Metareview: Final Fantasy
by Steven Bailey 
{ Jun 28th 2007 at 10:00AM }
Final Fantasy was good enough to financially save Square when it was first released. Since then, it's become one of the biggest franchises worldwide. You already know what we think of the RPG remake. Let's find out what the rest of the press thought.- Pocket Gamer UK (80/100) found it worthy: "Far more than a cynical cash-in, this PSP version of Final Fantasy is the perfect opportunity to see where it all began.
- 1UP (70/100) thinks it's lacking: "Beyond the reworked graphics, you won't find much legitimately new content here. Patient players seeking an absurd challenge will dig the verging-on-unfair PSP-exclusive Labyrinth of Time dungeon, in which your characters' hit points constantly deplete over time. But truthfully, original additions feel scant."
- Gamespot (65/100) is sick of the remakes: "The umpteenth remake of Final Fantasy I is pretty to look at, but the gameplay is showing its age.
It sounds like your enjoyment may depend on if you've played Final Fantasy before or feel that the price is fair. What score do you think Final Fantasy deserves?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
G Lampa @ Jun 28th 2007 10:52AM
I think they ALL deserve a big GOOSE EGG. Frankly, I've always found console / Japanese-style RPG's to be colossally dull. The standard combat system for ALL of these titles is the biggest snooze-fest. "Let's line one party up on the left, one party on the right ... OK, now... press buttons!!"
Blah.
Also, they are all so linear and text-heavy, and NONE of them have good writing, no matter what anyone says. I cringe at the thought of what these people actually READ; the ones who consider ANY fantasy RPG to have a good story.
Lastly, I strongly oppose the categorizing of ANY FF-style RPG as an RPG at ALL. How am I "playing the role", when my name HAS to be Tifa or Zakk, turn-offs include snobs and I love my pet Mooklin? Whaa?!?! You've given me a completely pre-fab character! How can I relate?
Keep 'em all. I'm waiting for a good, classic ULTIMA port. Give me "Etrian Odyssey" or "Mazes Of Fate" ANY DAY.
DrXym @ Jun 28th 2007 11:18AM
I don't get Final Fantasy. There are too many damned games in the series, and most just appear to be typical dumb Japanese RPGs with later entries relying increasingly on FMV. Someone explain the attraction to me. While I can see some attraction in a FF that properly uses a PSP to its technical limits, why the hell would anyone be interested in this retro crap?
RyanS @ Jun 28th 2007 11:40AM
I've really never understood why people who are into a particular genre feel the need to rip on it. I think golfing games are ridiculously boring. I think a shooter genre game on anything but a PC is incredibly frustrating to play, but I don't rip on someone who wants to get MGS for the PSP. If you aren't interested in this game or story, then don't comment on it. Both previous comments were predictable drivel that added nothing to the relevant discussion.
I'm about 10 hours into the game and loving it so far. I've never played through the original and so far it's been a blast. The visuals and music are both wonderfully new, and the gameplay mechanic tweaks, while making things a bit too easy, are welcome changes over the original. I think many reviewers underestimate the number of people that have never played this game, or haven't touched it since it's original edition.
I'd give it a 8.5-9.0 out of 10. It's a wonderful classic RPG when the PSP is starving for solid RPG love, and while it may not bring a lot new to the table, it keeps the game fresh and enjoyable on a wonderful platform.
txa1265 @ Jun 28th 2007 11:49AM
Re: RyanS - I agree with your assessment of people ripping on the game based on their overall assessment of the series. Think FF is over-rated? Fine - heck, I think that Halo is the most over-rated FPS series ever. But if they made a Halo PSP I would rate it on its' merits. That is the basic question - of course, augmented by the fact that these games (FF 1 & 2) have been top-sellers on at least three platforms already over the past 20 years.
Re: "I think many reviewers underestimate the number of people that have never played this game, or haven't touched it since it's original edition."
Perhaps, but I don't think that it is a far stretch to assume that the majority of people playing RPG's on a PSP are either (a) PS1 / PS2 gamers and/or (b) GBA gamers. So chances are they have had exposure to this on those systems. Particularly the GBA port. And I do think that rightfully diminishes the value.
I was out at the post office and decided to skip my planned trip to GameStop because I couldn't decide what to do about this game ... and knew that if I entered the store I'd come out with it :)
I liked the PSPFanboy review and comment - balances the good qualities of the game with the realities of it in the market now.
Sunny @ Jun 28th 2007 12:36PM
One thing to be considered into this is that it's basically the easiest remake yet with the experience tables being set even lower from the PS1 release's "easy mode" and the Dawn of Souls package.
Train / grind / whatever in one spot for half an hour or so and you'll be unstoppable for the next three or four. Rinse, repeat.
At least the other releases "challenge" was that it took at least a little bit more effort. For the main quest, all of that is thrown out of the window. It couldn't keep my focus long enough to try for any of the extra dungeons or anything.
Shinji @ Jun 28th 2007 4:47PM
If you think RPGs have bad story - fine, but keep it to yourself. Bad writing - fine, keep it to yourself. This is for reviewing a game based on it's merits, not on whether the RPG genre pisses you off.
Anyway, I'm still looking for a copy of this game. It's sold out everywhere! (Wierd...) But I have every other version that was released (Except MSX) and I'm still excited because FF1 is one of my favorite Final Fantasies of all time. I don't care if it's not packaged with FF2, It's still a good game. So if you think Square is ripping you off - fine, but that's not stopping everyone else.
Solid Snake @ Jun 28th 2007 5:56PM
I think that RPG especially Final Fantasy are shite to tell you the truth.
Otty @ Jun 28th 2007 8:22PM
I love the Final Fantasy games, but how many times can Square Enix keep doing minor tweaks to the same game and expect us to keep paying top dollar for them? This and FF2 on PSP are the worst milking of the consumer they have done, yet. Just go find a used copy of FF 1&2 Dawn of Souls for GBA.... You can get both games for less than the cost of one of the PSP ones. And the game will play faster on GBA, too. No load times.
If you want old school turn-based RPGs at a decent price...get SEGA GENESIS COLLECTION! It's $22.50 or so at Gamestop new and has Phantasy Star 2, 3, & 4 on it. Those are great games that play great on PSP. And you get 25 or so other games on the UMD, too...
What! @ Jun 28th 2007 7:51PM
I've never played the original, but I love the series and I wanna play this one here.
TwistedBishop @ Jun 28th 2007 8:46PM
As someone who has never had much use for JRPGs, and even finds anime tedious, I'm still tempted to pick this up just to experience such a classic title. The new graphics and loosened difficulty go a long way towards making it more appealing for those not entrenched in the genre.
Be that as it may, a $30 price point is still too high. It would have been an instant buy at $20.
G Lampa @ Jun 29th 2007 11:29AM
"If you think RPGs have bad story - fine, but keep it to yourself. Bad writing - fine, keep it to yourself. This is for reviewing a game based on it's merits, not on whether the RPG genre pisses you off"
...And why exactly should I keep it to myself? I don't see any strict set of criteria set out for the "do's and don’ts" of posting here. What you are saying is, if I've something negative to say about FF (or FF-type games) and you disagree, I should keep it to myself. Alternatively, if I say it's great, and that I always enjoy this type of classic, I'm rewarded with a follow-up post saying "right on!" or whatever. I expressed my opinion.
If you reply with "I disagree, very often these titles have very good writing, and I find the combat challenging and complex", then you are within your proper place, my good man. However, for you to come in and simply bash me for expressing MY opinion, you have stepped outside the boundaries of proper forum etiquette. Please, in the future, exhibit some restraint.
Good Day!!!
Also, FF stinks. Period. Just like ALL fantasy.
Wheee!!!!!
G Lampa @ Jun 29th 2007 11:31AM
I should correct myself. I'm not down on ALL fantasy. I think AD&D:T will be great.