When people are asked about role-playing games (me included) the usual response is along the lines of Final Fantasy, Secret of Mana and Phantasy Star. Yet thanks to the Virtual Console there is one game (and series) I had no idea even existed and that is the Breath of Fire series and for this review, Breath of Fire II.

Breath of Fire II is the second game in this Capcom's RPG series. Set 500 years after the first game, the story centres around an orphan named Ryu and how he goes about clearing his name of the crimes he has supposedly committed and been condemned for.

As with all RPG games there are various villages to explore, battles to compete in and gameplay cut-scenes which I have to say are brilliant. The whole atmosphere of the game was a great breath of fresh air (no pun intended) after playing Square and Epix RPG's. It is basically the same gameplay but has a Capcom twist.

Ironically Breath of Fire II strangely has the atmosphere of a Capcom game. Bright colours, perfect music scores and exciting gameplay make this strangely feel like a Capcom game, much like Mega-Man or Strider which as I think you wil agree is a great thing. While various sequels were made after this game, this was the last game in the series to feature on the SNES.

To conclude Breath of Fire II and the Breath of Fire series are brilliant RPG games. While I have only played this game (thanks to the Virtual Console) I assume the rest of the games in the series are just as good if not better than this. This game has great Capcom music, Capcom gameplay and Capcom graphics. This game and the Breath of Fire series are Capcom and are a reminder just how diversly brilliant this video-game company really is. Breath of Fire II is available on the Wii Virtual Console for 800 Wii Points and is a definate download for every RPG and Capcom fan. And even if you're not a big RPG fan I would still download it as it is a great game and may help you change you're mind.