Threads of Fate
Encyclopedia
Threads of Fate, known in Japan
as , is an action role-playing game
for the PlayStation console developed and published by Square
(now Square Enix
). The story revolves around the adventure of two characters, Mint and Rue, and a highlight of the game is that the player is able to play from the perspective of either. Though an official sequel was never released, there exists a fan-made sequel called "DuoPrincess" for the PC in Japanese. It is an action-adventure game that lets you play as Mint or her sister Maya, with other characters from the main game appearing in the story.
than a traditional menu-based RPG such as those in the Final Fantasy
series. It is more similar in style to the Mana games by Square
or even The Legend of Zelda series by Nintendo
. The lead female character, Mint, attacks with a pair of chakram
s, known as the Dual Haloes, and is a proficient magic user. The lead male character, Rue, is more physical and attacks with his axe
, Arc Edge. He also has the ability to transform into various monsters that he defeats, utilizing their attacks and powers. The ring menu used to select Mint's magic attacks or Rue's shape-shifting is reminiscent of the menu system in Secret of Mana
.
At the beginning of the game, the player is given the choice of playing through the game as either Mint or Rue. Depending on the selection, the game proceeds with one of two storylines. Though the quests are very similar, the storylines themselves have a branching quality that brings certain scenarios to life in one storyline without remotely mentioning them in the other; completing both games will give the player a holistic storyline to weave together from the two, as well as a 'true' ending to the game.
The simplicity of the story makes its theme oddly obtuse, however. The game's storyline is based heavily on the distinction between immutable destiny and choice. This is most obvious in Rue's storyline, as he gives many speeches near the end of the game about fighting the will of his master and refusing to accept fate, but many of the more important characters also follow through on this theme.
For instance, Mint's original destiny was to become queen of East Heaven Kingdom. However, she was thrown from her position, casting her out of her high fate. In response to this, she decided to write her own destiny by skipping the formality of ruling a kingdom and instead simply seeking to take over the world. Rod's fate, too, was written by his father Pleskin, and he expected to be the greatest swordsman of all time, capable of defeating his father, who held the title. Because Pleskin died, Rod was left to wallow in the despair of never being able to surpass his father's legacy until Lucine helped him realize that he needn't be tied by his assumed fate. He instead became a swordsmith-fighter-vagrant, determined to surpass his father's legacy in his own way, by becoming the greatest weapon crafter known to the world.
, who has worked on several other games for Square. Hidenori Iwasaki
did the score's synthesizer programming. A soundtrack was released in Japan (titled Dewprism OST) and was available via import for several years in other countries. The soundtrack, though discontinued and out of print, was recently given a re-print in August 2006.
The OST has two discs, Disc RUE and Disc MINT, featuring all of the tracks played throughout the game. The tracks are divided between the discs according to which character they fit best. Much of the mellower music is contained on Rue's disc, with a fairly small selection of 'happy' tracks or battle tracks, while Mint's disc contains almost all of the more intrusive tracks, the happier tracks, and several battle themes.
. The game was re-released in 2007 under Square Enix's Legendary Hits label in Japan.
based on the game was planned to be made by Ken Akamatsu
of Love Hina
fame, but the project was scrapped. Many of his character designs would later be redesigned and used in Akamatsu's Negima!: Magister Negi Magi
.
On December 29, 2010 Square-Enix announced Threads of Fate will also be released for the PlayStation Network in North America. It was released on April 19, 2011, however this was one day before the PlayStation Network outage
, and so was not widely available until June 2, 2011, when the network was restored.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
as , is an action role-playing game
Action role-playing game
Action role-playing games form a loosely defined sub-genre of role-playing video games that incorporate elements of action or action-adventure games, emphasizing real-time action where the player has direct control over characters, instead of turn-based or menu-based combat...
for the PlayStation console developed and published by Square
Square Co.
was a Japanese video game company founded in September 1983 by Masafumi Miyamoto. It merged with Enix in 2003 and became part of Square Enix...
(now Square Enix
Square Enix
is a Japanese video game and publishing company best known for its console role-playing game franchises, which include the Final Fantasy series, the Dragon Quest series, and the action-RPG Kingdom Hearts series...
). The story revolves around the adventure of two characters, Mint and Rue, and a highlight of the game is that the player is able to play from the perspective of either. Though an official sequel was never released, there exists a fan-made sequel called "DuoPrincess" for the PC in Japanese. It is an action-adventure game that lets you play as Mint or her sister Maya, with other characters from the main game appearing in the story.
Gameplay
The gameplay is simple and action-oriented rather than turn-based, playing more like an action platformerPlatform game
A platform game is a video game characterized by requiring the player to jump to and from suspended platforms or over obstacles . It must be possible to control these jumps and to fall from platforms or miss jumps...
than a traditional menu-based RPG such as those in the Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy
is a media franchise created by Hironobu Sakaguchi, and is developed and owned by Square Enix . The franchise centers on a series of fantasy and science-fantasy role-playing video games , but includes motion pictures, anime, printed media, and other merchandise...
series. It is more similar in style to the Mana games by Square
Square Co.
was a Japanese video game company founded in September 1983 by Masafumi Miyamoto. It merged with Enix in 2003 and became part of Square Enix...
or even The Legend of Zelda series by Nintendo
Nintendo
is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
. The lead female character, Mint, attacks with a pair of chakram
Chakram
The chakram , sometimes called a war quoit, is a throwing weapon from India. Its shape is of a flat metal hoop with a sharp outer edge from in diameter...
s, known as the Dual Haloes, and is a proficient magic user. The lead male character, Rue, is more physical and attacks with his axe
Axe
The axe, or ax, is an implement that has been used for millennia to shape, split and cut wood; to harvest timber; as a weapon; and as a ceremonial or heraldic symbol...
, Arc Edge. He also has the ability to transform into various monsters that he defeats, utilizing their attacks and powers. The ring menu used to select Mint's magic attacks or Rue's shape-shifting is reminiscent of the menu system in Secret of Mana
Secret of Mana
Secret of Mana is an action role-playing game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System developed and published by Square in 1993. The game was re-released for the Wii's Virtual Console in 2008, and was ported to Japanese mobile phones in 2009...
.
At the beginning of the game, the player is given the choice of playing through the game as either Mint or Rue. Depending on the selection, the game proceeds with one of two storylines. Though the quests are very similar, the storylines themselves have a branching quality that brings certain scenarios to life in one storyline without remotely mentioning them in the other; completing both games will give the player a holistic storyline to weave together from the two, as well as a 'true' ending to the game.
Themes
Threads of Fate has a reasonably uncomplicated story and (save for its rather unexpected plot twist) harbors minimal surprise and suspense, with its greatest story pull being in its character interactions, aided by flawless localization.The simplicity of the story makes its theme oddly obtuse, however. The game's storyline is based heavily on the distinction between immutable destiny and choice. This is most obvious in Rue's storyline, as he gives many speeches near the end of the game about fighting the will of his master and refusing to accept fate, but many of the more important characters also follow through on this theme.
For instance, Mint's original destiny was to become queen of East Heaven Kingdom. However, she was thrown from her position, casting her out of her high fate. In response to this, she decided to write her own destiny by skipping the formality of ruling a kingdom and instead simply seeking to take over the world. Rod's fate, too, was written by his father Pleskin, and he expected to be the greatest swordsman of all time, capable of defeating his father, who held the title. Because Pleskin died, Rod was left to wallow in the despair of never being able to surpass his father's legacy until Lucine helped him realize that he needn't be tied by his assumed fate. He instead became a swordsmith-fighter-vagrant, determined to surpass his father's legacy in his own way, by becoming the greatest weapon crafter known to the world.
Music
The music of Threads of Fate is composed by Junya NakanoJunya Nakano
is a Japanese video game composer who was employed at Square Enix from 1995 to 2009. He is best known for scoring Threads of Fate and co-composing Final Fantasy X. He has also worked as an arranger for Dawn of Mana and the Nintendo DS version of Final Fantasy IV...
, who has worked on several other games for Square. Hidenori Iwasaki
Hidenori Iwasaki
is a Japanese synthesizer programmer and video game composer currently working at Square Enix. He studied at the Tokyo International University before joining Square in 1998. He first worked as a synthesizer programmer before becoming a composer. His first work as a solo composer is Front Mission 4...
did the score's synthesizer programming. A soundtrack was released in Japan (titled Dewprism OST) and was available via import for several years in other countries. The soundtrack, though discontinued and out of print, was recently given a re-print in August 2006.
The OST has two discs, Disc RUE and Disc MINT, featuring all of the tracks played throughout the game. The tracks are divided between the discs according to which character they fit best. Much of the mellower music is contained on Rue's disc, with a fairly small selection of 'happy' tracks or battle tracks, while Mint's disc contains almost all of the more intrusive tracks, the happier tracks, and several battle themes.
| Dewprism OST tracklist | |
|---|---|
Disc 1 - Rue (74:41)
|
Disc 2 - Mint (71:10)
|
Reception
The game was scored a 34 out of 40 by the Japanese magazine FamitsuFamitsu
is a line of Japanese video game magazines published by Enterbrain, Inc. and Tokuma. Currently, there are five Famitsū magazines: Shūkan Famitsū, Famitsū PS3 + PSP, Famitsū Xbox 360, Famitsū Wii+DS, and Famitsū Wave DVD...
. The game was re-released in 2007 under Square Enix's Legendary Hits label in Japan.
Manga
A mangaManga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
based on the game was planned to be made by Ken Akamatsu
Ken Akamatsu
is a Japanese manga artist from Tokyo.Sailor Moon was his introduction to anime and manga fandom.In his teens, Akamatsu applied himself to Film Study . Eventually, he became famous as an illustrator featured in Comiket . He used the pen name...
of Love Hina
Love Hina
is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Ken Akamatsu. It was originally serialized in Weekly Shōnen Magazine by Kodansha from October 21, 1998 to October 31, 2001 and was published in 14 tankōbon volumes by Kodansha. The series tells the story of Keitaro Urashima and his attempts to...
fame, but the project was scrapped. Many of his character designs would later be redesigned and used in Akamatsu's Negima!: Magister Negi Magi
Negima!: Magister Negi Magi
Negima! Magister Negi Magi, known in Japan as is a manga and anime series by Ken Akamatsu . The manga is currently being published by Kodansha and serialized in Shōnen Magazine in Japan. Del Rey Manga published the English translated version in the United States and Canada prior to Kodansha...
.
PlayStation Network re-release
On May 4, 2010 Square Enix announced Threads of Fate will be released for PlayStation Network. It was released on June 23, 2010 on the Japanese Store.On December 29, 2010 Square-Enix announced Threads of Fate will also be released for the PlayStation Network in North America. It was released on April 19, 2011, however this was one day before the PlayStation Network outage
PlayStation Network outage
The PlayStation Network outage was the result of an "external intrusion" on Sony's PlayStation Network and Qriocity services, in which personal details from approximately 77 million accounts were stolen and prevented users of PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable consoles from playing online...
, and so was not widely available until June 2, 2011, when the network was restored.
External links
- Official Threads of Fate website
- Threads of Fate at Game RankingsGame RankingsGameRankings is a website that collects review scores from both offline and online sources to give an average rating. It indexes over 315,000 articles relating to more than 14,500 games.GameRankings is owned by CBS Interactive...
- Threads of Fate at RPGamer