Breath of Fire II
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| Breath of Fire II | |
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| Developer(s) | Capcom |
| Publisher(s) | Capcom, Laguna |
| Designer(s) | Tokuro Fujiwara (producer) |
| Platform(s) | Super Famicom / SNES, Game Boy Advance, Virtual Console |
| Release date | Super Nintendo JPN December 2, 1994 NA December 10, 1995 Game Boy Advance Virtual Console |
| Genre(s) | Role-playing game |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
| Rating(s) | SNES ESRB: Kids to Adults (6+) Game Boy Advance ESRB: Everyone |
| Media | 24-megabit Cartridge |
Breath of Fire II, known in Japan as Breath of Fire II: The Fated Child (ブレス オブ ファイアII 使命の子 Buresu obu Faia Tsū Shimei no Ko?) [1], is a console role-playing game developed and published by Capcom. First released in 1994, the game was licensed to Laguna for European release in 1996. It is the second entry in the Breath of Fire series. It was later ported to Game Boy Advance and re-released worldwide. The game has been rated by the ESRB for release on Wii's Virtual Console; Nintendo of Europe's website mistakenly announced it for release on July 27th 2007, but was released two weeks later on August 10th 2007. The game was released on the Virtual Console in North America on August 27th, 2007.
Unlike later installments in the series, Breath of Fire II is a direct sequel to its predecessor, set 500 years after the original Breath of Fire.[2][3][4] The story centers on orphan named Ryu Bateson, whose family vanished mysteriously long ago. After his friend is falsely accused of a crime, Ryu embarks on a journey to clear his name.
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[edit] Gameplay
Like Breath of Fire, Breath of Fire II consists of four modes of play: the world map, the field map, a menu screen, and a battle screen. The world map is an aerial view display in which the player can navigate freely across a small-scale version of the game world. Enemies are randomly encountered while traveling though field maps or the world map. As the player moves around, the playable members of the traveling party walk in a line behind the lead character. The group can be rearranged at any time, allowing another part member to become leader. Each member has a unique skill which can be used outside of battle. Depending on who is currently leading the group, the player can use these skills to fish, hunt animals, bridge chasms, or swim across water. Certain characters must join the party before the player can have access to entire world map.
Breath of Fire II features more more opportunities to hunt or fish than its predecessor. Hunting spots are indicated by tufts of grass which randomly appear on the world map. By entering the grass leaves, the party will automatically be transported to a tiny field map which is populated by animals and birds. Only certain characters have the ability to hunt; Bow comes equipped with a crossbow, while Katt attacks with her staff. Animals are easily spooked and may run away if the player is spotted. Animals take anywhere from 1-10 hits to defeat (depending on their size), whereupon they transform into a restorative item, which can be stored away for future use.
Fishing spots also appear on the world map at random, though it is only possible to fish near a body of water. Once entered, the viewpoint switches to a fishing screen displaying Ryu over a coral reef which is teeming with fish. The player must outfit Ryu with a rod and a lure, which can be purchased at most shops. As Ryu prepares to swing his fishing rod, an on-screen meter appears which indicates the strength of his swing. Once the lure touches the water, the player can gradually reel it back to Ryu. If a fish bites the lure, a "Tension" meter will appear which measures the stress of the line. If the meter reaches maximum, the line snaps and the fish goes free; A snapped wire will also cost Ryu a lure.
[edit] Setting
The fictional world of Breath of Fire II is very reminiscent of the previous game, though very few locations have survived the 500-year transition. Windia, home to the royal Wing Clan, still resides to the north. New species include the Shell Clan, a race of giant armadillos, and the Creeping Clan, a monarchy of artisan frogs. The Dragon Clan from Breath of Fire has all but perished, leaving only scattered statues as proof of their existence. A new religious idol named St. Eva has replaced the Dragon God, and the St. Eva church is rapidly becoming popular all over.
Long ago, a demon attacked the woodland town of Gate. According to local legend, a huge dragon suddenly appeared and banished the demon away. The dragon can still be found slumbering on the outskirts of Gate, where it guards the entrance to the demon realm.
[edit] Story
Ryu begins the game as a young boy, the son of a priest in the town of Gate. When his sister Yua goes missing, Ryu's father (Ganer) asks him to fetch her before she gets into trouble. Ryu's search eventually leads him to the wilderness outside Gate, where he finds Yua napping beneath the head of the sleeping dragon. Acting on Yua's advice, Ryu follows suit and falls asleep under the dragon. When he awakens, his family has disappeared, and no one in town recognizes him. Later that night, a young orphan named Bow decides to loot the church. Finding nothing of interest, he decides to accompany Ryu on his way to another town.
Flash forward to many years later, Ryu and Bow are living in Hometown, performing odd jobs for the Ranger's Guild. After an item is stolen from the home of wealthy man, Bow is falsely accused of the theft and forced to flee. With the authorities out looking for him, Bow is left with little recourse but to go into hiding, leaving Ryu to find the real thief.
[edit] Characters
The eight main playable characters of Breath of Fire 2 are Ryu Bateson, a blue-haired orphan who shares the same namesake as the protagonist of Breath of Fire; Bow, an anthropomorphic dog who become a fugitive after being falsely accused of stealing; Rand, a bouncer who works at the local coliseum; Katt, a catgirl and fierce champion fighter; Nina, an angelic Princess who was exiled because of her black wings; Sten, a foolish chimpanzee who works as a traveling magician; Jean, a gallant, French-speaking frog; and Spar, a forest entity who was unwillingly put to work as sideshow attraction. Bleu, the naga-like sorceress from Breath of Fire, also makes an appearance as an optional character.
[edit] Game Boy Advance version
Several gameplay changes were made to the Game Boy Advance port, including the ability to dash, quick saving, and being able to trade items with other players.
[edit] References
- ^ 株式会社カプコン: ゲーム.
- ^ Virtual Console Games: Breath of Fire II.
- ^ ブレス オブ ファイアII ～使命の子～ ストーリー.
- ^ David DeRienzo. Breath of Fire II. Gamespy. Retrieved on 06-04-2008.
[edit] External links
- Official Breath of Fire 2 website (for GBA)
- Breath of Fire II at MobyGames
- Dragon-tear.net English Breath of Fire fansite with in-depth character information, high-quality artwork, and forums.
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