The Charm of Simplicity - Breath of Fire Review!

[@EmceeProphIt]

Thanks for watching guys! Now for a little shout out I meant to put in the video. If you like thoughtful reviews on JRPGs new and old, I HIGHLY recommend the criminally underrated Stiles. You can check out his thoughts on Chrono Trigger here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJ3NmWOibr-ep9E I straight up forgot about this, and a few other announcements I meant to include in the video. Ear infections are fucked. But seriously, go watch his stuff. It's good. If yer intimidated by the length of the Chrono vid, check this little gem out instead. It's a retrospective on the Final Fantasy Legends spinoffs! kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2XHo2Z4bd2op9E

[@codyburke7403]

Hey, do you think you'll ever get back to doing pahnalysis?

[@ShermTank7272]

0:04 When Emcee is confirmed for Smash

[@conspicuouspiggy8792]

It's been a while since I viewed your content, but I'm glad to see you haven't stopped

[@blazeknight4120]

Subscribed because of this review! Looking forward future reviews of this series. I have been saying this game/series needs a full blown remake with a rewritten story and tweeked gameplay. There are several really cool moments in Breath of fire that are down played or not thoroughly explored. Like the woman who gives up her extended time with her husband for the greater good, or wandering into a city full of shapeshifting bird people, or an entire city being blown off the map because of an earth quake machine, or the time you literally helped a man escape death, also the shapeshifting powers in and out of battle in this game is awesome. I really think this world could be so much better than it is, especially when you consider just how right BoF3 got it.

[@mbe102]

Digimon World review is how I got here, and why I subbed and enabled those notifications. And with the Animal Crossing music in the background in your introduction, I'm still glad I did.

[@DeepPool]

Jaysus! That opening scared me! XD

[@EmceeProphIt]

By the way...FINALLY STREAMING AGAIN GET OVER HERE NOW! Playing and commentating on Dragon Quest 11, a new favorite! www.twitch.tv/emceeprophit

[@felyxvance]

Oh man, I hope you are fascinated by the subtle complexity of Breath of Fire II like I was when I played it a few years ago and I hope you absolutely adore BoF III for it's understated technicolor melancholy.

[@Tritemios]

There are things that I am nostalgic about from the 'good old days'. Nice review!

[@jeremyarthur280]

YEAH THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, (also that intro was something out of Greek mythology for some reason)

[@aeopu]

I can't believe we have the same grandfather.

[@BrosBGaming]

Dear emcee. I used to love your reviews, but now I have a job that I cant even begin to describe how much it hurts me to do and I must for my family. I cant enjoy anything anymore. Please keep making videos so if I ever find my soul again I can watch them. Thankyou.

[@Berniexification]

The other games look great I can't wait for your reviews of them. Also I hope you're feeling better, saw all the story on your Twitter.

[@EmceeProphIt]

First.

[@Ex_Caseus_Fortis]

Damn it

[@DylanYoshi]

You unlisted this video just to say that. I'm onto you.

[@MegaDeathRay10]

EmceeProphIt the worst

[@EmceeProphIt]

>:)

[@EmceeProphIt]

It's wonderful. I haven't beaten it yet though. Gotta get around to that.

[@Val-oo9pk]

Your intros never disappoint.

[@ArbiterLibera]

I always considered it a shame when Capcom essentially bowed out of the JRPG market. If anything, Breath of Fire 3 and 4 showed they really had it what it took, and yet both of those simply happened to be released on a JRPG powerhouse that was PS1. Then Dragon Quarter happened and that rift in the fanbase never healed.

[@blackmageLightningX]

I can't wait to see you do the second! Breath of Fire 2 is slightly less simple than the first from what I remember; it has some interesting mechanics and story beats - but you could pose the question: "Is this game too tropey?" with it. It works both in its contemporary context and today.

[@ZeroTheHeartlessKing]

ahh i love BoF2, it was the first BoF i played (the wii didn't have the first one lol) and i loved it, too bad the newest BoF is crap :D

[@shards-of-glass-man]

For me, the most standout thing about BoF2 was its translation. Or rather, "translation".

[@Mr3DLC]

Bof 2 transformations dragon were too weak I need all ap for any transformation? Bullshit!

[@LightiningHobo]

The game was tropey before the trope was a trope in videogames! It wasn't better at the time, but at least it was not such a tired played out tropes.

[@maclovio9015]

Awesome review and review style my dude. Being someone who grew up with, owned, and beat BoF1, this game was a welcome upgrade from FF4 in terms of style, and charming graphics. And, man! You can transform yourself into a dragon! It was new. It was different. (Come on this is 1993/94 and I was 12yrs old). I'm not blinded by nostalgia either. I remember BoF because you can transform into a dragon, the charming graphics, the battle field angle, and have party members that look like animals. (Notice I didn't anything about story cus it was meh) Now-a-days everything is way more complex and that's a good thing. But trust me, if you were an RPG player and got your hands on BoF, you were in for a good time...at least in 1993/94 cus many awesome SNES classic RPGs were being still develop (and some never brought to the USA). Thanks for the reviews and keep up the awesome work!

[@FPietros]

Truth be told, I wouldn't call "Breath of Fire" an easy RPG by any means... The monsters have tons of HPs, powerful attacks and many status harm effects. This is a game that requires HEAVY grinding in order for the PCs to even have a chance to stay alive.

[@melissaschuermann9939]

I would agree It starts to ease up with the golden Slimes

[@mootmuse]

Your sense of humor is wonderful, I burst out laughing so many times.

[@rjfink]

We've come to a place in history where "subverting expectations" has become the expectation. So I'm done and over that.

[@thomasffrench3639]

Breath of Fire was actually Capcom’s 4th RPG. They made Sweet Home, and the two Tenchi wo Kurau games where the first game was localized in North America as Destiny of an Emperor.

[@DeliciousOrange]

I can't wait to see your experience with Dragon Quarter.

[@johngipson1402]

I'm so happy this came out on a friday. I should defiently try this game for the first time as well

[@NotAFakeName1]

Naaah. It's not really worth it. I hear breath of fire 3 and 4 are supposed to be pretty good though.

[@Cool750Boy]

For me, Breath of Fire has a special place because it was one of the first RPGs I beat by myself as a child. While it is a simple story with a simple battle system, it really is the simplicity that makes me enjoy it so much. And what you described about playing a game where gameplay are simple, good and evil is clearly defined and you can turn your brain off and just enjoy some good casual gameplay? That is spot on for why I go back to Breath of Fire from time to time.

[@hemangchauhan2864]

BoF 1 and 2 had Google Translate tier translation. If you plan on playing BoF 2, do get the fantastic retranslation patch.

[@BunjiBee]

Man I enjoy your reviews way more than I should. 😆

[@vginsprdsobepr9698]

This was my first RPG game and I remember loving it.

[@Crispman_777]

Have you considered playing Battle Chasers: Nightwar? I think it hits the sweet spot between simplicity and strategy for a JRPG and I think it'd be right up your street.

[@Epicflipflops]

Still one of my favorite youtubers always get excited when one of your videos pops up in my notifications

[@projaredsunofficialeditor929]

Ah, my favourite bearded youtuber is back

[@Mr3DLC]

Ok didn't see the grandpa but coming That was good :)

[@gamerex9378]

So. Lemme say that everything you said hits the nail on the head. This was my first RPG series. My uncle owned BoF 1 and 2 as well as FF 2 and 3 on the snes. The snazzy cover art on Breath of Fire caught my eye and thus a life style was born for me. The first of the series is the weakest (if we ignore BoF 6, which is the safe thing to do). And lets be real. That is how it should be. Sequels should always be or at least feel better. The second one is a solid rpg, damn fun in my opinion, but 3 and 4 is the sweet spot. And my goodness, what a sweet spot it is. I wasn't a fan of 4 when I was younger. The art and pixels are lovely to me today but where 3 felt like a true evolution of the snes graphics into psx graphics. 4 felt to me at the time as too different. Its probably for that reason that 3 is my favorite. The fifth of the series is where my childhood went to die. To different from the others to matter to me. So much so I returned that sum bitch in the same day I bought it. So from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for reviewing Digimon World and BoF and I hope you enjoy the rest of the series. You keep this up and you might end up as my favorite youtuber.

[@Chowder_T]

Good review. I've always wanted to get into Breath of Fire because 'hot damn the ps1 sprite work' But every time I tried to get through the first I got bored out of my mind. Unrelated note, I'd love to know your thoughts on Octopath Traveler. It seems like your kind of game.

[@icyblue878]

I can't wait for your content on Breath Of Fire 2! Please please please play the rom hack retranslation. It's my favorite in the series!

[@WallyBobbywang]

back from the depths of an ear infection.

[@o0Azure0o]

They tried their best! I really enjoyed BoF as well. I remember before I owned it I would walk to the mall and read the strategy guide at the Barnes & Noble and dream of getting those sweet DrgnAr pieces. I still haven't played II, nor have I gotten beyond Scias in IV, but BoF IV is next after I finish stomping out DQXI. Oh, and funnily enough I am playing BoF III on my Vita when I can't play XI at home. My love affair with III is a story for another day!

[@o0Azure0o]

Also, "These guys are bad. Stop them."

[@ethanwhite2210]

Eyyyyyy, new review :)

[@Ex_Caseus_Fortis]

Blue suede shields.

[@Gakusangi]

Breath of Fire IV is one of my all-time favorite RPG's

[@SnesRulez]

I personalli play a ton of RPG and this year I've finally played Dragon Quest, I've played from 1 straigth to 5 and all of them are really simple games, with really simple story a charming world to explore, and really simple gameplay... And I loved them to death! Never got bored by them even if the first 2 where a bit rough to get through XD I agree with the fact that needs to be more but I take a game that knows what he wants to to and does it well and it's fun to play, that something like Digimon World which i need an encyclopedia to even understand how it works. At the end of the day what's most important is having fun!

[@samvimes9510]

The first real RPG I played (I'm not going to count Pokemon Blue) was Final Fantasy IX when I was 12, and I think that's a perfectly fine place to start. The characters and story were compelling, and while the game is on the easy side, it's not so simplistic that you feel like the game is holding your hand everywhere you go. The one mistake I made was renting the game at Blockbuster. I didn't have enough time to finish the game, so I had to wait a few months until I'd saved up enough allowance to buy the game.

[@NotAFakeName1]

I think Pokemon counts as a real rpg. It's stuff like the Mario rpgs or fire emblem games that are questionable on whether they should count or not.

[@jupujuu]

Wow, it's a rare treat to see something Breath of Fire-related on my recommended list! :0 BoF is my favourite classic RPG series but man... I agree that the first one really doesn't stand out in any way, haha. My absolute fave is the third one, but I also adore the fourth. They both have awesome soundtracks and charming graphics, and the stories are an absolute delight with funny moments, weird moments, heartbreaking moments... all the good stuff. They may not have like, super ground-breaking mechanics (3's dragon gene system is great though!), but they do have their charm and I really hope you enjoy the future installments! They're heaps better than the first one! Oh and even though 2 and 5 aren't my faves, they still have their moments too, and 2 improves on 1 a lot, especially story-wise.

[@MtnSmithy]

I remember a couple years ago I decided to play through this game not because IT was good, per se, but because I heard the sequels were so good and I wanted to experience this one first. I got to the point where I needed to buy this super expensive thing for this thief (my memory's terrible, but something along those lines), but I needed to grind A LOT to have enough gold. I never did it. Never played since. I think for a series like this, people needn't be so concerned with playing the first game, but just jumping into the sequels... which I haven't done yet either. Either way, I do remember my time playing this game to be decently enjoyable, but unremarkable.

[@kingVibe111]

Check out the recent Kotaku review of Dragon Quest 11, it's a video review. I think the way he describes being able to auto-battle in that game is a unique counter criticism to what you bring up. However, with BoF's old-school localization and stuff there isn't much of a world to "chill out" in as their reviewer triumphs in Dragon Quest games.

[@NotAFakeName1]

Fuck Dragon Quest 11 is out already? I should probably get that game eventually

[@PhantomBlackStar]

Haha I'm drinking a Coca-Cola can to lol.

[@m34ch]

Simple RPGs have their place. For me, that’s mostly nostalgia but it works. I still love Final Fantasy Legend- probably the first JRPG I ever played.

[@Marcu3s]

Sometimes you just wanna mindlessly grind, watch numbers go up and watch cool animations..... so.... WARFRAME? :)

[@Dextros-zs2xj]

How about the legend of dragoon?

[@ignarskjolvjentski7809]

Long live the king!

[@Alzzarla]

Wow this was a simple game! I probably would've enjoyed it back in the day though, because 1. I didn't English, and 2. I was not the best gamer and defeating monsters would've been fun XD

[@5n8ke]

Please play Alundra :)

[@Cellfix]

Yes! Do this!!

[@masterofdoom5000]

4:25 Then....just do an Earthbound and have the fight be won on the overworld before it even begins, Autobattle is a band aid solution to a problem that shouldn't even exist.

[@Spyno41]

You know, BoF 1 is basically a Breath of Fresh Air from the complexity of gameplay and story for even the RPGs that came out at the time. I would like to know what is the worst RPG you've ever experienced? Where they even got the basics wrong?

[@doctorclone22]

MANA SERIES ON SWITCH MORE COMFORT FOOOOOOD

[@ShermTank7272]

In my opinion, complexity and simplicity are not good or bad things in and of themselves. It all comes down to how you use it.

[@JMagnumZero]

14:52~14:56 This includes Breath of Fire 6...?

[@dialaskisel5929]

Yeah, 3 and 4 are pretty good little JRPG gems... unless my nostalgia goggles are on a little too tightly.

[@Mr3DLC]

Four was very simple I just spammed the magic elemental combos

[@juanchiapa2882]

Love this game

[@ASolidSnack]

This game is incredibly similar to Dragon Quest V, which just happened to have come out the year prior. Surely there is no relation and this is just a coincidence.

[@dragon1130]

To me, simplicity isn't inherently a problem in games. Kirby (and smash bros. By some extension) is designed to be simple to play. It's about as simple as a game gets. Hell to bring David cage in for a moment, the reason his games are bad is because he is a terrible writter. Hell, his games are rarely as simple as say, a Tell Tale game where literally, the only game play you get is make a choice. However, most of Tell Tales early work was good and the writing is good...for the most part.

[@bytejunkie64]

My first RPG growing up was Mystic Quest. This was my second. Other than Mystic Quest, not many Final Fantasy games made their rounds through my household until 7 blew my 13 year-old mind. Yes, this game is simple. But imagine playing it after Mystic Quest. It becomes a much better game after that. Pretty much every bad thing you said about this game is worse in that game. I dare you to play it.

[@Caspicum]

"...the original Breath of Fire is easily the weakest of the series overall..." Breath of Fire 6 exists though :(

[@drago3036]

Does it, really? If reality is defined by our perception... Then i don't really know what is this "Breath of Fire 6" you say O_O

[@thomasffrench3639]

Isn’t it not even available to play?

[@NotAFakeName1]

Oh shit, breath of fire 1. I've only played about half of the first game, while it had some neat ideas the story was too barebones and the gameplay was a little too simplistic for it to hold my interest all the way through

[@golgarisoul]

Slimeless human!

[@stevenmorton298]

Breath of Fire 2 is a definite step up from the original Breath of Fire, even if it does have a few warts. I recommend two playthroughs if you're using an emulator, one with the retranslation patch and one without. The reason I suggest doing the latter as well is to marvel at how incredibly BAD the original translation was. "Buy some whale cakes kujira manju!" Kujira manju is Japanese for... whale cakes. :/ Rather redundant, eh?

[@Ex_Caseus_Fortis]

Breath of the wildfire.

[@LightiningHobo]

I'm one of THOSE people, guys who actually think BoF V Dragon's Quarter is really good.

[@Alzzarla]

Eyyyyyy!

[@c.johnson1408]

Bruh I love ur vids but get that Walmart laptop camera out of here

[@EmceeProphIt]

(Poor)

[@laurenzollamas2324]

See when I watched this I started to subconsciously insert "Bravely Default" over everything Hoo boy that was a let down of a JRPG.

[@Maruchanfresuda]

I did play this one as a kid, wanted to do a replay of stuff I used to put a ton of time before, but I found the same thing as you did, more than it being mediocre or bad its just like Capcom sort of excuse or justification to have another JRPG in its library, there were better JRPG at the time and frankly this one is so simple that it kinda works, once you spent a ton of time trying retro games sometimes you wanna take a simple rpg on the go, this one did it for me on my vita, sometimes as you said you dont need a complex story but something on the commute or while waiting for something else, just so youd play a bit and maybe even consider what NPC or area you haven’t interacted with, just finished it last week and as much as im sure im gonna forget of such a empty game, i think it leaves the idea that simples games need more coverage in modern gaming, they can be fun too.