Two protagonists, the same world, opposite goals. Square's action RPG with a princess who just wanted destruction.
Threads of Fate — Dewprism in Japan — was developed by Square and released for PlayStation in October 1999. Two protagonists shared the same world with opposing objectives: Mint, a princess who wanted to revive an ancient relic to take over the world, and Rue, a young man searching for a way to resurrect a lost friend. Playing both characters' stories revealed the full picture. Mint's story was comedy-driven, with the princess's unambiguous desire for world domination played for humor; Rue's was more conventionally serious. The action RPG mechanics were lightweight, emphasizing combat mobility and transformation abilities. Threads of Fate sold over 400,000 copies and is remembered for Mint as one of Square's most unconventional protagonist designs.
About this game
Threads of Fate — Dewprism in Japan — is a lighthearted action RPG following two protagonists with opposite personalities: Rue, a serious boy searching for a way to revive someone precious to him, and Mint, a comically self-centered princess seeking a legendary relic to conquer the world. Director Koji Sugimoto deliberately designed the game as a tonal counterpoint to his previous work on Xenogears — accessible, colorful, and consistently funny, where Xenogears was dense, dark, and philosophical.
Gallery
The Story Behind
Sugimoto pushed the PS1 hardware to render a fully 3D game without pre-rendered backgrounds, a technically ambitious choice that contributed to severe production crunch — staff reportedly slept in the Osaka office to meet the deadline. The title was changed from Dewprism to Threads of Fate for the Western market because the English word 'dewprism' was considered too abstract to market. The game has developed a cult following, with both Mint and Rue considered among the most memorable characters of the late PlayStation era.
Tricks & Tales
Mint and Rue's routes through the game are substantially different — selecting one protagonist means experiencing an entirely different story arc from the other. Mint's route is consistently played for comedic effect: she regularly threatens to kill heroes and villains alike, monologues her world domination plans, and reacts to everything with comically extreme self-interest. The game rewards players who complete both routes with a combined ending sequence.
Collector's Guide
Region & Compatibility
The PS1 enforces three distinct regions: NTSC-J (Japan), NTSC-U/C (North America), and PAL (Europe, Australia). Software and consoles are matched by region, and the boot ROM actively rejects discs from other regions on all production models after the earliest SCPH-1000 units. NTSC-J and NTSC-U/C consoles share the same 60Hz signal standard but their software regions are still separate—a Japanese console will not boot a North American disc without modification. PAL titles run at 50Hz and require a PAL console; running them on an NTSC system through composite video outputs only black and white due to the colorburst timing mismatch, though RGB connections can display color correctly.
Maintenance Tips
The PS1's optical drive is the system's most vulnerable component after thirty years. Dust accumulation on the laser lens causes read errors before the laser itself fails; cleaning with a cotton swab lightly dampened with 90%+ isopropyl alcohol restores performance in many cases. The sled rails that carry the lens assembly need periodic lubrication—original factory grease hardens with age and increases friction, leading to tracking failures. White lithium grease on the rails (not WD-40) is the correct approach. Disc condition matters as much as the hardware: deep radial scratches near the data area cannot be read regardless of laser health, so always inspect the playing surface before diagnosing the console.
Going deeper
Explore the machine this game ran on, and what to check before you buy or care for one:
What to Watch Out For
Before buying, these are the points worth knowing — from someone who handles original Japanese Threads of Fate copies regularly.
Will this Japanese PlayStation disc work on a North American or European PlayStation?
No. The PlayStation enforces regional lockout through the disc region code and the console BIOS. Japanese discs (NTSC-J) will not play on North American (NTSC-U/C) or European (PAL) consoles without modification such as a mod chip or swap method. Playing Japanese PlayStation software requires a Japanese console or a modified unit. The disc format itself is standard CD-ROM — the incompatibility is entirely software-enforced.
Do I need a memory card to save progress?
Yes. The PlayStation has no internal save storage. A PlayStation Memory Card must be inserted into the console's memory card slot to save game data. Without a memory card, all progress is lost when the console powers off. Each memory card holds 15 blocks; check the game manual for how many blocks this title requires. Official Sony memory cards are recommended for reliability over third-party alternatives.
How should I inspect and care for a PlayStation disc?
Examine the data side (shiny underside) under light. Light surface scratches are generally readable; deep scratches running radially from the center outward are more damaging than circular ones. To clean, wipe from the center outward in straight radial strokes with a soft lint-free cloth — never in a circular motion. If the console struggles to read an otherwise intact disc, the PlayStation laser may need cleaning or adjustment, which is common in aging PS1 hardware.
Before You Buy
Things worth knowing before you buy Threads of Fate
A short checklist for buying a used PlayStation disc wisely — useful with any seller, anywhere.
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Choose a seller who tests it before shipping
A copy that has actually been powered on and checked is a known quantity. An untested one is a gamble you only settle after it arrives.
Look for a seller who states it was function-tested and says what they confirmed. A serious seller can tell you exactly what was checked.
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Check the disc for scratches
Deep scratches on the playing surface cause freezes and read errors. Light surface marks are usually fine.
Ask for a clear photo of the disc's underside. A seller who tested it will confirm it loads and plays through.
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Make sure it fits your console
This is a Japanese PlayStation disc. The PS1 is region-locked, so a Japanese disc needs a Japanese console or a region-free setup.
Play it on a matching Japanese console or a region-free system, and confirm the listing states the region.
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Saves use a memory card — no battery to worry about
PlayStation games save to a separate memory card, so there is no in-cartridge battery to fail.
Just make sure you have a memory card with free blocks for your saves.
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Read the seller's reviews and return policy
A 100% positive record across thousands of sales is close to a guarantee — packing, communication and problem-solving all work for everyone. A return policy protects you if something is off.
Read the feedback and confirm a clear return window before you buy.
The last step before buying anywhere is knowing what it's worth.
See what it's selling for on eBay →Unexpected Discoveries
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Memories from around the world
This is a young museum, and this page is still waiting for its first voices. The memories people send reach Taisei personally, and the ones that move him find a home here over time — always with the writer's blessing. Yours could be the very first for this game.
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