Final Fantasy III is possibly the best in the series!
Genre: RPG
Developer: Squaresoft/Squareenix
System: Super Nintendo (SNES)
Total Score: 95/100
Value Score: 9.5/10
• Story: 10/10
o Final Fantasy III's storyline begins in a town named Narshe who is about to experience the beginning of a New Magi War, a war for Magic and Espers. The Magitek Empire is trying to take over the world with the help of magic and they are stealing the Espers (which are the summons in the game) power to rule the world. The story begins in control of a girl named Terra who is under the control of a slave crown, she is later freed upon a encounter against a Esper. She is than thrown into a war where she will play a major role in saving the world from the Magitek Empire, she will also find out the truth of her origin and will find a reason for her existence, along the way she will encounter a whole array of characters, both good and evil who will shape up the game's future and terrain.
• Characters: 10/10
o Final Fantasy VI consists of several characters like any other FF game that came before it and after it. Final Fantasy VI consists of the FF game that contains the most number of playable characters that can join your party, exactly about 14 playable characters, 12 of which are main storyline along with 2 additional characters, one of which is a cameo appearance from Final Fantasy V but is playable. Each character has a unique skill which can be used by them in battle, they also have their own strengths and weaknesses, although some of them can equip similar set ups, there is a large variety of what each character can and cant equip. Along with that , you also have many supporting characters who carry on the storyline, both good and evil. You also have a huge bestiary of enemies and obstacles that will block your path towards the end of the game, although alot of the sprites are simple changes of color palettes, you will be surprised by each of their AIs and battle styles.
• GamePlay: 10/10
o Final Fantasy VI's gameplay system is like a precursor to Final Fantasy VII's. Most people dont know this but Final Fantasy VI is the first Final Fantasy game to include limit breaks, which can only be used if your HP is at a dangerous level similar to Final Fantasy VIII's limit break system. You can have up to 14 characters who can join your party and you will occasionally have about 2-6 guest characters in total who will appear throughout the game. You can only use up to 4 characters at a time and you also have the unique option to play up to 2 players, with your own custom settings to who uses what. You can also change the game's active system to wait system similar to the older FF games. Characters will unique skills which can be used by them in battle to turn the tide of battle or to assist you into getting a certain item or achievement. Along with that the magic learning system is completely different from previous games and is the beginning of a equip and learn system that you will see in FFVII, FFVIII and FFIX. You literally get Magicite which is the afterlife leftover of a Esper, you can equip them and use them as a summon to attack enemies and to learn magic spells. You can learn magic spells via Magic Points which you can earn in battle, the number of points vary from 1 to 10, depending on the multiplier of the esper, you can learn different spells at different rates. The world map and town map/dungeon map view is similar to every single Final Fantasy game, not much has changed and there are barely any puzzles you would have to do in order to get through, there are a few but not many worthy to mention. Final Fantasy III is also the first and possibly only Final Fantasy game at least in the main series that includes multiplayer for up to 2 players.
• Graphics: 9/10
o Final Fantasy VI's graphics design is possibly one of the best seen in the Super Nintendo era as it brings out the best out of the SNES's video card. The graphics can be compared to Chrono Trigger and Terranigma's graphics, however there are a few bland lazy parts to the design such as the forced 3D rendering in some of the animation such as Setzer's airship and the character sprites which seem like piss poor renderings of what could of been like Chrono Trigger and Terranigma. The environment and animations in some aspects are almost if not exactly like Chrono Trigger, so CT fans will surely enjoy this classic.
• Sound: 10/10
o The sound effects in Final Fantasy VI can be comparable to Chrono Trigger just like the Graphics. Most of the sound effects you hear in this game are pretty much the same as you would of heard in Chrono Trigger. The sound effects are well made and are full of nostalgia of its time.
• Music: 10/10
o Final Fantasy series has always been known to have amazing OSTs, this game is no exception. Final Fantasy VI consists of several different types of themes just like Chrono Trigger, depending on the situation. Each character has their own unique theme song, even if they are not a main character but a villain or a side character. You will shed tears at the beautiful sound track of this game as it can be considered as one of the best pieces of music work even to this day.
• Length: 9/10
o Final Fantasy VI is divided into two parts, you have the World of Balance in the first half of the game which will lead you to a linear storyline overall and the 2nd part of the game is the World of Ruin which you will be able to choose how long you will play the rest of the game. Depending on your actions in the latter, you can possibly spend a total of 25-30 hours or even as far as 35-50 hours if you do a bit grinding, back and forth side questing and such.
• Replay Value: 7/10
o Final Fantasy series and most other RPG series arent notorious for their replay value (excluding Chrono Trigger which to this day has probably one of the best replay values in RPGs). Squaresoft has added a few new features which allow you to play the game again, for one they added a coliseum mode where you can fight off different monsters, you can also start off the 2nd part of the game and set up a different party, and you can also depending on your actions in some parts of the game affect a ending or a scene or two, you might want to play the game at least twice or three times to see different scenarios that may occur depending on some of the choices you make. You can also customize your characters and or grind them all to the point where you can easily use any type of magic with anyone.
• Player Value: 10/10
o Final Fantasy III is one of the best RPGs and one of the best Final Fantasy games ever made, it was developed as one of the best games for the SNES era and is considered to be a legendary classic even to this day. You will not be disappointed with what this game gives you, in terms of a solid storyline , amazing characters and beautiful music, this game also provides a rare feature which you dont see much in Final Fantasy games back than or even to this day which is Multiplayer.