RPG

Final Fantasy Anthology offers two games in one package. This PlayStation release was created by Square Soft in response to demand from fans of the Final Fantasy series of role-playing games. Three compact discs contain the previously Japanese-only release Final Fantasy V and a 32-bit version of Japan's Final Fantasy VI (which was originally released in the U.S. for the Super NES as Final Fantasy III). In addition to these games, Final Fantasy Anthology contains a CD soundtrack by composer Nobuo Uematsu, made up of musical samples from both games.

In Final Fantasy V, you control five characters who are trying to stop an ancient evil from returning to the world. At the start of the game the winds suddenly stop, leaving the lands mysteriously still. The king of Tycoon Castle decides to investigate the Wind Crystal (the world's source of wind) and disappears in the process. His daughter Reina sets out to find him but discovers a large meteor blocking her path. She then meets up with Bartz, a youth who lives his life as a traveler and adventurer, and Galuf, an old man who had been injured and has no memory of his past.

When this group arrives at the sacred resting place of the Wind Crystal, they find the fabled gem shattered. The broken essence of the crystal speaks to them and reveals that they are the chosen ones - and are tasked to discover and stop an ancient evil. From here an epic adventure begins, one that will span three worlds on a quest for knowledge and the destruction of evil.

In addition to its storyline, Final Fantasy V contains other unique elements. Most notable of these features is the Job System. When certain events take place, items will be acquired which allow new "job classes" to be used. Each job has specific abilities and the more Ability Points gained from each job, the better a character can become at those particular skills. This allows almost complete freedom for character advancement and another aspect of strategy in party development.

In Final Fantasy VI, the opening story tells of an ancient war that took place a thousand years in the past. Battles were won and lost by the power of magic and the conflict came to be called the "War of the Magi." This terrible war devastated almost all of humanity. Now, centuries later, all magic has vanished from the world and high technology reigns in its place. Despite the power and advances gained through technology, there are those who would try and bring back the destructive powers of magic.

As the game begins, you control a group of rebels called the Returners, who will stand against an empire bent on power and world domination. Someone is trying to revive magic and possibly cause another apocalypse. It is your job to prevent this. Although magic is not found in the world it can be channeled through Magicite, the mineral-like essence of an Esper, which is a being of pure magic. Magicite can be used to cast spells to summon its respective Esper for a short amount of time and can even improve the abilities of a character. Since each type of Magicite offers different spells and abilities, there is some strategy in deciding which one will go to which party member.

Final Fantasy VI spans two "worlds" and involves up to fourteen different party members. Being the last Final Fantasy game originally released for the Super NES, it is quite lengthy and will take on average 40-60 hours to complete.

The two games on Final Fantasy Anthology are not exact replicas of their 16-bit counterparts, but they are very close. The game graphics are mostly unchanged, in 16-bit fashion like the originals. The sound, however, has been re-mastered to use the capabilities of the PlayStation console and is of a much higher quality than that of the Super NES versions.

The new versions of these games feature lengthy movie sequences at the beginning of each adventure, which gives fans a chance to see more realistically rendered versions of the characters in the game. Also, the version of Final Fantasy VI contained in this anthology has a "bonus" section, where players can watch replays of the movie clips, see original game artwork, and review listings of all the monsters encountered in the game.

Another notable difference between the old and new versions of the games is speed. Since Final Fantasy Anthology runs off compact discs instead of cartridges, the new versions actually run a bit slower due to longer load times.
Overall, Final Fantasy Anthology offers enough new material for fans of Final Fantasy games, but it is close enough to the originals to add a nostalgic feeling for the days of 16-bit role-playing games. ~ David Borowski, All Game Guide

Toan is on a journey, seeking rebirth and renewed hope. He seeks also the evil spirit that has been rampaging through the countryside and enslaving innocent townsfolk. Toan is the hero in Dark Cloud, one of the first role-playing titles released for the PlayStation 2. Dark Cloud features puzzles to solve, NPCs to query, enemies to battle, and even a "lock-on" targeting system similar to the one introduced in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. In addition to several other gameplay conventions common in contemporary RPGs, Dark Cloud features an intricate plot told through over 60 minutes of cut-scenes and an expansive, highly interactive game world.

Dark Cloud also includes a "Georama" mode, in which players design and develop towns and villages in the game world. It seems that several good villagers have been captured and locked away in magical containers, hidden deep in the darkest dungeons and caves. When Toan finds one of these treasures he may open it to free the villagers inside. He also will free the houses and other buildings that were captured and may decide where to place these items. Toan will also decide where to place rivers and trees as he rebuilds a village. By freeing the captured villagers and helping them to build new towns, Toan moves closer to finding the terrible evil that enslaved the good people in the first place. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Created with the support of two multimedia entertainment powerhouses, Kingdom Hearts provides a new adventure with some familiar faces. This 3D action-oriented role-playing title from developers at Square features popular Disney characters like Donald Duck and Goofy adventuring alongside more conventional Final Fantasy-styled heroes.

Tetsuya Nomura, who designed several of the characters in earlier Final Fantasy titles, supervised this game's development. In addition to the well-established Donald and Goofy, Kingdom Hearts introduces several new characters to the Disney universe.

The heroes must embark on a long and dangerous quest to rescue lost friends. Players guide thier characters through sleepy city streets and mysterious torch-lit tombs, facing clever enemies and large boss characters. Most of the action is played out in real-time. Though it features characters often associated with children's programs, Kingdom Hearts is designed to offer a thoughtful, serious role-playing adventure for gamers of all ages. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

The first official sequel to an existing Final Fantasy game, Final Fantasy X-2 continues the story of Yuna as she and two female companions set off on a combat-filled adventure to rescue hero Tidus from captivity. Taking place two years after Yuna's epic battle with Sin, the game also stars Riku and a new character named Paine. Once again actresses Hedy Burress and Tara Strong reprise their roles as Yuna and Riku, respectively, and are joined by Gwendoline Yeo as the voice of Paine. While many of the settings will be familiar to Final Fantasy X players, albeit expanded upon in certain areas, a number of changes have been made to the core game engine.

The Sphere Grid used to build a character's class has been replaced with a job system that has characters instantly switching between roles during battle. Jobs are represented by costumes, with each transformation influencing a character's hit points and abilities. Yuna, no longer aided by the powerful spirits known as Aeons, has learned the fine art of pop singing, which can lull enemies into a daze long enough for others to attack. The turn-based battle system used in Final Fantasy X has also been dropped in favor of "Active Time Battle" found in previous installments. The game's structure has changed as well, with players being given a series of missions to undertake in any order instead of following a scripted path towards the conclusion. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Natsume's unusual series of farming games comes to Game Boy Advance with the release of Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town. As in previous titles, players can go about their day as they see fit, with the overall goal being to become profitable while planting and harvesting various crops or raising livestock. After a hard day's work overseeing the day-to-day operations of the farm, players can visit the city to talk with the locals, spend some time fishing in a nearby pond, or embark on various other side-quests and mini-games. Romance is also part of the series, and characters can eventually marry, have children, and own pets. Friends of Mineral Town also interfaces with the GameCube version of Harvest Moon: It's a Wonderful Life, allowing players access to specific events and other bonuses. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

The Final Fantasy series' PS2 opus is set in Ivalice, a land of swords and sorcery familiar to veterans of Final Fantasy Tactics. Here, magic and technology coexist, as do humans and other intelligent races such a s the leporine viera and the scaly skinned bangaa. Airships, in the form of high-tech hovercraft, are also common in this land of Ivalice, and players will pilot these sky-speeders for transportation, warfare, and (perhaps) even a little privateering.

Character development is designed to be as engaging and empowering as in any Final Fantasy game, and is accomplished by making strategic "license" choices in a chessboard-like graphic interface. Through the game's new "Active Dimension Battle" system, combat progresses in a pause-able real-time flow, offering a sense of action while retaining tactical options. Companion characters can be assigned customizable battle behaviors ahead of time, through the game's "gambit" system.

Ashe, the princess of a small kingdom called Dalmasca, is the star of the story, although she is joined by several other driven and distinctly skilled characters. The nearby Archadian Empire is in a period of reckless, vicious expansion, and as heir to the throne of Dalmasca, it falls to Ashe and her companions to save the sovereignty of their tiny nation from imperial usurpers. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

PlayStation 2 adventurers fire up their network adaptors and return to the online world of Norrath, where new challenges await proven champions. As in Snowblind Studios' original Champions of Norrath, this sequel features fast-paced hack-and-slash combat in the fashion introduced by the developer's Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance, along with Diablo-style instanced online multiplayer adventuring. Veterans of the original Champions can import their characters into this second game, where the level cap has been raised to 80. Two new playable races are introduced in Champions: Return to Arms -- the tiger-like Vah Shir and the reptilian Iksar -- along with 50 new areas and thousands of new weapons and magic items. Also new in this edition is personality-based role-playing; as they progress through the plot, players come across certain moral decisions that can influence the outcome of the story. As in the original, single-player adventuring is also supported, for non-networked PS2 gamers. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Square's 2003 role-playing game makes its DS debut with wireless support for up to four adventurers. As in the GameCube original, notable for its use of the Game Boy Advance as a controller, the world in Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles is enshrouded in a deadly gas called Miasma. To save the realm, players must venture deep within a series of foreboding dungeons to locate ancient trees with the power to purify the air. The Legend of Zelda-style action takes place on the top screen, while the touch screen displays helpful information such as dungeon maps, enemy radar, and the location of treasure chests. After selecting a character from one of four tribes, each varying in strength, defense, health, and magic, players will travel from town to town via caravan. Along the way are opportunities to talk with local townsfolk, purchase supplies, and complete errands, but the focus is primarily on real-time battles with an assortment of colorful enemies. Players can perform melee attacks or cast spells, with teammates able to string together more powerful attacks by quickly tapping buttons in sequence. Each puzzle-filled dungeon culminates in a boss battle that requires a combination of attacks to succeed. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Final Fantasy III is the missing link in Square's critically acclaimed role-playing game series, the one title never localized for North American audiences. That is, until now. Nintendo DS owners will finally experience the game with new 3D graphics and a number of other enhancements. Originally released in 1990 on the Famicom, Japan's version of the NES, Final Fantasy III features updated characters and abilities, a revamped storyline, and a touch-screen interface that makes the game playable solely using the stylus.

Gameplay involves exploring the world from an overhead perspective with areas such as towns and dungeons presented in a closer, more detailed view. Battles adopt a turn-based system with characters able to switch rows to enhance attacks or minimize damage. Final Fantasy III is notable for introducing the job system of character customization, an aspect revisited in subsequent games. Jobs are similar to traditional character classes, but they can be switched during the course of play. Available jobs include monk, mage, warrior, conjurer, and thief, with more exotic roles such as ninja, karate master, and shaman also available. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Pokémon Pearl expands the series by offering trainers a new area to explore and the chance to catch three new creatures. Single-gamers may choose between male and female characters at the beginning of the game, and then begin their quest to become the League Champion. Players must work their way through Shin'ou, a previously unseen area that is based on the landscape of Hokkaido in Japan. Gamers must take on and defeat members of Team Galaxy, a new threat in the Pokémon universe. Pokémon Pearl enhances the series by allowing players to transfer creatures from their Game Boy Advance to the DS using the GBA game slot. Through a wireless connection, gamers may challenge friends to a duel, trade creatures, and talk with friends at the Pokémon Union. ~ Gracie Leach, All Game Guide

Lunar: Dragon Song is a departure from the longstanding role-playing game series, which debuted on Sega CD before seeing enhanced remakes on the original PlayStation. For its DS debut, Lunar: Dragon Song takes place 1,000 years before the events chronicled in 1993's Lunar: The Silver Star Story. Players take control of young Jian as he stumbles upon a frightening discovery in the peaceful world of Lunar: a demonic invasion. Jian vows to stop the threat to his homeland with the help of plucky friends Gabryel, Lucia, Flora, and Rufus. Together the party will vanquish an assortment of evil spirits in turn-based combat, while searching high and low for battle cards that will further enhance each party member's abilities. Special DS features include touch-screen movement, microphone support for issuing commands, and a dual-screen viewpoint for boss encounters and enemies that fight in the air as well as on the ground. The system's wireless function is also supported for trading items with fellow adventurers. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

The second North American PS2 game based on the Fullmetal Alchemist anime series, Curse of the Crimson Elixir follows an original storyline designed to complement the television adventures of the two young Elric brothers. Edward is a precocious, maimed alchemist, and Alphonse's human soul resides in the shell of a hulking mechanical man. As in Square-Enix's earlier Broken Angel, this game features cel-shaded graphics and 3D platform-style combat, for which players can use Edward's powers of transmutation to create new, effective weaponry. The boys have been sent to Siam-Sid, in the ruins of the capital city of Lebis, where they must investigate disturbing stories about disappearing people and strange monsters. Throughout the adventure, players take the role of Edward, who is supported in combat and exploration by the computer-controlled Alphonse. Several other major and minor Fullmetal Alchemist characters appear in the game, all voiced by the actors who portray them in the television series. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Based on Sony Computer Entertainment's popular online realm of magical, virtual pets, this game is set in a 3D realization of the world of Neopia, where single player fans will guide Neopet characters Tormund the Knight and Roberta the Sorceress on an adventure of exploration and danger, to keep the Darkest Faerie from spreading her evil and destroying the land. Originally announced for the PlayStation console, Neopets: The Darkest Faerie has been enhanced for play on the PS2 system. ~ All Game Guide