Breath of Fire 3 or Vagrant Story

[hashiriya1]

I am trying to decide between these two RPGs. I hear great things about both, but I'll only have time for one which will take a while to finish. Which do you prefer? I am not a hardcore RPG'er, but I do enjoy a good RPG a couple times a year. Which one should I play next? Thanks!

[axlryder]

As fun as BOF 3 was for me, it's definitely a nostalgia fueled experience. I think Vagrant story was, and, to a certain extent, is one of the most successfully ambitious rpgs to have ever been published. While it's not particularly long, it has an interesting narrative, battle system, and graphical engine that puts at the top of even square's impressive catalog of late 90's-early 2000's rpgs. BOF 3 is more one of those games that was good at the time, but more so for just being a fun little title that appealed to certain aesthetic tastes that were more prevalent in the 90's. I personally prefer both BOF 2 and 4 over 3, plus Grandia is a game in a very similar vein as BOF 3 that is also significantly better.

Anyway, that's just my two cents, I'm sure you'll get plenty of value out of whichever one of those two you decide to play, since they're both very good games overall imo.

[Hateshinai]

I enjoyed both but preferred the old school turn based BoF3 to the Parappa The Rapper style of combat of Vagrant Story. Having said that, I don't think it has aged particularly well and there is nothing really original in it. Vagrant Story is definitely more unique and also shorter than BoF3 if I remember well. So I suggest you try Vagrant Story if you can only play one.

[Ack]

I feel Breath of Fire 3 is one of the best PS1 RPGs, and I highly suggest you play it.

[Bradtemple87]

Breath of fire 3 was my favorite in the series. The master abilities are really fun to work towards.

[dlmvii]

Vagrant Story is definitely unique, but I think it's graphical style has aged very poorly.
Breath of Fire III is a classic. I'd easily recommend it over almost any other ps1 title out there

[weasels]

I just picked up Vagrant story and i can't tell you how much i underestimated it in the past. This game is a fine example of great gaming and cinematic story telling. out of all the Ivalice (yes from Final fantasy tactics series and FF12) games, i find this to be my personal favorite due to it's mystifying and dark story and setting, deep characters, and great gameplay. that isn't to say i enjoy BoF3 either. but it's all up to your mood if your looking for more of a cinematic and complex game that isn't exactly the longest then go for vagrant story. if your up to a traditional RPG with that still holds up as the best in the series, then go for BoF3.

[Snickerd00dle]

Those are both great RPGs for the PS1 and while I have no played either, I feel like if I were in your position, I would pick Vagrant Story simply because I have touched some of the earlier Breath of Fire games, and would want something different (not saying the other ones are bad)
so although I have not played them, that was my two cents

[Gamerforlife]

Definitely Vagrant Story, it's a tough game though as I recall

[Gnashvar]

Both are really good but Vagrant Story is just one of the best.