Threads of Fate

Threads of Fate is a game that is firmly embedded in my memory. The first time I played it, I played as Rue, whose story starts off so strong. From how the game looks, you wouldn't think you're about to go through a tear-jerker, but it really doesn't hold back. And what in the world is that dude with the massive hand? And where did Rue get that giant paper cutter arm?

You Are the Monster

Like I said earlier, the story is excellent from the beginning. Once you step foot onto the dock in Corona, it's not long before you're off looking for hidden coins and exploring the quirky world of Threads of Fate. I'd never really played a game that first introduces you to something called a Pollywog, and then immediately allows you to become said Pollywog.

Exploring the woods as Rue, who can shape shift into nearly any monster you encounter, never really gets old. There's hidden secrets to be found, and some require you to be a specific monster type to access them. Rue also has his giant paper cutter, and it's really fun to get strength upgrades and use them to defeat memorable bosses.

Everybody Has a Story

Most of the NPCs in Threads of Fate are very memorable characters. Fancy Mel's home is not a place any kid will likely forget, with the horns and giant pink cloud-like platforms. And Rod with his flamenco music, awesome jet boat thing, and cool weapons. I constantly checked in with him to see if he had a new challenge for me.

I'll never forget discovering that there was a back alley with shops you could explore. It's the kind of game that is dialed in so well. It doesn't try to be anything that it's not, and it's a magnificent example of the limitations of PS1-era technology bringing out the best in game development. The off-the-wall environment and characters added such depth, and the mechanics perfectly fit to make a wonderfully memorable experience.

Don't Forget About Mint

This game has a huge added bonus. It's pretty short and to the point, but you can also go back and play the game again as Mint (or Rue if you chose Mint first). And they're both different experiences since Mint doesn't do the monster thing. Instead, she uses magic, and I don't remember all of her mechanics, it's been decades since I played as Mint. As I write this one, I'm getting the itch to go down that road.

There are at least two areas, each specific to your chosen character. They split up at some point, and you don't get to see what the other one saw until you play as them—very cool feature.

An Age of Discovery

This game came to me during my early teenage years, and I was discovering how to navigate time for disciplined studying and time for fun. I remember implementing the practice of only allowing myself to play games Friday night through Sunday night. This made Threads of Fate much more fun because I eagerly looked forward to playing it during the week. I couldn't wait to keep exploring and learning more about who Rue was and why he lost his memories. And seriously, who was that giant hand guy?

During those years, games were released much less frequently, and most of the time, people were talking about games like Driver and Siphon Filter. Those were also very cool games of that age, but nobody I knew was talking about Threads of Fate. In fact, to this day, the only people I know who played are the friends I introduced the game to.

Worth Indulging

If you're a fan of PS1-era JRPGs, I highly recommend Threads of Fate. It's still a game you can easily get into despite the mechanical limitations. Either that or the nostalgia is strong enough for me that I can still enjoy it in spite of the old tech. I like to believe it's a great hidden gem.