Final Fantasy Anniversary Edition (PSP) Review
Posted by David Redkey on 07.18.2007
One ring to rule...oh wait! My apologies. This is a remake of the first Final Fantasy game.
I’m from the same crowd that loves to hear a story retold. It allows the person to relive the pleasure of the first telling. It, also, allows a person to reflect on the story and why it was so enjoyable the first time.
Square-Enix decided that we should have the pleasure of playing a game of theirs again. The story was called Final Fantasy. Square (prior to the merger with Enix) thought this was going to be their last game. They put all of their hopes and dreams into the success of their final fantasy.
For the individuals that didn’t buy a GBA, Square-Enix decided to give us another crack at their premier title. Instead of packing it in with Final Fantasy II, they gave us their Final Fantasy: Anniversary Edition. If you hate RPGs or Final Fantasy, I wouldn’t want to waste your time with a review of this game. If you enjoyed the series, sit back and see if you agree with my points of view.
Graphics
The first thing you’ll notice when booting up the game is the redone CG intro. Its awe inspiring and very beautifully done. I thought the Dragon was a nice touch. The intro as a whole served as a nice segue into the story of FF:AE.
Just from a glance at the game, you can really tell the difference between a GBA/DS and a PSP. The screen is wider and allows for more resolution. The superior GPU of the PSP allows for wider array of colors.
The spell effects look nicer than what was previously introduced on the GBA, NES, and the Playstation versions. The best visual that comes to mind is taking an old car in for a new paint job. The individuals work tirelessly to bring out the hidden beauty of the original. It really shows itself here. Final Fantasy: Anniversary Edition serves as an “I love you” letter from Square-Enix to the fans of Final Fantasy.
Gameplay
The story is about you saving the four crystals of the world and bringing balance to the force (HA!). The basic premise of the story is sending four travelers to activate the four crystals that embody the elements of the world. Since they no longer function, the world is suffering and the party must set things right. Since SE decided that it could take advantage of the superior processing power of the PSP, we are playing the second re-release of Final Fantasy I.
This is the major failing of this game. The game play serves as a constant remaindered of how far Final Fantasy has gone in the past twenty years. After replaying FFXI and FFXII, I’m hard pressed to recommend this game on its gameplay alone.
The basic gameplay was pulled from the GBA game Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls. If you played that game already, then I would see no point of picking this one up again. You are basically playing the same game again with a bonus dungeon. With the somewhat low price tag, this game may allow a person to take a double look and decide if they want to pick it up again.
I would think long and hard about paying to play the same game again. It sends the wrong message to Square-Enix that we will pay for anything. We will buy something again just because of its name.
*sigh*
Ranting aside, I found lost enjoyment from playing Final Fantasy again. Its nice to see the pretty graphics and be in a world that is familiar. Considering the chaos of this world, its always nice to return to place of comfort. Square-Enix gave us a gift that will allow us to find better things in the world besides the hate that emanates from every pore of the majority of the population.
This doesn’t serve as a reassurance that things will be all right. It just states that there will be things that will bring us more enjoyment. A simplicity that serves as a constant in our universe.
Wow! I was sidetracked for a second. The game is still Final Fantasy. The magic system still runs on the updated system that was introduced in Dawn of Souls. Instead of getting a certain number of spells to cast each level, each spell drains a certain amount of MP.
Also, the character classes are bare-bones compared to later installments of the series. For instance, the Thief can no longer still but he has increased luck which allows him to escape from battles at a higher rate than the other party members. You still have the option to customize what class and what names will comprise your party. That’s always a plus in my book.
Final Fantasy’s vapors remind me of nostalgia. If you want to take a nostalgic journey, than you shouldn’t wait and let this train pass you by. This game deserves an “A” for effort.
Sound
The sound is your basic FF-fare. There is nothing new or surprising here. No voice-overs or anything like that. The age really shows in the sound department. The increased storage allows for the music to be more varied than other portable entries; but, it will not set your world ablaze with the “been there/done that” aura that this game provides. This is one of the largest black marks against this re-release.
Lasting Appeal
Your level of appeal for this game will be based solely on your love for Final Fantasy. If you want to experience this adventure yet again, here is a perfect opportunity to try this one on for size.
Its not incredibly difficult. It has an extra dungeon that wasn’t in previous installments. If that isn’t reason enough for you, there is really no convincing you. If you really want to play Final Fantasy again, there is nothing stopping you (besides finances of course).
Fun Factor
The Fun is really dependant upon your love of the series. Personally, I enjoyed playing this game again. The difficulty wasn’t even close to giving me any trouble (unlike a certain Indalecio Celeste without his limiter. That’s an hour of my life I’ll never get back). It was a fun experience but I could beat this in my sleep.
I like sitting back and realizing how far we came from the “developmentally disabled” NES version. Your party would attack whomever they targeted (regardless of there status in life). A turn would be wasted. An update to a classic is always wonderful.
The 411
Final Fantasy Anniversary Edition provides very little updated material for this generation. The graphics have been touched up and there are new CG sequences; but, the overall game is still stuck in the 1980’s. It still shows. I recommend this game a rental. I can’t recommend someone to buy this if they already own the original (updated or not) Final Fantasy. It's more of the same.
Graphics
8.5
You can really see the updated PSP visuals compared to other portable versions.
Gameplay
6.0
Its a twenty year old game.
Sound
7.0
Very nice and comforting. It doesn't explore the mysteries of sound; but, it doesn't hurt the ears as well.
Lasting Appeal
7.5
It adds a nice little addition to extend the playtime. It also comes with a besteriary so you can keep track of what foes you vanquished.
Fun Factor
7.5
Didn't I say it was a twenty year old game? The sense of exploration has been long vanquished; but it's still a joy to play.
