Final Fantasy III
SCORE: 60
Once upon a time long ago I used to enjoy playing role playing games. Well I got married, had children, became the editor the first ever Christian video game magazine (on top of a day job to pay the bills). I have found time is a precious commodity, and given the choice of playing with my family, or sitting alone and playing a lengthy, boring, and drawn out role playing game - well I have chosen to enrich my families life with my presence. Never once I have regretted that decision. It took me some time, but I finally got through Final Fantasy III on the Nintendo DS. A couple of times I felt like quitting because of how drawn out a lot of this game is. It is an older game, well okay a remake of an older game. A lot of people will remember the glory days, and think fondly upon them. They also are ultra forgiving of the mistakes made in the past of video games. If you did not realize, I am not a lot of people. I take the path less traveled.
Final Fantasy III has its moments of graphical brilliance, but a lot of this game looks like it did back in the day. The upgrades to certain areas are nice, but a lot of that feels tacked on to me. Maybe developers have spoiled me over the years, but the graphics in Final Fantasy III do not impress me. There is plenty of turn based violence as the player murders thousands of different creatures.
Something I was not expecting was the bad language in Final Fantasy III. Certain foul words were used for effect, and with me that is a negative one. I was also unimpressed with the magical crystals because of how closely it resembles the new age religious belief set. Ever wonder why so many role playing gamers end up into religions like that one? They spend so much time with games that slowly conform them into it.
Role playing gamers are generally known for lengthy game play. My problem is that is rather niche, especially with all the leveling up needed to make it through Final Fantasy III. Running back and forth like Forest Gump, and fighting monsters over and over again like Jackie Chan become a chore. Chores like that I can do without. I would say save your money for a good game that is actually fun.
Final Fantasy III controls the way it should with both touch, and normal button controls. The biggest problem with this DS game is the lack of direction. Players have to talk to a lot of characters to find out where to go next. Even then at times I had trouble figuring out where to go next, so I wasted time checking everywhere on the map.
Historically speaking we can see
what was wrong with the video game industry in the past. Final Fantasy
III is one of those games that has a few nice moments, but way more bad
stretches. I know Square Enix keeps doing these games, but sequels
should move away from what was done in Final Fantasy III for the
Nintendo DS.
- Paul
Graphics: 64%
Sound: 59%
Replay/Extras: 65%
Gameplay: 60%
Family Friendly Factor: 50%
System: Nintendo DS
Publisher: Square Enix
Rating: 'E10+' for
Everyone 10+
{Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood,
Suggestive Themes}
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