Final Fantasy 2
Reviewed by Zach Girkin
Well, here's my little ditty on Final Fantasy 2. It is one of my favorite
games, and I congratulate Square and Nintendo for giving Americans a
chance to play this masterpiece.
Graphics 8 out of 10
Every review or article I've read on this game says one of two things:
1) That Final Fantasy 2 has phenomenal graphics "for it's time" but they
don't compare with today's standards, or
2) The graphics in Final Fantasy 2 are very bad but "graphics don't make
a game". I think that neither one of these opinions is correct. The truth,
is that the graphics are exceptional, now and then. The crisp, clean sprites
and anime-like artwork are not only eye-pleasing but also effective in
getting the point across. The animation is very nice, with many different
frames for the sprites: happy, sad, walking, laying down, hurt, etc.
Music and Sound 9 out of 10
Orchestrated sound is a definite plus, especially when the game is based
in mideval times. The Baron song is very remiscent of a feudal castle, and
is pleasing to the ears. The airship song is very upbeat, and fitting. The
chocobo song is playful and humorous. And the best song of all, the Mydisia
Theme. You know, Mydisia, the town of mages.
Game Challenge 10 out of 10
I've always hated rating difficulty. Or reading other people's ratings. The
way I see it, challenge should not be rated on how difficult the game is
but rather if the difficulty throughout is appropriate. When you give a
game that is flowing a 5 in challenge you bring down the average, when in
fact the challenge is perfect. Get it? So that's why Final Fantasy 2 gets a
10 of 10... Not because it's unbearably hard.
Game Play-Fun 9 out of 10
Like in all RPGS, Final Fantasy 2 has it's low points where you think to
yourself "man, I don't feel like going through a whole dungeon right now"
or "argh! I hate these frickin' monsters!". Those parts of the game are what
makes it so satisfying at the end, though... After it's over you feel like you've
really been through an ordeal with your characters. Like you really navigated
mazes and made your way through the deserts. It's a great feeling. When the
game is at full force and flowing along with fights at decent intervals and
the story's at a peak which forces you onward, this game is perfect in the
fun factory.
Replayability 8 out of 10
It's an RPG, and that significantly lowers the replay value... but if you let
it collect dust for a long time, then you can take it out and play it, and
remember those great times from years ago.
Overall 10 out of 10