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| The Entertainment Review |
| Genre: RPG Developer: Square Publisher: Square Enix Reviewed By: Patrick Mcclellan |
It is a great achievement for any title on the PlayStation 1 to stand out of the vast library on the console, particularly if it’s a Role Playing
Game. Sony’s debut console featured an incredible line-up of RPGs, with well established franchises like Final Fantasy releasing
multiple games on the system. “Final Fantasy VII” & “Final Fantasy VIII” each gained a cult following, and are still labeled by many as
two of the best RPGs of all time. Other popular titles within the genre on the PS1 include “Xenogears” and “Front Mission 3.” All of
these titles have something in common – they were all developed, and often published by Square (which would later be absorbed by
Enix to form Square Enix). They were also all released either before, or within the first two months of the new millennium. After a string
of very successful titles, often sequels - surely Square was due for a dud with the reveal of a new IP?
“Vagrant Story” was first released in North America in May 2000, with the European release following in June. Despite initial
skepticism, “Vagrant Story” would go on to sell more than 100,000 units in the first 20 days of the game's release, and received near
perfect scores from various video game publications. The game was however overshadowed by later titles released by Square, like
“Final Fantasy IX” and “Chrono Cross.” Despite this, “Vagrant Story” remains a fan-favourite, and the game has recently been released
on the PlayStation Network, for PS3 and PSP gamers alike to enjoy.
“Vagrant Story” was developed by the team responsible for “Final Fantasy Tactics,” the generally well received RPG with a strong
emphasis on tactics…hence the name. Yasumi Matsuno, the director of Tactics would serve as producer and director for “Vagrant
Story,” with director being a role he would later fulfill in “Final Fantasy XII” on the PlayStation 2. This game features many references to
“Vagrant Story,” with terms such as the Riskbreaker being mentioned. Whilst many projects released by Square can be placed in the
RPG genre exclusively, “Vagrant Story” is a game with many different game play elements and styles, which allow it to be placed in
various other genres. It would be fair to classify it as an action/adventure RPG, with heavy emphasis on the modification and creation of
weapons, as well as a focus on puzzle-solving and strategy elements. Another distinctive factor is that the game features no shops and
no player interaction with other characters. The game is a solo dungeon crawl experience, where the player will scarcely chance upon
another soul who isn’t trying to attack.
The game is set in the city of Leá Monde – an old town steeped in history, while the kingdom of Valendia is swamped in civil war. Whilst
these locations are purely fictional, it is thought that they are inspired by real-life landscapes in the southwest of France. The
protagonist is a member of the Valendia Knights of the Peace (VKP) named Ashley Riot (pictured above). He is part of a militant
division of the VKP responsible for upholding state security and law. Ashley’s aim within the game is to locate and capture Sydney
Losstarot, leader of the religious cult Müllenkamp. He is wanted after he laid siege to a Duke’s manor in search of a key and
kidnapped the Duke’s son, Joshua. The story develops well, and is paced expertly so key plot points are revealed in good time. It is
generally quite immersive and enjoyable, if not as spectacular, when compared to the game play.
Interestingly, considering the genre, the player is allowed to switch into first-person perspective to allow for a 360° view using the L1
and R1 buttons. Though it was a minor touch, it allowed the player to view the claustrophobic battlefield in a different perspective –
letting tactics to be formulated in a more unconventional fashion. The character can move in a three-dimensional space, and isn’t
limited to just up/down, left/right and the ability to jump gave the player a sense of freedom and control not often seen in RPGs
particularly, as well as giving the game a platforming element. When Ashley encounters an enemy, and the player presses the attack
button, a wire-frame style mesh encompasses the screen, giving the user the option to specify which part of the body is attacked. The
player can chain different attacks known as Chain Abilities to achieve large combos. This can be achieved by pressing buttons in timely
succession, which adds another element to the game – Rhythm. The better the rhythm achieved while attacking, the more damage is
done to the enemy. Magic and Spell Casting abilities are learnt as the game develops. Specific skills learned include different means
to attack the enemy, heal Ashley and create new status effects. “Vagrant Story” has an innovative crafting system which allows the
player to alter strengths and weaknesses of weapons. The efficiency of a weapon on an enemy depends on what material it is crafted
from, adding a new layer of strategy to game play.
Another heavily praised factor in “Vagrant Story” is the soundtrack. Composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto, who would go on to work on
soundtracks for titles like Odin Sphere and GrimGrimoire, the soundtrack contains music that is "deep and heavy.” It is also said to be
heavily influenced by the soundtrack to popular sci-fi TV show, The X-Files, along with famous composers such as Hans Zimmer. The
soundtrack subsequently saw a full CD release in Japan, featuring 2 disks and 57 tracks.
The game is held in very high regard, and with good reason. The excellent and fresh game play combined with an interesting storyline
and characters makes for a very enjoyable experience that shouldn’t be missed by any true JRPG fan. The game went on to become a
Greatest Hits title on the PS1, leading to it being sold at a lower price, and rumours of a PSP or PS3 specific remake remain faint, but
the title still holds up well even to this day – something that cannot be said for other RPGs released in the same era. Priced at a very
reasonable £4.79 in the UK, the game is yet to see a release on the US PlayStation network, but is sure to arrive soon enough.
Game. Sony’s debut console featured an incredible line-up of RPGs, with well established franchises like Final Fantasy releasing
multiple games on the system. “Final Fantasy VII” & “Final Fantasy VIII” each gained a cult following, and are still labeled by many as
two of the best RPGs of all time. Other popular titles within the genre on the PS1 include “Xenogears” and “Front Mission 3.” All of
these titles have something in common – they were all developed, and often published by Square (which would later be absorbed by
Enix to form Square Enix). They were also all released either before, or within the first two months of the new millennium. After a string
of very successful titles, often sequels - surely Square was due for a dud with the reveal of a new IP?
“Vagrant Story” was first released in North America in May 2000, with the European release following in June. Despite initial
skepticism, “Vagrant Story” would go on to sell more than 100,000 units in the first 20 days of the game's release, and received near
perfect scores from various video game publications. The game was however overshadowed by later titles released by Square, like
“Final Fantasy IX” and “Chrono Cross.” Despite this, “Vagrant Story” remains a fan-favourite, and the game has recently been released
on the PlayStation Network, for PS3 and PSP gamers alike to enjoy.
“Vagrant Story” was developed by the team responsible for “Final Fantasy Tactics,” the generally well received RPG with a strong
emphasis on tactics…hence the name. Yasumi Matsuno, the director of Tactics would serve as producer and director for “Vagrant
Story,” with director being a role he would later fulfill in “Final Fantasy XII” on the PlayStation 2. This game features many references to
“Vagrant Story,” with terms such as the Riskbreaker being mentioned. Whilst many projects released by Square can be placed in the
RPG genre exclusively, “Vagrant Story” is a game with many different game play elements and styles, which allow it to be placed in
various other genres. It would be fair to classify it as an action/adventure RPG, with heavy emphasis on the modification and creation of
weapons, as well as a focus on puzzle-solving and strategy elements. Another distinctive factor is that the game features no shops and
no player interaction with other characters. The game is a solo dungeon crawl experience, where the player will scarcely chance upon
another soul who isn’t trying to attack.
The game is set in the city of Leá Monde – an old town steeped in history, while the kingdom of Valendia is swamped in civil war. Whilst
these locations are purely fictional, it is thought that they are inspired by real-life landscapes in the southwest of France. The
protagonist is a member of the Valendia Knights of the Peace (VKP) named Ashley Riot (pictured above). He is part of a militant
division of the VKP responsible for upholding state security and law. Ashley’s aim within the game is to locate and capture Sydney
Losstarot, leader of the religious cult Müllenkamp. He is wanted after he laid siege to a Duke’s manor in search of a key and
kidnapped the Duke’s son, Joshua. The story develops well, and is paced expertly so key plot points are revealed in good time. It is
generally quite immersive and enjoyable, if not as spectacular, when compared to the game play.
Interestingly, considering the genre, the player is allowed to switch into first-person perspective to allow for a 360° view using the L1
and R1 buttons. Though it was a minor touch, it allowed the player to view the claustrophobic battlefield in a different perspective –
letting tactics to be formulated in a more unconventional fashion. The character can move in a three-dimensional space, and isn’t
limited to just up/down, left/right and the ability to jump gave the player a sense of freedom and control not often seen in RPGs
particularly, as well as giving the game a platforming element. When Ashley encounters an enemy, and the player presses the attack
button, a wire-frame style mesh encompasses the screen, giving the user the option to specify which part of the body is attacked. The
player can chain different attacks known as Chain Abilities to achieve large combos. This can be achieved by pressing buttons in timely
succession, which adds another element to the game – Rhythm. The better the rhythm achieved while attacking, the more damage is
done to the enemy. Magic and Spell Casting abilities are learnt as the game develops. Specific skills learned include different means
to attack the enemy, heal Ashley and create new status effects. “Vagrant Story” has an innovative crafting system which allows the
player to alter strengths and weaknesses of weapons. The efficiency of a weapon on an enemy depends on what material it is crafted
from, adding a new layer of strategy to game play.
Another heavily praised factor in “Vagrant Story” is the soundtrack. Composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto, who would go on to work on
soundtracks for titles like Odin Sphere and GrimGrimoire, the soundtrack contains music that is "deep and heavy.” It is also said to be
heavily influenced by the soundtrack to popular sci-fi TV show, The X-Files, along with famous composers such as Hans Zimmer. The
soundtrack subsequently saw a full CD release in Japan, featuring 2 disks and 57 tracks.
The game is held in very high regard, and with good reason. The excellent and fresh game play combined with an interesting storyline
and characters makes for a very enjoyable experience that shouldn’t be missed by any true JRPG fan. The game went on to become a
Greatest Hits title on the PS1, leading to it being sold at a lower price, and rumours of a PSP or PS3 specific remake remain faint, but
the title still holds up well even to this day – something that cannot be said for other RPGs released in the same era. Priced at a very
reasonable £4.79 in the UK, the game is yet to see a release on the US PlayStation network, but is sure to arrive soon enough.
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