Final Fantasy Origins

It was a great surprise to see how the first entry to arguably the most popular JRPG series still holds up today. Final Fantasy Origins enhanced the graphics with SNES quality sprites, addressed some frustrating game mechanics from the original NES version and introduced this ancient game (originally released in 1987) to a new generation of gamers with eye candy graphics. You choose four from a total of six classes: Warrior, Monk, Thief, White Mage, Black Mage, Red Mage. In terms of gameplay, this is a typical JRPG with plenty of grinding. What makes this title special is how well it has been remastered for the PlayStation. If you want to visit the “origins” of Final Fantasy but in a beautiful world, iconic bosses, memorable soundtrack, spectacular turn-based battles and a fairly good story, you will be very pleased with Final Fantasy Origins. 9/10

I loved this game when it was released. At that moment, this was the only way you could play these games. Pretty good.

If you want to play final fantasy 1 and/or 2 on the playstation one then this is probably your best bet. Final fantasy 1 is a fantastic first entry in the long running franchise with simple pick up and play gameplay with simple but deep mechanics. Final fantasy 2 decided that being successful wasn't good enough so scrapped it with a system where your stats increase based on what weapons you use or damage you take. Something elder scrolls would perfect 20 years later this is just a bare bones turn based easily exploitable and therefore not that enjoyable experience. Also comes with a free glitch.

A compilation of Final Fantasy 1 and 2. This is excellent for retro gamers and nostalgia for those who played the games back then. However this is probably not the case for others. The games are from 1987 and 1988 and much has changed since then for RPGs and they cant compete with more modern games. For itself the games are remastered or an enhanced version. This means better graphics, soundtracks and the addition of a few CGI videos. Lets start with the games: Final Fantasy 1: The history of the game is interesting. Square was back then in financial troubles and this game could be the last they ever produced. So the name was changed to Final Fantasy. It became however a hit and started one of the most acknowledged and successful RPG series of all times. For its time it was a great game. Today it is very limited or bare bones. It is the story of the 4 unnamed warriors of light who have to restore balance to the elements as the 4 elemental crystals are tainted and harm the lands and its inhabitants. You have to chose a job (role) for each of the four characters. Be warned you cant change it afterwards. The jobs are: Warrior (Damage dealer), Monk (Higher damage cant wear armor), Thief, White Mage (healer), Black Mage (attack magic), Red Mage (Combination of black and white but does not get access to highest tier spells). It is up to you to chose. Except from this it is the standard RPG of its time. Overworld map, random battles, increasingly stronger enemies etc. Like I said it is very limited now but was excellent for its time and started a successful franchise. A good case study how RPGs have evolved. Final Fantasy 2: This was unique and improved from its predecessor. Now you have named protagonist with a backstory. Also it has the unique character development system never used again in a main Final Fantasy games. You don't chose a class and instead the abilities you use can improve after battle. The more you use them in a single battle the more likely that the skill increases afterwards. For example HP damage has the chance that your HP increase and spending MP increases the chance that your MP increases. The same with weapon skills (bare handed works really well after some time and some say it is game breaking). Sadly this made me hit and MP drain my own characters at it was a much faster method to level up. With some grinding you get really powerful and there is some need to grind. Especially the last dungeon is the longest in Final Fantasy history and has a difficulty spike if I remember correctly. The story is a huge improvements as there are motives, character development, factions and a system where you have to gather information using key words. Graphics have improved a lot and the soundtrack is fine. As to be expected it is still primitive compared to modern standards but worth playing. Final Rating: It is a well done compilation. It is for fans, retro gamers and players of the original games. Even as fan of the franchise I must admit that it is probably not that good for others. The standards were pushed far forward since then and so the games became limited and generic. Happen to other games as well. Goldeneye was a masterpiece and set standards with critical and fan acclaim. Today it is nothing special and limited. Overall I liked the two games but see it as my duty to warn you.

FF 1 is 10/10 for me and FF 2 is 4/10. Everything is good about both games apart from mega grind and difficulty spikes in FF 2.. so painful! I advise playing playstation or PSP version. Mobile versions are disgrace to genre.