Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls

"Double the pleasure, especially for the old-school fan!"

Final Fantasy: Dawn of Souls is the collection of the first two Final Fantasy RPG titles, remastered for the Gameboy Advance. Each NES original has been redone with new graphics, sounds, gameplay modes, and extras for the RPG fans out there to enjoy. It is a splendid package for many reasons, and every Final Fantasy Fan should take a look at this title, if for no other reason than to find out where the saga started out.

Graphics - 8/10

The original FF1 & FF2 had graphics that back in 1987 and 1988, were just fine. They weren't great, but they weren't awful, especially back during the era where RPGs like Dragon Quest also had graphics that weren't amazing. If you take a look at screenshots of the originals and then compare them to what improvements have been made in the Gameboy Advance version, it's astronomical. EVERY graphic element has been redrawn for the better. It's very close to the quality of FF6 on SNES. Granted these art assets started on the Wonderswan, and even made their way to PS1, nonetheless they are an amazing improvement.

Sounds - 9/10

The sound effects and music are an even larger improvement upon the original than the graphics are. Again, the PS1 version did have a better soundtrack, but this still sounds amazing. Sound effects are the best out of any 2D FF game ever, including FF4-6. The sword clashes, punches, spells are all in amazing clarity throughout both games. The music as well lends itself to a more orchestrated sound, also a large improvement.

Gameplay FF1 - 6/10

FF1, being the first game in the series, shows its age a little. You wont find a Real-time battle system. You won't be able to target multiple enemies with spells (although some spells affect all enemies or allies by default). Your option to run is also not real-time like FF4-9 or X2, it's a command (which may fail). There were no Phoenix Downs to revive dead characters, they must be taken to a cleric and brought back to life. Yikes. Things of convienence that perhaps we take for granted in future FF titles are nowhere to be found in FF:DOS. Luckily Phoenix Downs have been brought to the table in this version. The game is also MUCH shorter than perhaps one used to the future titles may expect. The main game can be finished in about 12 hours give or take. The leveling curve from what I remember is way up, you may have characters in the low 80s by the end of your quest. I would figure this would be the opposite, considering the NES had a level cap of 50. Expect any knights or master monks and theives to be at 999HP and mages to be at 999MP well before yout quest is complete. This makes the end of the game rather easy, compared to the hellish battle you had to face at the end of the NES version. Also, the magic system has been revamped to utilize MP as opposed to "uses" per "magic level". It functions much closer to FF2, or 4-10. I prefer this system, but it also makes the game even easier. Finally to the games merit, it does recieve a new translation which is nice. What the main draw is that there is the first basis of the "job system" in this game. Unlike say, FF3(j) or FF5, you will not be able to change your characters jobs once you pick them. You're stuck with them. Knowing this, you really need to plan ahead when making your choice. Also this gives the game some replayability when you factor in how you can use different combinations of character classes.

Gameplay FF2 - 8/10

People hate the level system in FF2. General consensus is that its far and away the worst of the FF titles. While I agree that it's the worst system Square ever came up with, it's not nessecarily that bad in my opinion. You essentially have a use it or lose it leveling system as opposed to level numbers as in a traditional RPG. Use your physical attacks, they level up weapon skill and strength. Take hits, you gain HP. Cast spells, and your MP and spell levels will increase. Why this is bad, is it allows the player to exploit the system by attacking their own party members. Granted, doing so allows you to gain stats quickly and make a fairly easy game much easier. Even without exploiting the system, your stats are bound to be much higher than the anticipated level the game expects you to be. Your final 4th party member who you recieve close to the end of the game, will more than likely be RIDICULOUSLY weaker than the rest of your party members. What I do like here is the magic system. There are just "basic" spells here, again which level up according to usage, 16 levels per spell. No Thunder, Thundara, Thundaga here. Thunder, Level 1-16. This does make the magic system more concise, especially considering players like me don't even use say, the weakest Thunder spell against the last bosses in FF4-whatever. Each character has 16 slots for spells which they may fill with whatever they choose, white or black magic. You recieve magic through tomes that you either buy or find during the quest. The limited slots force the player to think through some strategy in which who will get what spells,etc. The magic system has its shortcomings however, especially since low-level spells like Life and Esuna will often MISS their targets, making them frustrating to use and difficult to level up as well. It's an entirely different system, and for that it gets points in my book.

Story FF1 - 5/10

Meh. Four warriors hold four crystals that once shined with light, but now do not. The earth is dying because of the evil that has taken the light out of the crystals. Make them shine again, defeat requisite boss of those bosses, fin. There are mild plot developments, and one nice little twist at the end, but nothing I'd call gripping. The beauty in this game is the character class system.

Story FF2 - 8/10

The beginning of this story actually thrusts you into a fight right away where your characters get the living crap kicked out of them. The scene then cuts as the main charater, Firion, recovers and the party is helped out by a resistance movement to an evil empire. You are missing one of the original party members and therein lies the first plot twist. This plot is similar to the one in FF4 initially with the whole evil empire thing. I won't spoil this as it really is a good story, just not one that surpasses say FF4, FF6 or FF10.

Extras - 9/10

Sweet. You get music players, bestiaries, and additional content to play through. FF1 players will be treated to additional dungeons in-game that allow you to get special items and fight bosses from FF5-6. FF2 players have something even better in store. Using the "extra" characters who wind up dying during the course of the story, you play through a 6-8 hour scenario to use their influence as spirits to right certain wrongs that the "main" characters are encountering. In short without spoiling, this will net you the extended ending upon completion. Oh, and it's a hell of alot harder compared to the main game.

Overall - 8/10

The value you get in FF:DOS is incredible. Two full length RPGs. A minimum of 50 hours of play. And to boot you're treated with the extras that provide another 10-15 hours of play. If you like Final Fantasy, you've probably already contemplated purchasing this, or even have already bought it. For RPG fan's this is pretty much a no brainer. For those who want to see perhaps where some of the staples of the series originated, this is a solid choice as well. If you're a fan of the original NES versions, then this is everything you've been waiting for.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 11/21/06