Highly Recommended
A polished nostalgic trip back to where it began
Once again, I find myself buying and playing yet another graphical version of the original Final Fantasy. I’ve gone from the 8-bit NES original, to the 16-bit Origins version on PlayStation, to the upscaled iOS style that used to be the go-to option before the pixel remaster came along. It’s a little funny how many times I’ve revisited this particular game when there are clearly better stories and mechanics waiting in the later entries, but there’s just something about going back to where it all started.
The pixel remasters look gorgeous, and honestly, my favorite piece of the package might be the orchestral arrangements of that iconic soundtrack. I appreciate how tight the original story is, though it does suffer a bit from requiring you to really dig in and figure out where to go next without much guidance. Older versions also leaned hard on grinding for gold and experience, but the pixel remaster fixes that by adding an optional boost feature that lets you decide how much of that grind you actually want to deal with.
For this playthrough, I was mainly revisiting for the overall pixel remaster experience, so I opted into the boosts. Just know that doing so makes the game noticeably easier, since you’ll be plowing through most enemies with your boosted stats. The final boss, however, still manages to put up a real fight.
I also love that this version comes with its own set of achievements to chase. On top of that, there’s a bestiary you can fill out as you encounter and defeat enemies, which is a satisfying little collectible to track alongside your playthrough, and an illustration gallery that’s a nice treat for anyone who appreciates the series’ artwork over the years.
While not the most compelling story or best game systems, the pixel remaster of the original Final Fantasy is worth your time and money spent on it, especially for returning fans of the entry.