, being (as I am) temporarily broke, with the prospect of any new PS 2 games being but a distant horizon-blip, I decided to give it another go, and I have to say, I am delighted I did.

BOF IV is not a game about technical bedazzlement or complicated quests with much philosophising. It is not a Final Fantasy game! Nor, in fifteen years' time, will it be remembered as a Classic, like the FInal Fantasies. But it's still an excellent homage to the early days of RPGs like Shining Wisdom, the original Zelda, and The Legend of Oasis games.

Briefly, the plot: Cray and Princess Nina are investigating the disappearance of Nina's sister Elina, when they run across Ryu, a strange boy with no past and no direction. Their quest to find Elina and give Ryu a life takes them across several continents, accumulating a cast of memorable characters and unravelling a plot that involves Dragons, Civil War and theological Entities.

What I am most impressed with is the simplicity and clarity with which BOF IV plays. Stylishly retro, the graphics are actually rather good - with more frames of animation and bigger, brighter characters than before - and some lovely spell effects. Everything is drawn in real-time, and the option to rotate the camera a full 360 degrees compensates much for the lousy camera angles one often runs across.

The control system, too, is very easy to get to grips with and user-friendly - spells and abilities are learned and interchangeable - and the Combo system is a nice, innovative touch.

The characters are decent, well-thought out personalities, but lack diversity. So far, so good.

Sadly, BOF IV, like Onimusha after it, is just a little too far entrenched on the side of 'mundane' to be a truly memorable classic. It does take a good three or four hours of play time before the plot and characterisation picks up and by this time, you may well be unable to forgive the game its rather uninspiring opening. Similarly confusing, and dull, are the playable early sections starring Fou-Lu, the Laguna Loire to Ryo's Squall. Like the rest of the game, thankfully, these sections get progressively better, and by the end, you'll have formed an affectionate attachment to BOF IV.

All in all, an excellent little title with one or two sadly fatal flaws that keep it from being a Classic, BOF IV is a definite reccommendation if you can get it cheap...

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