bit-tech Shopping: Nintendo Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls (GBA)

Rating: 8

Time with product:

Strengths: Nice portable collection of two classic RPGs

Weaknesses: May seem dated in gameplay and appearance

Summary: Square Enix's remakes of classic Final Fantasy games has long since moved over from the Game Boy Advance to the more powerful Nintendo DS and PSP systems. However, this GBA remake is still an excellent choice for any GBA (or DS) owner. These two games have been remade (again) into two separate PSP games but the core gameplay in a more original form is present in this single GBA cartridge. These are most definitely old-school games, and are a bit simpler than later Final Fantasy games in both gameplay and story elements. Still, this is an excellent package with just enough improvements over the original versions(including a much better and more coherent translation from the original Japanese, better 2D graphics, and extra dungeons and enemies from later Final Fantasy games) to give this compilation the best "classic" versions of these games and well worth a pickup for any GBA or Nintendo DS owner.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 2 Years

Strengths: Long Quests, Battles Progress Faster

Weaknesses: Might Be Too Simplistic Or Have Too Much Level Griding At Times For Some

Summary: Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls is a compilation of Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy II both of which were originally 8-bit games of which Final Fantasy came out in the US for the NES and Final Fantasy II which never made it to the states but was on the Famicom in Japan. Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls is the first time both have been available in portable form has they were both released on the Playstation together has a compilation as Final Fantasy Origins. Both games are very well done for classic RPGs with leveling up and exploring dungeons being very important though out both games. Compared to the original 8-bit counterparts the graphics and music are improved while staying true to the original versions. Another thing worth noting is that the pace in which the characters take action during battle after entering in commands is a lot faster compared to the 8-bit versions which is nice as it keeps the game moving along a lot faster and makes any level griding to power up your characters faster. It should also be noted that both Final Fantasy I & II have some new content added that wasn't in the original games. I would highly recommend Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls to fans of classic RPG fans and Final Fantasy fanatics a like that haven't played Final Fantasy Origins on the Playstation.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 1

Strengths: The game stays very true to the original; fine tuned graphics; great soundtrack (despite the limited audio capabilities of the DS); bestiary

Weaknesses: Compared to modern RPGs, these games seem slow and fairly simple.

Summary: Final Fantasy I was one of my favorite games as a kid. FFI was right up there with Super Mario Bros. 3 and The Legend of Zelda; plain and simple, they're classics. But those days seem like eons ago, and I have long since forgotten many of the details. All I have now are brief flashbacks and vague memories. So when I noticed that the price of FFI had dropped to a mere $20, I figured it would be worth it just for the nostalgia.I'm only a couple hours into this game, but I can already remember why I enjoyed it so much as a kid. The story line is fairly compelling--somewhat contrived by today's standards, perhaps, but back in the day, it was a new thing! The game play is simple: complete one task, get the next, and keep on moving. Nothing fancy, but it's nice to play a game that's so straightforward. Small touches like refined graphics, a great soundtrack, and fresh translations help this game shine. All in all, I've had fun playing this title, and I fully expect to play it through to the end.)If you're a gamer with a fondness for nostalgia, I highly recommend this title. At only $20, it's very cheap, and it's packaged with Final Fantasy II (which I've never played before).For the general public, I would issue a cautious recommendation. The bottom line is: know your preferences. Final Fantasy I is an older game with simpler graphics, less complexity, less side quests, no active time battle, etc. If that's not your cup of tea, then pass on this title.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 2

Strengths: Final Fantasy I

Weaknesses: Final Fantasy II

Summary: This two-game package for the GBA presents both the best and the worst Final Fantasy game from the NES. The first game brought the genre to life in the US while the second didn't manage to live up to its predecessor with gameplay modifications that simply didn't improve on anything, and in many cases took away from the fabulous experience that was FFI. In this day and age it may be difficult to suffer the plight of the 4 Warriors of Light in their 8-bit incarnations, but it's worth it for anyone who wants to relive the nostalgia or see how the series started.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 2

Strengths: Two classics for the price of one

Weaknesses: FFII generally.

Summary: Final Fantasy I & II are two well-done remakes of two classic RPGs. Both games have been rebuilt with nice 16-bit era graphics and generally painless leveling without the need for tedious grinding. In addition, new fans may enjoy seeing the introduction of conventions used throughout the Final Fantasy series. However, Final Fantasy II doesn't hold up as well as the original in most respects. Still, this is a nice compilation for a nice price for classic RPG fans.