Final Fantasy VI was the last installment of the Super Nintendo/Super Famicom era of Final Fantasy titles. Released originally back in 1994, the Steam version of this fantastic classic has gone through some upgrades to make the game more suitable for the current era. It should be noted that this version is a mobile port, and was original released for iOS and Android.
The short and sweet of Final Fantasy VI is this: There was a war, called the War of the Magi, that left the earth in shambles. Magic was all but gone, but you play as a girl named Terra who is able to use magic. Turns out she's half Esper, which are what the summons are called in this entry. The world has been rebuilt over hundreds of years since the war, and it's done so in a pretty steam punk fashion. The main villain, Kefka, dresses almost like a clown and is seeking to destroy the world yet again; of course, it's up to you to stop him. Lots of stuff happens, people die, and you learn the backstory for almost every character that you come across; there are 14 in total, all with their own unique quirks and personality.
The main issue that I have with this entry into the Final Fantasy Franchise is that while the story starts off promising and interesting, it devolves overtime to many of the characters lamenting over past mistakes and grievances. There's little in the way of plot development with Kefka other than knowing he wants to destroy everything, and that he's a deceptive little jerk. Of course, the characters at the end finally snap out of their morose attitude when they make amends with the past, but a good chunk of the game is based around this; and by that, I would say roughly 10 hours of the 30 hour story. The story also turns into the typical "good vs evil" and "lesson learning" stuff that RPGs are made of.
While some allies are incredibly memorable, in my personal opinion I do not find them as noteworthy as those in Final Fantasy IV, and the same can be said for the overall plot, which I found generic by the middle of the game; but of course, people will disagree on this. In fact, I will go as far to say that whichever Final Fantasy is your favorite is ultimately up to you, there is no right or wrong answer here. They're all great in their own right, and they appeal to everyone differently. As far as pre-disc era Final Fantasy games are concerned, I'd say that VI is my second favorite. It's still an incredible classic, with amazing atmosphere, wonderful artwork, and an astonishing soundtrack.
Final Fantasy VI is one of, if not THE most, linear titles of the pre-disc era. In this redone version, the linear path is even further enhanced by the in-game tip/hint system that directs you where to go and what to do next; although it's rarely ever difficult to figure it out. The game itself is also quite easy at the beginning, but it takes on a weird difficulty curve once you get to the World of Ruin. Many people complain about the hero sprites and how they "look stupid", but honestly it didn't bother me even once during the 30+ hours that I played this title. I was too busy admiring the outstanding monsters and captivating landscapes. Not to mention, the gothic-styled soundtrack stands out in this version better than ever before. I personally think that this is a wonderful reboot, in every aspect imaginable; despite it being a mobile port, that fact is really irrelevant.
So the long and short of it, Final Fantasy VI is an amazing classic that has gotten a wicked upgrade for the current era. The soundtrack is immersive, the sprite detail in the monsters and backgrounds is stunningly captivating, and almost everything has been recreated to a perfect T. The people complaining about the hero sprites are undoubtedly shallow. If it bothers you that much, there are mods available. Don't let it deter you from an awesome RPG experience. The fact that this is a mobile port means nothing, it runs at a solid 60 FPS and there are no crash issues, glitches, or bugs in my experience. If you're a fan of the series, go ahead and pick this one up. If you're new to RPGs or Final Fantasy in general, this may be your best starting point due to the linear nature of this title.
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