Vagrant Story

Vagrant Story

T

9.6

2000-12-31

2018-07-03 12:33:22

Vagrant Story is a critically acclaimed 2000 PlayStation action RPG from Square, known for its mature political thriller story, complex weapon crafting, and unique, strategic real-time combat system set in the world of Ivalice. Players control Ashley Riot, a ”Riskbreaker” agent, as he navigates the cursed city of Leá Monde, uncovering a conspiracy involving cults and political intrigue. Its deep mechanics, distinct art style, and intricate narrative have made it a cult classic, though its complexity initially challenged some players.

Characters and Dynamic
Ashley Riot: The player character, an elite agent (Riskbreaker) in the Valendia Knights of the Peace.
Sydney Losstarot: An effeminate, beautiful, and charismatic leader of an apocalyptic cult.
Relationship: The story focuses on the intense, almost intimate cat-and-mouse relationship between Ashley and Sydney throughout the ruined city of Leá Monde.
Character Design: The game is famous for its stylized, often revealing character designs, including Ashley’s outfit, which some fans have jokingly criticized or analyzed for its aesthetic, which sometimes borders on the homoerotic.
Game Details
Genre: Action RPG/Dungeon Crawler.
Platform: PlayStation 1 (also available on PS3/PSP/PS Vita via PSN).
Key Features: No shops, no party members, high difficulty, and a complex combat system requiring timed button presses.

The game is often cited as a ”cult classic” or ”underrated masterpiece” of the PS1 era

Key Features
Genre: Action Role-Playing Game (ARPG)
Platform: Originally PlayStation (PS1), later re-released on PlayStation Network for PS3, PSP, and PS Vita
Developer/Publisher: Square (now Square Enix)
Director: Yasumi Matsuno (of Final Fantasy Tactics fame)
Setting: The world of Ivalice, specifically the ruined city of Leá Monde
Protagonist: Ashley Riot, an elite agent
Gameplay & Mechanics
Combat: Real-time combat with a focus on exploiting enemy weaknesses through a ”chain” system, combining physical attacks and magic.
Weapon System: Deep weapon modification and crafting system where players can combine weapons and armor to create powerful gear.
Dungeon Crawling: A solo dungeon crawler experience through the catacombs beneath Leá Monde.
Difficulty: Known for its steep learning curve and complex systems, which can be challenging but rewarding.
Story & Tone
Mature Narrative: A dark, complex story filled with political intrigue, betrayal, and moral ambiguity, unlike typical fairy-tale RPGs.
Intriguing Plot: Centers on Ashley Riot’s investigation into a cult leader and a powerful Duke, unraveling a conspiracy.
High Production Value: Praised for its distinct art direction, impressive lighting for the era, and music by Hitoshi Sakimoto.

Sony PlayStation

SquareSoft

662248900025

1

Canada

32-bit

CD ROM

1

Snap Case

~$95.00

2026-03-04

2018-07-03 12:33:22