Final Fantasy Anniversary Edition

"The Absolute Best Version of Final Fantasy"

Final Fantasy fans are once again brought back to where it all started. Final Fantasy! First released in the 1980's for the Nintendo Entertainment System, we were all introduced to the RPG genre. Final Fantasy was a huge hit and soon a huge fan base was founded. After being re-released for the Playstation 1, then the Game Boy Advance, this game gets another shot on the Playstation portable and I must say, this version is purely the best one available.

Perhaps one of the reasons why Final Fantasy is such a hit is because of its storyline. You are the warriors of light in search of the four crystals and in need to restore them saving the world. At first it sounds really corny, especially in this day and age, but I assure, the story will suck you in. As you explore different elemental areas, fighting a different array of bosses, equipping powerful weapons, getting the best armor, obtaining all the spells and finally, class changing. Yes, the first Final Fantasy introduced the class system. You are able to choose the Warrior, Monk, Thief, Red Mage, White Mage and the Black Mage. Later on, they will get a complete make over with more powerful stats and the class names will change as well, but I won't spoil the names, it is up to you to find out what they are by playing this game!

With the updated graphics, this game doesn't look like the original at all. Of course it will look familiar, but the game was basically redone completely. Your background is sharper, your characters are bigger and more detailed, the enemies are detailed as well and the colors are clearer and smoother. Even the water looks a lot better than the old painful to look at blue seizure like ocean. Also a worthy mention is that the graphics are better than the PS1 and GBA version. Owning them, the comparison is noticeable.

Remixed music makes the game feel like a new game. Just like the graphics, the music is redone with a sharper and smoother sound. Real instruments were used and it sounds so much more crisper than the original and the other versions. I would definitely pick up the soundtrack and I suggest you do the same.

Do I really need to mention the controls? Well if some of you never played a Final Fantasy game before then I think I should. The controls are actually very simple, more simple than Mario. When moving, you are viewing your character overhead, so up is up, down is down, right is right and left is left. Moving around while being the world map will net you a random encounter with enemies. Now you are viewing all your characters on the right and the enemies on the left. Each character is given a set of commands, like fight, magic, fell, item, etc. After choosing the commands for each of your characters, you watch them perform those actions. Of course the enemies will do the same and this is where the Turn based battle is introduced.

When all the enemies are dead, you gain experience and get gold. Experience levels up your character and the higher the level of your character gets, the better their stats will be. Also, it is very important for the magic classes gain certain levels, otherwise they can't learn certain magic spells.

Gold is money in the game. You will need to buy weapons, armor, items to heal and cure negative conditions like poison, confusion, death and many more. Magic spells are also in need of gold and boy, do they cost a lot. Each magic class can only learn 3 spells from a level of spells. For example a white mage has the choices at a store for cure, life, heal and pearl (these aren't available at the same time, I am just using the spells as an example), you can only learn three of those spells listed. Now of course, if you want to change a spell, you will have to pay the fee again and you can discard the spell you don't want. It is very important to know what you want the first time to save money.

This game is pretty long if you go for all the treasures, fight the secret bosses and maxing out your characters, so the replay value isn't really there, but you have so much to do on your first run, the time you are done, you won't want to repeat everything all over again.... Now would you?

So in closing, I don't even know if this game is available to rent, I bought this the day of release and it is one of the active games I play and trust me I have A LOT of games. I suggest buy it. If you love the RPG genre and love Final Fantasy games AND like to travel, this game is perfect for you while on the go.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 07/11/07