Breath of Fire (GBA) (Breath of Fire (GBA))

Member Name: thole09

Product:	Breath of Fire (GBA)
Date:	28/04/09 (4 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Gameplay

Disadvantages: Lack of audio

"Breath of Fire" is a video game released for the Gameboy Advance console in 2001 by Ubisoft. It is a roleplaying game and is a remaster of an earlier Super Nintendo game. In the United States, the game received a rating of "E" by the ESRB panel which deemed it suitable for all ages.

The story of this title is in a typical vein to other roleplaying games. The player will control the main character "Ryu" who must learn what he can of the heritage of his fellow tribespeople in order to secure their freedom against an impending doom. Throughout the game Ryu will meet with other characters who the player can choose to join his party and assist him on the quest. Each character features a specific task which can prove beneficial to the player, for example Ryu being able to fish for food to restore health in the party. The game is presented from a top down perspective which allows exploring of various settings including urban, wooded and underground dungeon scenarios. Combat is presented at random and features a turn based setting to select an available character's abilities to eliminate the opponent. There are also numerous quests for the player to complete which tend to involve simple item retrieval from an in-game shop or foraged in the wild.

The graphics retain their excellent lower technology rendering seen in the previous Super Nintendo release but are updated in certain areas to appeal to a modern fanbase. The characters have been updated in both colouring and design but the rest remains identical to the earlier game. Animations are both simple and effective with slight spell glimmers and sword swings which are acceptable visually but may not appeal to those not familiar with or having previously knowledge that this game is based on an earlier release. There is little by the way of audio in this game and only features occasional effects during battle and a simple composition when navigating through the overhead map.

Overall, I would be hesitant about recommending Breath of Fire to prospective buyers. To those who enjoyed the Super Nintendo release they would likely find the game very much appealing in its accessibility but would not likely engage those outside of this market.

Summary: Thumbs in the middle