The Breath of Fire 2 "review" | EVERY SNES RPG #41

[@Vessol]

So this was actually my first jrpg. Rented it it as a kid and was blown away by how much was in the game and how long it was, never experiencing anything like it. I played it with my dad and after renting it a 3rd time we realized someone deleted our save so he just straight up bought the rental copy when it was time to return it. We struggled through every part of it, including having to restart because Sten wasn't leveled up enough. It took us the better part of a year of playing on the weekends I was with him, but we finally beat the final boss, my most epic journey in a game to that point and I've been absolutely hooked to the genre since. So glad as well that the retranslation is a thing. Having beaten it with that, it lifted that nostalgic treasure of my childhood into my top 5 snes jrpgs.

[@cdalley19791]

Not quite my favorite SNES RPG, but its character design and graphics were memorable. Also, having the balls to explore religion in the storyline really made it stand out at the time.

[@Eldeecue]

This series of yours is so criminally underviewed. I love it so much because you're obviously doing it because YOU want to; it's not a "job" or a an algorithm you're trying to please.

[@DoubleDragonGaming]

It's amazing how deep story wise a simple 16 Bit game can be. Man this takes me back. I remember how that fkn eye was both scary and so cool to me as a kid. I haven't played BoF2 since probably the early 90s but I remember how it drew me in with its appearance, story, turned based battle system (I'm a sucker for Turned Based Battles) and cool music. Dont remember that french frog dude AT ALL. I haven't played a single other BoF game... at least I don't think so... and it's high time I replay this one. Great fkn memories with this game

[@RPGFort]

Absolutely love BoFII, botched localization and all. I remember renting this all the time as a kid and needing to restart every time cause some 9 year old jackass child would delete my save. Damn 9 year olds. Great nostalgia rush duder.

[@cam9144]

Straight up amazing game. So colorful, great characters, challenging as hell

[@RoninCatholic]

LOL, that NPC saying that the thought of a human being eaten by an animal makes her want to go to the bathroom...playing as a kid I thought this meant "It makes me uncomfortably aroused and I need to excuse myself" not "It makes me so scared I pee myself", in part because peeing as a fear response is not something I was particularly familiar with and partly because my own horrible strangeness was starting to emerge at the age I first played this game.

[@TheBrazilRules]

These kinds of comments always pisses me off. WTF does KID means in this context?

[@bahamut5608]

​@TheBrazilRules probably means he was younger than 12 and still unaware of how the world really works. He was a weird and awkward kid/preteen like most of us

[@shelbyherring92]

​@@TheBrazilRulesMinor person under under 18... and given they said "aroused" probably means they were a preteen or teen who was exposed to the idea of sex, but not social enough the translation meant to pee or barf. You know? A kid.

[@KasumiRINA]

Adding to your summary on Christianity in Japan: persecution of Christians started before Shimabara rebellion, way back under Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and continued into early Edo period (look up Fumi-e), that was when it was outlawed completely... and Japanese Kirishitani didn't forget Christian religion, but practiced it clandestine, for centuries. That's actually fascinating! Their media having anti-foreign bias is more xenophobia than anything... Yeah, like, Oda Nobunaga is often demonized because he favoured foreign stuff while Tokugawa Shogunate is lionized because 250 years of isolation don't go away without brain damage... That's not even conservatism, that's hardcore reactionism that somehow makes its way into everything and westerners see it in some kind of noble savage resistance to colonization, which it wasn't. Nobody colonized Japanese, it was the other way around. They literally tried to conquer Korea multiple times, succeeding in the end with results, well, look at the map, it's pretty bad still.

[@Truxzord]

My favorite Snes RPG!

[@HMNNO]

Sten can be leveled solo, you just go down the stairs and there's random encounters in the basement so you're not soft locked

[@gameboylad]

I have a soft spot for this game. I personally think the game is a bit too middle of the road gameplay wise but the story sticks with you

[@heezdeadjim]

You forgot the whole fishing aspect! This was one of the rare games that you knew it had anime characters because Nina's portrait alone exuded that. Few Snes games had large enough sections in the game to show it off. Illusion of Gaia was another game with one portrait scene (painting), so coming across a game was still rare. I loved the character sprites and the day night cycle. Id later show people who played Zelda 64 or FF7 Breath of Fire 3 and they were amazed by the colors and spritework even though it wasnt 3D like the other games.

[@lspuria8440]

I've been waiting for this review ever since the breath of fire 1 review. This game and fe4 are my personal favorite rpgs on the Snes. This game is special and I enjoyed your review as always

[@marbles8641]

During Sten's homecoming, you can fight a new weapon, some items and lower level fights to grind off in the basement of the building you're being held in to help make him competent enough for the rest of the game.

[@lapthom]

Exactly

[@lapthom]

You also keep your collected experience when you die, but loose half your zenny, iirc. So you can somewhat grind. That being said, that part is hard, if your are underlevelled and don't use optimal battle formations.

[@flyfreemeru]

My older siblings grew up with this game before passing it onto me. I grew up with ps4 era and didn't think was cool. Eventually, I did play it and loved it! I am now playing all of their older games.

[@redmoonbloodmoon3161]

the Jean arc was quite the comedy/parody, though there's also a very interesting philosophy too with Jean, that at first is made out to be stupid, but then it gets appreciated more by you (and the princess Petape: prince Jean's sister/wife, lol), and also, Jean delivers the ultimate insult towards Petape too (just epic), and despite how pathetic the frog denizens of simafort are... they do catch Patty, whom no one else has been able to do, and when you get the the late-game holy shaman, you realize more of the comedy/parody of Jean's (and the other frog denizens of simafort) character/role, as they're holy paladin frog people, with their "sacred sword excalibur" (soleSD = sole sword) sadly, there's no more arc to jean at all with the entire rest of the game, jean's just "there" for the ride (just like with poor Bow too), wish there was more arc for Jean in the game, along with giving Bow an actual arc too, and also, would be nice for a true Katt arc as well, as we really don't know anything about her past either (the cotland-tiga part, doesn't really count, but at least it's something, compared to Bow, getting nothing at all), and would absolutely love to have patty as a party member and given her a lot more content too, what she was doing all of this time and etc, but sadly none of this happened, as it would have doubled the size and length of the game, if the hardware could even handle it as well too wish the game was bigger and expanded upon, giving their arcs much more development and etc... it would have made the game so much better, as they're too short or too simple, which is why the middle game is such a drag, being just a lot of "fetch questing", instead of really interesting and enjoyable character arcs but despite it's flaws, this is my favorite BOF game of the series, as it's beginning and ending make up for its short-comings in the middle game

[@shelbyherring92]

Wait, you mean to tell me Jean's whole thing is that he's a riff on Monty Python's Holy Grail!?

[@fargoretro]

I appreciate the focus on Jean's story, I only played this once as a kid I borrowed it from a neighbor friend. Jean is the only part I hazily remember. Good stuff as always poser !

[@Jehtblu]

Bof2 was the first rpg I ever played. I remember seeing the box art in a magazine for an electronics store in the local mall. A few weeks later, my mom gave my brothers, and I money to rent a game. I saw this on the shelf and convinced my brothers to rent it. When it started in black and white... my bros were like "oh boy, great pick!". We were hooked as soon as it transitioned to color. My older brother and I took turns and played in shifts, making sure to wake each other up when there was plot development. I've played dozens of RPGs since, and I will say that the reveal of St. Eva being evil has never been marched. We were convinced that Ray and the church would always be right alongside us, stamping out the demons that had infested the world.

[@FuriousACTIONGamer]

I'm going to mute this video and let it play through in the background because I want to play breath of fire someday. But shoutout to the opening that had to have inspired Residnet Evil 2

[@feiwong3634]

this was my first Jrpg back in 1995, i will forever have a special place for it in my heart. I highly recommend playing it with the retranslation.

[@KasumiRINA]

4:23 Lol, apart from history, Nobbu is in so much media, from fighting Jean Reno in a Capcom game to starring in Kurosawa films, but yeah, for this series he's the star of ININDO way of the ninja, out of dozens of other KOEI games he's in, half named after him. xD

[@cajungoat]

This game blew my mind as a kid. Growing up Catholic I couldn't understand how the church could be bad. I wish they would bring the series back.

[@Anth.]

I would definitely recommend playing the fan retranslation of this game. And the breath of fire definitive edition hack of the first one.

[@slowpoke8585]

I first played this through emulator and I was taken aback on just how raw this game is! When (I’m assuming) Barubary first greets you with telling you to give yourself to God, I knew this game wasn’t messing around! Also, I just love how Jean’s mini side quest plays out. In a typical cartoonish game, the fake prince would have just banished you if you lost in the cooking contest. Instead, he tells straight up tells you that Jean and his friends will be killed. Like, holy SHIT.

[@Hyreia]

Ooof. The French frog who is terrible at fighting. That aged hilariously.

[@marcst3199]

Despite how flawed this game is, it eas one of my favourite game back on the SNES

[@keelsron634]

So the reason you have dragon attacks and not a form to fight in was because Ryu was a half dragon clan member and half human, In BOF3 your full blooded brood so you can hold the form again. I loved this game growing up I'd rent it from video world and played it every summer until I bought it and was able to fully beat the game as a teenager & the story of the dragons tear was that his mom wanted to protect him and so she cried a single tear, Ryu finds it and as he encounters people in the world it shows him whats in there heart or their true intent towards him.

[@chrisbent5734]

The first overworld-theme will forever live rent-free in my head.

[@segasdreamer]

I will die of this hill and say I loved the American box art. The Japanese character design is cool, but this was American edgy. Bow looks menacing for no reason but to look cool. Ryu is swinging his sword with bloodlust for some reason as well. I just love it

[@Kakashi10ist]

You forgot to talk about the music because, Oh lord if anyone has a problem going to sleep just blast that music and you will sleep. I remember playing it mute because it made sleepy the music.

[@Bondanalloy]

Loved this one as a kid I Should try it again

[@Kyosukedono]

Dude... even as a kid I got the "anti religion" message (more like don't blindly follow a faith) from BoFII but the history you gave in the video really puts it into perspective.

[@blueotter5954]

The one thing i would disagree on is that the NPC bad translation is VERY GOOD. Comical actually. That fusion old lady has some real sas.

[@Alpenjodler1]

I played that game on an old black and white tv. There was no mood gem for me

[@aryllies]

Keep rocking the nice, genuine videos man. I trust you even if you do need a haircut.

[@BM-wh5qk]

Ha. I remember having to level up Sten after neglecting him most of the game.

[@brianmcgirr3115]

My favorite snes rpg. Played it through more than Chrono Trigger. Weird right?

[@oredi]

10:09 OMG... The legendary Holy Shit HAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHA

[@lapthom]

I wish he would have mentioned the Eggbeater as well😂

[@LudwigRamirez]

I HAD to fight Barubary alone. Because it's WHACK. Kinda like Normal Ryu vs Shin Akuma. Just so satisfying to nail it.😂

[@jessecummings5589]

I use to grind this shet out of this game and played through more than once, absolute gem

[@darkmajingamer4704]

This game already stands out just for the BADASS battle music alone

[@Buzani27]

What's the name of that relaxing intro song?

[@JasonGravesPoser]

That is a midi of "summer madness"

[@Buzani27]

@@JasonGravesPoser Thanks man

[@marbles8641]

Hey Jason, what mod did you use for BOF2? I tried one, but it added this song and weird splash screen to the intro, and every inventory screen.

[@lapthom]

@@marbles8641 try searching for the maeson mod/hack. He recently updated it, so you can customize several parts of it to fit your mood

[@GodxOfxObelisk]

It's CRIMINAL that this series was never given an anime tie-in. I wish i could leave this universe for one that does have a BoF anime with at least 5 seasons (dunno if the mobile game ("BoF VI") has an actual story or if it's just a Tetris type of game that you can dump wherever you want.

[@analogmoz]

If this series had references to *Sears* this game would have jumped out into the popular culture.

[@dentstowel4230]

Best BOF game??

[@specialnewb9821]

I really appreciate it as a good sequel even if the Dragon Powers were not very fun. Music was very very good. I do hate Jean and Spar tho. Big props for using Keyblade Sarah... uh whoops used her old name.

[@TheRumpletiltskin]

Trump reviewed it better. XD

[@leargamma4912]

No he didn't. Shut up

[@shakurburton9358]

Link or it didn't happen, m8.

[@crowsketchcentral4469]

Song name at the beginning?

[@Hyreia]

It's not just the translation but the localization in general that just makes this feel cheap. Which sucks. The truncated item names and battle commands really make this feel fast and loose. I would have begged for someone to edit in more width on the command boxes. "Atc." and "Spl." are so bad looking.

[@teovu5557]

Pepe the frog was in Bof2????

[@marklee1194]

Have you played Breath of Fire 3 and 4 yet?

[@JasonGravesPoser]

3 yes, 4 and 5 no

[@gohantanaka]

I like BOF 2, but I like 1,3,and 4 better.

[@citeltheof]

Got 6 minutes in and went, "yep, not for me." Thanks for the review.

[@adeptmechanism5180]

If you fart in outer space; does it stink?

[@DestroyerX61]

I actually prefer the original translation because it retains its Japaneseness

[@SirJoelsuf1]

The GBA port of this is way better than the what was released on the SNES. Didn't have an interest in getting too far since Earthbound and Chrono Trigger are way better and were released at about the same time in the US (mid/late 1995 and early 1996). I might take it back up. We'll see. It had a fantastic soundtrack, just wish it was more balanced. 15:15 That was also my stopping point. And yeah the encounter rate was like Dragon Quest 4, ugh.

[@Gsoda35]

the first, second and third game was a pleasure to play. the fourth felt slow and outdated. at least the script and art was nice. fifth was sluggish and didn't run well on playstation due to a terrible game engine or design. sixth was a pathetic excuse of a successor of the series and doesn't deserve mentioning.

[@GaIeforce]

To me, I think the Breath of Fire series ended after BoF IV. V and VI do not exist to me.

[@Gsoda35]

@@GaIeforce I agree on that. such a shame.

[@SoyAntonioGaming]

¡Primer comentario!

[@advkow]

Ironic that Japan slaughtered its Christian population and then thought they (Japan) were not the bad guys in that.

[@srkoenma2947]

vulva

[@Orion26DML]

I hope this isn’t an April Fools joke….

[@Dbackus54]

C-RAP

[@LordGrim1313]

lol a prime example of someone complaining about the translation, and all the examples he gives aren't that bad. Hell "This guy are sick" and one other misspelled line from FF7 was enough for people to call that translation atrocious and you couldn't even come up with that much?

[@RoninCatholic]

I hate this game's overall plot and Final Fantasy Tactic's as well. This one is better on that front and has better characters. Shots fired, I know, but FFT is only loved _because_ it hates on Christianity and its easily exploited mechanics. This game is better balanced, plus it has Jean and Katt, I can love it and respect it while disagreeing with it fervently. Doesn't hurt that the few people I hear like this game admit it's terribly flawed, while FFT's fanbase seems to think everything about it is perfect from its abysmal regurgitated vomit writing to its mathematician who breaks the world class.

[@thedicktator40]

Best ending it s if your dad died tho