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RPG_Master44
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FF 2 Preview |
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Final Fantasy II never saw release in North America, but it introduced the elements that have become the hallmark of the series since: a complex storyline and well-developed characters. Unlike the anonymous do-gooders of the first game, the characters in this installment have personal histories, motivations and personalities, rudimentary as they were. The sequel is the story of an evil empire (the first of many!) and its plans to take over the world. Players will take control of Frioniel, Maria, Guy and Lionheart: four refugees from a conquered kingdom, as they band together to overthrow the empire and its wicked ruler. Their quest for justice will lead them to uncover a more twisted scheme beneath the surface, a template that all the games in the series so far have followed. Final Fantasy II is also the first game to feature the endlessly-reincarnated machinist, Cid.
Final Fantasy II’s combat system is much like the original, but the straightforward experience system has been left behind in favor of one more skill-based. As characters use abilities, they become more proficient in them instead of leveling up directly. Using a sword, for example, will make a character’s strength increase along with his weapon skill; the same holds true for other actions. However this system is a double edged blade. If a character performs actions or use abilities in opposition to the ones they are adept at, their proficiency in their previously favored techniques will decrease. While Final Fantasy II may not be as advanced or enticing as the previous PlayStation re-releases of their successors, this title will provide many gamers the chance to see where it all began. This title is slated to be released in Japan at the end of October. Sadly, this game has not been announced for a domestic release. This has been another update by your favorite RPG Info Man ------------------- べつに | |
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RPG_Master44
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re: FF 2 Preview |
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For many role-playing fans, PlayStation 1's Final Fantasy VII represents the entry point into this legendary RPG franchise, but as the name suggests, six previous games laid the groundwork years before Cloud had impure thoughts about Tifa on the Ferris wheel. Luckily, all the Johnny-come-latelies can catch up on what they missed--Square's done an admirable job bringing the classic Super Nintendo Final Fantasy games back into the spotlight with Final Fantasy Anthology (bundling FFV and FFVI) and Final Fantasy Chronicles (which included FFIV) on PS1. Now, Origins excavates the ancient (in gaming terms, anyway) 8-bit gems Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy II. Older gamers might dredge up fond memories of the first title on the 8-bit Nintendo in 1990, but FFII has never come stateside before, so even the superhardcore Fantasy fans have reason for excitement. (In fact, now every Final Fantasy is available in English except for the Japanese 8-bit Final Fantasy III, which isn't currently on the horizon for a PS1 remake.)
Square didn't just shovel two musty, old games onto a PlayStation disc. Completely reworked visuals lead the enhancements to these classics. We aren't talking FFVII-style eye candy here, but the nicely redrawn graphics rank up with those of the Super NES games. Also, Square has prefaced each title with a beautiful CG cinema that explains a bit of the story leading up to the game. A completely remixed sound track offers beautifully orchestrated versions of classic tunes and a few new songs. Lastly, diehard fans will really dig the inclusion of a special art gallery filled with images by renowned Final Fantasy artist Yoshitaka Amano. Just as the aforementioned surface changes bring the look and sound up to date, some crucial gameplay tweaks help make these games more playable. First and foremost, you can now run in towns and dungeons. Before, your walking speed was stuck in first gear; now you can dash around with reckless abandon. Also, Square has included an Easy mode in FFI, so gamers who don't want to overcome the original's sizable difficulty can still enjoy the game. Final Fantasy II doesn't get the easy treatment, but its innovative (and somewhat busted) experience system has been tweaked a bit. Final Fantasy II You'll notice a definite improvement in FFII over its predecessor. This time, the plot's much more fleshed out. You actually control a set group of characters: three orphans (Frionel, Guy, and Maria) who are trying to rescue a friend from an evil empire. Along the way, many other party members rotate in and out of the fourth character slot, adding considerable variety to the game. You'll also notice that FFII boasts more complex graphics, larger dungeons, and more methods of travel (including the first appearance of Chocobos) than its forerunner. As mentioned earlier, the leveling-up system is a bit zany, but overall, it's still a really neat RPG that clearly demonstrates how the series evolved over the years. Final Fantasy fans new and old alike should investigate the Origins (har) of this landmark series. Sure, it probably won't replace modern RPGs in your heart, but it'll be a fun, nostalgic way to fill the role-playing void until Yuna and Rikku parade around in their bloomers later this year in FFX-2. The RPG Info Man strikes again ------------------- べつに | |
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