Lost Classics: Threads of Fate (Playstation)

2000 was a good year for Squaresoft, particularly the summer. We got several awesome games from them, each of which was special in their own right. Some gained more accolades than others, though. Alongside Final Fantasy IX and Chrono Cross, we also got Parasite Eve 2, Vagrant Story, and this little number, Threads of Fate. Even though Threads of Fate was clearly geared towards kids, older action RPG fans who own a Playstation will enjoy this too.

Threads of Fate can best be described as the spiritual successor to Square’s Brave Fencer Mushashi, released a few years prior (of course an actual sequel to BFM was released on PS2 a few years ago, but that’s another story). You play as one of two characters who arrive at a mysterious island to find a wizard who can supposedly grant wishes. Mint, a spoiled princess whose throne was given to her younger sister is after the wizard to help her conquer the world. Rue, an amnesiac young boy seeks the wizard’s help to revive a friend who was mortally wounded. You select one at the offset of the game, while the other character will appear frequently throughout the game. Although both characters visit many of the same locations and meet the same NPCs and enemies, the events that happen during their storylines are different. Also, both characters have their own gameplay differences. Mint utilizes several different styles of magic, while Rue can change his form into any monster he encounters, excluding bosses.

There are several different areas you’ll visit, and the town you stay in serves as the game’s hub world. You can converse with townspeople, purchase items, and visit an level you already completed. There are even a few minigames spread throughout the game. Both characters have their own endings, and when you complete the game with both of them, you’ll see a special uber-ending, and can restart the game using the clear data. As I said before, it’s geared towards kids, so it’s not too difficult or complicated. Surprisingly, thanks largely to its simplistic storyline, the translation is near flawless.

Threads of Fate may not be Legend of Zelda, but it’s not a bad game either. We probably won’t see a sequel (or for that matter a PSN store re-release), but you shouldn’t have much trouble finding it used at your local used game dealer. If you’re a fan of action RPG games and don’t need to expect much from them , then you won’t go wrong with Threads of Fate. You’re sure to enjoy it, and if you have kids, they’ll enjoy it even more.