COMBAT/LEVELING SYSTEM: Job System (Final Fantasy I, III, V)
Although Final Fantasy is a role-playing game, there are actually very few games where you can freely select the role you play like the job system.
The job system was in place during a few of the earlier games. It provided players with the freedom to build characters as they wanted. Each job has its own special abilities and stat increases. It meant players could go for traditional teams of fighters like the classic warrior-black mage-white mage-rogue team, but things that are more conventional and challenging, like completing the entire game with four white mages. Doing so was a true test of skill and RPG prowess.
This system didn’t lock certain characters to certain classes. It also didn’t bother with a pesky ability grid or linking abilities to gather powers from enemies. It was true freedom, and it was glorious.
MUSIC: Final Fantasy VII
This was another hard one to nail down. Although, considering almost all of the games in the series had music composed by the legendary Nobuo Uematsu, you really can’t go wrong with any of them.
However, it was Final Fantasy VII that created the most memorable tracks. Gamers still get chills when they hear the first few notes of One Winged Angel (above.) The feelings of urgency and nostalgia when listening to Bombing Mission. The eerie and atmospheric feel of J-E-N-O-V-A. The intense depression brought about with Aerith’s Theme. It left such an impact. It’s no question why, when the Distant Worlds: Final Fantasy concert comes around, much of their set list is from VII. The soundtrack is truly a masterpiece.
That’s all I’ve got. I’m sure you guys have opinions of your own, so what are your arguments for your own favorite aspects of the Final Fantasy series? What say you, gamers? Make your case in the comments below.
