Vagrant Story

 PlayStation
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 247 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 222 out of 247
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 247
  3. Negative: 14 out of 247
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  1. MrStealth141
    Jun 1, 2014
    9
    This game is awesome!
    - Deep Storyline
    - Good Combat System
    - Beautiful Graphics (for the time, of course)
    - Deep Strategy System
    - Epic Bosses

    This game is really good, it's worth playing even in an emulator.
  2. Lucas92
    Mar 30, 2017
    9
    I gave this game a 10 because it was either that or a 9. And to me, the score that more closely represents this game is a 99/100.

    Before I go in-depth, I will tell you a few things you should know about Vagrant Story. It is a dungeon crawler, you play lone ranger Ashley Riot has he explores the ruins of Leá Monde searching for the antagonist of the game. This game's combat relies on    I gave this game a 10 because it was either that or a 9. And to me, the score that more closely represents this game is a 99/100.

    Before I go in-depth, I will tell you a few things you should know about Vagrant Story. It is a dungeon crawler, you play lone ranger Ashley Riot has he explores the ruins of Leá Monde searching for the antagonist of the game. This game's combat relies on combos executed through a rhythm mini-game, where you press a button of your choosing to execute another attack upon seeing an exclamation mark pop up above Ashley's head. I can't emphasize this enough: the game is HEAVY no the dungeon crawling. There are no NPCs for you to interact with: it is you, Ashley Riot, against the monsters inside the city of Leá Monde. Still interested?

    Okay. You should also know that the game heavily relies on equipment to defeat your enemies. Your stats only increase by defeating the bosses scattered throughout the game, all of which you will encounter as you advance through the main storyline. In addition to these increases, you may or not find stat increasing items, though this are rare. Because of this heavy emphasis on equipment, you will need to use every weapon at your disposal. Use the wrong weapon, and you may find yourself doing laughable damage to your enemy, or no damage at all. Even in the early game the "good" weapons still won't do much damage to the opponents. This is one of the frustrating aspects this game has for most players, made even worse by the fact the game lacks a proper switch-weapons hotkey. This is the only reason why I give this game a 99 out of 100. Still with me?

    Fine. I've already told you the reasons you may dislike this game:

    - Lack of NPCs.
    - Heavy emphasis on combat and dungeon crawling.
    - Dependence on equipment and the combo system.

    So now you will probably want to hear what is so good about this game, why is it a 99 out of 100? Before I say that, I want to mention a few things.

    - This is my first Metacritic review, and probably my only one.
    - I have played Morrowind, Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, Skyrim, Planescape: Torment, Fallout. Of these, none of them, I repeat, NONE of them, deserve anything higher than a solid 90 out of 100. Fallout 3 and Skyrim, to boot, deserve no score higher than a solid 70 out of 100. I say this because those two are some of the most popular RPGs ever made, so it is important that you have an idea of what I think of these "acclaimed" videogames.
    - I don't like JRPGs as much as I did when I was a teenager.

    All of that out of the way, here's why, if you don't mind about the disadvantages mentioned above, you should get this game:

    - Vagrant Story has the most engaging combat I've ever experienced in a videogame, bar tactics/strategy videogames. It has definitely the most engaging combat I've ever experienced in an RPG, and one of the most rewarding to boot. As you acquire new skills, your combos get progressively stronger and more interesting. These abilities can range from "do extra damage" to "drain some of the enemy's HP".
    - Your reliance on equipment is made more meaningful through the equipment combination mechanic. You can go to specific workshops littered throughout Leá Monde to combine your different swords, axes, spears, shields, armor, etc. and acquire better (or worse) pieces of equipment. The game also has a "material" system: the better the material, the better your equipment will be. But it is not as simple as "higher tier = better", as some equipment, particularly wooden protection, actually makes your magical skills better than the equipment that offers better protection against physical attacks.
    - Enemies have a good variety of skills and tricks, meaning you won't feel like you are battling the same enemy over an over again. This is in contrast to games like Skyrim or Fallout, where enemies pretty much differ from each other by how much damage they deal to you, and little else.
    - The dungeons have their own invisible traps (which you can make visible through a spell), and block puzzles, which you need to move around to access different sections of Leá Monde.
    - The musical score is exquisite. Moreover, the sound design is great as well, and you actually feel inside a long abandoned, cursed city. It's something to be experienced for sure.
    - The game is very well written, and uses "Shakesperian" english to great effort.
    - If you are a Final Fantasy Tactics fan, there are tons of references around through item descriptions. Vagrant Story actually shares its setting with FFT: Ivalice.
    - And the story... I'll keep it simple: my two favorite stories in videogames are Vagrant Story and Planescape: Torment, in that order. I can't say anything more without spoiling VS' memorable narrative.

    Overall, the best game I've ever played, and finally one japanese RPG that lives up to the "JRPGs have great stories!" moniker.    … Expand
  3. ChrisP.
    Sep 2, 2007
    9
    What a brilliant game. The combat mechanics can be a bit clunky at times (basically, you have to hold down L1 at all times when you are fighting so the combat menu popups whenever your turn is allowed), but the story, music, and art design more than compensate. The dialogue, blocking, and story pacing are all near perfect, and the ending is one of the best in videogame history. The What a brilliant game. The combat mechanics can be a bit clunky at times (basically, you have to hold down L1 at all times when you are fighting so the combat menu popups whenever your turn is allowed), but the story, music, and art design more than compensate. The dialogue, blocking, and story pacing are all near perfect, and the ending is one of the best in videogame history. The accomplishments, bonus dungeon, and extra bosses can also prolong the otherwise 20 hour game if you want more to do.… Expand
  4. RileyF.
    Jul 14, 2002
    8
    I'm stuck at the end the door is locked.
  5. Nekomancer
    Nov 21, 2011
    10
    A game from the golden age of Squaresoft :) One of the best games I have played. Whate else can there be said? Just go and play it yourself! You won't regret it:)
  6. kailoone
    Sep 20, 2016
    10
    I just don't know what to say about this game... I bought it back in 2001mainly because the cover's artwork caught my eye, I used to be more of a Silent Hill, Resident Evil or Metal Gear player but then that year I saw this game and bought it although I played it some years later mainly because I was busy playing many other action titles Legacy of Kain, Parasite Eve ect ect. Well afterI just don't know what to say about this game... I bought it back in 2001mainly because the cover's artwork caught my eye, I used to be more of a Silent Hill, Resident Evil or Metal Gear player but then that year I saw this game and bought it although I played it some years later mainly because I was busy playing many other action titles Legacy of Kain, Parasite Eve ect ect. Well after some time I decided to give this game a try it was probably 2003 so I was like ok time to play it... wow the moment it started playing and all the story and everything was like watching a movie, the more I played the more I was mesmerized by the beautiful dungeons and amazing story. The game is a little complicated so it took me some time to understand everything, after all this was my first dungeon crawling game I had ever played, this game is what made me want to play other titles such as diablo, darkstone, dungeon siege and even Final Fantasy games etc etc. It's been nearly 15 years since I first bought this game and 13 years since I finished it and in that time I have played many many titles new and old for PC and every possible console up to this moment 2016 that are hack and slash and dungeon crawlers but truth is I have never found in all these years a game so perfect as this one. I just don't know where to start about this game and I could make a whole book praising this gem of a game, the music is just perfect it fits every dungeon and place perfectly on par with Final Fantasy's music the ambience is soo beautiful makes me wish there was a place in this world as beautiful as Lea Monde, the story oh boy the story worthy of a novel and movies and a whole series. The gameplay is a little confusing but once you understand it, it's smooth sailing from there, the game has a very good build up in every possible way and I mean storywise and also game wise, it's very well balanced in work and reward I would say perfectly balanced, it's not senseless grinding with unbalanced rewards like almost every other dungeon crawling title out there. The story is just so intriguing and it has an excellent pace. This game also has replay value since new areas are accesible in a replay and you get to save stats and some items. I wish I could forget I finished this game 20 times and enjoy it like it was the first time, sadly I already know every corner of this game so I can't play it anymore without getting a little bored, just a little. What else can I say about this game? It's simply perfect and it's what I use to measure any other game of it's type even to this day, Vagrant Story will always have a place in my mind and in my heart till the end of my days for whatever time is left, this game in my humble opinion is just the best game ever made and boy have I played and (finished) thousands of games. 11/10 gift from god… Expand
  7. SirCaestus
    Jun 11, 2011
    10
    The complex story, the deep battle system, the great OST and the beautiful PSX graphics make this game the best one ever made. Great work by Matsuno and his team. (10.0)
  8. EnKira
    May 26, 2013
    9
    The ultimate dungeon crawler. It might be a bit confusing and hard when you begin, but it will eventually grow on to you. Perfect story and dialogue. A cool combat system. A soundtrack that reminds me of the classic RE. The save system and the high difficulty level early on are holding this epic game back. And maybe the dungeon crawler setting for some as well Vagrant Story is a must forThe ultimate dungeon crawler. It might be a bit confusing and hard when you begin, but it will eventually grow on to you. Perfect story and dialogue. A cool combat system. A soundtrack that reminds me of the classic RE. The save system and the high difficulty level early on are holding this epic game back. And maybe the dungeon crawler setting for some as well Vagrant Story is a must for every collector.
    9.0/10: EPIC!!!    … Expand
  9. Anb
    Feb 3, 2016
    10
    Easily my top 5 games of all time. The amount of effort that went into refining every aspect of this game is just astonishing. Even in 2016 it's storytelling, music and script are top notch.
    Don't let the old PSX trick you, if you love epic rpgs - this is one of the best ever created.
  10. drlowdon
    Feb 17, 2013
    4
    I first played Vagrant Story a number of years after its original release and so perhaps my judgement was clouded by more recent games in the RPG genre but I really struggled to get into the games traditional elements.
  11. IsaacO.
    Feb 22, 2004
    6
    Just give me all the keys to the doors please...
  12. VidM.
    Dec 8, 2004
    1
    Yuck...This game is ridiculously poor. I can't believe how hyped it is. The game is a dismal attempt at fast-paced, heavily stylized, comic-book fashion RPG. The developers had a worthy ambition, but a piss-poor execution of that ambition. The graphics are the only thing about this game that are not total crap. The battle engine is tedious and simplistic. The "world" (or one dungeon, Yuck...This game is ridiculously poor. I can't believe how hyped it is. The game is a dismal attempt at fast-paced, heavily stylized, comic-book fashion RPG. The developers had a worthy ambition, but a piss-poor execution of that ambition. The graphics are the only thing about this game that are not total crap. The battle engine is tedious and simplistic. The "world" (or one dungeon, more appropriately) is not so much dark and mysterious as it is bland. The story attempts to be engaging and profound, but is really just crack-brained nonsenese.… Expand
  13. toxicon
    Oct 10, 2016
    10
    Without doubt one of the best PS and one of the best RPGs ever made. Makes many recently developed 'masterpiece' RPGs look like certain crap. Trully a great experience for every fan of the genre
  14. QueenBrahne
    May 1, 2017
    1
    Vagrant Story is a painful and clunky attempt at an action RPG, with barebones story The level design is almost non-existent because every area is a generic dungeon of some sort, and enemies are all generic monsters. There are few characters you interact with at all outside of cutscenes and the story is pretty drab, relying heavily on obfuscated, contrived plot twists that the player couldVagrant Story is a painful and clunky attempt at an action RPG, with barebones story The level design is almost non-existent because every area is a generic dungeon of some sort, and enemies are all generic monsters. There are few characters you interact with at all outside of cutscenes and the story is pretty drab, relying heavily on obfuscated, contrived plot twists that the player could never possibly have predicted but are absurd. I can understand liking the story but this again lacks the depth you'd expect out of a Square-Enix RPG of this era, it's just so desperately trying to be different but comes up short in every respect compared to the turn-based games of its time.

    I'm not sure an action RPG on the PS1 was truly possible considering the console's limitations, but I would not be surprised if one existed far better executed than Vagrant Story. As you roam around the empty and vacant world of Vagrant Story, enemies will chase you down if you come within their scope - think Metal Gear Solid - and then you or they can initiate the battle. Once the fight starts, both the player and the enemies are frozen in place for the duration of either's attack, a weird, clunky hybrid of turn based and action. You can move around the stages but once either you or the enemy tries to attack, then everything comes to a grinding halt. This is very frustrating when you're trying to get away from an enemy then because they got in range of an attack, they freeze and attack you.

    The way the combo system works is pretty asinine too. You simply string together combos by timing them right like a QTE one after another, but there's a meter that goes up every time you do this. This punishes you heavily for the longer combos you do, and means your attacks do no damage. What to do to bring down this negative mechanic meter? You have to wander around the stage hiding from the enemy for a ridiculous amount of time until the meter goes down. This meter has an absolutely ridiculous cap that makes all your attacks do 0 damage, and combos are an absolute necessity to ever win the more challenging fights of the game. From every standpoint, the combo system is flawed: overly simplistic, aggravating when you do it successfully and hopelessly shallow.

    I wish I could say the art or the design was particularly inspired, or the music stood out as many of Square-Enix's games do in this era. Instead the main characters looks like a rejected concept for Edward Scissorhands with his idiotic costume and hair, while the other characters are about what you'd expect from the average anime-flavored JRPG. Nothing remotely original besides the plot's attempt at cheap plot twists. The level design as mentioned is incredibly generic, flat and lifeless, while the enemies are your stock wolves and bats at the beginning, evolving to generic RPG fare as the game progresses like lizardmen and skeletons. Nothing as inspired as the enemies in your typical Final Fantasy, SMT or Dragon Quest game, that's for damn sure.

    Ultimately what made me get this game in the first place and why it annoyed me enough to make me write this scathing review is that it has an obnoxious fanbase who sings its praises for being so different from the other Square-Enix games of the time. Guess what, this game and its "action" hybrid gameplay is now all the rage at Square-Enix in recent years, and it sucks. This game is meant to be super difficult, but this is not a good thing because the combat in this game is awful. It's not like it's a proper action game where player skill is involved, it's a weird kind of waiting game where you vaguely want to position yourself, but not exactly because once you're in range it becomes a pure numbers game. It's not like it's Dark Souls and you can outwit the AI or other players, you're still locked in a rigid JRPG system, but with the pain in the ass of having to navigate a boxed in dungeon at all times.

    I think what actually pisses me off the most about this game is the lack of towns, NPCs and other characters to interact with. It's positively soul crushing to wander around in this dreary and boring game world with no one to talk to or interact off, just waiting to get past the next generic enemy so maybe you can see a cutscene or any semblance of the charm you'd expect out of this era of Squaresoft. Instead you get the slow drip drip drip of a very boring story travelling at a snail's pace. There's nothing to interpret from your surrounding, it's just dull.

    I feel absolutely robbed paying just £10 for this game. I feel sorry for any poor saps who picked up this game in the 90s new and couldn't get a refund. Take my advice, do not buy this game and do not assume it gets any better after the start, it's just like this throughout the entire game and there is never any pay off for all the busy work and pain involved. Do not feel bad for failing to overcome the "difficulty" of this game's poor design.    … Expand
  15. JonG.
    Jul 1, 2002
    1
    Way too long.
  16. Zynko
    Jun 20, 2012
    10
    "Blown away" is an understatement for this game. When I criticize and RPG, Vagrant Story is one of the metrics I use to compare. GraphicallyMusically: The game was developed to push the very limits of the original PlayStation, and it did just that without compromising anything; especially game length and content. The engineering for the music and sound effects has a place in my heart"Blown away" is an understatement for this game. When I criticize and RPG, Vagrant Story is one of the metrics I use to compare. GraphicallyMusically: The game was developed to push the very limits of the original PlayStation, and it did just that without compromising anything; especially game length and content. The engineering for the music and sound effects has a place in my heart especially. The musical score is wonderful.

    Content: The story is enveloping. One becomes entranced at the dialogue, plot, and twists. Nothing is predictable. Nobody's part is fully understood till the very end; even then it leaves you debating the integrity of what you see (in the best possible way). The characters are unique and the style of presentation is just perfect.

    Gameplay: Vagrant story made you play it twice. It wouldn't let you "finish" until after you beat it the first time. The battle system was amazing and very strategic, the puzzles made you think pretty hard, the crafting and equipment system is totally unique, the atmosphere was perfect, and the challenge of the game was very real. In fact, it makes me think of the much newer games Dark Souls and Demon Souls in its lack of forgiveness with many of the parts. Finally the balance of the game brought on by the "Risk" system as well as every conceivable detail taken into account by the team that made this game served the utmost justice to my expectations.

    The game as a whole, in my mind, has no equal on the PS1. If you are a fan of what a "good" game is, regardless of the console system or age, then this game comes extremely high on my list of recommendations.    … Expand
  17. fuger1992
    Sep 30, 2016
    10
    Really nice game for ps 1 play in 2000-2001 and i m playing it right now!Square plz Make Vagrant story 2 because final fantasy is die ((( Waiting for second game !
  18. R.V.
    Jan 9, 2008
    9
    Some people my not like it, but you can´t deny it is oe of the best games ever! the plot, storyline and mistery to be solved is all just amazingly addictive.
  19. PeterJ.
    Sep 6, 2003
    10
    I really wish there was a squel to this excellent game. The Graphics/Music/Story was all excellent!
  20. DennyM.
    Aug 27, 2001
    9
    I think Squaresoft should make the sequel, with more great action, and wonderful story!
  21. MattP.
    Feb 21, 2003
    10
    Great game.
  22. Hades
    Feb 8, 2003
    9
    Great graphics for an original PS game, nice sound effects/music as well. The gameplay is cool at first but can get somewhat reptitive when you have to keep chopping at a boss for about an hour, but its an interesting fighting system, more involving than say, final fantasy. I think squaresoft should make a sequel to this product it would do them good. Overall a nice, long adventure with a Great graphics for an original PS game, nice sound effects/music as well. The gameplay is cool at first but can get somewhat reptitive when you have to keep chopping at a boss for about an hour, but its an interesting fighting system, more involving than say, final fantasy. I think squaresoft should make a sequel to this product it would do them good. Overall a nice, long adventure with a very interesting story but somewhat monotonous gameplay. If you can find it for cheap id suggest a purchase (if you are a fan of RPG oriented gameplay) … Expand
  23. ChrisR.
    Sep 30, 2003
    10
    A new word should be made for this game. How about... splendiferous.
  24. Andy
    Mar 1, 2004
    10
    Awesome game ! loved every minute i played ! the best looking and sounding game on PSX, with a cool comic style to the cutscenes :oD too long? first tiem u play thru it took me 40 hours, but you get to keep al ur stats for the next play thru and after doin this a couple of times ive finished it in 2 hours :o) very cool ! u need it !
  25. Isaac
    Aug 5, 2005
    10
    Greatest game ever. not nearly long enough.
  26. WillybachW
    Feb 15, 2008
    10
    One of the best games I've ever played without doubt. Played it through the three times too, just to unlock all the extra content. Still talk about this game sometimes even all these years after playing it. Great artwork, atmospheric, great storyline and dialog. A genuine mystery why they never did a sequel...
  27. DetectiveA
    Mar 18, 2009
    10
    One of the best games of all times. Incredible gameplay, outstanding soundtrack, great story. Wish Square Enix would make a sequel.
  28. Cody
    Jul 2, 2002
    10
    This game is truly amazing and deserves to be recognized as an instant classic for any rpg fan.
  29. LeonardD.
    Dec 1, 2003
    10
    One of the best games I've played, looks are good sounds great, one of the best classic action RPGs.
  30. DanielC.
    Feb 28, 2003
    9
    This game introduced a new era for RPG's and squaresoft should definitly release the sequel!
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Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Best PS1 Game of 2000
6
#6 Most Discussed PS1 Game of 2000
8
#8 Most Shared PS1 Game of 2000

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. CheckOut
    90
    Despite all the disparate elements crammed into it, they all manage to complement each other and function as if Square has been secretly planning and polishing this gem for years now.
  2. CNET Gamecenter
    90
    It can get a little too technical and difficult at times, but the various systems in the game, such as Break Arts, chaining attacks, and the weapon creation system, are simply revolutionary for an RPG.
  3. Gaming Maxx
    100
    From the second you put this game in; you will not want to stop playing. It might consume your life until you finish it, or until you get stuck that you can't deal with the stress anymore.
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