- The two games that started the Final Fantasy Dynasty!Reviewed for Big Boss Games by: T.R.C.
--- Final Fantasy I Prologue ---
The world lies shrouded in darkness. The winds die... The seas rage... The earth decays... But, the people believe in a prophecy, patiently awaiting its fulfillment.
"When darkness veils the world four warriors of light shall come..."
After a long journey, four young travelers did at last appear... and in hand of each was clutched a crystal.
You start out by selecting your four heroes. You can select from six different classes. The heroes will change after you complete a side quest that is about a third of the way through the game.
Warrior = Knight
Thief = Ninja
Monk = Black Belt
White Mage = White Wizard
Black Mage = Black Wizard
Red Mage = Red Wizard
My team consisted of a Warrior, Monk, Black Mage and a White Mage. This group is the most balanced between strength and magic.
You will have to buy your spells. So save your money!
Story 6/10 - The story was re-written with much more detail than the original Nintendo version.
Music 7/10 - You will find yourself humming along to the background music.
Graphics 6/10 - The graphics were updated from the original Nintendo days. Looks more like an SNES game.
Battle System 5/10 - Your typical turn based battle system with updated spell graphics.
Game play 6/10 - This game took me 25 hours to complete.
Special Feature - In the original NES Final Fantasy you had to walk everywhere you went. In this wonderfully remade version of Final Fantasy they added the run button. Hold it down and you can run. This cuts down on travel time in towns and dungeons.
Overall 7/10 - For Final Fantasy I, all the updates to this game have truly made a great game into a classic.
--- Final Fantasy II Prologue ---
A long-lived peace is at an end. The Emperor of Palamecia has called forth monsters from the underworld and begun his campaign for world conquest.
A rebel army arose in the kingdom of Fynn to thwart the emperor's plans. But the rebels' castle fell to an all out assault by the remote town of Altair.
Four youths from Fynn also found themselves fleeing the imperial forces. They had lost their parents at the hands of the empire. But their escape wasn't over...
Your party will consist of four people. Three of them will stay with you throughout the game, but the forth member will change throughout the game.
You start with Firion, Maria, and Guy.
The forth wheels are:
Leon - A Dark Knight
Minwu - A White Wizard
Josef - A Monk
Gordon - A Prince
Ricard - A Dragoon
Leila - A Pirate Captain
You will have complete control over how you mold your team. So, take some time to think how you want them to grow. "E.g. to be a wizard or a sword fighter?" You will be fighting a lot in this game, so take some time to attack your own team with your spells and weapons. This will help your team members to grow strong and powerful. You don't gain experience points in this game, you grow by casting spells, fighting, and taking damage.
Story 8/10 - This game has betrayal, revenge and redemption. This game was well written and a delight to read. So far, this is my third favorite Final Fantasy story.
Music 6/10 - I enjoyed the midi style of music that was used in this game.
Game play 6/10 - This game took me 22 hours to complete the main quest.
Graphics 6/10 - Were like some of the best graphics seen on the SNES. Eye candy is out there for you to find. The spells also gain levels by using them over and over, by doing so the animations also become flashier every 2 to 3 levels.
Battle system 5/10 - Typical turn based attack system. Note: Building your team is slow and painful, but well worth the effort.
Special Mention--- After you complete Final Fantasy II watch the credits till they end and the game will ask you to save. Save your game and you will return to the main Final Fantasy II start screen with 3 options, "Congrats!" You just unlocked the "Soul of Rebirth" mini quest!
This Soul of Rebirth side quest is tough, it also added 10 hours of game play and a great side story to Final Fantasy II.
I would like to see more of this kind of treatment to the remakes of RPGs.
Overall Time: 32+ hours to finish this game and 57+ hours to finish Final Fantasy Dawn of Souls is a great length for a GBA game.
I truly liked this game. It was a challenge to complete and that is its charm.
PS: Don't forget to get a copy of the strategy guide for this game. Official Nintendo Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls Player's Guide
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