Vagrant Story
Vagrant Story remains one of the lesser known Square RPGs out there, but it really deserves more credits. Actually set in the world of Ivalice from Final Fantasy, Vagrant Story revolves around Ashley Riot, an elite agent known as a Riskbreaker who has to travel to the ruined city of Lea Monde to investigate the ties between a cult leader and a member of Valendian parliament.
Considering it’s directed by Yasumi Matsuno, the same man behind Final Fantasy XII and Tactics, Vagrant Story is heavy on political themes and heady story. However, the game also sports a fantastic combat system that plays out in real time, involves heavy risk-reward elements, and lets you target individual body parts on enemies.
Vagrant Story received huge acclaim upon release, but sadly it was overshadowed by larger Square titles around the same time, like Final Fantasy IX and Chrono Cross.
Vagrant Story’s fascinating world and story deserves to be expanded upon even more, especially considering its tenuous ties to the world of Ivalice. Unfortunately, Yasumi Matsuno left Square Enix years back, but there’s always the potential he could still collaborate with the company on something.
Square Enix has plenty of old IPs they can draw from, but Vagrant Story should be at the very top of that list.
