This section is dedicated to FF's that won't have a direct review. This page gives shout outs to the much older Final Fantasy's
Here is where it all began. Final Fantasy (FF) was more than likely the very first RPG created by SquareSoft. Being on the NES system, this game is pretty huge to new time rpgers. The game is well over 80 hours or near back in those days. Unlike other FF's, this was prolly one of the biggest rpgs in time wise. FF didn't have much of a story in itself, but it had the old JRR Tokken adventure feeling. You had pick a band of four warriors (known as the light warriors). You were given a variety to choose from fighter to black mage. Compared to today's games, the selection is not huge, but keep in mind the time frame here. The game started from here. While there were no storyline in the beginning..... (new players could have just started fighting and find themselves in a quick game over) The game gives a simple concept of one mission and that is to rescue a princess from an old ruins.After completing the mission, you find out your true objective and that is to restore the four crystals of the elements to restore the land. FF storyline was very vague and could have been improved on to help players know at the very least what their objective was (instead of throwing them into action with no idea what to do). The game overall when to comes to everything was a very decent rpg. Those who have never played the game, play the original NES version or get a copy of the rom. Don't play the remakes (Origins or Dawn of Souls), it's just not the same.
FII is actually FFIV in Japan. The actual FF2 was never released to the states. As far as North America, only FF1 was released to the states at this time. FF2 was an excellent rpg as well as the first. To me it was FF revamped with newer graphics (being on the SNES system), better sound and storyline. This FF actually had a storyline and very damn good one. The game starts as you, Cecil, captain of the Red Wings of Baron. The storyline starts out of being ordered to steal the four crystals of the world (just like in the first FF). Upon completing the mission, Cecil questions the king. He is then stripped of his command and must carry out on another mission. Without spoiling any details (for those who haven't touched it yet), you eventually go on a mission to save the four crystals and return them. One of the most interesting aspects of this FF was the HP/MP system. You had large numbers to deal with it. While this felt a little over rated, it wasn't badly used. This FF is pretty long going well over 50-55 hours in game play and there is a good number of secrets to unlock.
Known as FF6 in Japan (as before the original FF3 for the NES never came out). Following the similar format. FF3 for the SNES was pretty much the same as FF2 in terms of gaming concept. The graphics were more detailed,and music was a bit better. Mini games/challenges were in this installment which I found pretty cool. (Eeek I got five minutes to get out here!). The storyline is extremely well done wanting any player to finish this installment. The interesting concept of this FF was that there is no crystals to rescue in this one. (Odd huh?). FF breaks from its original tradition. The storyline is completely different from the previous FF with no mention of Cecil or any of the other characters. This is a new FF in its entirety. New for me because when something continues off the previous installment, you'd expect some sort of reference. This version of FF has a much more future type look to it. This FF is about as long as the previous FF (about 50 hours). There's a good amount of secrets to unlock in this FF as well. Combat system is pretty good and the bosses are pretty challenging although the final boss wasn't that challenging to say the least.
FF5 came with anthologies collection for the PSOne. As always, brand new storyline with no reference to the previous FF's. Somehow this will always be odd to me (then again you could only take a story for so long, right?). FF5 returns to its original roots...that's right! The crystals are back....and this time they're shattering. Squaresoft did not bore us players (at least not yet) of the FF concept. This time this FF offers jobs! The game delivers in full at least over 10 jobs to play as. There are lot of jobs to choose from so this RPG could take you well over 60 hours. You can also mix and match jobs up (such as sub jobs). Most the jobs are pretty useful and be used throughout the game. FF's story is also a very strong one once you get into it. There aren't many party members in this FF, but the way it delivers among all the possible jobs and abilities you can use, this is one of the best FF's I've played to date.
The first title to reach the PlayStation. In this FF we get to see for once FMV's, although being a CD based game, there are no voice overs, just all text. This may be frustrating to some players. This FF was similar to that of FF5, to where you could learn jobs, however you equipped materia to learn new spells and abilities. Graphically wise and FMV wise at its time, FF7 shows. Battle system remains the same with the exception of the ATB (active time battle) system. Which, in essence is similar to that of the other FF's except action is live and not fully turn based. The storyline is good although the concept of the crystals is gone (make up your mind Square). This game is great in most aspects. Unless you do all the secrets, despite the four CD set, this game is not very long, spanning little over 35 hours. Despite no character voice overs and short game time, FF7 is a FF in its own way, although at this point the in FF series anything goes.
I remember purchasing this title when I was about 12 or so years old. FFL was a die hard (and I do mean hard) rpg. Out of all the FF's, this one would come close to a Dragon Warrior title. Nothing was hi tech there was a story but it was somewhat vague and it was easy to get lost. Just like any other FF title, this one is a whole new story and new concept. New concept? There is no music relation (such as the victory fan fare music ect) to this game. There are no crystal associations either. Yet, the sense of old style adventure is in this game. In FF legends you start by picking a hero (I suggest male/human) and you begin the town of tower. While the game has no immediate storyline, you are very clear of what your objective is: reach the top of the tower and find "paradise" as most of the people say. You can also recruit 3 more members of your own party and give them names. Two different races make the game unique. You can select a Mutant (which is a hard core spell user) and a monster. You heard right, you play monsters in this game. I've found myself with 2 Humans (melee wise) 1 mutant (for magic) and 1 monster (for misc). Monsters can evolve into stronger monsters when you eat their meat that appears after winning a battle. The battle system is pretty straight forward. Although *most* of the time during a fight, you'll find yourself being more offensive than a healer. Monsters come at full force and often can be cheap. However, if your aggressive enough monsters will go down quick without much of a threat. To progress higher in the tower you'll need an orb to unseal the door of each realm. Overall there are 4 realms and each realm is pretty big. The game spans almost 50 hours in length for newcomers. Graphics are basic(for a game boy game) and sound is pretty decent. Even boss battle music is intense. If you've never touched the FFL series, this is one game to check out. Vague game but fun.
FFL2 is a more redefined version of FFL1. Except bigger, enhanced music, and not as vague. I found this out of all 3 FFL's to be my fav. Graphics are much more clearer in this one. Other than being a bit bigger and less vague. You could almost call this an expansion pak. You still have to be more aggressive than on the defensive on most fights. In FFL2, you are trying to find your missing father. You know what he is after, so you decide to adventure to seek the same thing and find him. Here you collect Magi. These missing pieces are suppose to create the missing goddess Iris and the one who creates the goddess will become a god them self (or so the game states). Your father is trying to stop evil forces from collecting this Magi. Just like in FFL1, you need a certain amount of Magi to progress higher in the tower. Each world has a certain amount of Magi to collect. Boss battles are intense in this one, and unlike regular battles, you might have to balance with cures. In addition you can select a Robot to be in your party. Robots use items to increase their hp, mp, etc to learn new abilities. While that's pretty neat, I ended up sticking with the same previous setup in FFL1. Also, in this FFL you get a memo to keep track of all events/key terms you've ran across in the game. And thankfully there are three save files in this one instead of just one save file. This for me, was a great FFL2 to the very end.
The last of the FFL series (so Squaresoft claims). However, it was not as good as I hoped to be. FFL3 has no concept of the previous FFL's. There are many major changes. The game takes on FF2 (SNES) look. Where there is a serious story (keep character names the same or rename them) to the game. In this FFL you are trying to find out about your past. This is when you eventually learn about aircraft known as Talon. This ship has the ability to travel through time. This is the new concept of FFL's traveling thru a tower ability. Instead of progressing higher in the tower, you are traveling in time: past present and future. The story is pretty good but become vague near the end of the game. Just like the previous FFL's you can eat meat or get installed parts to change your members into a monster/robot. The game is preset to 2 humans and 2 mutants (if I remember correctly). So your pretty balanced out to mess with certain stuff. The combat system is totally redone. Hp is in the 9999's type system and on a plus side, you need to manage your healing/attack formations, which is a good thing. It felt good to get away to being always aggressive and rely on luck half the time (in some battle situations). FFL3 is not that huge of a game unlike the previous 2 and it's not as hard. FFL3 didn't go out with a bang but it was a still a decent game.
->Fans of the FF series will like the FFL series nonetheless, given the time period and the console you were playing on they were good RPGS<-
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-> I would be nice to see a remake of the FFL series on the DS or GBA systems. I would buy myself a copy :) <-
-> I suppose the LAST section would be the FF Adventure series, from what I've heard they are a spin off from the Secret of Mana series. But I've never played them, should I am able to get a hold of these titles I will post it in the tribute section.<-
FF8....FF9....FF8 is not even in my opinion not worth talking about I didn't like it even though I finished it. It's similar to 7 but the combat system is very bad and storyline is stale. FF9 I never completed all the way so it's somewhat hard to review it when I never finished it. FF9 is a good game in concept and story, any FF fan should check it out. If I happen to pick it up and finish it, I will add it to my tribute section.
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Editors Note: I played FF9 remaster for the PC. That game will be an ACTUAL review. Please keep an eye on PC reviews and it will be added there later in the future.