The fate of Threads of Fate

Threads of Fate is a very odd game for several reasons. Namely, because it doesn't know what it wants to be. This, of course, is by design.

Firstly, there’s not a lot of serious games that somehow don’t take themselves too seriously. The game runs into a few major topics, most obviously fate and what it means to be alive. Prima wonders about why he’s alive. What’s gonna happen to him after he does the job he was created to do? Rue and Mint both calm him down with their own views of the meaning of life. Rue is an existentialist who thinks life is what you make of it. Mint, on the other hand, is a realist and believes that if you’re alive and can feel, then do whatever. It’s been a while since I failed philosophy, so I urge you not to take those concepts as accurate. Please feel free to correct me. Regardless, both main characters don’t believe in fate. Rue outright states it, while Mint doesn’t care. I don’t really know what I’m talking about, so let’s change topics.

Secondly, as I skimmed in the introduction, the game has a wide gravitas to it. It could have been dark and gritty, like many of Square’s games are. They’re discussing heavy topics about the meaning of life, fate, and death. Chrono Cross talked about these too, but that lacked the carefree attitude ToF has. Instead, the game is filled with comedy and laughs. Mint’s overreaction to every perceived slight is a running gag regardless of if she gets mad, stomping the ground and swearing, or simply collapses on her face in embarrassment. My third favorite scene is when Elena, the ditz, seems to confess her love to Rue but swerves us by saying she’s making pie for dessert. Mint is the primary comedian, but I feel like she’s the primary source for the grit of the game as well. Doll Master doesn’t lay siege to Carona, and no innocents are at risk of being killed in Rue's story. In that sense, I suppose Rue is the generic story, as he doesn’t have the peaks and valleys but has a constant feel throughout. He deserves that happy ending for enduring his suffering, rather than being, what would really be, an evil playthrough for Mint.

Thirdly, just how expansive the game feels despite being short and limited in scope. We only explore one town and its surrounding area, but we know of so much more. The East Heaven Kingdom and Ephlesia are secondary locations. Many of the characters have interlinking backstories. How does Rod know Mira? What business did Belle and Mint have a year ago? Who really is Fancy Mel? Actually, no, that last idea sucks.

The fourth oddity of Threads of Fate is it’s an action platforming game by a company known for RPGs. I know it sounds strange now, but Square used to be a turn-based game developer. It’s only recently that they did the action type thing. It’s all the more reason why I hope ToF gets some love in the future. At least re-release it on PSN or Steam of something. It’s been completely forgotten by the company, despite it being a perfect game to remake/expand with the current thinking of the industry.

Lastly, and sticking to Square tendencies, the breaks a lot of conventions. Squaresoft/Enix is known for makings long, life-consuming experiences. ToF clocks in at 20 hours across both stories.
They’re also known for being the masters of musical composition. While I think the OST is fine, it can also get repetitive fast. Both in the fact that the songs get played too often, and there isn’t much variation or layers. What I mean by layers is there isn’t much accompaniment. The basic backing melodies are great, but I feel like there needs to be some “lyrical” quality over it. The basics are there, but it’s missing something. None of it is memorable, sadly.
Platforming doesn’t hold up, but it’s twenty years old so let’s not worry about it.

In all, Threads of Fate is a very good jumping-off point for something that might work as a whole franchise. I read in the game's development, it was planned to be a gaming introduction for young kids and girls. The cutesy graphics and easy gameplay are there for barely literate kids, and there is some grit in the story for those a little older. I'd remove the "[expletives]", though. Despite being short, we get a grasp of the characters, many of whom have more dimensions than Yuffie. Rod somehow has become one of my all-time favorite characters, and I want to know about him. The multi-faceted gameplay could easily be polished up for modern sensibilities. Do we play the physical Rue or magic inclined Mint? Honestly, I just want more Threads of Fate. The future is there, man! Rod prequel, Ephistia Desert, more Master stuff, more dolls, more Klaus! I fall in love too easily...

Also, I just looked this up, and the Japanese release date for Threads of Fate was a week ago. The day after I finished Rue's story. That means there was one last...thread of fate after all! YEAH!!!