Final Fantasy Origins

 PlayStation
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 96 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 69 out of 96
  2. Mixed: 25 out of 96
  3. Negative: 2 out of 96
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  1. BrennanL.
    Jun 30, 2003
    7
    Hmmm....it's okay FF2 is a little cheesy and the graphics aren't PS1 qaulity & FF1's story is lousy but overall it's good but only for Final Fantasy Hardcores like me.
  2. Kai82
    Nov 4, 2020
    7
    A compilation of Final Fantasy 1 and 2. This is excellent for retro gamers and nostalgia for those who played the games back then. However this is probably not the case for others. The games are from 1987 and 1988 and much has changed since then for RPGs and they cant compete with more modern games. For itself the games are remastered or an enhanced version. This means better graphics,A compilation of Final Fantasy 1 and 2. This is excellent for retro gamers and nostalgia for those who played the games back then. However this is probably not the case for others. The games are from 1987 and 1988 and much has changed since then for RPGs and they cant compete with more modern games. For itself the games are remastered or an enhanced version. This means better graphics, soundtracks and the addition of a few CGI videos. Lets start with the games:

    Final Fantasy 1:
    The history of the game is interesting. Square was back then in financial troubles and this game could be the last they ever produced. So the name was changed to Final Fantasy. It became however a hit and started one of the most acknowledged and successful RPG series of all times. For its time it was a great game. Today it is very limited or bare bones. It is the story of the 4 unnamed warriors of light who have to restore balance to the elements as the 4 elemental crystals are tainted and harm the lands and its inhabitants. You have to chose a job (role) for each of the four characters. Be warned you cant change it afterwards. The jobs are: Warrior (Damage dealer), Monk (Higher damage cant wear armor), Thief, White Mage (healer), Black Mage (attack magic), Red Mage (Combination of black and white but does not get access to highest tier spells). It is up to you to chose. Except from this it is the standard RPG of its time. Overworld map, random battles, increasingly stronger enemies etc. Like I said it is very limited now but was excellent for its time and started a successful franchise. A good case study how RPGs have evolved.

    Final Fantasy 2:
    This was unique and improved from its predecessor. Now you have named protagonist with a backstory. Also it has the unique character development system never used again in a main Final Fantasy games. You don't chose a class and instead the abilities you use can improve after battle. The more you use them in a single battle the more likely that the skill increases afterwards. For example HP damage has the chance that your HP increase and spending MP increases the chance that your MP increases. The same with weapon skills (bare handed works really well after some time and some say it is game breaking). Sadly this made me hit and MP drain my own characters at it was a much faster method to level up. With some grinding you get really powerful and there is some need to grind. Especially the last dungeon is the longest in Final Fantasy history and has a difficulty spike if I remember correctly. The story is a huge improvements as there are motives, character development, factions and a system where you have to gather information using key words. Graphics have improved a lot and the soundtrack is fine. As to be expected it is still primitive compared to modern standards but worth playing.

    Final Rating:
    It is a well done compilation. It is for fans, retro gamers and players of the original games. Even as fan of the franchise I must admit that it is probably not that good for others. The standards were pushed far forward since then and so the games became limited and generic. Happen to other games as well. Goldeneye was a masterpiece and set standards with critical and fan acclaim. Today it is nothing special and limited. Overall I liked the two games but see it as my duty to warn you.    … Expand
  3. Noin007
    Jan 4, 2015
    7
    Playing Final Fantasy I again felt like I was getting to play a great piece of history. Really enjoyed it after having not been up to the challenge when I was a wee little one.
    Final Fantasy II on the other hand, I couldn't get into it at all. Something about the graphics where just so completely ass ugly to me.
    A must have for Final Fantasy fans, especially if you love the 2D games.
  4. Kitabake
    Sep 28, 2017
    7
    FF 1 is 10/10 for me and FF 2 is 4/10. Everything is good about both games apart from mega grind and difficulty spikes in FF 2.. so painful! I advise playing playstation or PSP version. Mobile versions are disgrace to genre.
  5. likevin96
    Dec 28, 2016
    7
    This review is for FF1.

    Pros: - Remastered sprite looks great - Despite being a NES game, still holds up pretty well - Magic system is unique and pretty fun - OST is incredible - You get to name your characters! - Revisions on the original that keep the classic difficulty while making it less annoying to actually play Cons: - Very unbalanced with the classes - Terrible    This review is for FF1.

    Pros:
    - Remastered sprite looks great
    - Despite being a NES game, still holds up pretty well
    - Magic system is unique and pretty fun
    - OST is incredible
    - You get to name your characters!
    - Revisions on the original that keep the classic difficulty while making it less annoying to actually play

    Cons:
    - Very unbalanced with the classes
    - Terrible dungeon design.
    - Random encounter rate is way too high and uneven
    - As with many NES games, sometimes it is too difficult to find out what to do next

    True Score: 7.6    … Expand
  6. Sylictic
    Jul 8, 2023
    7
    If you want to play final fantasy 1 and/or 2 on the playstation one then this is probably your best bet.

    Final fantasy 1 is a fantastic first entry in the long running franchise with simple pick up and play gameplay with simple but deep mechanics. Final fantasy 2 decided that being successful wasn't good enough so scrapped it with a system where your stats increase based on what weapons    If you want to play final fantasy 1 and/or 2 on the playstation one then this is probably your best bet.

    Final fantasy 1 is a fantastic first entry in the long running franchise with simple pick up and play gameplay with simple but deep mechanics.

    Final fantasy 2 decided that being successful wasn't good enough so scrapped it with a system where your stats increase based on what weapons you use or damage you take. Something elder scrolls would perfect 20 years later this is just a bare bones turn based easily exploitable and therefore not that enjoyable experience.

    Also comes with a free glitch.    … Expand
  7. squeelovespie
    Oct 5, 2019
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Final Fantasy
    Unless you just have to see where it all started or you wanna faceroll the game with three monks and a white mage don't play this game. I had fun sometimes. Keyword sometimes. I appreciate what it created in the long run and I'm thankful but man was this an empty infuriating **** of a ride. I hear the PSP version fixed some stuff but as far as I know, it's not a real game-changer. I thought the sprite work was awesome and loved the music the bosses were cool. 21hrs and 51 minutes probably the fastest I've ever beaten a Final Fantasy game.

    Final Fantasy II
    The characters in this seem super cool and I wish they were more fleshed out I feel like part of my problem is they decided to name the characters and vaguely give them roles so it just feels awkward that they don't really have any personality. I even looked into if it was a translation problem and it kind of is but even with a script that has been better written (the PSP version) it doesn't fix the lack of dialogue to make these characters feel more than just cool designs.

    Also duh I get that this a basically just a basic remake/reskin of the NES version so it plays NES adjacent and there were hardware and space limitations, but **** man from what I've seen other than an extra dungeon and some story stuff that really doesn't change anything you didn't even try to make this more fleshed out for the PSP version. Great music, great sprite work absolutely great sprite work. Honestly, the plot of this game could be written in a two-page max essay and it feels super jumbled up and all over the place, cool **** executed poorly is just this whole game.

    You can definitely see this is still heavily DnD inspired but it's like a poor man's DnD. The dungeons in this game have pretty tile sets and not much else and 90% of this game is just running dungeon to dungeon with nothing interesting to break up the same same. If this game didn't have the Final Fantasy name I'd never have played it. The coolest part of this game was the leviathan which you don't even get to see, the intestines having acid that damages you was a cool touch and seeing the teeth in its mouth was awesome but then your just back on the world map and it's like "WHAT!?".

    The last boss was an absolute joke, really cool moves, awesome background and dope music but such a ****in joke. Dissidia's designs of the Emperor and Firion made me wanna play this game and even though I feel it'll never happen I'd love a proper fleshed out remake someday to do these interesting set pieces some justice    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best PS1 Game of 2003
1
#1 Most Discussed PS1 Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. GMR Magazine
    80
    For those who are just curious, it might not be worth your time, but with teh Amano art gallery, an Easy mode for "FFI," and other improvements, the old school will be pleased. [Mar 2003, p.65]
  2. Game Informer
    93
    The sound is excellent and the music consists of lovely tunes typical of the series. [Apr 2003, p.85]
  3. PSX Nation
    91
    This compilation’s been given enough bells and whistles (unlockable art gallery, redesigned interface, prettier graphics, remastered soundtracks, CG intermissions, etc.) to appeal to a whole new generation of gamers weaned on the series’ trademarked formula of turn-based battles and high-quality (for their time) production values.
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