Which 16-bit Final Fantasy entry do you think is better?

I've been arguing with my friend about this for years, so I finally decided to break down and post a poll to settle it.

My buddy insists to this day that Final Fantasy II was the better 16-bit Final Fantasy, but I'm constantly trying to tell him that Final Fantasy III is superior in every way to the previous game (I'm going by domestic numbering scheme here, not foreign).

Final Fantasy III is just the perfect game in my mind: outstanding characters, outstanding localization, outstanding soundtrack, and an outstanding overall experience. Final Fantasy II was fun, but it really let you see just how far video games came at that point over the course of a few years. I would sell my complete boxed copy of FFII and feel nothing, but I'd give up my own body to save any random copy of FFIII.

So, you know where I stand, and now I want to know how the rest of you feel. Please note that this poll only takes into account the domestic Final Fantasy titles, so FFV is not an option on this poll.

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Originally Posted by sQuareh4t3r

I've been arguing with my friend about this for years, so I finally decided to break down and post a poll to settle it.

My buddy insists to this day that Final Fantasy II was the better 16-bit Final Fantasy, but I'm constantly trying to tell him that Final Fantasy III is superior in every way to the previous game (I'm going by domestic numbering scheme here, not foreign).

Final Fantasy III is just the perfect game in my mind: outstanding characters, outstanding localization, outstanding soundtrack, and an outstanding overall experience. Final Fantasy II was fun, but it really let you see just how far video games came at that point over the course of a few years. I would sell my complete boxed copy of FFII and feel nothing, but I'd give up my own body to save any random copy of FFIII.

So, you know where I stand, and now I want to know how the rest of you feel. Please note that this poll only takes into account the domestic Final Fantasy titles, so FFV is not an option on this poll.

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Ditto

Final Fantasy III was the best of the franchise PERIOD!

:cool:

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Originally Posted by Grizzly King

Ditto

Final Fantasy III was the best of the franchise PERIOD!

:cool:

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If I had to choose any game to get me sexually excited, it would be Final Fantasy III.

I swear to God, one day I'm going to make a movie and include a rendition of the Veldt theme (Wild West) in it, because that song's fucking amazing.

Hmm I'll have to say your buddy is right on this one. FFIII, while a good game, is just too long and drawn out in certain aspects. Plus, the lack of a central figure is detrimental to the overall resolution. On the other hand, FFII's epic storyline turned the RPG world on it's head. Earth, Moon, Underwould, what more can you ask for?

Sorry, amigo, but this cat is placing his chips on Cecil Harvey.

FF3>all

the only aspect FF2 was better at is the more-medievil-oriented theme.

but both are great

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Originally Posted by sQuareh4t3r

If I had to choose any game to get me sexually excited, it would be Final Fantasy III.

I swear to God, one day I'm going to make a movie and include a rendition of the Veldt theme (Wild West) in it, because that song's fucking amazing.

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WORD!

:buttrock:

Though I also like that Opera Song "OH MARIA!" that Celes (I always re-named that character after a porn star) had to sing in the Opera House... even if it wasn't actual sung lyrics it was still cool.

GRIZZLY KING

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Originally Posted by God Of Games

Plus, the lack of a central figure is detrimental to the overall resolution.

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Are you kidding me? The central figure of the game is the love triangle between Terra/Tina, Locke, and Celes. However, each character is tied to the events happening in the world around them and the central conflict closely and cohesively enough that the plot never loses momentum or focus, and that's probably the game's most unforgettable feature. I credit this to Ted Woolsey, who was quite the pioneer when it came to the localization (not just translation) of Japanese software to the American market.

What a fucking amazing game FFIII is.

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Originally Posted by Grizzly King

WORD!

:buttrock:

Though I also like that Opera Song "OH MARIA!" that Celes (I always re-named that character after a porn star) had to sing in the Opera House... even if it wasn't actual sung lyrics it was still cool.

GRIZZLY KING

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My friend figured out how to play the "singing" portion of Oh Maria on his midi keyboard.

Needless to say, I had to excuse myself and masturbate furiously. :kekeke:

I do find the irony of this thread rather hilarious though... a Which Final Fantasy entry is the best? type thread by a man who hates SquareSoft (Square/Enix), but I can dig it. ;)

GRIZZLY KING

Voted Final Fantasy III :buttrock:

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Originally Posted by Grizzly King

I do find the irony of this thread rather hilarious though... a Which Final Fantasy entry is the best? type thread by a man who hates SquareSoft (Square/Enix), but I can dig it. ;)

GRIZZLY KING

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Honestly, this username is one that followed me from the days I used to troll around the Final Fantasy VII boards on GameFAQs when I was bored out of my mind. I just never felt any motivation to change it.

However, I will be the first to admit that Square has made some games that will never ever be topped in a million years, most of them being on the SNES. I own pretty much all of their releases from that time period, domestic and import. I guess you could say that I carry quite a grudge against Square for dumbing their shit down as much as they have and whoring themselves to Sony and everything mainstream. Oh well.

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Originally Posted by sQuareh4t3r

However, I will be the first to admit that Square has made some games that will never ever be topped in a million years, most of them being on the SNES

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Don't ever forget Vagrant Story for the psx.

Most absolutely brilliant game they've made in ages, and the best new (not zelda) action-rpg to come out in a long time.

I'm dying for them to come out with a new game that at least uses the same combat/magic/item making system.

Fuck that game owns so hard.

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Originally Posted by sQuareh4t3r

Honestly, this username is one that followed me from the days I used to troll around the Final Fantasy VII boards on GameFAQs when I was bored out of my mind. I just never felt any motivation to change it.

However, I will be the first to admit that Square has made some games that will never ever be topped in a million years, most of them being on the SNES. I own pretty much all of their releases from that time period, domestic and import. I guess you could say that I carry quite a grudge against Square for dumbing their shit down as much as they have and whoring themselves to Sony and everything mainstream. Oh well.

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Yeah, OH WELL is right sadly. :(

...but to me as much as I love FINAL FANTASY III (VI) my all time fave Square game will always be Chrono Trigger. To me that was the perfect RPG in terms of execution, style, artwork, and the fact I wanted to do the time warp again.

GRIZZLY KING

Voted III.

This poll could have included all FF games and my vote would have stayed the same.

Mystic Quest > II > III















But seriously...

II.

It holds a special place in my heart that not even III can fill. It was my very first console RPG. A truly irriplaceable experience.

However, I do admit that III was indeed amazing. I just wish they would have developed the characters a bit more (considering the effort they put into all the characters). Some needed it more than others. Left me wanting more.

The only FF game from the "32bit & Beyond" era to give me the same feeling as the classics was Tactics.

Oh, and I really did enjoy Mystic Quest...

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Originally Posted by Abasuto

Voted III.

This poll could have included all FF games and my vote would have stayed the same.

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DAMN RIGHT!

:buttrock:

III was the epitome of the series. Utter 2D perfection. Not to mention the music, story, gameplay etc.

FFIII is king and will always be.

Final Fantasy IV, one of the fondest memories of my life.

Christmas of 92'. This was long after I had stopped reading Nintendo Power and I wasn't reading any other gaming magazines, so I had no clue about the newly released Super Nintendo other than I wanted it. I begged and pleaded with my parents from Thanksgiving all the way up to Christmas. I would've been content with just the system and super mario world, but on Christmas day there was an additional gift. At first I was like WTF?!, after I opened the box I discovered that my folks also bought me simcity and final fantasy II.

I had no clue that, what I thought at that time was the sequel, was even released. I immediately began to hug thank my folks for a number of minutes then popped in final fantasy II and played from dawn to dawn. It was, honestly, the first marathon gaming session I had ever done. Made it to Palom & Porum's demise before the folks told me to shut it down.

Good times. Best Xmas ever.

FFII/IV is my favorite one. III/VI is very good, but there's too many things they changed that I didn't care for. I thought that the lack of a main character sucked. I didn't like how you only had four people instead of five. I didn't like how everyone pretty much able to be made into a kick ass magic user. I also like the music in II much better.

Sure, the graphics are better, and the game is longer, but I jus didn't like III as much. I guess it's a matter of opinion. FFII is just magical to me. A better universe... I did enjoy FFV as well, which is dumb it's not on the poll, since everyone that wants to has been able to play it now.

I really liked final fantasy 5 much more. It's my favorite of the whole series.

III is better than II in almost every way. The music was better, the graphics, and most importantly - the story. Cecil was cool and all in II, and it was cool to see a grownup Rydia, but everything sort of fell apart at the end. Golbez was supposed to be this complete hardass and at the end you're on some moon in a cave looking for the last guy for whatever reason. Call it a plot twist, I call it a let down.

In III, Kefka was the preemo bad guy in the beginning, and he actually grew in power as you went through the game. First he's some lacky sent out to investigate the main character, then he's poisoning a whole castle, then taking over the empire, then achieves God status in the final battle. Good shit, AND all the characters had a good developing story from the main character, to Sabin/Edgar, Cyan, Setzer, etc. You actually cared about these people. In II they were more or less (to me) sprites on the screen with words here and there. It was ok, but I didn't start to care about the characters until III came along, and that says something.

Final Fantasy III is still the best Final Fantasy, but Chrono Trigger owns all.

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Originally Posted by Wes

Chrono Trigger owns all.

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Yes, yes it does.

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Originally Posted by PUNJABEE

Agreed about Chrono Trigger, but since we're talking Final Fantasy, and only Final Fantasy... FF3 is the best.

Anyone who says otherwise is wrong. FF3 is the best FF to date. Now they are just long movies with about 10 minutes of actual RPG gameplay in them. FF7 was the last real 'FF type' game to me. 8 was retarded, 9 sucked, 10 was a movie and I haven't played 11, but it's Online so it doesn't count.


Chrono Trigger > Final Fantasy III >>>>>>>>> others.

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Really though, how is scrolling through hundreds of lines of text any worse than sitting through a movie scene?

By the way, FFXII is going to kick ass. I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up being the best one ever.

Final Fantasy 6 of course

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Originally Posted by PUNJABEE

Yeah, I see where you're coming from but the thing is, with those lines of text, it just seems more interactive. You press 'a' or whatever to continue the dialogue, and if it came down to where you had to piss during a scene... just don't press A, lol.

In the newer ones you can't do that. I know that doesn't mean they suck, but they just pale in comparison. One thing about FFX that I will say I enjoyed was the Sphere Grid system. I liked that. It almost reminded me of the Esper system in FFIII.

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Yeah, I loved the Sphere Grid. I completely maxed out my characters by winning stuff in the Monster Arena. I think I dumped about 120 hours into that game. Never again.

I prefer FF2(US) to FF3(US). 2 felt like a much tighter game, while 3 started dragging for me during the World of Ruin. Pretty pretentious ending, too. I'm not that huge a fan of the FF series, though, but I did have a lot of fun beating FF2 in sub-8 hour marathon gaming sessions.

Oh, for you fans of VGM, here's Jeremy Soule's orchestral remix of various FF3(US) themes:
http://www.ocremix.org/remix/OCR01130/

Actually they did rename FF2 & 3, IV and VI when they were re-released on the PS1.

I prefer to stick with that numerical system because still calling it 2 & 3 is pointless now since everyone of the FF games has been released here minus the real 3.

But 6 is pretty good.

I kind of like 5 a little more though.

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Originally Posted by DangerousK

I kind of like 5 a little more though.

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The job system killed 5 for me. I kinda like it when every FF character was an 'individual' (like, say, Rydia v Edge), unlike how they ended up becoming clones of each other save for Limit Breaks in the later FFs.

My favorite excuse I heard for FF5 not coming to Super NES in the first place...

"The Americans aren't ready for an advanced character development system yet."

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Originally Posted by Spike Spiegel

I did enjoy FFV as well, which is dumb it's not on the poll, since everyone that wants to has been able to play it now.

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I played through the Japanese version of FFV, and it's probably second only to FFVI/III in my mind, but if you actually read my original post introducing the poll, you would see why it's not one of the options:

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Please note that this poll only takes into account the domestic Final Fantasy titles, so FFV is not an option on this poll.

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Domestic 16-bit releases only. Last time I checked, there's no English version of Final Fantasy V on the SNES (emu does not count).

But anyway, thank you for the thoughtful and insightful posts, people. This thread is making me want to bust out my SNES and start a new game in FFIII now. :D

I agree with the people that said Chrono Trigger owns all. Although FFIII is sharing that first place as my fav games.

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Originally Posted by Dreamer

I agree with the people that said Chrono Trigger owns all. Although FFIII is sharing that first place as my fav games.

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I was never a huge fan of Chrono Trigger. I own it to this day, and have beaten it dozens of times, but for some reason it still doesn't hold a special place in my cold, dark heart like FFIII does. The multiple endings scenario was pretty ace, but other than that I think that FFIII is better in a lot of the ways that count most.

Oh well, let's not derail this thread.

Final Fantasy III is not only the better of the two but the best of all the Final Fantasy games. I know there are better games out there than FF3, but whenever anyone asks, "what's your favorite video game?" the answer is always Final Fantasy III.

FF2 is an awesome gamewithout a doubt, but I just don't think it stands the test of time that FF3 does. I played through FF2 last year, and there was just so much that seemed to be wrong with the game. FF3 fixed all the problems from previous Final Fantasy's and on top of it all has one of the best RPG storylines in history.


Criterionradiohead ;)

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Originally Posted by Wes

Final Fantasy III is still the best Final Fantasy, but Chrono Trigger owns all.

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See, you can tell by your tastes that you have a different opinion than the rest. I can forsee you liking Chrono Trigger if you liked FF3. I liked them both, but still think 2 is better. Both CT and FF3 had a same feel... perhaps the same style in graphics and sound? That must be it.

I didn't like the spells in 3, where as the spells in 2 were awesome. Oh well, to each his own. All of them were good, however. Too bad that the FF series took a huge shit later on in life.

Final Fantasy 2 definitely had the more interesting story, Don't get me wrong Final Fantasy 3 had better visuals, nice characters, and don't forget about the opera scene its melody definitely stole the scene. But RPG's concentrate more on story so I'm going with Final Fantasy 2 at least until I finish part 3. :conf:

FFIII, simply because of Kefka.

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Originally Posted by Spike Spiegel

See, you can tell by your tastes that you have a different opinion than the rest. I can forsee you liking Chrono Trigger if you liked FF3. I liked them both, but still think 2 is better. Both CT and FF3 had a same feel... perhaps the same style in graphics and sound? That must be it.

I didn't like the spells in 3, where as the spells in 2 were awesome. Oh well, to each his own. All of them were good, however. Too bad that the FF series took a huge shit later on in life.

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I loved the spells in FFIII. Come to think of it, FFIII is the only game where I know ALL the spells, items, places etc. by heart. Probably cause I bought the strategy guide with it back then and played it for a month straight many hours a day in summer holiday.

But Chrono Trigger was the game that I anticipated most of all releases. And it delivered.

But what else do you expect from the "dream team"?

:buttrock:
Chrono Trigger was supervised by a group referred to as "The Dream Team", consisting of Hironobu Sakaguchi (producer of the Final Fantasy series), Yuji Horii (scenario designer of the Dragon Quest games), character designer Akira Toriyama (of Dragon Ball and Dragon Quest fame), and Nobuo Uematsu (of Final Fantasy fame). Other noteworthy people involved in the game development were the music composer Yasunori Mitsuda and scenarist Masato Kato, both unknown at that time but later famous for Xenogears and Xenosaga.

At the time of its release the ideas behind the game were revolutionary, involving multiple endings, a truly amazing variety of nearly endless items, a well-developed story that gives each character a chance to shine, a smooth and innovative battle system, almost unparalleled graphics (relative to other games of the time), and much much more.
:buttrock:

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Originally Posted by Spike Spiegel

Both CT and FF3 had a same feel... perhaps the same style in graphics and sound? That must be it.

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Okay, did you play both of those games even? They're nothing alike in terms of the aesthetic. Not even close.

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Originally Posted by Pocketgamer

But RPG's concentrate more on story so I'm going with Final Fantasy 2 at least until I finish part 3

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*sigh*

How can you vote properly if you haven't played both?

I swear...

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Originally Posted by sQuareh4t3r

Okay, did you play both of those games even? They're nothing alike in terms of the aesthetic. Not even close.

*sigh*

How can you vote properly if you haven't played both?

I swear...

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The music is also very different in CT and FFIII, CT was composed by Yasunori Mitsuda and FFIII by Nobuo Uemtasu (both did do a few tracks on CT and FFIII though).

But anyway, I love those soundtracks.

Don't tease the octopus, kids.

I'd slit my mother's throat for a nickel.

FFIII. Squaresoft's ALL TIME defining masterpiece. From the graphics, to the epic soundtrack, character list and little twists in the story, EVERYTHING seems to fall into place perfectly.

Anyone remember the little scene when Lock(e), Edgar & Tina/Terra flee Figaro Castle on Chocobo's and you use Tina/Terra's magic?

Little touches like that and the little dream sequences make it a joy to play.

FFII was/is a great game, but just isn't up to the quality of III.

If there was a gun to my head I'd pick III, but I'm not a big fan of RPG's in general.

I lose interest real quick. Boring.

The original Zelda is probably still my favorite RPG (probably because I played it so much as a kid,) and that game is relatively quick and simple.

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Originally Posted by Stinky-Dinkins

If there was a gun to my head I'd pick III, but I'm not a big fan of RPG's in general.

I lose interest real quick. Boring.

The original Zelda is probably still my favorite RPG (probably because I played it so much as a kid,) and that game is relatively quick and simple.

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Zelda ain't no RPG.

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Originally Posted by Stinky-Dinkins

I lose interest real quick. Boring.

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Yea.

Although Super Mario RPG was kinda fun. Because it was simple.

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Originally Posted by sQuareh4t3r

Okay, did you play both of those games even? They're nothing alike in terms of the aesthetic. Not even close.

*sigh*

How can you vote properly if you haven't played both?

I swear...

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Oh chill out, of course I've played (and beat) both of them. The games are very different, yes, but something about the feel. The gritty but colorful graphics. I can't put my finger on it. Much different from 2 than 3.... eh, nevermind.

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Originally Posted by genjiglove

Zelda ain't no RPG.

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That's probably why I dig it. Fuck turn based nonsense.

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Originally Posted by Aeris

Do me, please, Stinky!

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http://xover.mud.at/~andyl/art/aeris.jpg