Why yes, it is the middle of the week, plus we’re in the midst of a killer heat wave here in Joburg. There’s only one thing to do, avoid doing any work, find a cool spot in from the air-conditioning and relive the original retro glory that is Final Fantasy.
That’s right, thanks to the glory of emulation, you can now play the original Final Fantasy that started it all right in your browser. I think my favourite part about this is just listening to that amazing soundtrack. Nobuo Uematsu was a genius, even with the limited resources available during the NES generation.
Be warned, like most retro games, this one doesn’t hold your hand. In fact, I recently had to advise our friend our evil competition from a rival site, Dawid how to get into the town as compared to the castle in order to rest at the inn and buy spells. There aren’t any exclamation marks above NPCs’ heads and you will need to figure things out for yourself, but geez is it worthwhile.
Pro-tip, if this is your first time playing, you will probably want a party comprised of a fighter, black belt, white mage and black mage. Sure, you could get through the game with a different party, but it won’t be easy. Even with the ideal party this game is a challenge that stole far too many hours of my time as a little girl.
What I find so astounding is how I remember the storytelling and gameplay from Final Fantasy even all these years later. Sure, the game is incredibly dated now, but certain core features live on and I will never forget the joy of becoming an adult in the game and finally getting an airship. It makes me a bit too happy to see where it all started – I remembered loving this game on NES; it was one cartridge that was never hard to find in my collection because I replayed it so often.
Now, I’m getting excited for Final Fantasy XV. Perhaps my mom was right all those years ago and this is one franchise that I’ll be playing until I’m a crazy old lady.
Last Updated: October 7, 2015
VampyreSquirrel
October 7, 2015 at 13:33
lol no.
DragonSpirit009
October 7, 2015 at 13:33
I already have like five unfinished FF games to play still… Don’t tempt me with more!
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 7, 2015 at 13:34
Killer heat wave in JHB, you all feel so tired, drained even. In CT it’s just nicely warm & sunny, everyone feels revitalised. Where’s Rince?
Geoffrey Tim
October 7, 2015 at 13:36
Whining at me about how JHB is too hot.
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 7, 2015 at 13:39
Just give him a proper brandy & coke, he thinks he knows what it’s like because he’s had a few klippies & cola. He’ll be happy because it’s cold & alcoholic, 10 minutes later you’ll be happy because he’s quiet.
Grand Admiral Chief
October 7, 2015 at 13:59
So he is a cheap drunk eh?
VampyreSquirrel
October 7, 2015 at 13:39
He’s a ginger puddle somewhere in Sandton or something.
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 7, 2015 at 13:40
Tell him to switch on his car’s a/c, not like he has to walk to work. huehuehue
DragonSpirit009
October 7, 2015 at 13:46
Don’t jinx it… I’m very happy with the current weather!
Generic ZA
October 7, 2015 at 14:06
Meanwhile somewhere north of JHB …
One: G’day, Bruce!
Two: Oh, Hello Bruce!
One: How are you Bruce?
Two: A bit crook’d, Bruce.
One: Where’s Bruce?
Two: He’s not ‘ere, Bruce.
One: Blimey, it’s hot in here, Bruce.
Two: Hot enough to boil a monkey’s bum!
One: That’s a strange expression, Bruce.
Two: Well Bruce, I heard the Prime Minister use it. “It’s hot enough to boil a monkey’s bum in here, your Majesty,” he said and she smiled quietly to herself.
One: She’s a good Shiela, Bruce, and not at all stuck up.
Borrowed from Monty Python’s Flying Circus
Brady miaau
October 7, 2015 at 14:35
Aircon. In office, in car, in house. I love Aircon. Heat would leave my drained and tired otherwise.
*Edit* if I had a working car at the moment
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 7, 2015 at 14:52
I’m eternally grateful that I now drive a car with a working a/c. Home I can live without, but I don’t enjoy melting in traffic.
Brady miaau
October 7, 2015 at 15:00
I love my bedroom aircon. In Dec / Jan we get hot here in the true Capital, very much so. Nice to sleep through.
also, car Aircon I like a split unit, so the wife can do heat and I can do cold.
Fabiano Morais
October 7, 2015 at 13:50
Two franchises I’m sure I’ll play until I kick the bucket (main series and/or spinoffs):
Final Fantasy
Dragon Quest
Try as I might, I keep coming back to them.
Brady miaau
October 7, 2015 at 14:42
What, if you will forgive me for asking, is Dragon Quest? A PS Exclusive?
Fabiano Morais
October 7, 2015 at 16:32
I will reply as if you are asking me seriously, because I honestly can’t tell.
The first Dragon Quest was released in 1986 in Japan and, in a nutshell, single-handedly created the JRPG genre, establishing most of the tropes that are still present in way or another on modern JRPGs. It is basically the first console RPG as well, predating even Final Fantasy.
In the course of the last 29 years, the main series and it’s respective remakes spanned from the NES, to the SNES, PS1, PS2, Wii, Wii U, DS and 3DS. The eleventh entry of the main series is in production for the PS4 right now — and it is directed by the very same man that has directed every main entry since 1986: Yuji Horii.
Incidentally, Dragon Quest is THE most sucessful JRPG series in Japan, where games from the main series usually break 1 million units sold on their first weeks.
Grand Admiral Chief
October 7, 2015 at 13:50
“one franchise that I’ll be playing until I’m a crazy old lady”
So only the old part is outstanding then eh?
Raptor Rants
October 7, 2015 at 15:16
Bah. Who needs work avoidance when you’re not at work