Final Fantasy VI
- With Edgar's tools, Terra's magic, Sabin's fists and the skills of a dozen additional characters, the Returners need only your help to seize victory from the Empire
- Summon the power of the espers, magical creatures enslaved by the Empire. Never-before-seen espers like Leviathan, Cactuar and Gilgamesh will lend their strength to you as you explore the all-new Dragon's Den dungeon
- Just because the adventure ends doesn't mean the action has to - Study your foes with the Bestiary, and then face them all in continuous battle in Soul Shrine, or relive your favorite songs in the bonus music player
- Featuringimproved graphics, a new translation, and a remixed soundtrack, Final Fantasy VI Advance is the definitive version of this classic RPG title
Rating: 5 of 5
"Oh, look! You all brought presents 4 me..."
Rating: 2 of 5
EXTREMELY Overrated
I have play every single Final Fantasy game out other than 2, X-2, & XI, & this is by far my least favorite. Not 2 say that it sucks, because I know I am in the minority, but hear me out.
1. If you want nostalgic effect, go ahead & play this game. You may like it because of your bias.
2. Final Fantasy V did a better job of AP distribution. Although what makes FF VI good is that you keep whatever you learn in terms of spells, you can only use summons once per battle (when they aren't even that helpful), magic is easily better than weapons, & only a few characters will have a high enough magic stat 2 make it worthwhile.
3. I played this hearing that is was better than FFVII (which people say is overrated; I've played it & 2 be honest, it was my first FF game, but even after playing most other FF games, I still think it's the best), I decided 2 buy it & play it. If you are a completionist in terms of game series, then it'd be a good experience. I am one of those people, & this game was really disappointing. I was expecting much more than FFVII quality than this, & I got less.
4. Character development sucked. People say it's good because there are a ton of characters & each character is defined, but I want quality of quantity. You couldn't grow on a character since they weren't built upon very much.
The only good thing I can say about this game is that this FF sports probably the GREATEST villain of ANY game I've played; he actually SUCCEEDS & is the most cold-hearted character 2 meet. I really only enjoyed this game whenever HE was around (or IT).
TL;DR, If you want something of FFVII calibur (or if you think FFVII sucked), don't consider buying this game. If you liked it waaay back & you want 2 play it again, don't bother. It isn't that different.
1. If you want nostalgic effect, go ahead & play this game. You may like it because of your bias.
2. Final Fantasy V did a better job of AP distribution. Although what makes FF VI good is that you keep whatever you learn in terms of spells, you can only use summons once per battle (when they aren't even that helpful), magic is easily better than weapons, & only a few characters will have a high enough magic stat 2 make it worthwhile.
3. I played this hearing that is was better than FFVII (which people say is overrated; I've played it & 2 be honest, it was my first FF game, but even after playing most other FF games, I still think it's the best), I decided 2 buy it & play it. If you are a completionist in terms of game series, then it'd be a good experience. I am one of those people, & this game was really disappointing. I was expecting much more than FFVII quality than this, & I got less.
4. Character development sucked. People say it's good because there are a ton of characters & each character is defined, but I want quality of quantity. You couldn't grow on a character since they weren't built upon very much.
The only good thing I can say about this game is that this FF sports probably the GREATEST villain of ANY game I've played; he actually SUCCEEDS & is the most cold-hearted character 2 meet. I really only enjoyed this game whenever HE was around (or IT).
TL;DR, If you want something of FFVII calibur (or if you think FFVII sucked), don't consider buying this game. If you liked it waaay back & you want 2 play it again, don't bother. It isn't that different.
Rating: 3 of 5
Hasn't aged as well as I'd liked
Most people are gushing with praise, so I guess I'll be a lone dissenter. Here are some basic facts 2 know about me & this game:
1. I played this game on the original SNES 13 years ago & loved it.
2. I played the #1 on the Nintendo, 2 on the SNES, & 7 & 8(briefly) on the PS.
3. I have only played this Advance version near 2 the half-way point so far.
Therefore, there may be issues like later games in the series being exceptions, or the latter half of the game having more changes from the original version, etc.
Good Points:
*This is a pretty good conversion of the original game, & brings back nostalgic memories. I haven't noticed many sound or music changes thus far like other reviewers have noted. The largest difference I've seen is the Opera, with a much better song that matches the new lyrics.
*This game shows a lot of effort on the part of the developers with trying 2 create a varied game, that you're always doing something new. This isn't, "Do the same thing from level 1-50 4 40 hours".
*I grinded a lot in the original, but am a little more impatient these days, & was pleasantly surprised 2 find that grinding really isn't that necessary 4 the most part. The game displays a lot of what one person referred 2 as self-balancing. You CAN level up all of your characters 2 99, learn every spell, dance, etc. or you can try 2 just go straight through the game, albeit with a higher but tolerable level of challenge.
*This game has, in my opinion, the best combination of customizable versus pre-defined characters of the FF games I've played. FF 2(IV) had characters that did specific skills or magic, & 7+8 were mostly vanilla characters that you could customize as much as you wanted. The main differences were whether they had ranged weapons & the character personality. This game, has characters with specific unique skills *but* with the added ability 2 customize with magic.
Things I didn't like so much
*The battle-screen of the series seems very out of date, compared with all other games these days having the monsters & fights in the exploratory environments. Essentially, there is no separate "battle area" & "explore area". If this doesn't bother you, then this point doesn't matter.
*This game has been lauded 4 its very large & diverse cast of characters. However, some of them are fairly extraneous, & I think they could have made a stronger story with only 9 or so characters instead of 14. Characters like Umaro, Mog & Mimic are unnecessary, & a few of the characters seem 2 all be built around the same concept of emulating Monster skills. You have one character who can pretend 2 be like a monster, one who can use the same specific magic that monsters use, & one that can duplicate/control monsters. It's a little redundant.
*The story seemed a little childish & simplistic 2 be playing it at 17, & now seems extremely so at 30. A lot of people loved the over-the-top aspect of Kefka, but I just found him too 1-dimensional. His sudden philosophical musings at the end fight have also landed on the CRPG list of gaming cliches.
*The story seems 2 involve a lot of fantasy, as in the complete nonsensical denial of reality. A character who happens 2 look just like a famous opera singer has 2 replace her in the opera on the spot, despite no singing or acting experience, or even the chance 2 rehearse. Several of the characters jump off a waterfall & swim 2 the other side of the sea using the SAME air helmet. An empire dominates the land with the most insidious methods possible, practically kicking old ladies & dogs around, yet the empire's generals are an honest, compassionate & honorable lot. Apparently they are VERY clueless. The entire army(except said generals, is all in a conspiracy against the party by pretending 2 want peace, & the PCs pretty much buy it. Once again, this might bother some people, & others not so much.
This is a historic & landmark game 4 its time, but it's since been eclipsed by better titles.
1. I played this game on the original SNES 13 years ago & loved it.
2. I played the #1 on the Nintendo, 2 on the SNES, & 7 & 8(briefly) on the PS.
3. I have only played this Advance version near 2 the half-way point so far.
Therefore, there may be issues like later games in the series being exceptions, or the latter half of the game having more changes from the original version, etc.
Good Points:
*This is a pretty good conversion of the original game, & brings back nostalgic memories. I haven't noticed many sound or music changes thus far like other reviewers have noted. The largest difference I've seen is the Opera, with a much better song that matches the new lyrics.
*This game shows a lot of effort on the part of the developers with trying 2 create a varied game, that you're always doing something new. This isn't, "Do the same thing from level 1-50 4 40 hours".
*I grinded a lot in the original, but am a little more impatient these days, & was pleasantly surprised 2 find that grinding really isn't that necessary 4 the most part. The game displays a lot of what one person referred 2 as self-balancing. You CAN level up all of your characters 2 99, learn every spell, dance, etc. or you can try 2 just go straight through the game, albeit with a higher but tolerable level of challenge.
*This game has, in my opinion, the best combination of customizable versus pre-defined characters of the FF games I've played. FF 2(IV) had characters that did specific skills or magic, & 7+8 were mostly vanilla characters that you could customize as much as you wanted. The main differences were whether they had ranged weapons & the character personality. This game, has characters with specific unique skills *but* with the added ability 2 customize with magic.
Things I didn't like so much
*The battle-screen of the series seems very out of date, compared with all other games these days having the monsters & fights in the exploratory environments. Essentially, there is no separate "battle area" & "explore area". If this doesn't bother you, then this point doesn't matter.
*This game has been lauded 4 its very large & diverse cast of characters. However, some of them are fairly extraneous, & I think they could have made a stronger story with only 9 or so characters instead of 14. Characters like Umaro, Mog & Mimic are unnecessary, & a few of the characters seem 2 all be built around the same concept of emulating Monster skills. You have one character who can pretend 2 be like a monster, one who can use the same specific magic that monsters use, & one that can duplicate/control monsters. It's a little redundant.
*The story seemed a little childish & simplistic 2 be playing it at 17, & now seems extremely so at 30. A lot of people loved the over-the-top aspect of Kefka, but I just found him too 1-dimensional. His sudden philosophical musings at the end fight have also landed on the CRPG list of gaming cliches.
*The story seems 2 involve a lot of fantasy, as in the complete nonsensical denial of reality. A character who happens 2 look just like a famous opera singer has 2 replace her in the opera on the spot, despite no singing or acting experience, or even the chance 2 rehearse. Several of the characters jump off a waterfall & swim 2 the other side of the sea using the SAME air helmet. An empire dominates the land with the most insidious methods possible, practically kicking old ladies & dogs around, yet the empire's generals are an honest, compassionate & honorable lot. Apparently they are VERY clueless. The entire army(except said generals, is all in a conspiracy against the party by pretending 2 want peace, & the PCs pretty much buy it. Once again, this might bother some people, & others not so much.
This is a historic & landmark game 4 its time, but it's since been eclipsed by better titles.
Rating: 5 of 5
Arguablly the "deepest" SNES RPG ever made
FF6 Advance is an enhanced re-release of what some people may remember as FF3 4 the Super Nintendo (circa 1995.) The enhanced part of the re-release is a slightly remixed soundtrack & some additional content in the form of new items & one humongous dungeon 2 explore. Also, the game's script has been re-translated so that it "matches" the style of contemporary Final Fantasy games in terms of spell & item names, & also clears up some of the vague confusions in the FF3 translation.
As 4 the game itself, in terms of approaching it from a non-comparison perspective, it is hard 2 give this game a low rating. Unless the player has a keen hatred 4 2D graphics & "sprites", there is little that FF6 Advance has going against it. In the graphics department, the game has probably the most polished looking graphics that the Super Nintendo could handle during its days of glory. As a testament 2 this, the game features hardly any graphical tweaking, & virtually none of the game's sprites have been redrawn. The game also features a very good story with quite a few interesting twists, a large world with plenty of places 2 explore & discover & over 10 characters 2 utilize in your quest 2 defeat evil.
As with most RPG games, FF6A relies heavily upon its combat engine. The engine is a little more complex than most SNES combat engines mainly thanks 2 the fact that all characters in the game have their own specific skill, & 4 the most part, specific function in combat. The game however manages 2 blur the characters when it comes 2 the utilization of magic spells. Spells are learned about 1/3rd of the way into the game by equipping magic stones, which subsequently bestow magic upon their wearers by earning a 100 AP (acquisition points) in combat. Acquisition of said spells will differ greatly upon the amount of AP an enemy leaves behind when killed & also upon the multiplier that the magic stone has on it. This ultimately means that much of the game can be spent leveling & building your characters up into massive magically powered slaughter machines! However, this also means 4 people who played the original FF3/6, one of the games biggest exploits hasn't been dealt with by the re-release. Going into the details of this exploit is a little off the beaten path, but 2 summarize it: With a little attention 2 getting all characters 2 learn magic, the game begins virtually a cakewalk due 2 the sheer factor of powerful magic spells & magic enhancing items available in the game.
Still, game play does not have 2 rely solely upon magic, & players can use physical fighters or whatever else they prefer as they play FF6A. Thanks 2 the number of party members available, creative players can come up with all sorts of adventure teams!
The game does rely upon having a good story (but ultimately still falls back on combat). The storyline of FF6 is one not 2 be missed if someone is at all interested in RPG games. It has many conventions that have been copied or innovated upon many times since its inception. It is a tale slightly reminiscent of the types of Star Wars, with an oppressive Empire seeking total domination, & the only thing able 2 stand against it being a small resistance army. The similarities between the two however stop as the game progresses. In fact, many could play the game without ever picking up upon the similarity between the two. Amusingly enough, there are also a couple references 2 Star Wars in the game, but it is better 4 the player 2 find them than have them spoiled.
The soundtrack of the game is also another fine showing of what the Super Nintendo was capable of. And while the soundtrack has been remixed (if one were 2 listen 2 the soundtrack of the original side-by-side the "Advance" version), most of the remixing has only been done 2 accommodate 4 the smaller sound output inside of the GBA/DS rather than 2 "bring the game up 2 date." The soundtrack features some of the most prophetic, moving & eccentric songs of the 16-bit era. It is VERY diverse & it will surprise players with all of which it holds when they think they've heard every single song the game has 2 offer.
Finally, touching upon some of the other "enhancements" in the game & how well they'll hold up 4 people familiar with the game & newcomers alike:
-The new bonus dungeon in the game features almost a days worth of content 2 explore, & far more complex puzzles than in any of the other dungeons of the game. It also features arguably some of the hardest bosses in the game!
-There are a plethora of new items, almost all of which are available in the new bonus dungeon. Some of them can be outdone by the items obtainable prior 2 entering the dungeon, but that's most likely only going 2 happen if the player is aware of some of the game's exploits.
-The original version of the game has had quite a few bug fixes. While there are still some bugs still in the game, the fixed ones will bring a lot of relief 2 people who might have been frustrated when they played the Super Nintendo version. Newcomers will probably find this 2 be the least interesting feature of the game, but still, a reassuring feature considering the standards of contemporary games.
-The translation of the game is 4 the most part the same as the one from the SNES version. But there are still changes that make it a superior translation. There are still a few "incorrect" lines intact in the game, but these were left in due 2 the humor associated with them, not the laziness of the new localization team. Newcomers again will probably find this not all that interesting, but slightly more since the game now features spell & item names that are consistent with FF lore & terminology.
As 4 the game itself, in terms of approaching it from a non-comparison perspective, it is hard 2 give this game a low rating. Unless the player has a keen hatred 4 2D graphics & "sprites", there is little that FF6 Advance has going against it. In the graphics department, the game has probably the most polished looking graphics that the Super Nintendo could handle during its days of glory. As a testament 2 this, the game features hardly any graphical tweaking, & virtually none of the game's sprites have been redrawn. The game also features a very good story with quite a few interesting twists, a large world with plenty of places 2 explore & discover & over 10 characters 2 utilize in your quest 2 defeat evil.
As with most RPG games, FF6A relies heavily upon its combat engine. The engine is a little more complex than most SNES combat engines mainly thanks 2 the fact that all characters in the game have their own specific skill, & 4 the most part, specific function in combat. The game however manages 2 blur the characters when it comes 2 the utilization of magic spells. Spells are learned about 1/3rd of the way into the game by equipping magic stones, which subsequently bestow magic upon their wearers by earning a 100 AP (acquisition points) in combat. Acquisition of said spells will differ greatly upon the amount of AP an enemy leaves behind when killed & also upon the multiplier that the magic stone has on it. This ultimately means that much of the game can be spent leveling & building your characters up into massive magically powered slaughter machines! However, this also means 4 people who played the original FF3/6, one of the games biggest exploits hasn't been dealt with by the re-release. Going into the details of this exploit is a little off the beaten path, but 2 summarize it: With a little attention 2 getting all characters 2 learn magic, the game begins virtually a cakewalk due 2 the sheer factor of powerful magic spells & magic enhancing items available in the game.
Still, game play does not have 2 rely solely upon magic, & players can use physical fighters or whatever else they prefer as they play FF6A. Thanks 2 the number of party members available, creative players can come up with all sorts of adventure teams!
The game does rely upon having a good story (but ultimately still falls back on combat). The storyline of FF6 is one not 2 be missed if someone is at all interested in RPG games. It has many conventions that have been copied or innovated upon many times since its inception. It is a tale slightly reminiscent of the types of Star Wars, with an oppressive Empire seeking total domination, & the only thing able 2 stand against it being a small resistance army. The similarities between the two however stop as the game progresses. In fact, many could play the game without ever picking up upon the similarity between the two. Amusingly enough, there are also a couple references 2 Star Wars in the game, but it is better 4 the player 2 find them than have them spoiled.
The soundtrack of the game is also another fine showing of what the Super Nintendo was capable of. And while the soundtrack has been remixed (if one were 2 listen 2 the soundtrack of the original side-by-side the "Advance" version), most of the remixing has only been done 2 accommodate 4 the smaller sound output inside of the GBA/DS rather than 2 "bring the game up 2 date." The soundtrack features some of the most prophetic, moving & eccentric songs of the 16-bit era. It is VERY diverse & it will surprise players with all of which it holds when they think they've heard every single song the game has 2 offer.
Finally, touching upon some of the other "enhancements" in the game & how well they'll hold up 4 people familiar with the game & newcomers alike:
-The new bonus dungeon in the game features almost a days worth of content 2 explore, & far more complex puzzles than in any of the other dungeons of the game. It also features arguably some of the hardest bosses in the game!
-There are a plethora of new items, almost all of which are available in the new bonus dungeon. Some of them can be outdone by the items obtainable prior 2 entering the dungeon, but that's most likely only going 2 happen if the player is aware of some of the game's exploits.
-The original version of the game has had quite a few bug fixes. While there are still some bugs still in the game, the fixed ones will bring a lot of relief 2 people who might have been frustrated when they played the Super Nintendo version. Newcomers will probably find this 2 be the least interesting feature of the game, but still, a reassuring feature considering the standards of contemporary games.
-The translation of the game is 4 the most part the same as the one from the SNES version. But there are still changes that make it a superior translation. There are still a few "incorrect" lines intact in the game, but these were left in due 2 the humor associated with them, not the laziness of the new localization team. Newcomers again will probably find this not all that interesting, but slightly more since the game now features spell & item names that are consistent with FF lore & terminology.
Rating: 5 of 5
Great conversion of a great game
You simply can't play this game too many times. The new stuff is a great addition, & the classic game itself is worth far more than Squaresoft charges 4 it. Buy it now.
Join the Revolution! The Gestahlian Empire, armed with the secrets of Magitek, holds the world in chains - until a young woman named Terra frees herself from its control & joins a band of rebels known as the Returners. Armed with her magic powers, they struggle 2 uncover the secrets of the ancient War of the Magi & the source of the Empire's power. Command a ragged band of heroes in a desperate quest 2 free your world from the Empire's grasp!
($17.50)
Buy Final Fantasy VI Now!
So, the ATB system is still up & active...um, running (sorry 4 the redundancy). So, yeah, since I love this system of play, the battle system rocks! Oh, & now you can switch from one player 2 another without having 2 take a turn. Sweet!
Final Fantasy is renown 4 its usually stellar storylines. This story is no exception, & it is also the most involved storyline because of its large & diverse playable cast. It starts out with the regular story of an oppressive empire that campaigns 4 world dominance. (This is the third time this has happened, & every FF game that has had this theme so far has been an even-numbered game.) There is also a band of heroes that sets out 2 stop this empire. But, this is by far the biggest band of heroes Final Fantasy has ever provided. The cast is, 4 the most part, great & absolutely different from one another.
Okay, now 4 the villain. Introducing, the single most sadistically hilarious villain 2 walk the face of video games, the one & only, KEFKA PALAZZO! This absolutely insane clown makes 4 the quirkiest, yet most malicious, villain in the FF franchise, & I love it! He is one of the only characters in ANY kind of book, game, or movie that I love 2 hate. Kefka definetly took the face of evil & made fans bust a gut by looking at it. I think I can see some people are afraid of clowns. If Kefka were a real person, he would assuredly make me squirm in my pants because his sadism would freak me out.
I love the twin brothers Edgar & Sabin the best out of the heroic cast. For being such polar opposites, they have an undying loyalty 2 one another. The other thing they have in common is their fierce dedication 2 their interests. Edgar loves the women & Sabin loves his training.
The music is by far the best music I've heard in the series. Nobuo Uematsu outshines even himself 2 deliver this masterpiece 2 us, the gamers, & the beauty of some songs & the coolness of others really dig into the depths of Final Fantasy VI's heart & bring out a whole new world. This game also has the best final boss battle music in the whole franchise. "Dancing Mad" not only sounds awesome, but it also defines the madness & malevolence of Kefka. That is what music should do.
To sum it all up, this game is awesome & there really is nothing more 2 add 2 that. This is an FF fan's dream come true, & other gamers will certainly appreciate this game's coolness.