Sun, 22 Nov 2009 by Corbie Dillard
Still one of the best RPGs to come out of the 16-bit era.
What can you say about the Final Fantasy series that hasn't already been said a thousand times before? The titles have become one of the best-selling video game series in history and have been largely responsible for making the RPG genre so popular with fans across the globe.
After having success with Final Fantasy II on the Super Nintendo console, Squaresoft decided not to release the fifth Japanese instalment outside of Japan, preferring instead to wait and release their widely-praised sixth instalment instead. Released as Final Fantasy III in North America, the game took the series to new heights in terms of visuals and gameplay and has gone on to become one of the most highly-regarded releases in the series, and a game Super Nintendo RPG fans still clamor for to this very day.
From a gameplay standpoint, Final Fantasy III doesn't stray too far from the trademark formula that's made it such a beloved series among fans. You'll still spend most of your time travelling from place to place on the world map. If you're on foot, you will encounter random enemies that you'll be forced to do battle with. Of course this will come in handy since this will earn your characters valuable experience points for levelling up, not to mention money to purchase better armor, weapons, and speciality items in the game's many shops. You can also locate Chocobos or even an Airship at certain points in the game that can make travelling around the world map a bit less tedious, since you don't always have to worry about the constant stream of random enemy encounters during these times.
While you'll still find the traditional emphasis on outfitting your characters with the best weapons, armor, and items, Final Fantasy III also introduces new items called "Relics". You can outfit each of your characters with up to two of these Relics, which can give them special skills such as the ability to run or make use of unique magical abilities. You'll definitely want to spend some of your time experimenting with different combinations of Relics on your various characters to see what each has to offer. It's a small touch, but a nice addition to the standard equipment function.
Of course, Square's unique ATB or "Active-Time Battle" system makes a return in Final Fantasy III and this time with a few new gameplay wrinkles as well. While you'll still have to wait for each of your character's activity meter to fill up in the game's turn-based combat system before you can make a battle selection, different characters have different menu selections that they can make use of, depending on what type of character they are. Some characters can use magic whereas others might use Tools or other useful skill sets. The game also introduces a new powerful desperation-style attack move that can be used when your character's health is running low. Each of these new twists adds yet another layer of playability to the game's already enjoyable combat engine.
Square's decision to only make minor tweaks in their successful gameplay system keeps the game feeling familiar to long-time fans of the series while offering up at least a handful of new gameplay ideas to keep the series evolving. Sure the ATB battle system is one most RPG fans either love or hate, but regardless of what side of the fence you're on, you can't argue that it at least gives the game a different take on the standard turn-based combat system that's been done to death throughout the genre, especially during this particular era of gaming. When you couple these unique additions with what is an absolutely epic RPG quest, what you get is yet another amazing Final Fantasy gameplay experience for role-playing game fans to really sink their teeth into.
Visually, Final Fantasy III doesn't try to re-invent the wheel. While the graphical details do go above and beyond those of the Final Fantasy II release, they still retain a lot of that same style fans of the series have come to expect. Each and every area of the game has its own unique look and visual style, which gives the game a huge degree of variety. The enemies in the game still don't animate at all, which is a bit disappointing, but they're all drawn with great detail and some of the bosses are absolutely amazing in their design and presentation. The world map itself also looks quite good when your party is on foot, but once you gain control of Chocobos or an airship, this is when the graphical quality tends to dip quite a bit. The Mode-7 world map used for vehicle travel looks very ragged and blurry and it can make deciphering specific locations such as towns, caves, and mountains, a bit difficult. It's definitely a moment when you'll wish the developers had just stuck with the regular 2D overworld map. That being said, it's a small gripe in what is an otherwise solid visual presentation.
Much like the majority of Square's role-playing titles, the soundtrack in Final Fantasy III is superb. Every track has that distinctive Square RPG catchiness and if you're one that can appreciate the time and effort Square puts into their game's musical presentations, then you'll love the musical score in Final Fantasy III. While not quite on par with Chrono Trigger, it does feature the kind of soundtrack that you'll want to listen to time and time again and one that perfectly conveys the game's many moods. From the up-tempo battle themes to the softer ballads, Final Fantasy III has as varied and moving a game soundtrack as you'll likely find in an RPG. It's no wonder this particular game soundtrack has gone on to become one of the most sought-after musical scores in RPG history.
User Comments
1. Dragoon
22 Nov 2009, 02:54 GMT
should i get the GBA version of this
2. Chrono Cross
22 Nov 2009, 02:55 GMT
Great review Corbie!
I played the DS remake of this game and really didn't like it much but as the DS remake of Chrono Trigger I fell in love with.
3. Corbie
22 Nov 2009, 02:58 GMT
Don't confuse this game with the DS Final Fantasy III. This game is actually Final Fantasy VI in Japan.
And yes, the GBA version of the game is solid.
4. Chunky Droid
22 Nov 2009, 02:58 GMT
@Chrono Cross: The DS remake is for Final Fantasy III. I know this says Final Fantasy III, but that's what this game was called in America, this is actually Final Fantasy VI
5. StarBoy91
22 Nov 2009, 03:04 GMT
Great review, Corbie! I thought FFIII/VI was a good game on the GBA (but I've far to go). I'm on the side that loves the Active-Time Battle system.
Regarding the overworld map, I dunno, I kinda like how it looks. Gives a sense of atmosphere in what is already a great RPG. But, to each his own.
Great RPG, and Locke and Celes are great RPG characters.
6. Chrono Cross
22 Nov 2009, 03:07 GMT
Oh okay then.
I wouldn't have known that since I am not THAT big of a Final Fantasy fan
7. leon809
22 Nov 2009, 03:07 GMT
a very good rpg
8. Starkiller
22 Nov 2009, 03:12 GMT
It's a crime that I've not yet played this masterpiece.
9. StarBoy91
22 Nov 2009, 03:12 GMT
Also, gotta hate (or love) Kefka for that evil laugh.
[Resists temptation to bring up video of the Kefka laugh]
10. megaboomface2
22 Nov 2009, 03:20 GMT
oh well that sucks
11. JayArr
22 Nov 2009, 03:21 GMT
9999/10 IMO
12. Dragoon
22 Nov 2009, 03:21 GMT
yet it gets a 9/10
13. StarBoy91
22 Nov 2009, 03:21 GMT
I agree with the 9 out of 10.
14. Digiki
22 Nov 2009, 03:23 GMT
I'd give it an 8.0, since the enjoyment factor plummets halfway through the game, and never recovers.
15. StarBoy91
22 Nov 2009, 03:27 GMT
I don't particularly find speed a factor when playing an RPG like this.
EDIT: Although it is possible to dash if you hold down a button
16. StarBoy91
22 Nov 2009, 03:33 GMT
I have found the plot to be quite engrossing, and the ATB system is easy to catch-on.
17. theblackdragon
22 Nov 2009, 03:43 GMT
i certainly hope this one sees either the VC or a DS remake; it can't be allowed to go un re-released, lol. :3
18. pixelman
22 Nov 2009, 03:53 GMT
Echo what theblackdragon says.
19. StarBoy91
22 Nov 2009, 03:55 GMT
Don't you mean, "un re-re-released," theblackdragon [considering it's already available on the PSX and GBA]?
20. bro2dragons
22 Nov 2009, 04:31 GMT
@Starkiller... yes. yes it is. i'm considering having you arrested and put into solitary confinement with this game on a gameboy advance, and only give you bread, water, and mutton until you finish it. and you will thank me.
21. Ricardo91
22 Nov 2009, 04:33 GMT
I gotta hunt down the GBA version of this, but not before I beat FFIV first...
22. Egg miester
22 Nov 2009, 04:38 GMT
this game is a epic master piece and the best ff game to me, i remember when it fist came out and begging my family to getting it wasn't easy i was lucky to get 1 game a year
hopefully oneday square will remake it maybe in hd or something worthy of it
23. TwilightV
22 Nov 2009, 04:52 GMT
7/10... >.>
24. megaboomface2
22 Nov 2009, 07:02 GMT
this deserved at least a 9
25. Objection_Blaster
22 Nov 2009, 07:03 GMT
I think Squeenix is slowly working their way to remaking this and FFV. Perhaps (at the rate their going at) it'll be in the next year or two that we see one or both.
26. megaboomface2
22 Nov 2009, 07:03 GMT
wait i thought it got an 8 sorry for that last comment
27. LEGEND MARIOID
22 Nov 2009, 09:21 GMT
The GBA game was/is on a the cusp of being the very best in the series in many people's eyes (?)
28. Shimmy Zmizz
22 Nov 2009, 09:40 GMT
I prefer this game to Chrono Trigger, best RPG of the 16-bit generation, though both will live forever in my mind for their wonderful music.
@Starboy, post 15 : Actually there was no dash button in the original SNES version, thus the real reason for sprint shoes.
29. Bass X0
22 Nov 2009, 10:07 GMT
Final Fantasy VI is slightly inferior to 10/10 Super Mario RPG? I really must disagree.
30. MrPinguy
22 Nov 2009, 10:47 GMT
FFVI is one of my favorite Final Fantasy.
Maybe it's not for everyone, but you people, have to try it at least one time in your life.
(And while your at it, try the one that really deserves to be called III, the original NES/Famicom version if you can)
31. Jockolantern
22 Nov 2009, 13:01 GMT
Definitely the best Final Fantasy game of the bunch. Sadly, with the exception of IX, it was all downhill after this grand installment...
32. CH405K1N6
22 Nov 2009, 13:04 GMT
@Jockolantern: No it did not. Final Fantasy XII was one of the best games on the PlayStation and every FF game is just as good as good as the last one.
33. LinktotheFuture
22 Nov 2009, 14:01 GMT
This is my favorite SNES game. Hopefully it will come to the VC someday.
34. Hyper Luigi
22 Nov 2009, 14:02 GMT
Ah, I want Final Fantasy VI a lot. But for now, I'm out of money.
This will be a must-buy for me sooner or later, and Terra looks awesome! 
35. bro2dragons
22 Nov 2009, 14:34 GMT
for all those people who say BioWare is the RPG master... they must be unfamiliar with Final Fantasy III/VI, IV, VII, and Chrono Trigger... SQUARE ENIX IS THE BOMB!
36. MrPinguy
22 Nov 2009, 15:06 GMT
@bro2dragons
If BioWare were the RPG master... They would have made a good Sonic RPG.
37. StarBoy91
22 Nov 2009, 15:11 GMT
@SmizzyZmizz - Oh. My bad, I guess I got that from only playing the GBA version. I never played the original SNES version.
38. Kevin
22 Nov 2009, 16:27 GMT
I hate it when some people still call this game Final Fantasy 3. Get with the times. Nobody should call this game FF3 anymore. I only have the GBA version but will definately buy it if its released on the VC.
39. ioioi210
22 Nov 2009, 16:34 GMT
Isn't the story for FF3 on the DS the unreleased version from Japan, so this is actually a completely different game? Anyways, if this gets released on the VC its a must buy for me, especially because the review saids it rivals Chrono Trigger
40. Jeroen.
22 Nov 2009, 16:41 GMT
This is an amazing game. It's just too bad that Chrono Trigger blows it out of the water, combat- and storywise. The world of ruin was very ambitious for it's time though, probably one of the first 'sandbox' mechanics in videogames, and I still revisit it every once in a while.
41. StarBoy91
22 Nov 2009, 16:49 GMT
Some people, I noticed, like Final Fantasy VI more than Chrono Trigger. Others like Chrono Trigger more than Final Fantasy VI. I'ma have to side with the latter, even though both are great RPGs.
42. theblackdragon
22 Nov 2009, 16:52 GMT
@StarBoy: i suppose the more accurate phrase would be 're-released yet again', if you'd like to get technical
Also, i'd have to agree with you that CT is hands-down the better game of the two, though why we're bringing up CT now is beyond me :3
43. Gabbo
22 Nov 2009, 17:21 GMT
@Kevin
Unless, of course, you're reviewing the SNES version which is plainly titled Final Fantasy III (at least in North America).
44. Sean Aaron
22 Nov 2009, 17:30 GMT
Final Fantasy IV was released for the Japanese VC in August, so I'm guessing VI will be out next year which should mean II/V and III/VI for the west as well -- unless Square is going to surprise everyone and apply the translations from the GBA release to the original Famicom releases of II and III and release those outside of Japan for the first time and release the entire series...that would be pretty interesting.
45. cheetahman91
22 Nov 2009, 17:45 GMT
Oh look, another FF game. Pass.
46. 90's Gamer
22 Nov 2009, 17:50 GMT
All Final Fantasies up to part nine get a 10/10 from me.
47. Digiki
22 Nov 2009, 18:27 GMT
Final Fantasy VI is slightly inferior to 10/10 Super Mario RPG? I really must disagree.
Ooh, a very good point.
Personally I'd just take this as a fairly accurate review while the SMRPG one is horrendously innaccurate.
48. WolfRamHeart
22 Nov 2009, 18:37 GMT
Next to Chrono Trigger, this is one of my all time favorite RPGs. This game is perfect 10 in my book. It doesn't get much better than this. Just out of curiosity, how did Nostalgia end up getting the same score as Final Fantasy VI when this game is far superior to it?
49. Selb
22 Nov 2009, 19:14 GMT
@Digiki - To call a review "horrendously inncaccurate just because it differs from your own opinion is ridiculous. Even comparing Super Mario RPG with Final Fantasy 3 is silly.
@WolfRamHeart - And comparing a 15 year old console rpg to a recent portable rpg seems a bit of a stretch as well.
Personally I think FF3, SMRPG, and Nostalgai are all great games and were well reviewed IMO.
50. rhythmheavenfan
22 Nov 2009, 19:35 GMT
I wish this would be released on VC.
51. StarBoy91
22 Nov 2009, 19:36 GMT
I haven't yet played Nostalgia, but I feel it's gonna be a good RPG.
52. donth8theplaya69
22 Nov 2009, 19:48 GMT
I'd recommend the SNES version over the GBA because the SNES version has better audio quality.
53. WolfRamHeart
22 Nov 2009, 20:17 GMT
@Selb: I think this was a very good review but I was just comparing the scores between the two games since Corbie did the reviews for both Nostalgia and Final Fantasy III(VI). For me Final Fantasy VI is a far better game than Nostalgia. Nostalgia is still a good game and I really enjoy it but it doesn't even come close to the level of quality of a game like Final Fantasy VI. Just my opinion, of course.
54. deadly.by.design
22 Nov 2009, 22:52 GMT
Great game. Ranks as one of my top SNES games, as well as an overall top RPG contender on any system.
55. mellowshipslinky
23 Nov 2009, 02:40 GMT
Far and away, my favorite game of all time. Epic story, tons of mythology and pop culture references (Beavis & Butthead, anyone?), incredibly varied combat thanks to 14 playable characters, graphics that hold their aesthetic beauty to this day, outstanding music, and one of the deepest equipment systems ever to grace an RPG. They just don't come any better than this.
56. PhoenixSage
23 Nov 2009, 19:11 GMT
I...I have a confession to make. I've never played this...it makes me sick to say, me being such a fan of JRPGs and SNES ones in particular. kicks self in shin
Come on Squeenix, remake or VC, I need to rectify this giant awful mistake!
57. Fleeman
23 Nov 2009, 23:58 GMT
9 out of 10 this is the second best rpg on a system that had the best rpg line up ever and it only gets a 9.
58. Supermarioman
24 Nov 2009, 02:27 GMT
Best Damn FF ever!
59. primeris
25 Nov 2009, 01:08 GMT
Oddly, one of the most memorable events for me was a random action in a regular random battle. Edgar got made undead... and he had his chainsaw... and he put on his hockey mask... and he murdered Celes.
I had to put down the controller for a while, I was laughing so hard.
60. jc1305us
25 Nov 2009, 18:12 GMT
Any news on when FFII and FFIII for SNES may be coming to the VC?
61. killer7326
25 Nov 2009, 19:55 GMT
Any less than a perfect score for this game is ridiculous!
It is one of the best RPGs ever made and by far the best final fantasy.
62. Gizmo
10 Dec 2009, 20:52 GMT
For me this is the best Final Fantasy title and clearly deserves a 10/10.
63. MekkaGodzilla
21 Dec 2009, 17:16 GMT
This one, Earthbound and Chrono Trigger are the best games I played during the 16-bit era. I think FF6 is the best of the 3 though, because overall it had the best soundtrack, best character cast & development, and best combat.
64. Mickeymac
21 Dec 2009, 22:39 GMT
Meh, I still think this game is way overrated. The story wasn't very good IMO, the characters were cookie-cutter, the combat had serious balance issues, and overall the whole adventure just felt random and disconnected. Easily one of my least favorite games in the series.
Pfft, "best game on the SNES" my @$$...