Final Fantasy Origins

"Two very old remakes for the price of one: Golden"

It has been argued for ages about the order of Final Fantasy games. There was several games from the NES saga that never came over here, and when the NES game Final Fantasy 3 came out over here, it was 6 in Japan. Now that several ports of the japanese version came out, the question lingered about the NES version. Back in 2002, a remake of the first NES final fantasy in america and a port and remake of the japanese NES final fantasy 2 game were rumored to come out. It was finally sold separate in Japan and after a strong demand with the Europian and American consumers, it was released in those nation's as well.

Unlike most remakes that have 3D graphics and new bosses, these remakes are done with sprites. Yes, there are 3D cutscenes in both of them, but they are only the introductions. Fortunatly, with new technology, there is greater limits then there was in the NES version. Better save options, better diolog, somewhat better graphics are just the tip of the iceburg for these games. Now, let's go to the revies

Graphics:
Final Fantasy I's Graphics: 7/10 (9/10 compared to the NES version) Final Fantasy looks quite a bit like final fantasy 2 and 3 for the SNES. Although it looks great, it was made a bit more basic than Final Fantasy 2's graphics, and compared to the other playstation games, it looks like crap. Although it would look better on the Game Boy Advance, Final Fantasy looks great on the PS one reguardless

Final Fantasy II's Graphics: 8/10 (9/10 compared to the NES version) It looks about the same as Final Fantasy's graphics, but the battle animation is much better in Final Fantasy II along with the sprite graphics in battle

Sound and Music:

Final Fantasy I's Sound and Music: 7/10 Quite a step up from the old NES days of music. The music is great and catchy, and sounds like a good remix of the older music.

Final Fantasy II's Sound and Music: 8/10 A little better than the first games music. It sounds like it was directed a bit better than the first, but still isnt to Final Fantasy VII or X levels, but gets the job done

Control:

Control (Both Final Fantasy I and II): 9/10: Smooth and responsive, although a little slow at times. It's just like the older SNES ports on the PS one. Like most RPG control's, you navigate a series of menu's to select your attacks.

Final:

Final Fantasy I: 8/10 A great remake of the first, but it still is a bit linear compared to the first. A few improved features would make this as good as final fantasy II.

Final Fantasy II: 9/10 We finally get final fantasy II, and its a great game. With its great storyline, unique battle system that separates it from the others, and a better battle system make this a great game all around.

Colection final: 9/10 Two games on one disk is impresive, although they are old, they are the key's to gameing's past. This is definatly a must pick up for a final fantasy fan or a RPG fan, but newer gamers may want to rent this before they buy it.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 04/10/03, Updated 06/26/03