Threads of Fate

"How on earth can a game like this be overlooked?!"

I just got done with this game after sitting through the last half for more than 3 hours. I normally can't sit through a game more than 2 hours at a time these days since there is so much to do, and too little time. Its not like back then where I had more time on my hands. I missed those days, but the last game that had me sitting for a while was Silent Hill 2. Anyway its time to review such a ridiculously overlooked game.


Graphics 9/10

Again I am using a PS2 along with component cables on a CRT TV, so the graphics look almost Dreamcast quality on my end. There is nothing I have to really say, but the level deigns are very well done, and the character art is above decent.


Sound 9/10


Most of the music in the game is nostalgic for a game that only came out in 2000 in NA, but what I find funny is that as I get older, knowing that such things come from the past makes it seem like that . The soundtrack is well done, and I enjoyed pretty much every theme in the game. I am seriously going to see if I can even get the OST to this game. That is how good the music is. The sound effects are good but I notice that some seemed to be recycled from Castlevania SOTN, and I find that weird since I recall another company making that game. A good example is a bomb explosion destroying a rock in the game.



Story (Main Concept 8/10) (Mint's 9/10) (Rue's 8/10 based off what I saw)

The storyline features two main characters, and two branches. They are both looking for a powerful relic to fulfill a goal. Rue, who's goal is to save someone he is close to, and get revenge on the one that caused his troubles, and Mint who seems to want to use the relic to take over the world, and get back at her sister, who was part of kicking her out of the castle that she was raised in. Rue's storyline is something I don't know too much about yet, so I don't have too much to say about it yet since I didn't play it yet, but you have Mint's storyline which is much more interesting. Not only because of her interesting personality, and dangerous jump kick, but because it seems like you're playing as a wannabe villain the whole time if you choose her quest. Its not many RPGs out there where you have an anti-hero, and playing as one is a once in a while thing.


Gameplay 9/10


Its very straightforward and simple. Rue focuses on attack physical attacks, and the ablity to morph into monsters that he had just defeated, where Mint is more of a magic user. Even though she is a magic user, you will find yourself abusing her jump kick very often against bosses more than her magic. The magic system is the most liberal I seen in any RPG I played so far, and I like this. The game wants you to use your magic, and not conserve it too much. It even rewards you by having your magic points go up the more you use it. You also heal by killing monsters and other creatures that drop blue potions, and restore MP by attacking, and picking up yellow potions? I find it interesting that you even earn money by killing monsters, and selling the number of monsters you kill to the shop in town. I like how you have to buy stat boosts instead of worrying about having to level up to get them. This game is stress free thanks to how the gameplay mechanics work.



Overall 9/10

I will say buy this game, but what bothers me is that a few years back, it was under $20, but now its above $30 and more. That is not fair and the game is not even rare after cheeking out the rarity guide at Digi Press, so its just seems like greed to me by resellers. I guess I see why this game is overlooked, its maybe due to the price, and the fact it must of got overshadowed by Chrono Cross at the time. This is one game not to miss though.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 01/15/09, Updated 01/16/09

Game Release: Threads of Fate (US, 07/14/00)