Topic: Final Fantasy.....

i'm really debating whether or not to get Final Fantasy on the VC.... here's what will decide it for me. i used to own the GBA cart of Final Fantasy 1&2 Dawn of Souls. i played all the way through both and loved them. i know they're updated for that, though. what are the differences between NES FFI and GBA FFI?

The original is much better, get it.

The orginal is an OK game, but the random (and I mean random!) battles makes it really tough.

Eh, I don't mind random battles in RPGs. Gives a sense of surprise and unexpectation.

@starboy: Yeah, but this game goes completely random when it comes to battles. One minute you fight a couple of easy imps, the next you fight three tough ogres. Now that's random!

well, it was the same way with the random battles in the GBA version, and i was fine with that. i can handle some level grinding and there actually wasn't TOO much of it in that game. i'm just wondering how they're different...

@pie4prez: what makes you say the original is better? i'd think if anything they'd be the same except for the updated graphics...??

The original NES version is just too sluggish and slow by today's standards and in comparison with the GBA and PSP releases. It's an important game in the history of console rpgs, but it hasn't aged very well.

I was considering getting this but I do not think I will.

The GBA and PSP releases lacked everything that was appealing about the NES version and gave nothing left. The NES game is still one of the best games on the system, and the best Final Fantasy game released by far. Absolutely get it.

Well in the GBA and PSP releases there was no grinding, you'd probably still end up overleveled were you to run from every other battle.
The NES one is actually challenging, although it lacks the refined interface, and has a fair amount of broken stuff.

I agree wholeheartedly.

speaking of which.
When should we expect a Review?

The difference between the original and the Dawn of Souls version is that the original is much harder, which is a good thing, IMO. You actually have to plan your attacks carefully - there's no retargeting of attecks after the target is dead, so if you kill a guy with your first attack, the rest of your attacks will be ineffective; there are no multi-hits, no MP, no ethers, and...I can't even remember if there were pheonix downs or not - you actually have to use strategy to make sure your attacks are used more efficiently. It keeps you more involved in the action, and makes the experience much more interesting. Also, you don't get as much experience or money(but way more than any other game of its time), so it does involve some sort of time investment. It's not like you'll spend hours grinding or anything, but it does add some longevity to the game. Plus, it's always good to see your hard work and patience lead to genuine results(like getting further than you could before). It's what makes these games so fun, IMO.

The only really annoying thing is that you miss a lot. You never finish a battle in a single turn, ever. You will always miss at least once, if not more. You really have to be patient with that game.

Eh, what do you mean by sluggish and slow? Because there is a response rate option on the start screen that goes all the way up to 9, if you're talking about the random pauses with the mnues and attack 'n' stuff.

I always thought that the GBA version was a bit too easy sometimes. Also, no MP? How do you use magic?
Well, maybe I'll get this after all.

Instead of MP there are level-based spell charge. For example a White Mage may have 4 level one spell charges, and 2 level two charges, meaning he can use spells 4 level one spells, and 2 level two spells. Also the spell charges are locked in their respective level, so if you out of level one spell charges, and needed to use the level one spell, Cure, you wouldn't be able to sub in a higher charge in it's place.

I see. They changed way too much in Dawn of Souls.

Actually, you only missed a lot early on, really, due to the way the Hit% stat works. Damage dealt depends on the number of hits you do, and the higher number of hits you're capable of doing, the less chance you have of doing 0 hits, which results in a miss.

It's a bit on the annoying side, but it's not too bad, and you start hitting on a near-constant basis quite early in the game.

(and yeah, there are no Phoenix Downs, revivification has to be done by magic or visits to the church ("clinic" in NES-censor land).)

I'll also be very positively surprised if I don't disagree completely with the not yet posted review, though I'm not keeping my hopes up. This is clearly a 10/10 game, or at the very least a 9/10. Who's doing it anyway?

awesome. thanks, guys. sounds like this will be a good one to add to my collection, then. thanks!

I think the original is better because it just seems more retro, they changed way to much in Dawn of Souls.