Final Fantasy VI - includes FF X PS2 Demo (PS)

If you already own the original version from the Super Nintendo, there is little different, as the entire game has been left intact, complete with its original SNES graphics. However, Squaresoft have taken it upon themselves to include a whole set of CG videos such are like all those present in all later PlayStation Final Fantasies, giving a breathtaking view on the story.

The game itself contains the largest set of characters in ANY Final Fantasy game (over 12 of them) and is regarded as the best piece of work in the series, as it manages to flex the story to make every one of them important to the story in some way. This is unlike the later games that always have characters that have little reason for being in the party story wise (Such as Yuffie (VII) or Quina (IX)). In the game, you start as a group of rebels against the Emperor and Kefka (his general, and a brilliant working of evil lunatic). The game is huge and provides hours of gameplay, and just when you think it is over after reaching the climax of it all, you will find out your only half way though!

The battle system shows where most of everything has come from in the later Final Fantasies, including the Espers (that you may know as Summons, G.F.s, Eidolons, and Aeons). With a mixture of the VII, VIII and IX ability systems to have party members with unique abilities that can ALL learn magic and summoning, using the 4-character battle system present in IX.

You will love this game as a fan, it is a pure Final Fantasy and you will not be disappointed with the game itself. If, however, you are someone who does not like dated graphics regardless gameplay, you may be cautious, as the game has had no real update in the games own graphics department (apart from the CG work) even though these graphics were top-notch for a Super Nintendo at the time.

There is also a little extra for people who purchase this game, as you will be presented with a playable demo of Final Fantasy X (PS2 Only), where any European players can finally get a try with Squares latest for the first time. The demo is to include two separate areas for you to explore in, it may be a small demo, but if you have been waiting forever for this game to be released, now is your chance to try it early.

If you are a Final Fantasy fan, and do not already have the SNES version, you should get this game. If you had/have the SNES version, you might want it for nostalgia or just to see the new CG work. but you will already know what the entire game will be like. If you are not strictly a fan, then its dated graphics may be enough to keep you away, although the Final Fantasy X demo might just be enough to justify a purchase. Final Fantasy VI is a game I have completed many times, yet still believe to be the best of the series.

The gameplay for this game is pretty good. It has no analog control, as we have all come to love. But that really doesn't matter. Another interesting feature about this game is that you can use two players. One of the players gets to control the character, but the second only gets to control two of them in battle. Each character has four abilities in the menu during battle. All of them have attack, as always, then they all have Item as well. There are two more spots for commands. Each character has a special ability uniqe to them. Terra has Magic, which enables her to use powerful magic spells, which is an attack you may find essential early on. Locke has Steal, considering he is thief. He likes to refer to himself as a "treasure hunter," although some of the treasure he hunts is in other peoples' belongings. There are many other characters with special abilities, but I won't let you know about these just yet. This leaves one more slot for a command. This is reserved for magic. Yes, your characters, besides Terra, will be able to use magic eventually. They can't use magic unless granted so by the Espers, which you will gain control of later on. Each Esper has its own magical spell. Each character has can equip one Esper at a time. As a character fights, he gains AP (Ability Points). Each magic spell has its own learning rate. I can be from X1 to X5. Each Ability Point a character gains from a battle is multiplied by the spells learning rate. For example, if a spell has a X5 learning rate, and a character gained 1 AP from a battle, that character learns 5% of the spell. Once the percent of the spell learned reaches 100, the character learns that spell perminately. During battle, the character can also summon the Esper equiped. However, you can only use the Esper once. This may seem like a drawback to some, but it really makes battles more interesting and much more challenging.

Overall, this game was great. I highly recomend you play it. I normally suggest that you rent a game before you decide to buy it. But this game is an exception, it is a 100% like if you're a lover of RPG's. I have never, not even once, come across someone who liked to play RPG's that didn't absolutely love Final Fantasy 6. If you play this game and do not like it, please let me know because you're a phenomenon. This is one of the few games they should keep remaking over and over for newer game consoles.

The story is wonderful and incredibly involving. Although Terra is the main focus of the story, other characters such as Locke and Celes are wonderfully developed. The game world is the best of the fantasy-oriented games in the series. Also ther errr... world-shattering event that takes place part through the game truly changes your perception of how epic a story can be.

A special mention must be given to the fighting system in the game. The development of character's skills through Espers is perhaps the best system the series has seen. Some people may be disappointed at the lack of a job system (which was scrapped after FF5) but the Esper system is really better, I think. Battles themselves flow very well and are enjoyable.

The graphics in FF6 are the best the SNES ever saw. There are a whole range of tricks including trasparency effects and even pseudo-3D on the world map. Most spells (especially the Espers) are brilliant, although they will always pale in comparison to the later games, especially with the recent release of FF10.

The sound in the game is perfect. The music has to be the highpoint of Uematsu's career and Terra's them is the most beautifully crafted piece of music in any game, ever.

So, should you buy this game. The short answer is yes. The long answer is yes, as long as you have a vague liking for RPGs, don't mind losing a few dozen hours of your life, and have no problem with the 16 bit graphics (although the newly added FMVs should keep you happy in the eye-candy department).

Basically this game will be one of the best you have ever bought, perhaps even life changing. I think that FF7 is the best game ever but this isn't far off. Deep, intense, mindblowing and very ocassionally traumatic, this isn't a game, it's an experience.