Final Fantasy Series Overview Part 1

As this current era of home-bound living continues video games are proving to be one of the most essential tools for maintaining mental health. Even a homebody like myself can get a bit stir crazy which makes adventures into digital worlds all the more meaningful. While I’ve recently been spending my time in fictionalized Tokyo via Judgment and the Yakuza Remastered Collection I am eager as a pup for the oncoming remake of Final Fantasy VII, or at least part 1 of it anyways. That anticipation means I’ve finally decided to break the seal and talk about one of my favorite franchises and share a lot of love, a little shade, and some advice to those of you who haven’t dug in to this massive franchise. Plus I owe you all a good article series after school thwarted my previous statement of increased posting.

As for where my love affair with this series began I was actually introduced to it at an early age. We had the original game on NES and I would try my hand at it despite being too young to read, which probably wasn’t the best idea. I also witnessed my brothers rent and fight their way through IV and VI (uses old man voice) which in those days were called II and III. It wasn’t until the Playstation that the combo of Suikoden and Final Fantasy VII instilled an unapologetic love for JRPGs which thrived in that golden era of classics like Grandia, Chrono Cross, Final Fantasy Tactics, Parasite Eve, and Tales of Destiny. I was hooked on the genre to the extent that may games would overlap resulting in unfinished playthroughs as I devoured everything in sight. Even then this series remained the focal point of my obsession that has absorbed enough hours of my life that I likely could have used to learn an important skill or built lasting relationships. All that shit’s overated anyway.

Rather than focus solely on the history of VII I’d like to use the current hype to work through the entire core series, numbered entries alongside direct sequels and spin-offs. I might take a detour to discuss side series like Tactics, Crystal Chronicles, or Vagrant Story but there’s enough to cover as is. So if you’ll join me, let’s journey back to the 80s and get on with the show.

Final Fantasy (1987) Dir. Hironobu Sakaguchi

Despite being a landmark title that, along with Dragon Quest and Ys, changed the world of gaming the very first game in modern terms is downright quaint. The story of four chosen warriors battling a time-traveling evil never delves into deep matters of characterization or meaningful symbolism. The gameplay is similarly straightforward. Players apply names and roles to four characters and set out to grind levels in turn-based combat and explore dungeons. It could almost be considered as a prototype for everything that would follow such as the core concepts of crystals, a job system, and airships. For as a barebones as it is the game remains enjoyable, a testament to its initial quality. The lack of anything to truly set it apart however means this isn’t likely to be anyone's favorite installment. On the plus side nearly anyone can play it thanks to countless reworkings and revisions over the decades. For those who decide to embark on the original quest both the PSP version and Dawn of Souls release for the Game Boy Advance are considered to be the best iterations.

Final Fantasy II (1988) Dir. Hironobu Sakaguchi

For most installments of the franchise there is seemingly a choice between elevating the story of the gameply. Part II tries to do both with little success and the result is undoubtedly the worst numbered entry in the series. That’s not to say this is a totally worthless game as there are some notable improvements in the realm of storytelling with an actual cast of characters rather than blank vessels. The problem comes with the new method by which players earn experience. Much like some western RPGs each character earns or losses stats based on the actions they take in battle. Problem is no one made sure this system was balanced which results in a myriad of exploits and headaches like attacking your own party to boost their health. Worst of all is that some versions lack a defend command meaning you always have to do something. So should your magic user constantly use up their stash of MP? Or maybe they should physically attack an enemy and end up losing some of their magical power? Some of the later revisions help to smooth out these issues with the PSP and Game Boy Advance versions once again being the recommended options. On a historical note some of the gameplay concepts presented here maintained a presence in the Saga franchise. Personally I still have yet to actually sit down and finish this one which may change once I find a preferred version. It’s a sloppy creation which is likely why it wasn’t released stateside for over a decade. This one should largely be avoided by all but the most devout of fans.

Final Fantasy III (1990) Dir. Hironobu Sakaguchi

Here’s where things become a bit more complicated. Unlike the previous two games that have seen multiple revisions part III exists in the original state along with a much improved remake. For the western market that remake is the only one we got but with either version the primary focus was on delivering better gameplay and man does it ever provide. Returning to a traditional experience system while greatly expanding on the original concept of job selection. Each character was now capable of changing jobs throughout the adventure, gaining new skills and proficiency as they advanced. Summon spells would also come into play for the first time. The only aspect that wasn’t further advanced was the storytelling which was reduced back down to blank heroes versus great evil fare. I won’t deny the remake is the way to go with this one thanks to better balance, more sensible difficulty, and a better story. Not the most unique game in the series but a lot of fun and easily the best of the first three.

Final Fantasy IV (1991) Dir. Hironobu Sakaguchi

With the jump to to the Super Nintendo/Famicom Squaresoft took the opportunity to focus on story and presentation and the end result was a huge upgrade for the series. Finally we had properly developed characters with their own unique contributions to both the story and battles. Where once we were content to play random knights and mages we were now treated to a tale of redemption for a former dark warrior who joins forces with all manner of strange folk ranging from a ninja prince to a damn moon man. And while gameplay wasn’t the main point of interest this is where the ATB system first appears, removing the drudgery of turn-based battles. This was the turning point when Final Fantasy become a fully featured event instead of just a solid RPG. The popularity of this entry proved to be so great that it has received far too many remakes and revisions. The original version is good on its own but there’s also the somewhat improved, and very easy, Game Boy Advance version. Then there’s the 3DS remake which was actually the one I took on despite a much higher difficulty. What is considered the best however is the Complete Collection version for the PSP which not only improved the game but properly paired it with its direct sequel complete with new connective tissue. Speaking of the sequel.

Final Fantasy IV: The After Years (2008) Dir. Toshio Akiyama

While not the first installment to garner a direct follow-up IV is thus far the only 2D entry to receive its own dedicated sequel. Originally released as an episodic mobile game, The After Years has also see revisions like the aforementioned Complete Collection. Sadly I cannot say much on the matter of this game as I still have yet to play it. Talk about a source of embarrassment for a major fan of the series but I have a good reason. I’m waiting for the time and money to properly indulge in the PSP release and that opportunity hasn’t come just yet.

Final Fantasy V (1992) Dir. Hironobu Sakaguchi

Even though part IV was a big hit stateside, Nintendo neglected to bring the next installment stateside which meant U.S. fans wouldn’t get their hands on it until a late nineties release on the original Playstation. What a shame as V is the hidden gem of the series that uses the leap in production quality from the previous game while pushing the job system to new heights. Yes this one is more focused on gameply but there’s still enough story to keep players hooked. The plot is something closer to a Saturday morning cartoon with over the top villains and goofy character interactions which turn some players off. They should really stick with it though as it plays like a dream. The developers took the systems from part III and expanded them even further with more complex jobs and new methods to mix commands. Oddly this one hasn’t been touched for quite some time as I think even the phone ports are largely based on the game boy advance edition. No matter how you approach it this is an outstanding game that doesn't receive anywhere near enough love. Likely this is due to both the delayed release and the overdone nostalgia for our next installment.

Final Fantasy VI (1994) Dir. Yoshinori Kitase and Hiroyuki Ito

I’m gonna tell you all a big secret. Everyone who declares Final Fantasy VI to be the finest entry in the series is lying to you. When the game was first released it was a massive leap forward in presentation and storytelling within the video games medium which lends itself to a lot of blind nostalgia, creating a fan base that remembers the finer points of the game while ignoring a good deal of issues. And that’s not to say this is a bad game, far from it. But for all of the interesting set-pieces and fun characters there is a slew of underdeveloped nonsense to accompany it. Just look at the list of playable characters if you don’t believe me. For each one with fun abilities and cool story moments like Shadow or Edger there’s a Gau or Umaro who serve no purpose whatsoever. Much of the story suffers from this problem as well. Sure Terra has a terrific backstory but can anyone explain what Cyan really has to offer? The brand new Esper system for enhancing your parties magical abilities works fine but does little to midigate how many boss battles operate on novelties and cheap tricks. I have no problem with someone claiming it as their favorite, but to say it’s the best one is just nonsense. It’s a bloated and messy game that still manages to be very good. There aren’t too many versions of this installment so the only advice I can offer is to avoid the awful Playstation edition.

Thanks for indulging me in some gaming nostalgia. I rarely get to share my love for these titles but their current use as a tool for maintaining mental health makes this the perfect time to encourage others to enter the fold. You all have a good night out there. Me thinks it’s time for a good ole nap.