Conina said:
Hi Basil, some more questions for the first six FF games:
I already played FF1 + FF2 on PSP in the 2008 version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqhAhjvSupQ
Is the Pixel Remastered much better? Worth another run?
For FF3 + FF4 I enjoyed the 3D remakes for the Nintendo DS.
Is FF5 still worth the time investment?
So the Pixel Remaster of FF6 is the way to go, right?
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Yep, I played the PSP remakes as well and for the longest of time, I've considered them the best versions mainly due to the visual upgrade and the extra content that came with it - basically I and II on PSP is a remaster of the GBA Dawn of Souls version.
However....
1. Yes, the Pixel Remastered version imo is the definitive version of the games DESPITE the lack of the additional content (post game dungeons, extra bosses) mainly because of the remixed music, the remade visuals that are more in tune with the original game's design, the new visual effects for spells, and mainly for the QoL features it has - Quick Save/Auto Save, Encounters turn off, Exp boost up to 4x and gil boost up to 4x.
This makes playing the games again easier to stomach through (specifically for 1, 2 and 5 where it makes it less of a chore from all the encounters and grinding).
It absolutely is worth another run - infact I'm going through a new run with the Pixel Remasters right now - already finished FF1, 2, 3, 4 and currently near the end of FF5 - and will be playing FF6 , all on Switch though.
I have the QoL features on max for exp and gil - FF1 took me about 7-8 hours, FF2, 3 and 4 each took me about 10-12 hours. I'm currently 21 hours into FFV but thats because I was grinding through to make my party OP lol.
2. I finished both FF3 and FF4 remakes on DS. FF3 Pixel Remaster is the best version gameplay wise however the story is not as developed as the remake because you had unique main characters in the remake while the original 3 (which the Pixel remaster is based on) has a blank slate characters that have no background or unique characteristics , basically the same as FF1.
However what I did notice is considering I played 3 on the NES as well, there are actually character interactions in the Pixel remaster - text/conversations that didnt exist in the NES version.
Also the quick save feature helps a lot in the end game dungeon because the NES version's end game dungeon was much more difficult than the 3D remake's end game dungeon.
As for FF4 - I played through the SNES, GBA, PS1, PSP, DS and now Switch versions. For the longest of time, I've considered the PSP Remake to be the best version of FFIV however after playing the Pixel Remaster, its now my most favorite - again because of the QoL features. I personally didnt like the 3D remake as much as the GBA or PSP versions.
Either ways, 10-12 hours is what it will take to finish the two games, this is in comparison to 15-20 hours on the other versions.
Good for beginners and I still say its worth playing even if you played other versions.
3. The Pixel remaster's QoL makes the grinding easier to stomach through. 1, 2 and 5 are my least favorites of the Pixel remasters so far but the QoL features make the experience much easier than all the other versions I played. If you never beat FF5, I would go for it.
4. I havent played the FF6 Pixel remaster yet however as far as what you can get access to play (excluding emulation) - FF6 Pixel Remaster is the way to go. Just make sure you dont over level in FF6 in the beginning, start grinding (increasing the exp boost and ABP boost) only after you get Espers otherwise you wont get the level up bonuses
FF6 for GBA and FF6 mobile remake (PC, iOS/android) is my favorite (despite the visual weirdness that the mobile remakes have lol) mainly because of the extra content that came with those games. Ironically I am playing the mobile remake on Steam right now lol. So once I'm done with FF5 Pixel remaster....I'll be playing the Pixel Remaster of VI and the mobile remake of VI at the same time, kinda crazy lol.
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Basically my score on all the versions of FF1-6 I played and finished....
Final Fantasy I Dawn of Souls (GBA): 82
Final Fantasy I Anniversary (PSP): 85
Final Fantasy I (iOS): 81
Final Fantasy I Pixel Remaster (NS): 87
Final Fantasy II Dawn of Souls (GBA): 83
Final Fantasy II Anniversary (PSP): 85
Final Fantasy II Pixel Remaster (NS): 87
Final Fantasy III (NES): 80
Final Fantasy III Pixel Remaster (NS): 90
Final Fantasy III (DS): 86
Final Fantasy IV (SNES): 90
Final Fantasy IV (PS1): 89
Final Fantasy IV (GBA): 86
Final Fantasy IV (DS): 92
Final Fantasy IV (PSP): 94
Final Fantasy IV Pixel Remaster (NS): 95
Final Fantasy V (SNES): 84
Final Fantasy V (PS1): 83
Final Fantasy V Advance (GBA): 88
Final Fantasy V (PC): 91
Final Fantasy VI (SNES): 95
Final Fantasy VI (PS1): 94
Final Fantasy VI Advance (GBA): 95
Last edited by BasilZero - on 28 December 2023