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One of the best of all time

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: February 09, 2008
Author: Amazon User

This was the very first RPG I played, back when I was about six or seven. I had no idea what to expect this game to be like, and I was totally blown away. I'm glad my friend introduced me to it, and it stuck in my mind ever since. I rented this repeatedly when I was a kid, even though I never finished it until a few years ago.

This is the only Final Fantasy where you have no control over your party composition - in earlier installments, you got to decide your party's abilities, and in later editions you could at least pick which characters you fought with. That contributes to this game being one of the most challenging Final Fantasy games as well, because the bosses were designed to play off of your weaknesses (and you had to learn to do the same to them). You can't make any of your characters ridiculously strong across the board like you can in other FFs.

The story is very engrossing, because the characters are some of the most interesting and convincing we see in video games. In this game, each of the characters is designed to complement the others. It also helps that the landscapes are colorful, and the battle system is addictive.

For those who played the ol' FF2 on SNES, this game is a little different. For starters, all of the abilities that were removed for the US version of that game have been put back in, which makes the game fresh even if you played the old version. Most of the dialogue has been re-translated and updated, which is cool. Apparently there is more content at the end, although I haven't had the priveledge of playing through it yet.

One minor bug that prevents me from giving this full stars makes certain characters go twice in a row during battles; this causes other characters to lose their turns which can be frustrating. Although overall this works in the player's favor, it's slightly disheartening to see this game flawed. The other thing that irks me is the fact that you can't pause during combat - a much-needed feature if you play on the go like most handheld gamers. They added the quicksave feature, so why not a pause feature? :(

I love this game. If you like RPGs, and especially if you are a Final Fantasy fan, this is a must-have for your collection. Even after having played it on and off for about 12 years, I still have trouble putting this down. See the game that showed great innovation in video game storytelling.

fun old school rpg

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: February 20, 2008
Author: Amazon User

i play my ds on the train every day to/from work, and i'd finished with the castlevania games, luminous arc, etc. i was looking for a really relaxing, fun, oldschool style rpg. this fit the bill perfectly, i haven't played it for *years* since the snes. it's a tad slower than even i like (and i really like slowpaced oldschool rpgs), but i'm glad i bought it.

Perfection!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: April 13, 2008
Author: Amazon User

This is the reason I became addicted to RPGs. I first played this game when it came out on the Super Nintendo. I had no idea games could suck you in to the point that you actually cared about the characters. The story is compelling and intelligent, the characters are well rounded and with interesting back stories, and the combat is simple and quick.

If you have played RPGs for years and never tried this one then it may seem too simplistic or archaic compared to Mass Effect or The Witcher but if you are willing to sample a bit of history then you are in for a treat. The new content is interesting for long time fans and newbies will get hooked on a great story.

Get the game while you can and don't forget parts V and VI for the GBA as well. If you have a DS they just announced the remake of this with voice acting and a new combat system. Check that one out too!

"We are...hatred...we are...Zeromus..."

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: June 22, 2008
Author: Amazon User

This is the second best Final Fantasy ever. Final Fantasy VI is the only one which beats it. This also has the second best array of characters (once again beaten out by VI).

Okay, the storyline is the best thus far in the series, starting out with a familiar theme: an oppressive empire plans to conquer and rule the world. However, this also mixes in another common element of Final Fantasy: the Crystals. The kingdom of Baron is plundering all of the Crystals for the ultimate power, unknowing that they are only a puppet. Cecil (one of the best main characters ever) is a Dark Knight who questions the authority of his king and his own struggles within himself. Rosa is a White Mage and his girlfriend who is constantly worried for him (not annoyingly, though). Kain is the leading Dragoon and Cecil's best friend who is also secretly his worst enemy for the love of Rosa, thus completing the love triangle. From here opens up a kaleidoscopic array of characters and their own struggles within themselves and the overbearing empirical rule of Baron.

This is the first game to institute the Active Time Battle system, the battle systems used in most Final Fantasy games. When one of your character's time line fills up, you can issue his/her commands. While he/she executes the command, you can choose another character's command and let the battle unfold. This is one of the best battle systems ever created for the RPG genre. While not as strategical as the turn-based system, it keeps you thinking on your toes.

The music is almost at its peak as Nobuo Uematsu once again captures the imagination of the deepest thinkers. The final boss battle music is the second best boss battle music in all of Final Fantasy (ONCE AGAIN behind VI).

This is the first game to incorporate the relationship between brothers. Cecil and Golbez are mortal enemies practically until they find out they are brothers. Then, it comes down to Cecil trying to find it in his heart to forgive him. This is one of the most touching stories in all of Final Fantasy. I certainly love it.

All in all, a great game and one that will surely stand the test of time with the best of the best. A treat for all fans, old and new.

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