December 2013. I can’t remember the video game I recently finished at that time, but I was thinking of what to play next. With a Playstation Portable as my video game machine/device, I browsed through the PSP’s game library for my next game to be played. Looking at the RPG titles (since I felt like playing a game in that genre), the words “Final Fantasy” stood out.
Final Fantasy III caught my eye since since it was the latest Final Fantasy game to be remade for current-gen handhelds. Out of curiosity, I gave it a try to satisfy the itch for a new game to play and finish. Considering that it’s an RPG, I don’t usually get at the end…
…But after two months of playing in my spare time, I did get at the end. Guiding Luneth, Arc, Refia, and Ingus in defeating the Cloud of Darkness was a satisfying and rewarding experience for me as a gamer — as it was officially my first Final Fantasy game that I finished, not to mention that it was my first RPG that I actually managed to finish.
With that, an idea came to me — of attempting to finish every Final Fantasy game in the main series. I thought it wasn’t a bad idea, that I just have to stick to it and be committed to that simple, nerdy goal that I’ve set to myself. With the enthusiasm, the drive, and motivation — I carried on…
…On to Final Fantasy IV — three times the amount of playable characters, and a simpler ability development system (since a character has a specific job/class assigned to him/her).
With the adventures On-World and to The Red Moon, and with the fates of Cecil Harvey and the 11 protagonists unfolding as I played — I carried on to meet, face, and defeat Zeromus at the end.
After finishing IV, I decided to not play the sequel (The After Years). But as of this writing, I’m having second thoughts. So maybe soon, I’ll play it, considering that I counted X-2 and XIII-2/-3. So after IV…
…Final Fantasy V is next on the list. With Bartz, Lenna, Galuf, Faris, and Krile as the protagonists in this adventure — Once more I overcame the odds of the forces of evil within the world. Mastering the job classes that I assigned to each character, eventually I reached the inevitable confrontation with Neo Exdeath. And as I let the moment sink in that I’ve finished my 3rd Final Fantasy game, I thought of what will be next in line for completion.
I was ready for VI. I know that it’s one of the most revered title in the series. But for reasons unknown and personal, I went back — back to where it all started for the franchise…
…Final Fantasy I.
Since the four characters are unnamed and that you have to give them names at the start of the game — I decided at the time that I name the characters after my brother’s kids. Somehow, playing and finishing the game felt a little more fun.
With a Fighter, Monk, White Mage, and a Black Mage as my party…I saw them transform into a Knight, Master, White Wizard, and a Black Wizard during the quest, and I saw the end by defeating the first final boss in the series — Chaos.
So as of that time, I’ve finished I, III, IV, and V. To fill in the gap, there’s no other option but to get it on with Final Fantasy II.
I have to say that Final Fantasy II was the unique one among the bunch since characters don’t progress/level-up by means of experience points, but by means of how much an ability/spell/weapon is frequently used. Stats like evasion and HP level up too by how frequently the characters are hit. It was quite a unique experience/playthrough, but I quickly adapted to the system.
Together with Firion, Maria, Guy, and Leon — defeating the Emperor of Hell makes Final Fantasy II the fifth game in the series that I’ve finished.
5 down. 10 more to go.
(to be continued)
*As of this writing, I’m currently playing Final Fantasy IX.
**All artworks used in this article are from The Great Yoshitaka Amano.
