Final Fantasy

 PSP
Metascore
67

Mixed or average reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 34
  3. Negative: 3 out of 34
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  1. Console Gameworld
    74
    Final Fantasy I Anniversary for the PSP is a must purchase for fans that may have missed out on previously released versions.
  2. GameZone
    70
    A nice and polished remake of a beloved classic, Final Fantasy I is a good game for an RPG fan with only a PSP who hasn’t played any previous remakes of the title. However, if you already have, chances are you’ll want to skip this one, since it doesn’t bring anything new to the table.
  3. 1UP
    70
    Beyond the reworked graphics, you won't find much legitimately new content here. Patient players seeking an absurd challenge will dig the verging-on-unfair PSP-exclusive Labyrinth of Time dungeon, in which your characters' hit points constantly deplete over time. But truthfully, original additions feel scant.
  5. GameDaily
    70
    If it wanted to make an impact, the company should've re-mastered the game, similar to what it did with Final Fantasy III on the DS, removing the 2-D visuals in exchange for 3-D graphics. With that being said, this Final Fantasy offers an overpriced but enjoyable experience. The lower the gamer's expectations, the better.
  6. TotalPlayStation
    70
    Ultimately, it comes down to $30 for a single game when two games were about as much just a couple years back. If you're that big a Final Fantasy fan, then there's really nothing more to say. If not, you're not missing much.
  7. Worth Playing
    70
    Final Fantasy Anniversary Edition is an excellent visual upgrade to the original version with support for the PSP's widescreen enhanced graphics, but it only slightly improves on gameplay and offers just a small amount of new additional content.
  8. Deeko
    70
    As it stands, fans of the original game will eat this up and newcomers to the RPG scene will adore it, but hardcore role-playing fans will more than likely want to pass.
  9. Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
    70
    Buy it if you didn't play it the first time, but otherwise prepare to be disappointed. [Feb 2008, p.107]
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  10. Pelit (Finland)
    70
    A deeply nostalgic trip for the fans. Even by today's standards this is not a bad RPG, but the lack of proper story and the constant fighting make it hard to recommend it to casual gamers. The PSP-version is definetely the best version of this game, thanks to the new, upgraded graphics. [Mar 2008]
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  11. Games Master UK
    68
    A beautiful trip down memory lane, but only if you missed the other remakes. [Mar 2008, p.74]
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  12. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    67
    Distressingly little effort went into crafting this anniversary package: Square Enix merely cobbled together aspects from the PS1 and GBA remakes, touched up the graphics with high-resolution art, and added one new, ultra-difficult dungeon at the game's end. [July 2007, p.95]
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  13. Gamer's Hell
    66
    As a whole, Final Fantasy: Anniversary Edition on the PSP doesn’t cater to a huge audience. Diehard FF fans will be disappointed by the lack of extra features, and newcomers can be frustrated by the simple design and overload of randomized battles.
  14. Cheat Code Central
    66
    If you are looking for a title to suck up about 15-20 hours of your gaming life, then where better to look than the title that really sparked the life sucking genre of RPGs.
  15. GameSpot
    65
    The umpteenth remake of Final Fantasy I is pretty to look at, but the gameplay is showing its age.
  16. RPG Fan
    65
    It's not that Final Fantasy for the PSP is bad - far from it - it's just that it's nothing gamers haven't seen, and played, many times over.
  17. Play UK
    63
    Still compelling, although its age is indicative in the duller hours of its constant battles. [Issue#164, p.95]
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  18. Jolt Online Gaming UK
    61
    Gamers who want to see for the first time the origins of the long-running series will have a decent enough reason to check out Final Fantasy on PSP: its high resolution visuals and distinctly retro gameplay set it aside from modern RPGs. However, for everyone else it’s just another cheap cash-in for Square Enix.
  19. GamesRadar+
    60
    A well-made game at its core, and this is a more-than-competent port of it.
  20. Eurogamer
    60
    With the RPG situation on PSP as overwhelmingly dire as it currently is, Anniversary stands out as one of the more enjoyable, its simplicity and charm forever keeping it gently compelling, in spite of the irritating throwbacks inherent to its age.
  21. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    60
    The gameplay is too unforgiving for FF to be a timeless classic. [Dec 2007, p.108]
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  22. Digital Entertainment News
    57
    They should perhaps forget about the half-hearted measures and just stop putting out these cosmetically-enhanced, half-effort retreads and forge ahead with something new already. Like Parasite Eve 3!
  23. Thunderbolt
    50
    The lack of all the assorted tweaks & tune-ups that the series has seen since 1987 diminishes its appeal somewhat, with the more Final Fantasy games you’ve played likely to correlate with less enjoyment you’ll be able to extract from this one (fanboyism withstanding).

Awards & Rankings

49
#49 Best PSP Game of 2007
7
#7 Most Discussed PSP Game of 2007
16
#16 Most Shared PSP Game of 2007

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 221 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 172 out of 221
  2. Mixed: 27 out of 221
  3. Negative: 22 out of 221
  1. RicochetPhoenix
    Apr 28, 2013
    8
    I never cared for the original Final Fantasy in any of its previous incarnations, but I recently gave the PSP port a shot and I am so glad II never cared for the original Final Fantasy in any of its previous incarnations, but I recently gave the PSP port a shot and I am so glad I did. This is the definitive version of the game, with design upgrades that make it quite nice to look at and extra dungeons that give the player something challenging to attempt. The story and gameplay works all the same, with just some basic tweaks such as set magic usages being replaced by the now commonplace MP system (which is a major improvement) and some names being adjusted due to latter entries in the series creating more popular names (ie: Life is now Phoenix Down, Imps are now Goblins, Ice is now Blizzard, Orbs are now Crystals, etc). This is a must play for any RPG fan and a must own for any Final Fantasy fans. Just be prepared to wander around aimlessly searching for hints as to what you're supposed to do next, as you often have to fetch a hidden item from some dungeon or town in order to be able to progress to the next section of the game. Great game though, and a very fun/challenging way to kill 20-25 hours.… Full Review »
  2. theshonen8899
    May 14, 2011
    7
    My first Final Fantasy was Final Fantasy XII so I'm quite a newcomer to the series. Since then I've played VII, VIII, XIII, III, and IV. NowMy first Final Fantasy was Final Fantasy XII so I'm quite a newcomer to the series. Since then I've played VII, VIII, XIII, III, and IV. Now before venturing into this game I was well aware that many thought this game only appealed to fans from long ago. In my experience however I've gotten quite addicted to it. I'm not really sure what it is about this game but other than the art much of this game is far too old. First off, the gameplay is not only extremely simple, but extremely easy. Much of your commands will involve holding down circle until one of your team mates are low on health, which will take a while. There are also quite a lot of random encounters, which really bugged me at first but I got used to them fairly quickly. You should also understand that there is no story in this game, you will relate with none of the characters and most of your quests are about killing someone to save someone or fetching something to do something. Probably my biggest criticism about this game is that is does nothing to help guide you to your objectives. The game's simplicity is perfect for playing on a bus or in a line but because of the extremely ambiguous goals, you'll often find yourself looking up what to do on a strategy guide. That being said I really do like the retro and simple feel of the game as well as the amazing art but it could have been much more fun with an objective marker.… Full Review »
  3. fadingtrails
    Jul 21, 2017
    6
    I was hoping to experience the game that started the FF franchise, with some modern day conveniences added in. But with the updated graphicsI was hoping to experience the game that started the FF franchise, with some modern day conveniences added in. But with the updated graphics and audio, I kind of felt cheated out of that. This made its - by today's standards - generic, grindy gameplay harder to forgive. With characters that you name yourself, and that never speak, the game lacks personality. The bonus dungeon feels awfully contrived and is the least enjoyable part of the game. Subjective, I know, but this really isn't the game that started it all.… Full Review »
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