10 Essential PS1 RPGs (That Aren't Final Fantasy)
8. Breath Of Fire IV
Bear with me on this list, we will expand the third dimension soon enough.
Whilst Breath of Fire III did well when it was released in the PlayStation's early days, 2001's sequel is when the series really hit new strides in its narrative and story. Whilst still keeping with the series' theme of deity-defiance and finding the self, BoF IV added a new concept to this: duality.
Keeping with the trope of young Ryu being part dragon and thus able to transform into one, the story also splits to follow that of Fou-Lu, the ancient emperor from his burial tomb. Sealed away 600 years prior, Fou-Lu was the god summoned to reunite the nations, and thus the Fou Empire was born.
As the story unfolds, we discover that both Ryu and Fou-Lu are both parts of the same god, the split being caused by an incorrect summoning of Fou-Lu, causing his half being sealed away for so long. In that period, other gods have taken up positions of power, tasking you with restoring peace or ultimately, reigning supreme as the alpha god.
Whilst gameplay is the same turn-based, level progression as before, with a host of extra features like fishing and village maintenance (on a literal small scale), it's a worthy sequel with new story elements and deep character building.