Breath of Fire III is a Japanese role-playing game developed and published by Capcom. Released for the PlayStation in 1997 (Japan) and 1998 (North America and Europe), it is the third entry in the long-running Breath of Fire series. The game follows the journey of Ryu, a young boy with the ability to transform into a dragon, as he uncovers the truth about his origins and the world’s hidden powers.
The story spans years, starting with Ryu’s childhood and progressing into his adulthood, allowing players to witness the growth of characters both narratively and mechanically. Along the way, he is joined by a colorful cast including Nina, Rei, and Garr, each with their own abilities and backstories that influence the plot.
Breath of Fire III features turn-based combat with a traditional JRPG structure but introduces new mechanics such as the Master System, which lets characters train under specific NPCs to influence their stat growth and learn new skills. The game’s Dragon Gene System allows Ryu to combine different genes during battle to transform into various types of dragons, adding tactical variety to combat.
Visually, the game uses hand-drawn 2D sprites over fully 3D environments, marking the series’ transition into 3D spaces while retaining its charming character art. The soundtrack, composed by Yoshino Aoki and Akari Kaida, blends jazz and ambient styles, giving the game a unique auditory identity that stands out among its contemporaries.
Breath of Fire III is praised for its heartfelt storytelling, memorable characters, and innovative systems. It remains a fan favorite and a classic example of the golden era of PlayStation JRPGs.
Technical Details:
- Developer: Capcom
- Publisher: Capcom
- Release Year: 1997 (Japan), 1998 (North America/Europe)
- Platform(s): PlayStation, PlayStation Portable (PSP)
- Genre: Japanese Role-Playing Game (JRPG)
- Mode: Single-player
- Engine: Proprietary Capcom engine
- Graphics: 2D character sprites on 3D polygonal environments
- Camera: Rotatable isometric/angled view
- Input: PlayStation controller, PSP controls