Forward to the Past Follow our Curator page, [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/41449676/] Summit Reviews , to see more high-quality reviews regularly. Final Fantasy VIās impact on the industry zeitgeist cannot be overstated. It was initially released in North America to rave reviews in the fall of 1994ā30 years agoāand as demonstrated by Square Enixās (developed originally by Squaresoft) ability to monetize it in apparent perpetuity, the gameās overall influence clearly continues today. At 30 years, a masterpiece; why not 40? Why not 50? And beyond. FFVIās ascendancy through the RPG collective remains irresistible. Its groundbreaking character work, rich narrative, and mechanically sound gameplay have set standards few games will ever touch. Itās no wonder that when consumers forage for the best RPG, or indeed, the best video game of all time, they often find this title on a rankings list by [insert your favorite gaming influencer here]. Characterization-By-Community FFVIās narrative structure is unique not just for 1994 but also for 2024. Unlike most RPGs, and most story arcs ever written, FFVI rejects traditional plot composition by removing a singular protagonist. Of course this isnāt purely novel; this tactic is occasionally attempted in plot structure, particularly in fantasyāA Song of Ice and Fire being the most popular, contemporary exampleāthough often by the storyās resolution, a clear protagonist and antagonist eventually emerge. This is to say nothing of āgoodā and ābadā guys; instead, there is someone we follow working toward a goal and, alternatively, someone trying to stop them from achieving that goal. Not so here. From the enigmatic Terra to the noble Celes to the charming Edgar and optimistic Locke (and beyond!), every character contributes mightily to the tapestry of FFVIās world. In this, the game is always an overwhelmingly rich and immersive experience for new and returning players because sound character arcs never go out of style. This characterization-by-community method would fall flat if all the heroes didnāt feel uniquely refined and independently motivated, but they do. Which is remarkable considering the sheer lot of them; this remains the most extensive playable cast of any Final Fantasy game to date, at 14 total party members (NOTE: two toons are easily missable and I wouldnāt include them in the aforementioned praise). https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3261780380 As characters, Celes and Edgar shine in particular as each, notably for their era of creation, represent a clinic on hero presentation. In themselves they teach a masterclass on characterization, showcasing depth and complexity through the lens (or burden) of leadershipāCeles as a general, Edgar as a king. Celes overcomes catastrophe with compassion and raw determination. Edgar masks tragedy with wit and charm. Both are so remarkablyā¦human? So much complexity. And still so necessary. Of course, no FFVI discussion of characterization is complete without deconstructing the titleās iconic villaināKefka. Many consider Kefka to be an early video game case study on evil. This is somewhat limiting. Kefka is objectively evil, yes, but his central philosophy is that of pure nihilism. Heās the unloved bully with a gun who sees no true meaning to existence and who regards the whole of society as baseless. While dimensionally, heās a bit of a misnomer compared to the gameās heroes because he lacks a backdrop of reason, and thus, weāre not as attuned to what led to his madness. But this hardly matters. Some of his misdoings present as so twisted and cruel that his madness begets more madness. The trail of death tells the story. Kefka represents a true force of nature. He is a raw sample of our collective cruelty, entropy, and unchecked ambition. Heās also more successful than all other Final Fantasy villains before or since. Itās not a spoiler, merely philosophy, to suggest, at least on some level, no matter what you do, Kefkaā¦wins? This alone separates him as a unique Final Fantasy villain. No one can stop him. Which, alarmingly, serves to prove his world view. Itās creepy. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3261782322 A small critique : characters become unnaturally āfast friends,ā which plays somewhat awkward. Indeed, it is sometimes loveably clumsy, moreso to modern audiences who may expect more nuance. But rest assured, it will pay off. Where in the World As was standard, FFVI uses a traditional turn-based combat system. For many, this is a turn-off; for others, it is a highlight. Despite the discontinued design, FFVI should be commended for how differently each character plays. All characters do something in combat that others cannot. This means balancing issues may occur as clear ābetterā characters emerge. However, I think this imbalance is intentional, or a happy accident, because the story separates the characters so often by beats and geography that youāre rarely not obliged to use a character youād probably have passed on otherwise. The gameās not interested in letting you off the hook that way. If it features a playable character, it makes use of them. At least for a bit. This pixel remaster enhances the gameās visual and auditory experience, bringing its timeless aesthetic to new heights. With beautiful sprites and a remastered soundtrack, you're allowed to rediscover the world of āBalanceā and āRuinā in stunning detail. For returning players, the nostalgia is overwhelming for the senses. I could have cried during that opera scene. The PR is also equipped with an OST player. And even if these āchangesā arenāt for you, this version allows you to opt for the original aesthetic. Itās your choice. A Heroās Journey As a historical RPG milestone, FFVI has, for generations, enthralled players. Its legacy is a testament to the power of video games as a medium for storytelling and artistic expression. And its sheer influence (even within its titular series) may be felt in the countless games that have followed in its wake. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3261783597 From the bustling streets of the city of Narshe to the wasteland of the World of Ruin, each location emotes detail and atmosphere even for a new player in 2024. And if you remain unmoved by the visuals, the score also works on youāTerraās theme in particular oozes artistic romanticism. And make no mistake about it, FFVI is nothing if not romantic (again, in the artistic sense). Thereās a verisimilitude to all its bells and whistles that invites players to traverse every corner and uncover its secrets. You join the world. The experience feels participatory. A true quest. While the main storyline follows a linear progression, the game includes many optional quests and hidden challenges that offer a welcomed diversion from the main narrative, allowing players to uncover new secrets and unlock (occasionally overpowered) abilities. In particular, FFVIās endgame teems with non-linearity and additional adventuring, providing players a supplementary opportunity for exploration and discovery. I must venture a mechanical criticism/warning here: over-leveling all your characters in the endgame may, and most likely will, trivialize the final dungeon. This is obviously not unique to FFVI, but it is a warning for completionistsāreaching for all those achievements will absolutely break the endgame. No amount of Kefkaās evil posturing and self-aggrandizing can stop you. Conclusion FFVI continues to enthrall and unite players across generations. It is an all-timer for the older among us, andāat a minimumāa great RPG for everyone else. Kefka asks, āWhy do you build, knowing destruction is inevitable? Why do you yearn to live, knowing all things must die?ā Play the game. Discover the answer. Overall: 9/10 (Excellent)
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