Final Fantasy 2
Reviewed by Zack Smyrak
Final Fantasy 2 was the first RPG I ever played. I rented it because the
graphics on the back of the box looked cool. When I took it home I was
very disappointed. I didn't no where I was going or doing. After about
a day I figured out that I wasn't playing a "New Game", I was playing
saved games. I started playing and was very impressed by the longest
and best intro I had ever seen in a game. I figured out how the game
worked through trial and error. I played and played until I had to return
it. I figured that I got through about 1/5th of the game. In truth I was
only about 1/15th through the game. I eventually saw a used copy at
the local rip-off store for $35.00, and though the price was crazy, I
bought it. It was well worth it. I played through it probably 3 or 4
times until my brother "borrowed" it to someone else and I haven't
played it since. That was about 5 years ago, but I loved the game so
much that I can still give a detailed review.
Graphics 7.6 out of 10
The graphics where simple, for the most part, but I still love them.
The magic spells looked pretty cool, and this was one of the first Super
NES games to put mode 7 to good use. I also loved the detail in the game,
like clocks and paintings on the wall. My favorite effect in the game has
to be the scenes where your on a cliff and you can see the forest below.
It's simple, but wonderful. On the downside, the animation is awful to
non existent, but I still love the graphics.
Music and Sound 9.0 out of 10
This game had some of the best music of early SNES titles. Sure you can
tell it's an early SNES title, Bleep, Bloop, but the music is also brilliant
at times, and very atmospheric. The ultimate test? Would I listen to it
by itself? Yep.
Game Challenge 9.6 out of 10
Very tough game, but also well balanced. It will take you a long time to beat.
Game Play-Fun 8.9 out of 10
This is a very smart game. Unlike Final Fantasy 3, in this game you
can't choose between characters. so you have to play with them all.
I like it better that way. Plus, there are plenty of secrets and tricks
to keep you busy.
Frustration
It wasn't very frustrating for me, and I had never played a RPG before,
so that says something. All the bosses are challenging without being
too hard. And there aren't too many places where you have to do something
but they don't give you enough information. Unlike some other RPG's I can
think of: Secret of Evermore, Breath of Fire.
Replayability 9.5 out of 10
I played it a lot of times didn't I? I didn't find much new each time I played
it, but it's still fun due to the story.
Game Value 9.8 out of 10
You can't go wrong with Final Fantasy 2. I got over a hundred hours out of
it, and I wish I could get more!
Story 9.6 out of 10
This is the most important category in a RPG. This game's story is the
best I've ever seen. I'm afraid that's not saying much for video games
though. Oh, well. It seems to me that all the RPG's made since Final
Fantasy 2 have copied the story structure of the game. The way goals
are set, and small stories revolve around larger ones.
Overall 9.4 out of 10
One of the best games ever. It has the magic that few others do. The
magic that the Zelda games have. I would it on my top 3 games ever.