Metareview: Final Fantasy III (update 1)
by David Hinkle 
{ Nov 13th 2006 at 4:30PM }
We loves us some Final Fantasy. Character customization, turn-based battles and emotional conflicts are the kinds of things that make our mouth water. So perhaps you could call Final Fantasy III a delicious steak dinner. Or, if it's more your thing, a large slice of chocolate cake. We've never had this steak dinner before, nor have we gobbled down this slice of chocolate cake (accompanied by a cup of milk, natch). And, if the critics are to be believed, this steak dinner is very delicious.
- 1UP - 80%: "Hardcore RPG players may enjoy it more than modern Final Fantasy titles, thanks to its emphasis on skill development and combat. Casual players may find themselves surprised by how addictive simple level-grinding and monster-slaying can be. There's a certain satisfaction in seeing your juiced-up Monk land 28 hits in a single round, and FFIII delivers that thrill in spades -- and there's enough challenge to make it a necessity rather than overkill. The result is one of the best portable RPGs to date, and a fine example of how to remake a classic."
- Electronic Gaming Monthly - 78%: "The game's addictive job system makes plowing through the fun battles worthwhile." [Dec. 2006, p.152]
- IGN - 78%: "Even though we personally had a blast with Final Fantasy III, this one is going to be a serious judgment call on a gamer-by-gamers basis. For any unassuming casual gamer out there, be warned, as Final Fantasy III hits hard and plays like the demanding days of old."
[Update: Added IGN's review.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Frederik @ Nov 13th 2006 5:24PM
They're not bad scores, but a bit lower than I expected. The texts accompanying the scores looked very positive though, and I'll definitely be picking this game up.
joane @ Nov 13th 2006 5:51PM
thanks for this information
wingerz @ Nov 13th 2006 6:16PM
Not that surprising, especially after reading Planet Gamecube's review of it. Too bad they didn't modernize the gameplay a bit. Also, I'm all for a challenge, but nothing kills a good RPG gaming session like getting killed a lot.
xorzisten @ Nov 13th 2006 6:25PM
well apparently 1up thinks is almost twice as good as NVN2, so this must be like totally awesome :D
Seriously im a little disappointet, because this is the reason I bought a DS lite, that and revenant wings, so I think Square should step up on DS or just hurry up with the FF7 title for PSP.
Oniel @ Nov 13th 2006 6:41PM
The scores are a little disappointing but I will still pick it up. Lets hope Golden Sun(if it comes out) is the ultimate RPG experience we are waiting for.
Ray @ Nov 13th 2006 7:35PM
Aww, I thought this game was going to make all my friends get a DS...
DiahrreaMan @ Nov 13th 2006 9:23PM
Ahh! I'm not the only person STILL waiting for golden sun 3!! Golden Sun was one of the best RPG's on the GBA, plus it had the best graphics.
ts8lemonade @ Nov 13th 2006 11:44PM
Agreed DiaharreaMan. I loved Golden Sun 1 and 2. By far some of my favorite GBA games, those and the Fire Emblems as well. Here's hoping this one kicks ass too, the scores left something to be desired but the text was positive.
chris @ Nov 14th 2006 10:17AM
Not what I was anticipating. After Elite Beat Agents and Gears of War, I thought every game coming out these days got 90+ scores from everyone.
pixelator @ Nov 14th 2006 11:42AM
Disappointed. Metacritic score of 76... What Gamespot fanboys would call a 'flop'.
But hey, it's being better received than Children of Mana!
Inpsired @ Nov 14th 2006 12:23PM
You know what I find interesting ...
The fact that, if you visit a number of video game review websites, the DS games are criticized more than PSP games. The average scores have PSP games scoring higher. Yet, when you look at the numbers, you will see the DS selling more software and more hardware.
My only conclusion drawn from this: The DS is held to a higher standard than the PSP.
80% and 78%, yet look at the comments. I don't see them saying it sucks, it was mediocre, or it wasn't fun. So why the low scores? No idea. I'm going to pick my copy up now.
DiahrreaMan @ Nov 14th 2006 2:58PM
Hopefully I'll be picking this up this weekend.
@Inpsired Yeah, I can agree to that while I can't say that I am aware of average PSP game ratings.
Ibrahim @ Nov 14th 2006 9:19PM
Hmm, I just got a DS, and I'm getting a job at some tutoring place sometime soon so I'm on the lookout for some games. The only FF game that I've played is FFTA on an emulator to see what FF games are all about, and though I hear FFTA was very different from other FF games I really liked it. Reviews honestly don't mean much but I too am waiting for Golden Sun DS. I played GS2 on an emulator too because, well, my parents wouldn't get me a GBA and I honestly didn't want one that much after I realized how annoying a small screen is. This was when I swore off handhelds but the DS has got me back to them because these days I don't have time to play console games. Kinda sad because I bought a Gamecube a year ago to be my first console purchase since the PS1 (yeah, iono why I bought it cuz I really liked N64 better) and have Metroid Prime and Super Mario Sunshine (came bundled, it's pretty good but not as good as SM64) like right at the very end waiting for completion. Of course, once I get my job I have to wait for my first paycheck, which will go straight to Nintendo for a Wii and Twilight Princess and whatever else I can afford (most likely just some extra controllers) and THEN I can get some more DS games. MP:H is a blast though, so I won't be bored for a while.
jason @ Nov 15th 2006 12:23AM
what is funny to me, is what all the reviewers have been complaining about with FF3, is what i enjoyed about oldschool RPG games. it's funny how if rpg's aren't an interactive movie and have an actual challenge like they used to, it's considered a bad thing. i guess that's what happens when the majority of the final fantasy crowd = children of the playstation era. :P
Pandaguy87 @ Nov 16th 2006 1:09AM
Lower than I thought, but it's only 'cause it's a Final Fantasy game. And already I anticipate the difficulty level, but I got about half way through on the NES version, so I probably have it in me.
What I really like about it though is how they went with the more Japanese style of FF covers, just having the logo on a white background (ironic since the Japanese version is fancier). Course, it's probably only 'cause hardcore RPG aficionados are going to buy it. That and unsuspecting newbie gamers who think that the third game in the series would be easier than the twelfth.
KillYourFM @ Nov 19th 2006 6:31PM
I just picked it up and played FF3 for 2.5 hours straight, not even noticing the time. You have to love a game that doesn't give you the full opening credits until 90 minutes in :-)
The scores ARE too low. I'm not even a diehard FF fan, but this one draws you in like few others do.
Inspired @ Nov 20th 2006 12:36AM
I've put 10 hours on my save game (extra cause these damn bosses are hard as hell!). It is very addicting. Especially the job system. I love it. I can't wait to become a summoner. This is a must have for RPG fans who own a DS.
Lunar @ Nov 21st 2006 9:43AM
I agree that the DS is held to a higher standard. I owned a PSP from the day it was released until about a month ago when I sold it because the only good games out were Lumines and Valkyrie Profile. GTA is just boring anymore and sure the games all look way better than the DS games, but 90% of them offer very little satisfaction. Like a lot of people the first FF that I played was VII, but after that I was addicted and have played through nearly every FF title including the un-numbered releases like Crystal Chronicals, Tactics, Tactics Advance, etc. FF III is like they describe, though. It is a more classic FF that requires dedication and probably a bit of knowledge about jobs and character classes that many don't have if they're a casual FF player or have never played a FF game before. If somebody wants to play FF for the first time I'd recommend starting with the newer titles with a strategy guide that helps them with classes, jobs, weapons, magic, status effects, etc. If you like that and want more than older titles like FF III will really open your eyes to a great RPG.