Sunday, April 13, 2014

Final Fantasy III (NDS)

One of the few games that starts out great, mellows out in the middle and then just falls completely flat at the end.  The job system is great but very exploitable.  The story is there but is not all that enticing.  As a fan of Final Fantasy, I had a hard time finishing this one.

Let's start out with the great parts, it has a good job system.  Each class has a use at times and it does help to switch around at times.  The big problem with this system is the fact that you gain job levels for spamming things.  I remember sitting in the starting area, grinding for hours using Defend to level my jobs.  It is necessary and I will explain that later.

The story has moments but sometimes if gets unclear where to go.  You will often find yourself in areas you shouldn't be in and the game lets you know.  It puts enemies there that will eat you alive.  The story is just a vehicle though, I had to remember that this was originally an NES title.  I appreciate the chance to play this in the US but they could have updated the story a little more so it didn't feel so dated.

Now the worst part and what really just ruins the whole experience for me, the last dungeon.  This is by far the most unfair, frustrating, and tedious experience in my life.  There are no save points in the last area of the game.  Why is this bad?  Lots of games do that.  Lots of games don't force you into an area that you cannot leave that has more than the last boss.  This game has 6 bosses, including the last boss.  Every encounter is a previous boss but beefed up.  To be fair, 4 of the bosses are there to weaken the last boss.  If you don't beat them though, the last boss is near impossible.  In fact, I think you can't beat it unless you do beat the four other bosses.  You have to do all of this without saving.  So if you die against the last boss, guess what.  You have to fight all the other bosses again.  This doesn't sound bad until you remember how big the last area is and that every fight is technically with boss enemies.  Even with max levels on the best jobs, I had a hard time with this.

I don't mind a little challenge but they could have done something to keep this game from falling so flat at the end.  It was just cruel and a poor design choice for this remake.  Having to repeat 2-3 hours of game every time you lose to the last boss and you will lose cause even in a weakened state, it is hard.  It just doesn't make for a good experience.  I would say buy this but only if you are a fan.

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Secret of Mana (SNES)

It is very difficult for me to write this review.  In fact, I will make this short.  I cannot be objective about this game because it is my favorite game of all time.  The battle system, the story, the characters, and everything about this game are perfect.  I may be blinded by nostalgia but I simply cannot find fault with this game.  It is just so awesome that I could go on and on about this game for several pages.  But I won't.  Not like anybody reads this.

If you haven't played this game, give it a try.  This is a great game.  It is what inspired me to continue gaming.  I want to make a game like this at some point in my life.  This game influenced my childhood so much, I just can't let it go.