Threads of Fate review

After finishing up this game, I have this weird feeling on it. I can't tell whether I like it or hate it. Or maybe both. I know I didn't enjoy the gameplay that much or at all and the story isn't that great but somehow there's this little part of me that wish there was a sequel. I guess it's because I want to see the cast of Threads of Fate again. This is one of those game where you enjoy the characters so much that you would definetly want to see them again regardless of whether the game is good or not. That pretty much summed up my feeling on Threads of Fate. Having said that, it's time for a little closer look on this game.

Threads of Fate is basically one whole story broken up into two different view points base on the main characters. At the beginning of the game, you have to choose a male or female main characters. They are Rue and Mint. Now the overrall story itself is pretty much the same with the exception of the ending and the overrall feel of the two stories. Rue story is more of an open and shut case with seriousness as the tone while Mint story is a light heart fun story with the possibility of a sequel attach to it. I'm gonna break down the two story separately here. I'll go with Rue storyline first.
Rue story starts off in a flashback sequence that takes place three years ago. Here we learn that Rue has been living with a woman by the name of Claire. Although not related, Rue sees Claire as a sister. One night or evening a noise was heard while the two were having dinner. Rue goes out to investigate this noise. It turns out that the noise was caused by an intruder by the name of Arm of Death. A fight shortly breaks out between Rue and Arm of Death. Claire seeing this fight decided to intervene and was killed by the Arm of Death. Then the story flashes back to present day time where we find Rue on a boat on a journey to Corona Town. Here we discover that Rue is on a quest to find a powerful ancient relic. We learn that this ancient relic has the ability to grant anyone their widest dreams or wishes come true. Rue wish of course is to bring back his dead sister, Claire. Hence we have the plotline for Rue's story.
Mint story starts off like Rue where you have a flashback sequence three years ago. In this flashback we see Princess Mint being a selfish and irresponsible older sister who acts as if she's 6 years old in a castle. We also learn that due to Mint's immature behavior, the high council of East Heaven Kingdom has strip Mint as being the successor to the throne giving the succession to her younger sister, Maya. Now flash forward into present day time and we see Mint on the same boat as Rue plotting to find an ancient relic so she can have her wish of World Domination. To quote Mint, "Once I find the relic, it's going to be World Domination time!" This is the outline of Mint's story.
Now both characters, Mint and Rue interact in each others story and provide character support and help. For example during a story sequence, if you are playing Rue, Mint will offer to help out and look for a particular item, you won't be able to see how things turn out with Mint unless you play Mint's scenario and vice versa with Rue when you play Mint's scenario. Thus if you play both scenario, you get a much bigger picture of the overrall story but with different endings due to the differences of the quest. Each story is fairly short too. It takes about 10 to 15 hours for one story. Surprisingly, each story is done very well with good characters and plot twists. I really enjoy Threads of Fate story especially with Mint's storyline.

Like with most action rpgs, the characters developement are aim directly at the main characters whether it's Rue or Mint. Both characters are develope beautifully with uniqueness to each of them. Rue is the strong, serious, honor bound, and silent type while Mint is the outspoken, high spirited, immature individual. The supporting cast of Threads of Fate is a small one. They consists of 4 to 5 characters only. The thing that stands out the most is the colorful and unique personality of the cast of Threads of Fate. Of course Mint provides most of the colorful and comedy aspect to Threads of Fate. In fact without Mint, I think Threads of Fate story wouldn't be as good. While playing this game, Mint has quickly become one of my favorite rpg character. Imagine Yuffie (FF7), Selphie (FF8), and Meru (Legend of Dragoon) were to combine together to make a main character to go on a quest to rule the world. You get Mint. I truly can't get enough of her. From her signature quote, "it's going to be World Domination", to her signature move, "jump kick you in the face", to her fear of pumpkins or to the look she gives anyone when they insult her. She's hilarious. Overrall, Threads of Fate provides great characters that you can enjoy.

The graphics is much in the way of Brave Fencer Musashi. A 3-D polygon world with polygons characters. Unlike Brave Fencer, Threads of Fate polygons are more clean and smooth with better details. The backgrounds mostly consists of a 3-D environment but during the game, it will switch to a 2-D environment now and then. I'm not a big fan of polygons but this game's use of polygons are pretty good. The colors of Threads of Fate are decent too.

Music wise, it's kind of a let down. The music isn't bad by any means but it's not good either. I guess average is about it. Legend of Mana music is far better than Threads of Fate. Still, I guess you can't have good music in every single Square game. Wish there were more tunes available.

Gameplay is very similar to Brave Fencer. Go to different places to acquire the items you need to progress further into the game. Since this is an action rpg, you need to hack and slash your way to get those items. There are puzzles to solve of course but most of the puzzles are fairly easy with a few exception here and there. There are a few things to point out though. One is that there is only one save point in the entire game and it's located at the INN. This is a major pain in the butt cause if you're going to explore a dungeon or cave, you better make sure you have the time to finish it or else you're have to start all over again. I mean nothing pisses you off more than to make it all the way to the final dungeon just to get kill by the boss and have to do everything over again. There are no healing items as well or healing magic. Mint has healing magic but Rue doesn't. So how does the game off set this since there are no save points or healing items?? Everytime you killed an enemy they sometimes randomly drop healing potions to be use right away. You can get special coins throughout the game. These coins help off set the need of save points as the coins provides continues everytime you die. But overrall, give me healing items and a save point anyday. Each characters has a unique ability attach to them. Rue can change into certain enemies to use their skills, while Mint can use different elemental magic spells. These abilities of course are mainly use to help solve a puzzle. If you're stuck with a puzzle, chances are that you need to use a certain animal skills or magic to solve it. Basic gameplay is simple, go to your next area and get the item required. Hack and slash the enemies and bosses and use your special abilities to solve the puzzles. I should mention that the controls for running and jumping is pretty bad. This is one of the biggest annoyances of the game. I truly had a hard time with jumping and running. Brave Fencer gameplay was much better and smoother.

Extra is a total disappointment. There are really no extra or secret stuff at all. There are mini games but those mini games are a part of the gameplay anyways. Replay of course comes from playing the different scenarios. Once you finish one character's story, you can then make a clear game save and use it on your next game.

When you look at one of the endings where there is a suggestion of a possible sequel, you kinda get the feeling it's not going to happen. Threads of Fate is a decent better than average game but one that doesn't really warrent a sequel. This is a shame cause I truly would love to see Mint's character again. Hell even the story is pretty decent too but the gameplay really hurt this game. It would be very surprising if a sequel is announce.

Threads of Fate: It's World Domination Time!

Threads of Fate:
It's World Domination Time!