This is where it all began. This is where the Final Fantasy series got it's start. Originally released in 1987 for the Nintendo Entertainment System(NES) as the last game Square Soft could muster to create. It's great success wound up saving Square Soft and went on to create one of the most beloved RPG franchises of all time! While the first game in the stories series has been re-released for multiple different platforms over the years, the PlayStation Portable version of the game stands as the most complete copy of Final Fantasy to date!
Final Fantasy is a fantasy RPG in its purest form. Having been originally released in 1987, the game features very basic story. In a land being ravaged by dark powers, the fabled Four Warriors of Light arrive each clutching a crystal. The Four Warriors set out on an epic quest to defeat the Four Elemental Fiends and there mysterious leader, and restore peace and order to there world. Yeah, not exactly deep or thought-provoking especially not like later entries in the series like FF7 and FF10. :P But as an old school RPG it gets the job done. Besides, it's in this game that several staples of FF story telling began! From the introduction of airships as a means of transportation, and encountering the great dragon Bahamut for the first time, a lot is owed to this simple story!
Game play also suffers a bit from being very basic and old school. Since the original NES release, not much has changed at all in how the game plays in all the different iterations of FF. In fact this PSP edition is a straight up port of the Dawn of Souls Edition released for the original PlayStation with a few additions. You create your party of four playable characters from a selection of 6 basic preset character classes: Warrior, Thief, Monk, Red Mage, White Mage, and Black Mage. Each character class can use there own unique set of abilities and use specific types of equipment. For example the Warrior uses brute strength to use swords and axes and wears the best armor, while the Red Mage uses light armor and weapons, but can use both White and Black Magic. You travel throughout the game's overworld and dungeons battling monsters and villains in a basic. This being the first Final Fantasy, the random encounter rate is very high and can at times be a bit frustrating. Battles take place in basic turn based style. All your characters act first, followed by your enemies, and after your given rewards in experience points, gil(franchise's form of currency), and items. Most battles are not too challenging especially as you level up and gain new armor and weapons. Not the exactly the deepest combat or leveling system around but for an old school RPG on a hand-held it gets the job done and has a distinct charm to it all. :) Boss battles luckily offer greater challenge, especially the bonus bosses added to the game in later editions. Several bosses will require you to use some powerful items and magic in order to win, and these fights are the real meat of this game.
As stated above, the Anniversary Edition of Final Fantasy comes packed with all the content from past versions, as well as a few additions. There are several bonus dungeons scattered throughout the game world, each with roughly 4 bonus bosses each. Some truly awesome gear can be obtained from these dungeons as well as a lot of experience! The one major addition to the PSP version of Final Fantasy however is the Labyrinth of Time, a maze like dungeon with 30 levels and perhaps the most challenging boss in the game!
The game's presentation has actually been enhanced for the transition to the PSP. The screen was adjusted for 16:9 widescreen presentation for the handheld, and all the character art has been updated! While it doesn't have the cutting edge graphics or special effects of later FF titles, Final Fantasy is one of the finest looking old-school style RPGs ever seen on a hand-held, and the art really adds to the charm of the game! The sound has also been enhanced for the PSP, with all the tracks from the original game now sporting a new, more modern arrangement. The main Final Fantasy theme is still a blast to hear, as always! :D
In short while the game play and art design may put off some people more used to more modern entries in the franchise, Final Fantasy Anniversary Edition for the PSP is still a fun game! The lengthy(for a hand-held anyway) main quest, numerous bonus dungeons, great soundtrack and challenging new dungeon will entice fans of Final Fantasy and of old school RPGs for quite some time! If you think you fall into either one of those categories, this is the game for you! Don't miss out!
Final Fantasy Anniversary Edition(PSP) score: 8/10
There is the first game review! I hope you all enjoyed it! look forward to next week's reviews and keep an eye out for any posts on new pertaining to the world of yuri and games throughout the week! Feel free to leave your comments down below! :)
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