FF Fans Get Your Old Skool Fix Here!!
From the get go one cannot help but sit there and say to themselves "I am playing a piece of history here". After that, you see what they did to it and just wonder.
I have major mixed reactions inside tbh here fellow gamers as i know most of you have, well, from what I seeon the blogs and message borads around this world wide web of ours, and to be honest. Rightfully so!!
Gameplay - 7/10
Okay so it's a remake of the original famicom game and Classes have been balanced, stats have been adjusted accordingly, and items have been slightly altered. There are 23 classes in the game, no single one is "the best" (with the exception of certain hidden classes, of course). There are checks and balances in place that allow you complete freedom when creating your party. No matter what you pick, you have about the same chance of success.
Next is the difficulty level. This is an old-school FF game people. Back then games were designed to be difficult. Square/Enix changed a few things to make it easier on today's gamer, but for the most part you're thrown into a world of powerful enemies, limited healing, and no save points!!!!. Yupp, no save points. You can however save on the overhead map screen, but that's it. So if you die in a dungeon everything since your last save will be gone, which means all progress in that particular dungeon will be for nought. At first I was ok with this, but later in the game it did become somewhat annoying. On the upside you gain a teleport spell fairly early on that allows you to escape dungeons at any time, so use it people, teleport = no slaughter. And the dungeons themselves are never pretty short. As for bosses, well..... it is an old skool RPG what more can I say?? umm..."Dammit why do I do this to myself"? did come up a few times, that and some quotes my neighbours will probably remember for years to come.
Graphics - 9/10
Brilliant 3D brought to you by Nintendo's little "pocket powerhouse". Vibrant colours abound thats for sure. In the games defense I must say it does push the DS to its peak, it shows in almost all graphical areas. Joy for the eyes.
Sound - 9/10
The soundtrack is awesome with great thanks going out to one of the best composers of our time Nobuo Uematsu. His music is out of this world and this is no exception.
Replayability - 8.5/10
There is decent replayability in this lil cart thats fer sure with lotsa sidequests and missions abounding. Also with over 200 possible combinations for jobs there is more than enough to keep a person going.
Overall iI gave the game an 8/10. Why? I hear you ask, well that's easy.
1. A lack of save points.
2. Weak and noteably unworthy story.
3. "Over the top" at times difficulty most lead by my previous 2 points.
I will go back to play this again but to be honest not anytime soon, borow a friends copy first to see if this your cup of tea, but please do keep in mind you are playing an oldskool game. As for me I am onto my next mission Dragon Quest... Lets pray for better results there shall we?
Till then its an 8 from me
Keep on gaming hardcore all!!!