Title - "Final Fantasy VI"
Alternative title(s) - "Final Fantasy III"
Genre(s) - Role playing
Platform(s) - Super Famicom and Play Station
"Final Fantasy VI" has been considered to be the game of the series that majority of its fans like the most. I don't have a favorite, but if I had to make a choice, this would be one that pops into my mind easily. It will always have some kind of aura that makes people remember this game. I know that some people don't like this game that much and I respect their opinions, but to me, this is that good of a game. There is supposed to be a fan-made "Final Fantasy VI" sequel, but don't ask me what's up with the project now.
Since this is the first "Final Fantasy" review I have brought forth, I shall give some sort of history. First off, if you're wondering why this series has always been called "Final Fantasy" even though that there is no "final" game up to this point, the reason is because back when the first game was released in 1987, Squaresoft was in financial trouble. So, they decided to do a project and of course, the project dealt with "Final Fantasy". If the project failed, it would be considered Squaresoft's "final" fantasy that they would release. Of course, a lot people bought the first game and the title has been stuck since.
As for the number mishap, I'll break it down. Note that this chart deals with all of the games released up to the year 1994, not today. I hope everyone understands that.
Japanese "Final Fantasy" - English "Final Fantasy" - Notes
"Final Fantasy I" - "Final Fantasy I" - This was released on the Famicom back in 1987 and it was released outside of Japan in 1989.
"Final Fantasy II" - N/A - "II" was released for the Famicom in 1988, but it was never released outside of Japan.
"Final Fantasy III" - N/A - "III", the last game of the series Famicom, was released in 1990 and like the one before, it was never released outside of Japan.
"Final Fantasy IV" - "Final Fantasy II" - In 1991, "IV" was the first game of the series to be brought on to the Super Famicom. This was also the first game to have a number change. The non-Japanese "II" is easier than the Japanese "IV".
"Final Fantasy V" - N/A - This was the last game to not have been released outside of Japan up to this point. As for the relase date, it was released in 1992.
"Final Fantasy VI" - "Final Fantasy III" - Well, I'm reviewing it right now.
This is the last game of the series not only to get a number change, but also the last Final Fantasy game with a number to be released on a Nintendo system. This game is later joined with "Final Fantasy V" to make up the Play Station collection of "Final Fantasy Anthologies". Oh and before I go on to the story, there were a lot of changes here, but I'll only go through a few of them.
We get to know the stories of various characters. You start with Tina Bradford or Terra if you're never knew what was her name in Japan and since people all over the world know her as Terra, I'll use that name from here on as well as the names that weren't used in Japan, but with the names used in Japan in parenthesis. As her story goes along, she seems lost and becomes scared about her own faith. So, she would later meet up with various people like Locke (or Lock [and yeah, I know that it's only one letter]) Cole, a "treasure hunter" who helps out Terra, Celes Chere, a skilled magic user like Terra, and of course, Mog, one of the series's loveable mascots, along with the Chocobo of course.
Of course, there's Kefka (or Cefca). Kefka is not only spiffy in the style department, but he's also spiffy in the evil department. He wanted to rule all of the world and he will do it with any means necessary. As a hero, I will never forgive this guy, but as a person who observes villians, he was and always will be wonderful.
Fun - 10
Let's get the only flaw out of the way. Some of the characters could use help. A character like Relm Arrowny has little to no use pretty much and someone like Gau can be a double-edged sword. He can cast some powerful attacks, but if he's the only character still up in a battle, chances of you surviving are very slim.
Okay! Gone is the flexible job system and in is the esper system, though each character carries a certain job. Each character has a special ability like nullifing spells in Celes's case. You gain spells by holding an esper and that development grows over time. You are able to use an esper in battle only once to make the game more fair and only four characters show up at a time.
Oh geez! Getting magic spells through espers, equipping two relics to help the characters more, this is pure bliss! It can't get any better than this!
Life - 10
It's a classic. So treasure it if you still have it with you.
Story - 10
Memorable characters + a wonderful tale = a perfect score.
Control - 10
Yeah, it still feels weird that you can only go in four directions. Even so, I had no problems here. Next!
Audio - 10
What do you expect from Uematsu Nobuo-san, who has been composing the music of the series since forever, other than greatness? From the jolly themes like the Chocobo theme to the dark themes like Kefka's, the batch of songs here is magical. The sound effects are great, whether I'm talking about the magic spells or the sword slashes.
Art - 10
The graphics have been polished up and all I can say is "Wow!" I thought "V" was good enough already, but this is better. The sprites look great and the spells are a joy to watch.
Overall - 10
"Final Fantasy VI" is one of the best role playing games ever in my opinion. If you have not played this by now, what are you waiting for? Do so!
+
The feel, the fun, this is that memorable of a game.
-
Some of the characters could use work.
Date of creation - 12/14/03
Last update - 8/31/04