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.ca 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.

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Customer Reviews

12 Reviews

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

Average Customer Review

3.2 out of 5 stars (12 customer reviews)

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4.0 out of 5 stars hate, Mar 11 2004

Carol L Darby (Brooklyn, NY United States) - See all my reviews

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

I bought this game and couldnt wait to play it when I first got my GBA, but then I kept getting stuck in the same place and had no patience and then when I saved it didnt show and I had to keep starting over,uggh maybe that just my game but man im staying away from breath of fire and most roleplaying games (no patience). The only thing I liked was the graphics, but if you have great patience go ahead and buy, be my guest.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Very engaging RPG, Oct 4 2003

TwistaG "Quoth the Raven 'Nevermore" (Moncks Corner,SC) - See all my reviews

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

Final Fantasy aside, Breath of Fire is one of the longest-running RPG series around, and the handheld version of the first adventure gets decent treatment. Yet despite the re-appearance of the game's fresh visuals and unique play aspects, the lifeless narrative doesn't provide the immersive experience that you'd expect. Originally released by Square on the Super NES in 1994, Breath of Fire arrives on the Game Boy Advance with enhanced cinemas, but otherwise remains unchanged. You play as Ryu, a lone hero who can also transform into a variety of powerful dragons. During the course of Ryu's quest, various characters join your party, each with their own personal demons and diversions that involve the entire team. An RPG's lifeblood is a strong story, but BoF's narrative is remarkably uninvolving. You'll spend a lot of time engaging in mundane tasks-"talk to A, then B, then A again, and then C"-and navigating a series of seemingly endless mazes. Even the turn-based battles lack flair, except for the boss battles. Be prepared to spend a lot of time with this one, but a new Dash feature speeds you through the game and saves batteries. BoF delivers a tight visual and audio package. Colorful sprites fill the screen with arresting colors and special effects, while the soundtrack provides decent music accompanied by muted sound effects. Workmanlike controls feature easy menu navigation and responsive character movement. On the whole, Breath of Fire is an enjoyable RPG that easily kills spare time. Just don't expect a thoroughly involving adventure on the same level as later games in the series.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Why join ryu, Mar 3 2003

By A Customer

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

The only flaw i could find with the characters, is that they have NO reason to join you.

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