Games Database
PC
Adventure: Role Playing
| Also for: | PlayStation | ||
| Viewed: | 3D Isometric, Scrolling | Genre: | Adventure: Role Playing |
| Media: | CD | Arcade origin: | No |
| Developer: | Capcom | Soft. Co.: | Capcom |
| Publishers: | Capcom
(GB) |
Released: | 4 Apr 2003
(GB) |
| Ratings: | 11+ | ||
| Accessories: | Control Pad | ||
Video
Summary
Originally released for the PlayStation in 2001, Capcom's fourth instalment in its long running RPG series finally makes it across to the PC, delivering a faithful conversion of the game, albeit with much more appealing visuals.
The game continues the storyline of the Dragon People who selflessly gave their lives to rid the land of the evil goddess. War has broken out between two continents, and it is your destiny to bring peace to the land once again. The fair princess Elena has disappeared and finding her is of the utmost importance.
Visually, BOF4 features a combination of two-dimensional, anime-style characters and full 3D interactive backgrounds. You can change the camera angle to reveal new locations and secret passageways. Fully exploring your environment can uncover precious hidden items that will help you with your quest. Obviously, this PC version is a lot easier on the eye than the original PlayStation game, with smoother and more solid 3D environments, as well as a much higher screen resolution. But it is still evident that the game engine is derived from Sony's first machine and, compared to PC games of today, the game looks pretty mediocre.
But the game is an accomplished RPG and visuals are not the most important factor in such a genre: gameplay is, and Breath of Fire IV does not disappoint, coming complete with a host of new features, including a tactical battle system, a combo system, Dragon transformations and player branching. The new battle system allows you to select characters to take the front line in fights and place healer characters in the background to replenish their energy. The combo system is where successive attacks become more powerful, and finding a good combination of magic and skills can prove highly damaging.
The Dragon transformations are extremely impressive and can turn the tide in a close fight. The player branching aspect is where the focus of the game switches between two central characters as their storylines become intertwined.
One of the classics in the RPG world, Breath of Fire IV is well worth considering, having loads of hours worth of gameplay on offer. And at less than 20 quid, it's quite a bargain.
The game continues the storyline of the Dragon People who selflessly gave their lives to rid the land of the evil goddess. War has broken out between two continents, and it is your destiny to bring peace to the land once again. The fair princess Elena has disappeared and finding her is of the utmost importance.
Visually, BOF4 features a combination of two-dimensional, anime-style characters and full 3D interactive backgrounds. You can change the camera angle to reveal new locations and secret passageways. Fully exploring your environment can uncover precious hidden items that will help you with your quest. Obviously, this PC version is a lot easier on the eye than the original PlayStation game, with smoother and more solid 3D environments, as well as a much higher screen resolution. But it is still evident that the game engine is derived from Sony's first machine and, compared to PC games of today, the game looks pretty mediocre.
But the game is an accomplished RPG and visuals are not the most important factor in such a genre: gameplay is, and Breath of Fire IV does not disappoint, coming complete with a host of new features, including a tactical battle system, a combo system, Dragon transformations and player branching. The new battle system allows you to select characters to take the front line in fights and place healer characters in the background to replenish their energy. The combo system is where successive attacks become more powerful, and finding a good combination of magic and skills can prove highly damaging.
The Dragon transformations are extremely impressive and can turn the tide in a close fight. The player branching aspect is where the focus of the game switches between two central characters as their storylines become intertwined.
One of the classics in the RPG world, Breath of Fire IV is well worth considering, having loads of hours worth of gameplay on offer. And at less than 20 quid, it's quite a bargain.
