Recap of Vagrant Story (RECAPitation)

[@OniBlackMage]

This game is certainly an interesting piece. It wasn't originally part of the Ivalice universe but was retconned in later. It makes you think it's an action RPG, but the 'action' part is very primitive as it uses the auto-aim battle system of Parasite Eve yet there is less movement required, and a ton of equipment crafting/swapping. Still, a fun game, if a bit heavy on box puzzles and boss rushes. They put so much effort into faces and animations, which I appreciate, but then even more effort in hair physics, which I feel was going a BIT too far. Just want to make the joke now that there are prevalent themes of hearts, memory, darkness, a man in a black cloak and a key blade... Maybe someone can make a franchise out of that. Hey, I'm just saying the Blood-Sin already makes for a cool keyblade design...

[@natsurashizero]

Hmmmm......

[@laelhochberg9497]

I guess that Spaghetti Western game Wild Arms is next, right?

[@ShadowBaofu]

Interesting points. A Vagrant Story reference in Kingdom Hearts wouldn't go amiss. This is a classic rpg with a very good new game plus feature and even in-game achievements. Can you beat the game without saving?

[@samuelgardner4064]

I like these recap videos a lot, thanks for putting the work in...and I've wondered for a while, why 'recapitation' and not 'recapitulation'?

[@OniBlackMage]

@@samuelgardner4064 It's a portmanteau pun of Recapitulation and Decapitation :)

[@SatiZakito]

I just want Matsuno to see how much people discuss his work online so he can make new games again.

[@AscendantStoic]

One of the many great Squaresoft classics in need of a remaster/sequel.

[@noway4879]

the story was enticing and the art direction inspiring. However, the menu was poorly designed and the battle system was tedious and convoluted. If they would fix the battle system to be more intuitive, I would love to play it again.

[@aroundthefur1210]

Seriously, this and Parasite Eve were both such great and over looked games for their time.

[@charlesmitchell7864]

Both! Please! Aye!

[@astarothk2273]

yes, other than a slight facelift speeding up and streamlining menuing/weapon swap is all it needs for a remaster, a sequel would require matsuno to rejoin squeenix fulltime but apparently he has been teasing a vagrant story 2 so maybe theres hope?

[@Panther-kid]

It absolutely does not need a sequel lol. It left the right amount of ambiguity at the end. A sequel would just ruin that amazing ending.

[@Silvergun_Raven]

Vagrant Story had some of the best camera/musical cues in any video game I’ve ever played, especially during the opening dungeon. I’d love to see Matsuno make that sequel he had planned.

[@FedeArgentina]

has* ;D

[@Billtog]

Crimson Shroud is probably the closest we'll get, unfortunately.

[@1SpicyMeataball]

I suppose "Ashley overcoming the doubt in his heart" does sound better than "Slowly picking away Guildenstern's HP with a blunt club I found at the start of the game."

[@charlesmitchell7864]

By far the best and most under-appreciated game. Came out 5 months before the PS2 did. What a shame few people know about it. Played it dozens of times. It was so hard the first time through I didn't understand the story until the second or third go round. I loved this game so much that in high-school I transcribed the story into a stage script. Will never forget the feeling of walking through an ordinary looking doorway and getting trashed by a boss So. Many. Times. on many run-throughs. Have had a passing thought recently of making a youtube channel just to do a mini-series on this game. Is this is a sign? Follow the snowflies... Let's not forget: "Those who crave the Dark cannot control the Dark." Dear Gaming Gods: sequel please?

[@Dante-uj5pc]

I’m right there with you in my undying love for this game.

[@jjcoola998]

That explains why I missed this on release, I figured it must have been near the end of the console cycle

[@cpmarianoibz]

Lets hope for a remaster... Or a 2nd part

[@CobaltContrast]

I consider Darksouls the spiritual succesor to this game.

[@Stormbringer178]

you are so very right. i remember buying it import ntsc (im from italy) back in the day, i went to get chrono cross then the shopkeeper said "trust me, this one's better" it was love at first sight, love in 2000. point is... i sucked at it. never finished it, even after going at it twice. stayed in my heart but i had the hardest time with the fighting system. days ago i discovered duckstation, so got my original CD, emulated it... finally beat it. it had been so glorious, it has been 3-4 days and i still feel full of that world and finally so happy of having finished it i started it over in new game plus once again. i am also happy because at the tiem some other friends already spoiled it to me, but NEVER wanted to see any videos (being it a memory from my before-youtube high school days too). personally i wouldn't want any remake, just a sequel, as Matsuno last year hinted. fingers crossed.

[@AmariieMaerthos]

I remember when this game was advertised as Part One of the Riskbreaker Saga

[@CloudPlays444]

It feels so fresh, art style and everything. Truly amazing how timeless this game is and I've never heard of it.

[@scottyxscxrs5483]

With final fantasy 16 this game could easily be remade now. Ashley bros rise up

[@efrenarevalo2025]

This is one of the few games that I really want a souls like remake. The premise, game play loop, setting and even the atmosphere already fit the bill.

[@Changetheling]

Already was a Souls game before Souls games*

[@AdoreYouInAshXI]

Thank you for just giving us the straight up about the game, without trying to insert a bunch of memes and cringe humor like so many brain dead youtubers.

[@Pikachu-qr4yb]

I miss when Square took chances and tried one-shot masterpieces like this

[@Billtog]

This game is simply a work of art. I play through it at least once every other year.

[@hundun5604]

At least... 😄

[@Serrassi]

I loved this game back in the days. Definitely one of the most visually impressive game on the ps1 imo

[@omegaweapon116]

Just finished this game today. Had to do it after starting it and leaving it for 20 years. Glad I did. It's now one of my favorite games of all time. The atmosphere, graphics, music, combat, story....everything is great. Because of the great art direction, it still looks good today.

[@GekidoXIII]

Ahead of it's time, good work man.

[@SyaitanBDO]

Seeing today's RPG/MMO makes me feel kind of nostalgic as so many things have changed. This is my go-to channel if I wanted to take a step back and relive all the time I spent on these classic titles, such as this one where nobody seems to talk about. Thank you so much for doing this, I truly appreciate it

[@Stryder467]

This was a pretty great story, and I must give compliments on your editing in this one. Everyone sings the praises of how well the cutscenes are animated, and even 20 years after its release, I think it holds up quite well and does better than many that have come after it. I never got to finish this one because I could only rent it (Remember Blockbuster? :D), and there simply wasn't enough time for me to complete the tale in a mere 5 days while I was adapting to high school at the time. I never found it anywhere else after it left the shelves of the old rental place, although I never made a specifically concerted effort to go and find it despite the fact that, even then, I was a *huge* follower of SquareSoft. That having been said, I was also competing with my brother for time to play it, and he enjoyed this one far more than I did if I recall. I also give compliments to Ashley making good on his threat to Sydney in the beginning, immediately establishing him as a *competent* warrior, although he could not have counted on Sydney being a no sell and getting back up from an otherwise fatal wound. I'll meet you on the next battlefield.

[@Ramsey276one]

The Phantom Pain... THAT is a title...

[@0Fate8Bound0]

WOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

[@rugalthreesixteen6812]

I guess they should do a Pre Vagrant Story-Story titled "Ground Zero" Nevertheless whenever I read their lines the voices that I hear are Ashley - David Hayter Sydney - Cam Clarke Guildenstern - Patrick Zimmerman

[@sayingnigromakesyoutubecry2647]

MGS phantom pain (what a bad game)

[@RhoadsLocke]

Great recap. We need a remaster of this game!

[@bekasiblis9540]

remaster like warcraft 3 or remake like ff 7?

[@Chr1s_1986]

@@bekasiblis9540 both trash tho none of them.

[@lostnumber08]

To the uninitiated: this game is perhaps the single greatest video game ever created. If you haven't played it, you should.

[@heromedley]

i like how ashley mentioned "fairy tales" as a nod to magic in tactics

[@hkoizumi3134]

I used to be into modding PS1 back then and backing up games were one of the things I did with my copy of vagrant story. I vividly remember the amount of space that this game took. It was less than 250MB. I was shocked to find out it took so little because this game felt like it had so much contents.

[@Fidel_Cashflow]

Amazing story, best art direction of any game in the past 20 years. I wish digging through menus to change weapons every 30 seconds for 10 hours was fun, this would have been my favorite game of all time.

[@GearlessMo]

This is a classic example that I would love to see this remade in the visual style of the FFVII remake. Thank you for sharing this, your efforts are appreciated. Great entry to your ongoing series.

[@ovhek1]

Lea MOND. That e is silent my man. I went to grade school with these pixels. Otherwise amazing work, I love it.

[@Theosis10]

Man, I loved Vagrant Story as a kid. Not that I was good enough to actually beat the game, but I was determined enough to get a little farther each time I tried. Sadly my copy is gone now, but maybe one day I can play it on an emulator and finally finish it myself.

[@planetschlock]

I have a story of my own about Vagrant Story. When I was like 12 years old and tried to rent it from the Giant Eagle video store, I went up to the counter with the empty display box and asked if anyone had returned it. Because, in case you're too young to remember how game rental places worked, even if a game or movie appeared to have already been rented, there was always a chance that it was returned and the person at the counter just hadn't put it back on the shelf yet. So the middle aged lady at the counter said, "let me check" and then came back moments later. Not with Vagrant Story but with Vigilante 8 (a Twisted Metal-esque car combat game). I narrowed my eyes and informed her that it was not Vagrant Story but a completely different game that started with the letter V, which was readily apparent by the title on the fucking box. And the dullard looked at me like I had a smoking turd hanging out of my mouth and indignantly replied, "Well _I_ don't play these games!" Being a 12 year old boy and not fully inured to human stupidity at this point in my young life, I said to her what I'd like to think anyone else would have said: "You don't have to play the games to be able to read the titles." At which point she harrumphed and stomped off to the back to presumably do whatever it is that functionally illiterate people do. I don't know what the point of this story was, but whatever. Have a blessed day, everyone.

[@martinsmith5520]

Very interesting story. Thank you for sharing.

[@RobSwizz1e]

I appreciated the story because you had the right mind to call this illiterate idiot's errors out. Imagine being such a dunce at an older age, and a young kid just calling you out because you failed to read the proper title. Chef's kiss. Thanks dude!

[@wesleyharris1723]

OOHHH!! Now I'm motivated to watch!

[@lucasmroczynski5543]

I love the unique style of the game, it's really one of a kind, I remember it fondly brings back a lot of nostalgia from when I was a 10 year old kid

[@Tiabri86]

A truly underrated gem. I loved it

[@89Dustdevil]

The writing in this game was so damn good. FFXII pretty much copy and pasted the vocabulary and speaking style.

[@Masenken]

Same world, so why wouldn't they?

[@ryeb]

Both games share the same translator.

[@Gee-xb7rt]

Vagrant Story, Tactics, and XII are all in Ivalice. They use it in FFXIV for the Ivalice raids that borrow from XII/Tactics. In XII there is an entite -- those big glowing orb optional mobs -- named Leamonde after Lea Monde, obviously.

[@KazeKumo]

Next is ff16.

[@Masenken]

I don't think this is set in Ivalice. Has clear inspirations from XIV, and they already stated they were planning to go back to fantasy proper. Also Ivalice has a completely different set of summons in the form of espers.

[@Enharmony1625]

This game is a masterpiece! Ahead of its time in so many ways, with fantastic storytelling, deep and rewarding gameplay, and incredible atmosphere. Square, we need a remake of this game! Please! Imagine how amazing Lea Monde would look on current hardware. And a remake would give them a chance to address some of the game's few shortcomings (cumbersome menus, having to save the game when storing/retrieving items from your stash..). One can hope..

[@cd5sircoupe]

There was no "Ivalice Universe" when the game came out. That part is the retcon. This game always had references to FFT since it was released, whether it be locations or other things like certain items/characters in flavor text (Agrias, Orlandu, etc.).

[@danielramsey6141]

What I like most is how Different this game is. It setting and overall outcome is both small, but with massive ramifications that has an effect on how a City is used! Both politically and morally. I find it very interesting that Lea Monde allows for one or many individuals to grow their powers within it's walls. This place is quiet and sprawling it's innards is like doing and autopsy in a corpse! What was once dead is alive. And even stranger it fuels everyone's ambition...all except Ashley Riot's, and to some extent, his partner. Such a crazy good, thought provoking game.

[@ChroniclerofLore]

Love classic games from before Squaresoft became Square Enix

[@Spacefrisian]

Most of us do. At least some at Square Enix remember those times seeing the Bravely series and Octopath were released under SE.

[@lucasharris9696]

I also enjoyed I Am Setsuna and The Lost Sphere.

[@letmebe8765]

Thanks for bringing back the good memories. I never fully understood the stroy before the video.

[@iqaznili]

Thanks for rekindling the memory of a great game.

[@bekasiblis9540]

" I am the reinforcement "... even dwayne johnson mimicking that quote

[@CasaUwU]

of all the remake madness powers that need to bless next.....

[@vigo2669]

When I first played this game I thought it was weird that the main character had a girl's name. Of course, not knowing that Ashley can be a boy's name too.

[@CobaltContrast]

Ashley comes from Asher. I believe it became a feminine name mid 1400s. But a cursory Google search would give a more accurate date.

[@lohankarachay476]

I played this in 201X and it was amazing! Never did play anything like that. Amazing story, amazing game play.

[@Changetheling]

The Ivalice Alliance retcon was made AFTER Tactics Advance re-release and FF XII. Vagrant Story was already a part of Ivalice. It wasn't retconned.

[@cd5sircoupe]

100%

[@collapsiblechair9112]

Thanks for this fantastic video as I'd forgotten the story after all these years!

[@jdrobin1]

Never beat this game. It was too hard for me when I was a kid. 😅

[@Marchaland]

Was able to beat it even though I didn't know a lick of English. Just was able to after understanding the basic of the element against element. But just now that I got the eng skills I got wtf was a blunt weapon and the weapon types lol. But I still managed to transform my fandango into an epicly powerful sword by luck at the time

[@nunyabusiness69]

Just beat it for first time recently and just barely. It's still difficult lol

[@SaiyanZ3]

Yooooo thanks for taking my request!

[@Shamsukz]

Dropped by because I was told this game is like Aidyn Chronicles: The First Mage on the N64 by THQ / H20 back in 2001 I think more than anything its similar combat system ish but I am getting some real souls like vibes going on. Regardless, i'm loving it and appreciate the upload :)

[@amanofwar1]

I love this game. Cant wait to watch.

[@asherkrueger754]

I actually beat this game numerous plays to get the Holy Win sword which was extremely tough. I always thought Ashley's hair antenna reminded me of a cool "Sprite" or "Faerie" species vibes. I truly loved this game when I understood the smithing weapon combinations. Remake this game please in HD, Square!

[@coma70se]

Thank you for making people aware of this absolute gem

[@SuperGenio86]

We need a remaster of this masterpiece, i finished it four times but i´d do it again in HD graphics but please not a remake, it won´t be the same.

[@melxb]

nah i want a remake but has to have the same grim lighting/shadows and the same artist is from ffxii so he can still keep the style intact

[@nehuen7949]

Best PS1 game and one of my favourites among the other platforms. What a story it has

[@TheMetalVagabond]

Have played this game a bunch of times, but still enjoyed listening to the story, it's that deep, have not been able to get Sidney's sword though in replays.

[@anon7596]

Wow, I didn't like the game as a kid, but now as an adult, that story was pretty damn good.

[@hazafsatyasena8996]

Second greatest game of ps1 after Metal Gear Solid.. And I just realize that both are about a badass super soldier/agent with psychological issuea on a secret mission to stop a terrorist.. both happen in a single day and in one location.. and on the mission both guys trapped within a secret political conflict..

[@hazafsatyasena8996]

And Final Fantasy XII is the spiritual sucessor of Vagrant Story..

[@adamfrost8313]

Its got the code name PHANTOM PAIN

[@hazafsatyasena8996]

@@adamfrost8313 holy cow you're right..

[@goncaloferreira6429]

i believe VS to be the pinacle of using the ps1 hardware. As a game, Vs has aged much better then mgs.

[@Changetheling]

...and one does NOT use nanomachines as plot and had a pretty deep translation process. That nanomachines plot game is the best of the PSX era, after Vagrant Story, of course. Too bad few people got to the end of the game unlike MGS which was finished by practically everyone.

[@paytwoyaj8332]

Great video on the plot. I never beat this game when it launch on the ps1.

[@makeshift_battlefield_music]

Ashley and Sydney are both very brave men. Ashley, running around, doing acrobatic maneuvers in combat wearing a thong- just imagine, with today's technology they could make his ass look so good in a remaster, Fran from FF12 certainly takes a page from his book- it's got to be thrilling to take an enemy's fire or ice attack from behind- buns of steel- you never even see a bruise. Sydney, facing down sword weilding foes with his pants undone and his schlong almost flopping out. Glad to see a game where the men get to enjoy the same semi nudist combat escapades that bikini-clad female warriors have experienced over the years.

[@akiinmoonlight79]

underrated masterpiece ♥️

[@nailin18]

Oh man! I've been waiting for this one for a while.

[@RogerVenn]

Heck yeah! Vagrant story is such an amazing game! Too bad child me couldn’t understand it well enough to be able to progress until the end... Next recap: Time Hollow?

[@Wolvaroo]

yaasss, I've been hoping to see this one come up. Thanks!

[@ratchet2505]

They really need to make a official squel to this series!

[@kelvinsr3647]

Loved this game...played it over and over...

[@jumbie4972]

yes i was waiting for a new vid

[@ConnorJG76]

Best looking game on the ps1

[@PanginoongCockroach]

I want to play this but never able to Thanks for the awesome video! 😊

[@Daniel.Miranda]

One of the best games ever .. funny you made it sound so easy taking about the battles like you did ...😏🤭

[@gigaslave]

The Gran Grimoire would appear centuries later in Modern Ivalice, to take kids on isekai adventures into the past of Ivalice.

[@thatguywesmaranan]

deserving of a remake, or a least a remaster...

[@schultz4966]

3:07 “Leia Mahn-day” My dude it’s “Lay Ah-MAHND”

[@fullcrackalchemist]

12:50 *Lullaby of Resembool intensifies*

[@tommypuceau]

18:17 "Winry will scold me again"

[@rumotu]

Can we all appreciate how this is a ps1 game and still looks so good? If we only could play it on current gen consoles. With UI upscale for new screens. Like this game looks better than MGS

[@driftingmemories5737]

I really really really wish remake would be made. Or a Ray Tracing remastered. Its like the First Dark souls.

[@Changetheling]

The First Dark Souls is like Vagrant Story*

[@GaPo0906]

Everyone: Yes FFVII remake Me: Vagrant Story please!!! T_T

[@mjf8897]

one of my favorite games of all time. the feelz

[@ripp3rjak934]

I'm actually doing a playthrough of this game as we speak. Getting used to the system still.

[@ambientsoda106]

it an interesting story, where symbol like the snake around a pole seem to be more about antenna communication and not DNA...

[@carlossalazar3325]

I play this game years ago and for some reason i loved it, it draws you in but if I’m objective i only remember it being super slow and tedious, with tons of special moves that were useless in the end and tons of enemies that no matter when you hit them you would only do 1 hit point and so many cool mechanics that in the end even as an adult i think end up being messy and overly complex so even do i compulsively want to play it and finish it i don’t think is a good game or a gem like some people call it, is more of a niche game

[@ignatiusdavinhernando7595]

Finally, thank you so very much.

[@Zeul28]

Have you done Front Mission 3?

[@GlompsYouUwU]

Great video oni, Never thanked you for playing viva piñata, apreciate it. So..... jet force gemini when? Its only a joke. Unless

[@thegravegardener]

Chrono Cross, Vagrant Story & Vanguard Bandits... those were the days...

[@verussadap]

The Phantom Pain at the end?!

[@AmbientJoe]

This should be an anime series, but the story does remind me of full metal alchemist

[@DeathDealA]

Ahhhhh alas, the only squarenix game i Couldnt beat as a kid lol. Man, u should do Parasite Eve, I Loved that damn game back in the day!

[@Ramsey276one]

0:42 ah yes Square Additions (Legend of Dragoon)

[@garver5833]

Amazing game. Probably my favorite. Story is so damn good

[@anthonylozinski1917]

Thank you for this video

[@orinanime]

I love the art style and atmosphere of this game. Great cutscenes and amazing music too. But I could never get into the story and I never liked the gameplay mechanics. Oh well. It's a darn shame. Just not my cup of tea.

[@marengoczar5035]

Squaresoft.....good ol days

[@hazafsatyasena8996]

One of the best looking PS1 game.. Imagine a sequel of Vagrant Story in PS2 with the graphic of FF 12, then the third on PS3 with the graphic of Uncharted 3, then the fourth on PS4 witg the graphic of The Last of Us 2.. It also have a great story, the sequels should have better and deeper lore, more mature, psychological, religion, and political scheme themes.. Exploring PTSD, Depression, Guilt, Suicide, Despair, Racist Religious Institution and Cults, more Secret Society.. And its gameplay need a big rework since its the only downfall of the game.. Still difficult, still high risk - high reward, still tactical action, but more reliable and easier to understand the basic, while still require hours of experience to master the mechanics.. And expand the complex crafting and magic..

[@GaPo0906]

Oh Shit, Ashley is The Master of Masters from KH!

[@nhitzthaler]

BIg fan :) nice video

[@bradcook1537]

This game was made after MGS 1 and had thr codename The Phantom Pain Freaking weird

[@sparthyslaysstuff2405]

Phantom Pain is a real condition so it's not too surprising someone would use it.

[@jackblades90]

wait, the phantom paint?.... this is a metal gear precuel!!!

[@CobaltContrast]

Oh wow. I realized I already watched this video.

[@cruselove]

i dont know adout u but this is the 1st Darksoul game that ever come out hard as fck the maze was crazy if u dont know the trick u cant get out even if you try i wish they remade this game

[@D3athW1ng]

... a game that needs a remake or a sequel. 🥰

[@thefearofg0ds758]

Romeo was definitely inspired by Jeremy Irons

[@Ramsey276one]

I loved the game!!!