Ack! This alone makes me want to go buy it... I always hated how that worked...

Edit: Just bought it. Gonna crack it open later this week.

Okay, I KNOW the level cap can't be 50 still. I just beat Vampire and am going back to Earth Cave for second time and I'm 30. Anyway, this game looks pretty damn good on the DS, I'm almost ready to buy one just to play my GBA game on they look so good.

Just beat Lich, the first fiend. Looks like there is another remix of the battle theme for Fiend battles. Opened up the first bonus dungeon and peeked inside. New mosters (palette swaps, but I like those) and some new items. The 2nd floor of the bonus dungeon is pretty huge.. is going to take a while to scour it all.

they very recently re-released this and every other original final fantasy on playstation, (except FF3j) so i'm also kinda disapointed there wasn't any major changes to this GBA version, new classes woulda been much better. I'm just praying for someone to make a FF3j + secret of mana re-release compilation, maybe even throw in a mystic quest bonus. The DS version of FF3j hopefully make it to another system, i hate buying new systems for 1 game.

There *is* new stuff in the GBA version. First of all and biggest in my opinion is portability. Then we have no load times and no pointless full motion video garbage. On to the actual games, Final Fantasy I boasts a more balanced leveling system, new MP based magic system, retranslation of script with additional script elements not in previous versions and four new bonus dungeon with all new monsters and bosses, new items including weapons, armor and usable items. I'm sure I'm missing some stuff. Final Fantasy II also has a more balanced leveling system (though still skill use based, not experience based) and an all-new scenario with new characters, monsters, items and so on.. adding about 20% to the length and story of the original.

By the way, your posts could benefit from use of the shift key to add to clarity and readability of your posts.

Thanks for the grammar lesson. I just feel that most fans would like something totally different from what has been previously released, not just rehashed special editions. I for one love square (hence my screen name) just kinda wish they would be more pro-active in bringing over classic titles etc.

Heh, no problem. ;)

I think the GBA version had more new than the PSX version did from the NES game. But you're right.. they seem content for the most part on just releasing the games as they are. Enix and Falcom offer excellent remakes of thier older games. Enix really redefined how to remake old RPGs with thier port of Dragon Quest III on the SNES. That was amazing. The port to GBC went even further in content since it had to suffer the graphic and music setback.

First bonus dungeon has FOUR new bosses, and they are TOUGH.

I love this game. The ability to save anywhere is a real plus and a must for any portable RPG, in my opinion. And for some reason, even though they're all really simple, I like the fact that they included those little hidden mini games. Perfect for a portable, and you can win items while you play!

The second bonus dungeon bosses are the four fiends from Final Fantasy IV (II in the US)!!

Now I want to play that. :(

anyone have any impressions on FFII? I've about to finish FFI, and I gave FFII a quick try... but I don't have very good impressions of it.

So far so good here. FF2 is the only game pre-CGI-orgy FF I've never played. I think most people are turned away by the different leveling system, but as I'm a huge fan of Square's saga series (Final Fantasy Legend, Romancing Saga, Saga Frontier) I'm already familiar with it and really enjoy it. Looks like this game is actually more story driven than FF3j, but the main focus is still killing monsters and exploring.

Haven't played FF2 yet, but I don't think I'll like the leveling system at all. It seems to be a system based on the attributes you use the most. For example: to get more MP, you have to drain all your MP in a single fight. The idiotic thing is, the best way to raise stats is to have your players attack or use magic on each other, while keeping one single enemy alive.
I don't remember the Saga series having this kind of leveling system...

Every Saga game has had a similar system except for Saga 3 (Final Fantasy Legend III here). Honestly I think what turns people away from the system is that it requires additional thought and work on the end of the player. You have to decide on your own what skills to develop, and not let the computer decide for you. It allows for greater character customization as well. It also makes a lot more sense to develop spells by using them. I mean, in other games you can have a mage melee fight his way through a level up and your magic gets stronger.. or better yet mages who do nothing and let the fighters kill the monster, earning off their experience points. Wizard: "They was a great battle Mr. Swordsman. I learned Fire 3 by simply watching you cut orcs in half!"

Really all it takes is a small amount of time to adjust and learn the new system; and players of tactical RPGs should feel right at home with this method of character development (including using skills or attacks on your own members to power-up).

PJ. An interesting perspective, I totally forgot about the other games that use a similar leveling up system. I used to love FF Legend 2. Ack! Well, I guess I'll give it a chance

Just got this this morning.

Been years since I played the original... someone school me in which people I should have in my party.

I know I'll use a warrior, but I'm torn between the theif/monk and the white/red/black mages... had this same problem back in the later 80s.

;)

the magic system with MP is tons better... no more having to buy 99 heal potions before heading into the volcano/ice cave...and your black mage can actually use spells on most fights...no more saving the ole glass cannon for the boss fights.

I think the black belt is even better than before... he eventually starts doing crazy damage 1000+ just remember to check every level or so early on to see when hes officially better unarmed.

one thing that really threw me off was the fact that there was no "silver sword" (mythril sword) for sale in the elf city...sure it saved me some time collecting gold, but it also hurt the ability of the fighter for a while. happily though you can use FIR2 so much more often to make up for it. if you are a true powergamer supposedly Garland can drop a Longsword, which you cant buy until Melmond so that would be an enormous early game upgrade.

oh and a group inventory system rocks for things like heal helms...no more painful choices shoehorning equipment on your characters for their usefullness.


Only thing that irritated me: (and talk about nitpicking) Warmech being named Death Machine or something like that. weak.

Anyways... I'm using a Warrior, Theif, Red Mage and Black Mage. Working out well so far.

Forgot that you get ship so quickly. ;)

Okay 16 hours in and I'm already at the Chaos Shrine.

I haven't leveled up on purpose, but by just going through the motions I beat the Kraken in 2 go rounds and Tiamat in 2 and half. Was it suppose to be that easy. Right now I'm somewhere in the Level 60's.

Anyways... I haven't poked my head into all of the extra dungeons yet, but I did wander around the Earthspring one (back when I first opened it) and boy was it tough.

Can't wait to wrap this one up and take a stab at FFII.

I have 2 crystals but can't find where I should for the 3rd. When I got my second one I looked up from my screen to talk to someone and missed the little movie that showed what the second shrine was that opened. Can someone help?.

Defeating the Fire Fiend opens the Hellfire Chasm (extra levels) that is up in the Dragon Islands (upper left continent area; you'll need the airship).

The next thing you have to do is get the airship, and that requires the levistone. Its in a cave that north of Mount Glug, you have to use the canoe to get to the cave enterance (its the square on your map just above the volcano).

Go get the levistone , it's in a cave just north of the volcano. Get the airship from the desert south of the volcano. Use the airship to travel to a group of islands north of Melmond and find the Dragon King.

I just whooped on Chaos and won FFI in just under 19 hours (over the last 2 weeks).

Now to move on to FFII.

One question though, when I beat the game it asked for a "Clear Game Save" and I said no... I would like to run through the new 'levels'. Could I have said yes and still been able to do so?

Anyways, I thought it was a great update to an old game that I hold dear.

If it's like the FFIV remake, you'll need the clear game save to unlock the new levels. In IV it starts you at you last save point with everything the same, just the game knowing that you have completed it. You may need to whoop on Chaos again.

Thanks. :up: