12th February 2003, 4:45 AM
Final Fantasy III Review
By Ryan Usher
Final Fantasy III is bar-none my favorite SNES game of all time. From the time I first discovered it, to the day I held it in my hot little hands three agonizing months later, to today, four years to the day I discovered the game (April 11, 1997), it will always remain so. In 1999 it was re-released on the PlayStation in Square's Final Fantasy Anthology collection, but the original deal is far superior. With a perfect blend of herbs, spices, kickass storyline, beautiful graphics, awesome music and epic length, this game will always be ranked among the best RPGs of all time.
The game begins with Terra,enslaved by the evil Empire of Vector, who, with two other Imperial Soldiers, is seeking a magical creature known as the Esper, which was found in the mines of the coal town of Narshe. As the story unfolds, Terra and her friends must combat the tyranny of Emperor Gestahl and his insane lieutenant Kefka, while discovering their inner demons and destroying them before they destroy the heroes.
Graphics
For its day, FFIII had some stunningly beautiful graphics. To get the one drawback out of the way, character graphics are short and stubby when compared to the likes of Chrono Trigger's, however, a fair amount of character animation really brings the heroes and villians alike to life. That said, the environments are simply stunning as often as not, the best standouts being the Opera House, Narshe and the Phantom Forest. Monster graphics are large, colorful and wonderfully detailed, though static. Magic effects range from piddly (Ice, a two-second cold sweep) to magnificent (Ultima, a blue expanding blast of nuclear proportions).
10.0
Sound
Even against today's games, FFIII holds its own, and compared to other SNES games, this game was simply awesome in the sound department. Opening with a foreboding, overshadowing strings and bells and trumpets sets the mood for this wonderful adventure. The battle themes are not so great and can get to you, but that is one problem stacked against a hundred shining examples. The overworld themes are both excellent, conveying a perfect sense of the grand scale of the adventure awaiting you. The biggest, best, most notable piece is the famed Opera House theme, the Aria de Mezzo Caraterre, which would definitely rank as one of, if not the single best musical experience you would ever find on the console, complete with synthesized voice! The SFX are somewhat tinny, but it is not all that noticeable.
9.5
Gameplay
As far as RPGs normally go, this is your standard fare, with some notable exceptions. Twice early in the game, you are given a strategy, almost FFT-like battle scenario in which your party members are divided into groups that either position themselves for defense or try to move past the ever-advancing enemy units to attack the leader. There are not a few timed events which put a nice sense of urgency to certain matters as well. Battles are usually pretty fast-paced, especially when compared to the PlayStation versions.
8.5
Modern Appeal
I still play this game regularly to this day. 'Nuff said.
Purchase Price
Good luck, my friend. I had a bitch of a time finding this game four years ago. Even on the off-chance FuncoLand did have it, you're gonna pay in upwards of $60-$70 for it. You could also get the Final Fantasy Anthology on PSX, as it is easier to come across, but the SNES cart is a much better version. Your only real hope is to hit eBay and hope you don't get shafted.
Total (not an average) : 9.5
By Ryan Usher
Final Fantasy III is bar-none my favorite SNES game of all time. From the time I first discovered it, to the day I held it in my hot little hands three agonizing months later, to today, four years to the day I discovered the game (April 11, 1997), it will always remain so. In 1999 it was re-released on the PlayStation in Square's Final Fantasy Anthology collection, but the original deal is far superior. With a perfect blend of herbs, spices, kickass storyline, beautiful graphics, awesome music and epic length, this game will always be ranked among the best RPGs of all time.
The game begins with Terra,enslaved by the evil Empire of Vector, who, with two other Imperial Soldiers, is seeking a magical creature known as the Esper, which was found in the mines of the coal town of Narshe. As the story unfolds, Terra and her friends must combat the tyranny of Emperor Gestahl and his insane lieutenant Kefka, while discovering their inner demons and destroying them before they destroy the heroes.
Graphics
For its day, FFIII had some stunningly beautiful graphics. To get the one drawback out of the way, character graphics are short and stubby when compared to the likes of Chrono Trigger's, however, a fair amount of character animation really brings the heroes and villians alike to life. That said, the environments are simply stunning as often as not, the best standouts being the Opera House, Narshe and the Phantom Forest. Monster graphics are large, colorful and wonderfully detailed, though static. Magic effects range from piddly (Ice, a two-second cold sweep) to magnificent (Ultima, a blue expanding blast of nuclear proportions).
10.0
Sound
Even against today's games, FFIII holds its own, and compared to other SNES games, this game was simply awesome in the sound department. Opening with a foreboding, overshadowing strings and bells and trumpets sets the mood for this wonderful adventure. The battle themes are not so great and can get to you, but that is one problem stacked against a hundred shining examples. The overworld themes are both excellent, conveying a perfect sense of the grand scale of the adventure awaiting you. The biggest, best, most notable piece is the famed Opera House theme, the Aria de Mezzo Caraterre, which would definitely rank as one of, if not the single best musical experience you would ever find on the console, complete with synthesized voice! The SFX are somewhat tinny, but it is not all that noticeable.
9.5
Gameplay
As far as RPGs normally go, this is your standard fare, with some notable exceptions. Twice early in the game, you are given a strategy, almost FFT-like battle scenario in which your party members are divided into groups that either position themselves for defense or try to move past the ever-advancing enemy units to attack the leader. There are not a few timed events which put a nice sense of urgency to certain matters as well. Battles are usually pretty fast-paced, especially when compared to the PlayStation versions.
8.5
Modern Appeal
I still play this game regularly to this day. 'Nuff said.
Purchase Price
Good luck, my friend. I had a bitch of a time finding this game four years ago. Even on the off-chance FuncoLand did have it, you're gonna pay in upwards of $60-$70 for it. You could also get the Final Fantasy Anthology on PSX, as it is easier to come across, but the SNES cart is a much better version. Your only real hope is to hit eBay and hope you don't get shafted.
Total (not an average) : 9.5