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Back to Final Fantasy's Origins!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 31 / 34
Date: March 14, 2003
Author: Amazon User

The original Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy II are the games that are in this new collection of Squaresoft classics. If you missed your chance to play Final Fantasy on the Nintendo, you now have another chance to experience the game that started the saga. Not only that, but you also get Final Fantasy II, the second of the Final Fantasy series.
(The FFII in Final Fantasy Origins is not the FFII released for the Super Nintendo. The FFII that was released for the Super Nintendo is actually known as Final Fantasy IV. Final Fantasy IV, along with Chrono Trigger, is part of Final Fantasy Chronicles, another collection of original Squaresoft games.)

Final Fantasy is the game that made history in the field of RPG games. In this game, you start by getting to choose four characters to use for the rest of the game. The characters in this game are not unique characters, but job classes that include Fighter, Thief, and Red Mage.

Final Fantasy II makes its first appearance in the U.S. in Final Fantasy Origins. In FFII, you take control of a group of people that are trying to stop the evil Empire of Baramekia from taking over the world. From what I have seen, in this game, in order to get stronger versions of a spell, you need to cast the spell often, opposed to separate spells to measure spell strength. This concept does not exist in any other Final Fantasy.

Simply, this game is a must-buy for anyone who would like to experience the first two of the great RPGs with Final Fantasy in their titles.

A rewrite is in order.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 9 / 12
Date: March 26, 2003
Author: Amazon User

OK, few people seem satisfied with my review of Final Fantasy Origins. Fair enough; I reviewed the game before it came out, and said some things which weren't entirely correct. I'm still not changing my rating (4 stars), but perhaps I can defend it a bit.

If Final Fantasy 1 was the only game on the docket, I would give this 3 (or maybe two) stars. In fact, I played my old NES version concurrently, and found that I enjoyed it far more. Let me draw up a comparison.

Those things that are GOOD in Origins:
1) Enix decided to make a few tweaks in the battle system. In particular, your party no longer will swing at nothing should the enemy die before they have a crack at him. This was very stupid in the first version (I mean, why would you go to the trouble to attack if there was nothing in your path?).
2) The graphics have improved quite a bit, and while some may wax nostalgic for the old days, I think that the overhaul makes the whole enterprise easier on the eyes.
3) Many of the little secrets have returned, including the hordes of giants you can fight in the Terra cave to grow powerful and rich early on, and the little mini-game on the ship (something about holding one button and pressing another 55 times, hmmmm?).
4) Instead of having booby trapped chests, now there are booby trapped floor tiles, which add an element of surprise.

Those things that are POOR in Origins:
1) The normal difficulty level really isn't that much more difficult than the easy level. In fact, what really changes is the encounter frequency, and the enemy's ambush possibility. Essentially, the normal difficulty guarantees a longer game, but only because you'll have to fight 50% more monsters.
2) The enemy ambush level is ridiculous. I mean, during my play-though, I gained a pre-emptive attack a total of fourteen times in the game, while the enemy ambushed me that many times as I was preparing to enter the Temple of Chaos (or Fiends, in the NES version).
3) The Ice Cavern is ridiculous. Much of your chance of making it out alive relies on luck, hoping and praying that you don't get ambushed by four Dark Wizards, who will kill off your entire partyt before you can say "guh?".
4) The music, somehow, has gotten worse in Origins. Somehow, by sprucing up the tunes, the folks at Enix have made the mucic 100 times more annoying.
5) The collection menu is useless; I would have hoped to get more for my efforts.

As I said, if it were only FF1 on this disc, the game would merit less stars. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the addition of Final Fantasy 2. In fact, after playing this little game, I wonder what fools told Square not to release the game over here in the first place! The storyline is pretty good, and the growth system is quite novel (it resembles the Game Boy offering, Final Fantasy Legend pt. 2 which, as an aside, is probably the most difficult game ever conceived). Truth be told, I am sad that I left this game for last, and its addition really makes this new game worthwhile.

Well, there you have it. I feel I've justified my position now, and it is up to you (the buyer) to take or leave what I have offered.

Best and hardest.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 10
Date: April 07, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I haven't played FF 2, so this review will concentrate solely on FF1. To begin, this is the hardest game of the series. The enemies are strong, relenting, and varied. The infamous Warmech is unbelieveably tough. Wizards take out mages with precision. Poison monsters are frequent. Many spells exist that take out the whole party.

In this remake, your hits target the next available enemy if your original target is killed by one your fighters. The original game was the opposite. It was very frustrating. Some of the spells, weapons and armor are named differently. These are just a few of many new features.

The spells are purchased. The armor and weapons are purchased. You recieve a canoe, ship, and airship. And you have to find many weapons and special items. There are several mini-bosses. 4 big bosses. 1 very big boss.

There is a difficulty setting (not available on the NES version). The dungeons are spread out and difficult. The Underwater Shrine, Mirage Tower, Space Station, and Gurgu Volcano are just a few areas to search and destroy.

This is a very enjoyable game. The replay factor is high for me due to the fun and difficulty. There are many other features that you will need to explore and learn. Do not rely on a strategy guide. If you want the game to be fun, cause mass hysteria, create lines of foul language, do not, as I said, use a strategy guide. There is replay value for this game due to the variety of fighter combinations you are able to utilize.

This is an awesome game. I can't wait to get my hands on it. Enjoy it and be prepared to die many many times, if it is your first time playing.

Buy it for FF1!

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: April 11, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Just to start out,this rating is more like 3 and half stars; borderline on 4.Well,first let me talk about the good stuff:

If you grew up playing ff1 on the 8-bit nintendo;then you will love this game.The remake of ff1 is amazing;beautiful musical soundtrack(enhanced with string instruments and such),wonderful 16-bit super nintendo enhanced graphics,and of course the classic
gameplay.You have the option of playing this version with easier improvements(auto targeting,instead of just attacking nothing when the enemey dies),or you can play the original game format;
which I forgot how CHALLENGING that can be! There is also alot of nice bonuses like the movie cinematics,and of course unlocking goodies for beating the game.

Now for the bad:

Well,in my opinion ff2 leaves alot to be desired.I was kinda disapointed;in fact I can now understand why it was only released in Japan.If you are expecting ff2 to be like ff1 only with a diffrent story and characters,then you will be sorely mistaken.The gameplay is VERY diffrent with it's rpg format! To start with,no one has any numerical levels nor will they ever. Also,anyone can use any type of magic;but there are limitations.
Depending on what actions you take,certain stats will always go up or down.In other words,if you fight alot,then you will be a lousy spell caster and vice versa. Basically you just have to decide who's going to be doing what; don't think that you'll be able to create a character who can do a little bit of everything. Also another very bizarre feature is that you gain more hp soley depending on how often you get attacked.(Hint:Just keep attacking yourself to gain more hp!)Yeah I know,weird....
This is all kind of a let down after getting two great classic games in final fantasy anthology and final fantasy chronicles.

In the end though,if you were a fan of ff1 and are curious to see the new makeover,then that's more than enough reason to buy this title.Also,I was suprised to learn that this game is alot cheaper to buy new then I thought it would be(maybe cause both games are on 1 disc?)So just think of it as you are paying for a great remake of ff1,and ff2 is more of an added gimick.A page of the ff history to own,rather than play.Well,what are you waiting for?Go play ff1!

Classics!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: April 11, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I remember playing Final Fantasy 1 then moving away to a secluded place where Nintendo didn't exist yet (Somewhere in Nevada) I went through FF withdrawls! I'd force my sisters to play make believe that we were searching for the legendary rat's tail. Anyway, that's getting off of the subject at hand! FF1 is a classic and gives all would be rpg gamers the basics on what a FF game is. There are alot of Square haters out there who would disagree, but it's the truth. Also, FF2 is cool. I've played it Via ROM and I haven't gotten that far (3 is amazing, what's up with Sqaure leaving that one overseas?) Anyway, FF2 is the FF to use closeups in the menu. It plays alot like FF1, but has more in it, such as you learn certain words that if you say to people at certain times, you will reveal a secret or a part of the story. I'm very anxious to get these both in one package. Supposedly Square beefed up the graphics for PSX, but I haven't seen any screenshots. If so, it'll be a whole new fF!!
-T

A real treat for RPG gamers

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 34 / 38
Date: April 13, 2003
Author: Amazon User

As the PS1 releases get more and more shallow, it's good to see that this new compilation of early Final Fantasy games made it here from overseas. Final Fantasy Origins collects the original 8 bit NES Final Fantasy game, and Final Fantasy 2, both of which are brought to the PS1 as Wonderswan (an obscure handheld Japanese system) remakes of the original games. Older RPG players who loved the challenging gameplay of these games will instantly play for a nostalgia trip, but younger RPG players who are more used to Final Fantasy VII or easier and flashier RPG's won't find much to like here. The first game is a basic by the numbers RPG that is quite challenging and long on gameplay, but the second game is much much better and features great character development and storyline depth. The graphics are nicely drawn and colorful, reminiscent of early Super Nintendo-esque graphic quality, but the sound and audio really aren't anything special. As with any RPG the controls take getting used to, but are easy to handle after a while. Origins also plays more smoothly than the earlier released Final Fantasy Anthology and Final Fantasy Chronicles; it has much faster loading times and no slowdown whatsoever like the aforementioned games. All in all, I strongly suggest picking up Final Fantasy Origins, especially if your an older RPG player.

Amazing stupidity of people

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: April 13, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. This will be a great buy of a game. If you are foolish enough to think that you are buying this game (one of the original RPG's that came out on consoles) and expect the intensity and 50 hours of FMV like the new games, then truly you are not an RPG fan, and this as well as all RPG's are not for you. Think of this game as a timeline of the RPG. There are some upgrades, such as graphics, and a few FMVs, key word "few, but to be able to play this without pulling out the 8-bit NES is a blessing (yes emulation is an option also). But the magic and intensity of this RPG are amazing, Just remember this was an 8-bit game, and to totally facelift it and change the whole game, would be like taking anyone out and giving them a frontal labotamy and expecting them to think and act the same as they do now. To capture the essence of such an origin, it must be kept as close to the original as possible, but then there are people in the world, that don't understand this concept and think that something that was written when the NES first came out, is supposed to have the same graphics and intensity of a PS2 game. haha all i can say is listen to Axiom one "People are stupid"

First NES game I ever bought.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 15 / 18
Date: April 16, 2003
Author: Amazon User

When Square emailed me telling me that they were re-releasing the first two FF's, it brought me back. I follow the school of Final Fantasy that believes the games were great before the media blowout that 7 was.

As far as quality, both games are just exactly as I remembered them. I found it interesting playing both games side by side and marveling how true to the originals the ports are. The enhanced graphics are a plus.

For those of you who joined the FF series only after the introduction of rendered graphics, and all you're looking for is eye candy with experience points, then these games aren't for you. If you want a challenge then play FF1. If you want a real challenge play FF2 as it showcases the first and last time they used a skill based experience system in one of their games.

All in all, a very good buy, and worth the 16 year wait.

just what i thought it would be

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: April 16, 2003
Author: Amazon User

i went in the store thinking that if the ff1 on this disc was the same as the one on the nes that i remember from when i was a kid. it was that and then some. the wizards at square made this classic better. the new memo save feature is great, no more having to use a tent before a hard dungeon. with revamped graphics and a much better soundtrack that goes quite well with a sourround sound system. there's only slight changes. the temple of fiends is now the temple of chaos and the blackbelt class is now a monk. other than that this is the meaning of gaming nostalgia. oh and by the way all the attacks DO get redirected!!!

Is Square selling out?

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 5 / 9
Date: April 17, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Fans of the original 2 FFs might be angry to find that these true classics have been changed sooo much that you can barely see the similarities. Some are good and some are very bad. The good:

-Improved graphics
-Ability to play FF2 for the first time if you are unfamiliar with emulators or don't have the Japanese version
-umm, that's it unless you want to count some small things such as added dialouge, ability to buy multiple items at once, and introductory movie scenes. The movie scenes are pretty cool, I must admit, but there are too few of them.

The bad:

-Music! Square usually does good music with its games, but this enhanced music really stinks! I'd rather listen to the "bips" and "beeps" of the originals.
-Monster stats and names have been changed, not staying true to the originals. This is a big problem with me. Normal mode on FF1, in Origins, should really be the easy mode it has on it.
-The "improved graphics" I mentioned should really be down here. Why? They are sub-snes quality. I didn't expect 3d anything, but the graphics are horrible for a playstation. Both games also look like FF5 [imitations].
-Should have included FF3 if they were going to charge 30 bucks for it. I'll tell you why they probably didn't in a sec.

Well, as the title goes, "is Square selling out?" I'd say so. This is a truly mediocre title for Square and that's being nice. If I weren't such a big fan of the series I'd call up Squaresoft myself and demand my money back. The only reason I won't is because, as a FF fan, I think it should remain in the FF collection I have amassed.

I'm guessing Square released this title either prematurely or incomplete for 3 reasons. 1 for the money, 2 for the show (jk) - to hold us over until the next FF comes out and 3 for the money. I expect that they will re-release FF3 just as soon as they translate it. I hope they learn from their mistakes, make a quality game, and not just sell us the name recognition.

You want to buy this game only if you have never played FF1, FF2 or both. You shouldn't be too disappointed if thats the case. Even then, expect to be sent back a couple generations graphically. And don't get me started on the music again... Grrr...

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