Just Breed
Encyclopedia
is a tactical role-playing game
published by Enix
for the Family Computer
. It was released exclusively in Japan
in 1992
. Although it is somewhat obscure and was overlooked due to its late release, it is notable for its long development and as one of the largest RPGs created for the Family Computer.
Each character has a set character class
, which allots them fixed attributes and allows some of them to learn and use certain spells. The leaders are well-rounded Heroes that use both weapons and magic. Wizards rely almost entirely on powerful magic. Fighters battle close-range with a number of weapons. Archers attack from afar using arrows. As in traditional RPGs, battles earn each character experience point
s which go towards a level up, increasing that character's stats
such as hit points, strength, defense, and wisdom.
The gameplay in Just Breed is based on turn-based strategy similar to that of Fire Emblem
or Shining Force
. The game utilizes a battle system known as "Team Spirits," in which all the units in one army act one after the other. Each character and enemy occupies a single unit on the battlefield. Using a cursor, the player can select an army and execute actions with each character within that army, such as moving or attacking a nearby target, or may view the stats of an enemy. Monster dens on the overworld continuously spawn monsters until a character is moved within range to "unarm" them.
While not in battle, the player can explore towns in which one can purchase items and equipment, engage in storyline events, or casually interact with numerous non-playable characters. Commands can also be used to speak, search the ground, use items and magic, or arrange equipment.
wielded by the priestess Firis. She is one of six priestesses charged with holding a special gem to have together held an archaic power for several generations. During the town's Sapphire Festival, Firis is kidnapped by the henchman of Ezelkiel, a man bent on collecting the priestesses to revive an ancient evil. The player takes on the role of the nameless Hero who, along with being sworn to protect Astholm, is the lover of Firis. He immediately sets out with his army to rescue the priestess and ends up becoming involved in a much larger-scale predicament involving the world's other priestesses and gems.
artist Yuzo Takada
, best known for 3×3 Eyes
series, designed both the characters and monsters, while anime composer Kōhei Tanaka
scored the game. The cartridge for Just Breed includes the MMC5 chip, which boosts the game's graphics and sound. At 6 megabit
s, it is lauded as one of the largest RPGs for the system. The game was never released outside Japan.
published a 144-page strategy guide for game in January 1993. A 57-page illustration book titled The World of Just Breed was published by Futabasha
on June 20, 1993, featuring all of the game's artwork by Yuzo Takada. Futabasha also published a 255-page light novel
as part of its fantasy novel series in October 1993.
Tactical role-playing game
A tactical role-playing game is a type of video game which incorporates elements of traditional role-playing video games and strategy games. In Japan these games are known as , a designation which might seem peculiar to native English speakers...
published by Enix
Enix
The was a Japanese company that produced video games, anime and manga. The company was founded by Yasuhiro Fukushima on September 22, 1975 as and renamed Enix in 1982...
for the Family Computer
Nintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
. It was released exclusively in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
in 1992
1992 in video gaming
-Events:-Notable releases:* Gremlin Graphics releases Zool, Amiga's answer to Mario and Sonic. It goes on to become the best selling Commodore Amiga game, boosting the already popular computer to be the leading gaming machine in Europe....
. Although it is somewhat obscure and was overlooked due to its late release, it is notable for its long development and as one of the largest RPGs created for the Family Computer.
Gameplay
The game's six main characters each have their own armies of six soldiers, making the total number of troops thirty-six.Each character has a set character class
Character class
In role-playing games, a common method of arbitrating the capabilities of different game characters is to assign each one to a character class. A character class aggregates several abilities and aptitudes, and may also sometimes detail aspects of background and social standing or impose behaviour...
, which allots them fixed attributes and allows some of them to learn and use certain spells. The leaders are well-rounded Heroes that use both weapons and magic. Wizards rely almost entirely on powerful magic. Fighters battle close-range with a number of weapons. Archers attack from afar using arrows. As in traditional RPGs, battles earn each character experience point
Experience point
An experience point is a unit of measurement used in many role-playing games and role-playing video games to quantify a player character's progression through the game...
s which go towards a level up, increasing that character's stats
Statistic (role-playing games)
A statistic in role-playing games is a piece of data which represents a particular aspect of a fictional character. That piece of data is usually a integer or, in some cases, a set of dice....
such as hit points, strength, defense, and wisdom.
The gameplay in Just Breed is based on turn-based strategy similar to that of Fire Emblem
Fire Emblem
is a fantasy tactical role-playing video game franchise developed by Intelligent Systems , the maker of Advance Wars , and published by Nintendo...
or Shining Force
Shining Force
Shining Force, known as in Japan, and otherwise known as Shining Force: The Legacy of Great Intention, is a 1992 turn-based strategy role-playing video game for the Mega Drive/Genesis console...
. The game utilizes a battle system known as "Team Spirits," in which all the units in one army act one after the other. Each character and enemy occupies a single unit on the battlefield. Using a cursor, the player can select an army and execute actions with each character within that army, such as moving or attacking a nearby target, or may view the stats of an enemy. Monster dens on the overworld continuously spawn monsters until a character is moved within range to "unarm" them.
While not in battle, the player can explore towns in which one can purchase items and equipment, engage in storyline events, or casually interact with numerous non-playable characters. Commands can also be used to speak, search the ground, use items and magic, or arrange equipment.
Plot
The game's story opens in the town of Astholm, which is spiritually protected by a sapphireSapphire
Sapphire is a gemstone variety of the mineral corundum, an aluminium oxide , when it is a color other than red or dark pink; in which case the gem would instead be called a ruby, considered to be a different gemstone. Trace amounts of other elements such as iron, titanium, or chromium can give...
wielded by the priestess Firis. She is one of six priestesses charged with holding a special gem to have together held an archaic power for several generations. During the town's Sapphire Festival, Firis is kidnapped by the henchman of Ezelkiel, a man bent on collecting the priestesses to revive an ancient evil. The player takes on the role of the nameless Hero who, along with being sworn to protect Astholm, is the lover of Firis. He immediately sets out with his army to rescue the priestess and ends up becoming involved in a much larger-scale predicament involving the world's other priestesses and gems.
Development
Just Breed was announced nearly three years before its release, which took place towards the end of the Family Computer's lifecycle. The game was programmed by Kazuro Morita's game company Random House. MangaManga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
artist Yuzo Takada
Yuzo Takada
is the pseudonym of , a popular Japanese manga artist. He worked as an assistant for manga artist Fujihiko Hosono before starting his career as an original author...
, best known for 3×3 Eyes
3×3 Eyes
3×3 Eyes is a manga created by acclaimed manga artist Yuzo Takada, and is his most successful series. It spans 40 volumes, beginning in 1987 and ending in 2002. It was serialized in Young Magazine...
series, designed both the characters and monsters, while anime composer Kōhei Tanaka
Kohei Tanaka (composer)
is a Japanese composer, arranger and singer. He is affiliated with the music production company Imagine. He has created numerous musical scores for famous anime TV series, OVAs, movies, computer games and tokusatsu series. Tanaka was born in Ebisubashi, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture on February 14,...
scored the game. The cartridge for Just Breed includes the MMC5 chip, which boosts the game's graphics and sound. At 6 megabit
Megabit
The megabit is a multiple of the unit bit for digital information or computer storage. The prefix mega is defined in the International System of Units as a multiplier of 106 , and therefore...
s, it is lauded as one of the largest RPGs for the system. The game was never released outside Japan.
Merchandise
ShogakukanShogakukan
is a Japanese publisher of dictionaries, literature, manga, non-fiction, DVDs, and other media in Japan.Shogakukan founded Shueisha which founded Hakusensha. These are three separate companies, but are together called the Hitotsubashi Group, one of the largest publishing groups in Japan...
published a 144-page strategy guide for game in January 1993. A 57-page illustration book titled The World of Just Breed was published by Futabasha
Futabasha
is a Japanese publishing company headquartered in Higashigokenchō, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.-List of magazines published by Futabasha:*Bravo Ski*Comic Seed!*Futabasha Web Magazine*Manga Action ZERO*Tōji Rō*Getter Robot Saga...
on June 20, 1993, featuring all of the game's artwork by Yuzo Takada. Futabasha also published a 255-page light novel
Light novel
A is a style of Japanese novel primarily targeting junior high and high school students . The term "light novel" is a wasei-eigo, or a Japanese term formed from words in the English language. Light novels are often called or for short...
as part of its fantasy novel series in October 1993.