Format: Advance
Genre: RPG
Developer: Square
Publisher: Square

Quite possibly the best remake of both Final Fantasy 1 and Final Fantasy 2. This GBA Remake takes both games to a more modernized system. Both games are far easier to play than their original NES counterparts. FF1 and FF2 are both turn-based RPGs that center around both customization and grinding out random battles as you progress through the storyline. This is one of those "combination" games on the GBA that holds 2 games in 1. That means you get both FF1 and FF2, which is definitely worth it's value! FF1 is a classic masterpiece of a game, FF2 is mostly a piece of crap. In FF1 you can choose their job classes, and in FF2 you get to select what weapon types and spells you wield throughout the game. The most notable changes to both of these games is the introduction of the MP system to replace the spell slot system. There are also updated graphics, very notable bug fixes, and additional content as well. The Temper spell in FF1 and Berserk spell in FF2 actually work in this version. I seem to recall them not working in the originals or something like that. Blind also works in this version. The combat is turn-based speed-based. That means whoever has the highest agility goes first, and so on and so on, until every action resolves and the next turn begins. In FF1 you're job locked, which means that whatever classes you choose at the start, are how you will play the game. In my playthrough I did a poll and the jobs picked were 2 Monks, a Black Mage, and a Fighter. It was a very heavy offensive playthrough. There are also White Mage, Red Mage, and Thief to pick from. The story behind FF1 is that you are 4 chosen heroes holding crystals/orbs and your task is to save the world from the 4 fiends and restore the crystals to grace. There's lots to this classic plot, which has 4 updated bonus dungeons to explore as well. After you defeat each fiend, their statues that block the way to each of their bonus dungeons is removed, allowing access to a more randomized custom styled dungeon that has additional enemies and super bosses from across the final fantasy universe. I won't ruin the story, but I highly suggest this version of the game if you have never played FF1. Because of the change to the MP system and easily affordable ethers, there's far more spellcasting available in this game than in the original. This applies to FF2 as well. Speaking of FF2, Let's talk about playability. FF2 is a bad game, don't get me wrong. This is probably "the best" version of 2. I say that solely because the MP system and affordable ethers make this version far more playable than any other version and has the least downtime from screen transitions. That being said, some spells take quite a long time to finish due to the graphics. Expect a LONG PLAY if you plan to go through this one. It took me nearly 30+ hours or so. Most of that time was running the same track of land over and over and over again. For some reason, the storyline really likes making you go back and forth between 2 places. FF2 has a lot more flexibility than it's predecessor, but it comes at a cost. The cost is ineptitude. That means that you can learn any spell or any weapon you get, however, it starts out at level 1 and you need to keep using it over and over and over and over and over again to make it useful. This doesn't sound bad until you realize that getting it up to a usable level requires multiple hours of grinding it out, whatever it is. I wouldn't be able to write this review without talking about Ultima. Ultima is notorious in 2 because of how bad it's designed. Specifically speaking, Ultima's Damage Formula in 2 is based on how many other spell levels and weapon levels you have. That means if you don't have EVERYTHING ELSE leveled up, Ultima will be fairly weak. If you have EVERYTHING ELSE leveled up, Ultima can be fairly strong. As previously stated, leveling things is extremely time consuming. Both Games have pitifully weak bosses and there are no "second forms" to worry about. I firmly believe that FF1 had a better balance than FF2. The bonus in FF2 comes after you beat the game. Upon completion you unlock "Soul of Rebirth" which is a post-game storyline of Minwu and the other defeated storyline characters. The music and graphics received major overhauls and both are great representations and do each game justice. There's also a Music Player and Bestiary(which is very handy). Credits after you beat either game.

All in All, This game received the final score of 9.2 for the fantasy remake. Grinding is always heinous and time consuming. FF2 leveling system is bad. Half the spells are borderline Useless. Ultima Grinding. No Solid 4th Party Member in FF2. FF2 plot sucks. FF2 exists.