Summary

Release Year: 2002
Genres: Role-playing game (RPG), Strategy
Platforms: PlayStation 2
Developers: Capcom
Publishers: Capcom

Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter (2002)

A Radical Departure

Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter is a radical departure from the previous titles of the Breath of Fire series, and in some ways from standard Japanese-style role-playing games in general. The game is built like a huge dungeon crawler, with no overworld map. The combat is tactical: each character has action points (AP), which can be used to move around the screen during an enemy encounter, and perform a variety of combo attacks. There is no magic in the game, and many of the items found in dungeons are random. All the enemies are visible on screen. Depending on who first initiated a physical contact, the party or the enemies get an extra turn in battles.

A New Setting

The game is set in a world that has been ravaged by a cataclysmic event known as the “Dragon Fall.” The world is now a barren wasteland, and the few remaining humans live in isolated villages. The player takes control of a party of four characters who are on a quest to find the Dragon Quarter, a legendary place where it is said that the power of dragons still exists.

A New Combat System

The combat system in Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter is one of the most unique and innovative aspects of the game. Each character has a set number of action points (AP) that can be used to move around the screen and perform attacks. Attacks can be chained together to create combos, which can deal massive damage to enemies.

There are three types of attacks in the game: physical attacks, ranged attacks, and special attacks. Physical attacks are the most basic type of attack, and they can be used to deal damage to enemies adjacent to the attacker. Ranged attacks can be used to damage enemies from a distance, and they are typically less powerful than physical attacks. Special attacks are powerful attacks that can be used to deal massive damage to enemies, but they require a lot of AP to use.

A New Way to Play

Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter is a challenging and rewarding game that offers a unique and innovative take on the JRPG genre. The game’s dungeon crawler structure, tactical combat system, and emphasis on replayability make it a must-play for fans of the series and JRPGs in general.

Characters

Ryu – The main protagonist of the game, Ryu is a young man who is searching for the Dragon Quarter in order to find a way to save his village from the Dragon Fall. Ryu is a powerful warrior who can transform into a dragon.
Nina – A young woman who is traveling with Ryu, Nina is a skilled archer who is searching for the Dragon Quarter in order to find a way to cure her brother’s illness.
Garr – A large and powerful man, Garr is a skilled swordsman who is searching for the Dragon Quarter in order to find a way to defeat the dragons that are terrorizing his homeland.
Mao – A young girl who is traveling with Garr, Mao is a skilled thief who is searching for the Dragon Quarter in order to find a way to save her village from poverty.

Enemies

The enemies in Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter are varied and challenging. Some of the most common enemies include:

Goblins – Small, green creatures that are armed with swords and bows.
Orcs – Large, powerful creatures that are armed with axes and clubs.
Dragons – The most powerful enemies in the game, dragons are large, winged creatures that can breathe fire and cast powerful spells.

Items

There are a variety of items that can be found in Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter. Some of the most useful items include:

Weapons – Weapons can be used to attack enemies. There are a variety of different weapons available, including swords, axes, bows, and staffs.
Armor – Armor can be used to protect characters from enemy attacks. There are a variety of different armor available, including helmets, chest plates, and boots.
Items – Items can be used to restore health, cure status effects, and cast spells. There are a variety of different items available, including potions, herbs, and scrolls.

Replayability

Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter is a highly replayable game. The game allows players to restart the game from the beginning at any time, keeping all of their items and experience. This allows players to experiment with different party combinations and strategies.

The game also features a special counter – Ryu can use his traditional dragon transformation abilities, but the counter raises with each such transformation, and when the counter reaches 100, the game is over. Raising the D-ratio allows characters to access new areas every time the game is replayed.

Reception

Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter received mixed reviews upon release. Some critics praised the game’s unique and innovative gameplay, while others criticized its difficulty and lack of polish. However, the game has since gained a cult following among fans of the series and JRPGs in general.

Legacy

Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter is a unique and innovative JRPG that stands out from the crowd. The game’s dungeon crawler structure, tactical combat system, and emphasis on replayability make it a must-play for fans of the series and JRPGs in general.