Okay, maybe that's a bit exaggerate, but going back and playing this classic and not just remembering it with nostalgia-vision has allowed me to say that this is one of the most underrated RPGs of the PS1 era.  Sure it has it's  flaws, considering it was a flagship RPG to herald in the new age of memory cards and 32 bit animation, but despite the slow pacing at times it has one of the best stories in the series and character development that current game designs could take a note of. 
 
Describing the game to a friend last night, I related that this game was not a simple "save the world // do good" story.  It focuses more on a coming of age story, a young dragon turned boy finding his place among the world, discovering his true heritage and the role they played of years past.  A common theme of the game is the blurry lines of good and evil, so that even by the end you'll find yourself faced with a huge question that determines whether you fight the last boss or not.  Sure it's not hard to come up with the right answer, but if you've been playing and getting involved with the characters you still feel that decision is your decision. 
 
I don't want to ruin it for those who haven't had the fortune to enjoy this title, but suffice it to say despite one particular test of endurance near the end of the game which involves you walking aimlessly through a desert with limited water (you can suffer Max HP damage and an oversight gives you conflicting direction on which way to go), the game is an overall success for any who enjoy turn based RPGs. 
 
So, anyone have experiences with this title or any other particular passed over gems amongst rabble from this era?

 Okay, maybe that's a bit exaggerate, but going back and playing this classic and not just remembering it with nostalgia-vision has allowed me to say that this is one of the most underrated RPGs of the PS1 era.  Sure it has it's  flaws, considering it was a flagship RPG to herald in the new age of memory cards and 32 bit animation, but despite the slow pacing at times it has one of the best stories in the series and character development that current game designs could take a note of. 
 
Describing the game to a friend last night, I related that this game was not a simple "save the world // do good" story.  It focuses more on a coming of age story, a young dragon turned boy finding his place among the world, discovering his true heritage and the role they played of years past.  A common theme of the game is the blurry lines of good and evil, so that even by the end you'll find yourself faced with a huge question that determines whether you fight the last boss or not.  Sure it's not hard to come up with the right answer, but if you've been playing and getting involved with the characters you still feel that decision is your decision. 
 
I don't want to ruin it for those who haven't had the fortune to enjoy this title, but suffice it to say despite one particular test of endurance near the end of the game which involves you walking aimlessly through a desert with limited water (you can suffer Max HP damage and an oversight gives you conflicting direction on which way to go), the game is an overall success for any who enjoy turn based RPGs. 
 
So, anyone have experiences with this title or any other particular passed over gems amongst rabble from this era?

Not greatest, but definitely great.

Kinda liked 4 better, it had basically the same battle system setup as FFX which meant all of your party members stayed valuable. And 5, honestly, even though it killed the IP. They should really bring it back, even if the games are bad, furry fetishists will keep them profitable. Just look at Sonic.

" @Rockdalf:
@takeshikitano3:
 I tried it for about 20 minutes on my PSP and then went back to Final Fantasy Tactics and never played it again. Whether I go back and give it a second chance is down to the replies of the good people of this thread, which at the moment is you two.
 
PS. Legend of Dragoon for great justice. "

" Kinda liked 4 better, it had basically the same battle system setup as FFX which meant all of your party members stayed valuable. And 5, honestly, even though it killed the IP. They should really bring it back, even if the games are bad, furry fetishists will keep them profitable. Just look at Sonic. "

Still backing Chrono Trigger for this one.

I completely agree about BOF3.... got this game back when I was I suppose 10 or so, and along with Final Fantasy 7 was one of those games that were incredible influenial on my childhood :D
 
Really though, this is an amazing game, and I don't think I have nostalgia vision either, I played through this game last summer (and finally finished it, I had never managed to when I was youngin) The story is incredible, the game play is good, great sidequests, good battle system, great characters, it has everything, I don't even think the graphics are bad, granted their nothing compared to a PS3 or 360 obviously, but they are pretty well done.

This is definitely one of the most underrated great RPGs of the '90s! I've loved many, but few have risen to the top like BoF III and yet been so universally under-appreciated. It's kind of baffling. Glad to hear some people still think it's great today. :)

Yeah it was pretty good.

One of my favorite games. So sad that Breath of Fire V didn't live up to previous titles. I could use a little more 90's RPG in my life.

I had no idea it was on PSP. Could I get it if I got a Vita? 

I can't say it's the greatest, but I definitely think it's great. From what I can remember I really enjoyed all of them, except Dragon Quarter. That's not to say I don't like Dragon Quarter. I just never played much of it, so I can't say one way or the other.

I've played it twice and watched my wife play it once all the way through as well and---It's very good. But this is the 90's we're talking. Pretty much ALL the good JRPGs were in the 90's!!! The 90's were home to Final Fantasy IV-VIII(even the US release of the original FF!), Tactics, Lufia II, Suikoden II-- the list goes on and on.

I think you could make a strong case that it's one of the most *overlooked* RPGs of the 90s, but the best? No. There are plenty of coming of age stories in RPGs -- it's one of the most common tropes, and the final boss is

BoFIII is very well executed, and I really do like it a lot, but it absolutely isn't the greatest. For example, I think it is outdone on almost every front by Grandia(which is also rather overlooked, if you ask me): better characters, better coming of age story, better music, and the best combat system ever put into an RPG.

@MetalBaofu: Dragon Quarter is insanity, pure and simple. I got pretty far but never finished it. There's something terrifying about a counter that runs for the entire game and can't be stopped or lowered, and once it hit's 100% -- permanent game over. I remember one really hard fight that I finally decided to use my super powers on, then immediately regretted it as the counter shot through the roof. The steep and unique costs really gives the transformation powers real consequences, which is something I don't think any other game has done as well. It's not for everyone, but if you give it a shot, there is NOTHING else like it.

"One of the better RPGS of the 90s", undoubtedly. Loved the heck out of it.

Man I really loved Breath of Fire III. I haven't played it in many years now, but every now and then I think about it. I really loved the music in it as well.

@Rockdalf:
@takeshikitano3:
 I tried it for about 20 minutes on my PSP and then went back to Final Fantasy Tactics and never played it again. Whether I go back and give it a second chance is down to the replies of the good people of this thread, which at the moment is you two.
 
PS. Legend of Dragoon for great justice.