Retro Review: Final Fantasy II

A twist

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Before I begin, I have to clarify what I mean by Final Fantasy II because there are two games that bear that name. Western fans around my age might have played Final Fantasy II for the SNES, but the actual Final Fantasy II, which was released for the Famicom in Japan in 1988, didn’t see a Western release until years later. It’s that latter game I am reviewing.

It has become somewhat of a black sheep over the years because of its unique and sometimes derided leveling system, in which individual stats and skills are raised rather than a set class gaining power by amassing experience points and leveling up. This can lead to some odd means of optimizing character power, such as equipping two shields on three characters and hitting them in combat with your own characters to increase defense and HP. It’s something more like what you would see in an Elder Scrolls game than a JRPG, but keep in mind this was early in the life of console RPGs, and there was often major experimentation with sequels in the NES era. It also proves that innovation and experimentation were part of the Final Fantasy formula from the beginning, just like the science fiction elements encountered in the first game.

That being said, the leveling system is the main thing holding the game back. While that sort of system tickles me, it does create extra tedium and intentionality in combat directed toward maximizing the system rather than merely defeating enemies. Actions become about leveling rather than winning, which makes the game feel grindier than it really is if one were to just play. There are no classes, but each character evolves into a “class area” by using skills and fulfilling a role. A character that uses a sword and shield throughout the game will level into a sturdy warrior; one that focuses on magic will become a powerful mage, etc. Thus, you can create some unique builds and parties, but this has to be intentionally managed over a long time for them to be optimal.

The story and art are both a step forward from the previous game, with new iconic monsters and music cues to go with a story that has real characters rather than just the “warriors of light.” It also, establishing a tradition, is not a true sequel at all, but a new game with new systems and a new story. This, by the way, should tell you the answer to “Do I have to start at the beginning of the series?” – No, start at any game you want. They build on each other only with lines of aesthetics, themes, and some recurring monsters like chocobos (which we first see in this second installment). Besides the leveling system, gameplay is like the first game. The player explores an overworld where they encounter random monster battles, find towns, and enter longer dungeons that end with a boss fight. Combat is once again turn-based and uses menus.

The story is a strong point. The party is participating in a rebellion against an evil empire, which gives them motivation and real stakes in the central conflict. They proceed through various twists and turns, saving a princess, Hilda, a few times and being betrayed a few times as well before initiating a final fight that, in what would become Final Fantasy style, pulls the rug from the player for an even larger-scale fight and conflict engaging heaven and hell to end the game. The narrative runs throughout the game and links all the areas together rather than, as in the first game, providing a loose framework for a series of fantasy adventures. It plays out more like a three-act movie.

While it is less of a classic than the first game in the series, I think Final Fantasy II is worth playing even today. The odd leveling system makes it feel fresh compared to what has become standard JRPG systems. The game, like the first, is relatively brisk and can be completed in a reasonable amount of time without what I consider excessive grinding (unless you just have to get the highest levels of some of the spells). It is a game that I felt more inclined to grind in compared to others since the system is more direct but also meticulous. It becomes quite easy to make your characters insanely powerful. You can play the game casually over a week or two and finish easily, as I did.

There have been several ports, including a pixel remaster from 2021, which is probably the easiest and best option for modern players. I streamed the PSP version on my channel, and I think that version looks and sounds great. It is the basis for a few other ports. There is also a Game Boy Advance version called Dawn of Souls that features different graphics yet again and supplies the script for most later versions. If you want to play the original Famicom version in anything other than Japanese, I believe you will need a hacked ROM with a fan translation. There is something nostalgic to the original graphics, but I think the updated graphics for Final Fantasy II found in the PSP version look better and do enhance the story with things like character portraits. You don’t, however, need to go out of your way to acquire it to enjoy the game.

If you are looking for a classic-era Final Fantasy game that is different than the rest, Final Fantasy II is a good choice. I think the game holds up.

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