The Shrine

First Impressions

This game has been taking up all my time lately. While it doesn't have the same production value as some of the games on the Square side (FF4 DS, and such) the 3D backgrounds with Sprites (similar to Xenogears) works out very well for this series. The world is vast, far larger than FF4's for starters. The towns are more interesting than FF4 as well, usually considerably more interesting.

Dungeons, often difficult, but never long, this is something I tend to like. The puzzles and stuff within the dungeon are as good as anything ever put in a Final Fantasy game. I have not reached a point int he game where I felt the least bit frustrated.

The story is also light hearted, as is usual, but with very serious themes, and some conspiracies. It starts off a lot of smaller stories, but then they all link up into one major plotline.

I have more to say, but I`ll write later.


REVIEW IS DOWN BELOW.

Behold! I beat you to it

Even though I have Chrono Trigger, I am going to continue playing through this one. I am about 85-90% through the game now. I really forgot how fun this game is; it's a remake of the best NES RPG, and one of the best RPGs of the era... I haven't played it in over half a lifetime, but it still holds up VERY well. Unless they put in additional content at the end (if there is, don't spoil please), then I should be on Chrono Trigger by the end of the week.

Finished, I'll sum up everything:

General:
-Length was 26 Hours (main quest only, I haven't done any side quests)
-It was a fairly difficult game, but never frustratingly so
-No level grinding done
-Simple battle system which allow for complex strategies (as opposed to a complex battle system which allow for simple strategies which we see too often nowadays)
-If you happened to die (I died 8 times total, each time was because I was either careless or challenged a boss with the wrong party set-up) then you are returned to the town with all treasure and experience intact, gold is halved unless you have the safe which allows you to keep all gold. Given the short length of dungeons, it's never much of a pain to die.
-In most locations experience is shared between all characters, not just those immediately in your party. Some locations (like inside some dungeons) only reward those who are in the party.

Setting:
-Towns were all mostly interesting
-Dungeons were all short, I don't think any of them are longer than 15 minutes (with fights included, minus boss fights)
-Vast world, far vaster than FF4 for example, with way more towns.


Compared to the original:
-New translation which is much more clear on things than the original.
-The game stays very true to the beloved NES original
-Additional content (I won't specify, but fans will love it)
-Great soundtrack
-Graphics are very nice to look at

Comparison to Final Fantasy 4:
-Faster paced
-Easier difficulty
-Shorter dungeons
-Better towns (more fun, bigger, people say more relevant or fun things)
-Longer play time
-Less serious story, fun, but not as involving
-Same encounter rate
-Turn based combat system is way faster than FF4's ATB
-Graphics not as good
-Art style is better (in my opinion)
-Music is not as good

I would just conclude that this game is incredibly fun, and I was satisfied all the way through.