PS1 game where you turn into different creatures.

Is it "Space Station Silicon Valley?" It had a PS1 port, although the game focused on a robot taking over robotic versions of real-life animals, each with their own abilities.

Is it Threads of Fate?

m.youtube.com/watch?t=307&v=PhwdL5mX5S4&feature=youtu.be

That is definitely more along the lines of what I remember, but I don't think that's it either. I'm pretty sure the game I played was tied to a single-camera view directly behind the character, I don't think it had an RPG elements. It was sort of a Zelda clone, both in terms of gameplay and that camera.

The release date is consistent with when I played the demo, though, and it's possible that the camera view was only like that in the level I played. I'll look into this title some more, see if I can jog anything.

It was probably whatever regional PS1 the store had as a demo kiosk. I don't think OP would know what region it was.

NTSC North America. It wouldn't be anything else, I was playing it in a regular electronics store. I don't know if Reno or Carson City even had any stores with import games back then.

I don't know if I'd go that far. I've seen imports in a few game shops here in Phoenix. In fact, there's an antique mall within walking distance of my house I visited on Sunday that had some. I didn't see anything I wanted (mostly PS1 and Super Famicom shovelware), but the point stands.

I swear I just keep hearing about that game like once every 3 years, but have never played it.