It's time to go "Old School" ladies and gentlemen!
Graphics:
16-bit, need I say that much more? Probably not, but I will anyway. No matter how awesome the opening FMV is, you know there is going to be nowhere near the quality of those kinds of graphics in Final Fantasy V once you get into the actual gaming. At first glance of the characters in the game you realize it's a step up for the past where the characters' heads were only visible and now you are able to view a small smudge of a face, and even a squirmy shaped figure of legs that move about our main party in the game. Even with the poor quality of graphics compared to what companies are able to pull off today, there is just so much about this game that you are oblivious to the inadequacy of the visual aspect.
Control:
The control factor for Final Fantasy V was about average when it came down to a rating. It’s almost the same as any other game in the series with a lot of the button functions executing the same actions as other games that hold that exclusive Final Fantasy title. If you want to take a look at how smoothly the game flows though and how life-like it feels to control it…meh, not so good I would say. Like numerous other old school Final Fantasy games, the character when moved around goes in straight lines; that’s it. There are no cutting corners or anything of the sorts; it’s just going either directly north, east, south, or west. This of course is the common method though in many of the older games, especially for ones that originated on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System or before.
Story:
Arguably the most outstanding characteristic of Final Fantasy V beyond doubt! This is the reason I kept coming back to the game over and over again to play. You are thrown into the story right off the bat, which sparks a bit of curiosity instantly. This then leads to downright blatant love for the game as you progress onward through every journey you take and every boss you begin to eliminate and leave dying in the dust. This is the first game that I ever played where I had a real passionate hatred you could say for the enemy that ends up becoming the final boss. Progressing through the game more and more every time I played and working my way to kicking the snot out of this in particular villain is another main reason I just could not put the controller down some nights. It’s an awesome story, and in my opinion the most vital, amazing, and spectacular part of the game.
Sound:
Who would have thought that Nobuo Uematsu’s composing and performing on this game would actually be disappointing? If you raised your hand, you need to go introduce your head to a cinder block. In Final Fantasy V you get splendid song after song, with each fitting the mood of the current plot-twist, and spectacular theme songs throughout the game; specifically the main villain’s theme! You just know when trouble is ahead of you by the way the music captures the moment and the emotions can be seen in your intensified gaze into the television screen while it begins to play. The sweet-sounding, tunes that make up this game really make playing FFV all the more amazing.
Play:
Three words: Revamped job system. This has to be one of the best and most simple job systems in the entire Final Fantasy series especially considering the year FFV was made. With 22 job classes to choose from that you earn throughout the game, characters have a choice between many more abilities that each character job carries meaning that a Knight can summon Espers in battle if the Knight has at least leveled up a Summoner to Level 1. A first for the series is the concept of a re-occurring mini-boss that does not play the lead as the main evil in the game, but fits into an important part of the story. This is the root of what we notice later on in Final Fantasy VI(Ultros), Final Fantasy VII(The Turks), Final Fantasy VIII(Seifer), Final Fantasy IX(Beatrix), and Final Fantasy X(Seymour). Another first was the addition of “Mega Bosses”. FFV features Omega Weapon and Shinryuu who will absolutely knock you out, pillage you, then kill you in the worst way, even if you think you are prepared enough to face them. This is also another trend setter which we see with the Weapons in Final Fantasy VII and VIII, Ozma in Final Fantasy IX, and Ultima and Omega in FFX.
Overall:
In conclusion, I must say that Final Fantasy V ranks right up there with the list of my favorite games of all time. Sure it’s a bit out-dated, but by sitting down and giving it a chance and in-turn getting so engulfed in the game, it drives you enough to go back and play any other Final Fantasy game that you have not tried yet. The story, like I have said before, is the main attraction I feel which kept me and most likely will keep any perspective FFV gamers stitched to the seat in front of their consoles.
The pure awesomeness and emotional power that this game holds within its capabilities is hard to come by in the land of RPG’s but Square always seems to deliver the right antidote (no pun intended). So do I mean by emotion that you will be bawling your eyes out by the end of the game because of its touching story? Plainly stated: No! The emotional factor plays a huge part especially after defeating a boss you know would be a pain in the royal stump. After striking the dominant enemy for the final time in a battle that seemed to have lasted an hour, you find yourself jumping out of your seat and just yelling out “Yesssss!!”, which is ironic because this is the exact word that comes up at the top of the screen after victory in a battle. Square, once again, knew exactly how the FFV fan would react. If you have not given Final Fantasy V a try yet, I highly recommend you go out and purchase or borrow it, as it can be found as disc 1 of 2 in the Final Fantasy Anthology compilation. Please, I need to share my praise of this game with someone!