Final Fantasy III
Final Fantasy III, by Squaresoft, published by Square Enix
ESRB rating:10+, 800 Nintendo Points; formats available: Nintendo Wii Virtual Console
Format reviewed: Nintendo Wii Virtual Console
It has been seventeen years since the North American debut of Final Fantasy III (originally titled FFVI in Japan), but to old fans and newcomers, the Wii Console port of this classic RPG is still one of the greatest video games of all time. Final Fantasy III took its narrative seriously at a time when video games were lucky if they had any narrative at all. The story follows Terra, a young magic-user in a world where magic was long thought dead, on a globe-trotting journey to vanquish the oppressive empire that enslaved her. Her quest introduces her to an impressive array of characters—a mouthy thief, a playboy king, and a white-furred winged dancing creature called a moogle, and those are just the characters she meets in the first hour of the game. There are fourteen playable characters in all, each with as rich a backstory as Terra. They all get their turns at center stage during the sixty-plus-hour game; the heroes grow, form bonds with each other, and conquer their inner demons. Despite these rich and loveable characters, the villain steals the show. Kefka, who seems to be only the emperor’s lackey but becomes something much more sinister, has elements of Saruman and Batman’s nemesis The Joker. I have written at length about Kefka’s status as one of the greatest villains in the history of gaming at Tor.com. [www.tor.com/blogs/2011/04/top-five-greatest-video-game-villains]
Final Fantasy III was one of the great fantasy stories of the 1990s published in any medium. In addition to the tightly knit plot and compelling characters, what really makes the game stand out is the way it blends elements of fantasy and science fiction. The game features swords and magic and dragons, yes, but also airships, castles that can burrow underground, auto-crossbows, and bio weapons. A characteristic of the game often unmentioned is its use of steampunk before it was popular. Final Fantasy III is not afraid to mess with the player’s expectations or rip the player’s heart out, as would top-notch fantasy novelists like George R. R. Martin or J. K. Rowling. Just when players think the characters are on the right track, a shocking event scatters the party. Some characters die nobly, others tragically, and some beloved friends may be lost and (without a strategy guide) never found.
Of the game’s many ports over the years, the new Wii Console version may become the favorite of purists. Gone are the CG cutscenes and bonus dungeons of earlier remakes. Only minor gameplay upgrades, like the revised Save system, have been added. Younger players raised on later installments in the Final Fantasy series, which tend to favor style over substance, may find the random encounters and lengthy text conversations tedious, but this is a game that academic theses and HBO miniseries are meant for. It is a feast. Like the novels of Tolkien or Tolstoy, Final Fantasy III is a game that you can revisit over and over, and find new enjoyment with each playthrough. Fans never forget the game’s great moments—the opera house, the phantom train, the end of the world—and neither should you. Whether it is your first or fiftieth time picking up the controller, buy this one today. 11 out of 10.
If you enjoyed reading this, please consider subscribing to Realms of Fantasy.
