Final Fantasy III (DS) Review
Say what you will about the Final Fantasy series, it has shown itself to be one that constantly updates, changes and tweaks its core gameplay mechanics with each release. So its almost like stepping back in time when you play Final Fantasy III on the DS, an old game that has been remade graphically, but which remains the same when it comes to the core experience.
With prettier graphics and the ability to zoom the camera in and out to find a few hidden goodies, FFIII certainly looks a treat and its cute visuals offer a refreshing coat of new paint. If you were lucky enough to have played the original then this will be welcome fan service or if, like me, youve never played it before then the games presentation certainly brings it up to the standard of most modern releases.
FFIII is an RPG first and foremost, and given the games age the storyline is completely generic and at times boring but luckily the real focus of the game is on skill acquisition, levelling up and exploring the game world. This game was also the first FF title to introduce the job system, and its actually an integral part of the game. We all know the rigmarole of random battles and levelling up through experience thats a given in FFIII, but the job system introduces tactical play.
Basically, you choose a job, you level it up with XP and then you can change jobs at any time (keeping your experience from the other disciplines of course). Its almost like wearing different costumes, with different abilities and allowances tied to each job type. For example, Freelancers are all-rounders, Jacks-of-all-trades but masters of none. White Mages deal in defensive spells (Cure, ailment remedies etc.), Black Mages whip out the lightning, blizzard and all manner of nasty spells and there are a heap more jobs available that have their own individual advantages and disadvantages.
The key to playing FFIII is to swap between jobs often and/or according to your situation. Flying monsters are less susceptible to melee attacks so youll need a mage to deal some damage, whereas grounded enemies may be better handled with a team of warriors. The cool thing is that swapping jobs is easy to do, although you do need to re-equip your character each time you do so.
Story wise, FFIII is very, very generic and ultimately quite aimless. Youre not really sure where to go next some of the time, and only a chance encounter in a village will give you an idea of where to go and what to do. Additionally, youll be spending a lot of time in random battles, and these are needed to get XP and level up but to be honest, these arent actually that bad and the aforementioned tactical element of job swapping makes things interesting.
Dialogue is fairly bland throughout, and as stated already this really is a snapshot of the series in its infancy. Still, theres also something charming and thoroughly endearing about the game. Waltzing into towns, exploring the world map, perusing the games many menus, engaging in random battles theres actually a lot to do here and the games depth is tied strongly to the amount of time and effort that you put into it.
There are also a lot of secrets to be found: zoom the camera in and touch any spots that sparkle and youll be rewarded with secret doors and corridors that will open up and reveal chests full of potions, elixirs and maybe even a kick-arse weapon or two. In this way, the game embraces the RPG genre, with most of your enjoyment coming from equipping new loot, buying spells, learning them, and taking the fight to the streets (or forests, in this case).
FFIII is a thoroughly enjoyable romp that seems at first quite simple but reveals its inherent complexities through prolonged play. If you love the Final Fantasy series, then no doubt youre already onto this title. However, the game really is suitable for a broad audience, and harkens back to the good ol days of the Zelda and Secret of Mana series. Theres also a hint of what would become Final Fantasy Tactics in this game, with the job system and the tactical ability to fiddle around with your partys battle formation.
Really, many of the negative aspects that can be said about FFIII have to do with elements of the series itself, elements that have since been recognised and attended to. Therefore, this remake can in fact be applauded for being so accessible and enjoyable despite the many years that stand between it and our current expectations for an RPG title.
So put on that leather hauberk, check your job record and equip your plethora of magical spells, there are beasts to slay and a destiny to fulfil. But be careful of the nasty creatures and nefarious monsters out there, adventurer, or this may just be the final fantasy game you ever play…
