PixlBit

The game that transcended story and combat in the JRPG genre

There are tons of versions of this game. Please understand, the "Final Fantasy II" I am writing about today is actually Final Fantasy IV. Those of us in North America completely missed out on the real FF 2 and 3, and jumped from 1 to 4. This is also the very first version of the game, the SNES version, which is actually the easiest. However, some dialogue is missing, and the translation is not so good. Despite this, the game holds up very well. 

Final Fantasy IV was released in Japan on July 19, 1991; it was released in North America as Final Fantasy II on November 23, 1991. It was developed and published by Squaresoft. It is a turn-based RPG, notable for its many characters and dramatic plot. FF2 ditched some RPG mainstays, focusing on a huge cast of characters (not just 3 or 4) and delivering a dramatic plot with twists and turns. It paved the way for all JPRGs with its combat and story. 

The story of FF2 focuses on a young man named Cecil, who is a captain of a group called the Red Wings. Unlike RPGs of the time, Cecil is not some kid, nor is he a "blank slate." He is a man in a position of authority. That position is quickly taken from him, and he is thrown into a wild adventure that involves four crystals (just like the other FF games). Along the way, Cecil matures and must learn to make the right decisions; he must even fight the villain within himself. FF2 is unconventional in some ways; for instance, several hours into the game, Cecil hikes up Mount Ordeals in order to become a Paladin (he begins as a dark knight). When this happens, his appearance changes and he starts back at level 1. 

FF2 has a huge cast of characters, the largest of any FF game except FF6. There are 12 playable characters in all. Whoa! At the time, RPGs usually had 4! 5 characters could be in your party at one time, the largest of any FF game! Each character has his own personality, along with unique fighting abilities. Rosa is a white wizard, so she can cast white magic; Edge is a ninja, able to throw objects and use Ninjitsu powers; Rydia can summon monsters and mages to aid in battle; everyone has a unique ability. 

 This is the first game in the series to show character faces in the menu screen

FF2 introduced the Active Time Battle system, in which characters will attack depending on their speed. This makes battles very exciting. The order in which characters will attack is not always the same. The ATB system keeps you on your toes, trying to think ahead about what this character should do when he/she gets their chance. Also, you can't see who's going to go next, adding to the suspense (in FF6 a bar is displayed at the bottom of the screen next to each character to show who will go next). 

FF2 is not a terribly long game, about 20 hours in length. It doesn't take long for Cecil to find help from allies throughout his adventure. And while FF2 has a plethora of characters, most of them are jumping in and out of the story constantly, making it frustrating for you if you want to level up certain ones. Also, almost half the characters make noble sacrifices and "die," which is aggravating if you like a particular character; but then they show up later in the game. When you get a new character in your party, be prepared to grind a little as that character will not be up to par with the rest. Grinding is the worst part of the game. Random battles are tedious and monotonous, and fighting over and over again to gain levels is very boring. Be prepared to grind when you make it to the final dungeon; it's TOUGH! I wish you were able to choose your party for the final dungeon; instead, you are given five specific characters to use. 

FF2's story may be a little comical today, but it was big back in 1991. Political intrigue, romance, revenge, mind control, crystals, the underworld, evil empire, the moon, giant whale ship, yes, FF2 had it all. The story plays out like Star Wars, and you would not be wrong in saying so. Certain characters are cut off from the rest, and you would not see them until later in the game. The game is mostly straight-forward, offering hints at where to go next, but at the same time, there are extra places to go and extra upgrades to discover. Towns have shops in which you can buy and equip weapons and armor and stock up on supplies. Most the dungeons in the game are not very large; plenty of chests are littered throughout, some of which contain monsters. 

What can I say about the music? Nobuo Uematsu pumps life into the soundtrack like never before, thanks to the sound capabilities of the SNES. No longer is the music just bleeps and bloops, now you can hear strings, trumpets, and drums! Believe it or not, Uematsu was inspired by John Willaims for this soundtrack (perhaps that is why the Red Wings theme sounds so much like it belongs in Star Wars). FF2 has some of the most catchy music in all of gaming. Check below for my faves. 

FF2 has a legacy; in fact, it may have the biggest legacy of any single video game. Versions of the game have been made for Playstation, WonderSwan Color, Game Boy Advance, FOMA  903i/703i, and the DS. The game is available on the Wii Virtual Console, and a direct sequel was made and can be downloaded on WiiWare. It seems that Cecil and the crew will live on forever. 

                                 Final Fantasy IV Advance for GBA

                       Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection for PSP

                             Final Fantasy IV for the Nintendo DS

Final Verdict--4 Stars: Recommended

If you're an RPG gamer, I imagine you've played this game, but if not, give it a try. It's a fan favorite for many reasons. The story, the characters, and the combat are all hallmarks of the game. Grinding is a pain, and losing characters sporadically due to self-sacrifices is annoying, but the game overcomes all of that in its overall delivery. I can't be too hard on FF2 because it was so unique at the time. FF6 would go on to improve on this game's formula in every way, and you better believe I'll do that one in the future. 

Thanks for reading. Before you go, please share your thoughts and experiences of FF2 (or 4, whatever) in the comments below. I would love to know how this game affected you. What version of the game did you play? Please let us know, and as always, join me on Saturdays for your retro game of the week.