Final Fantasy Critic Reviews

Gamers who are used to contemporary titles may find this one a little too simplistic and old for their tastes but if you can look beyond that, you'll be treated to an amazing rendition of a classic console RPG.

As the traditional RPG goes the way of the dodo, a play through the original Final Fantasy is a nice, entertaining way to rediscover the genre’s roots and remember why a lot of us got into these games in the first place. And this really is the ultimate remake of the game that started it all.

Far more than a cynical cash-in, this PSP version of Final Fantasy is the perfect opportunity to see where it all began.

Anyone coming to this game free of any prior experience with Final Fantasy in its previous incarnations will not be disappointed and longtime fans of the series in general will be gratified by witnessing the roots of such a storied franchise. However, those hardcore fans that have played the GBA version may find little to bring them back except the luscious screen resolution of the PSP.

It's definitely old-school, but it's just as fun and charming as it was 20 years ago - only with modern tweaks that make it even better.

The gameplay is tried and true, not attempting to hide how simple the battle system really is.

If you’re new to the FF universe, consider this game as your initiation into the fold.

This is the best version of this game out there, and every RPG fan should experience the original "Final Fantasy" at least once.

Despite the game generally being the same as it was the last few times I played it, the PSP version pulled me right back in as if it were a completely new experience, and I didn’t want to let go.

Final Fantasy I Anniversary for the PSP is a must purchase for fans that may have missed out on previously released versions.

A nice and polished remake of a beloved classic, Final Fantasy I is a good game for an RPG fan with only a PSP who hasn’t played any previous remakes of the title. However, if you already have, chances are you’ll want to skip this one, since it doesn’t bring anything new to the table.

Beyond the reworked graphics, you won't find much legitimately new content here. Patient players seeking an absurd challenge will dig the verging-on-unfair PSP-exclusive Labyrinth of Time dungeon, in which your characters' hit points constantly deplete over time. But truthfully, original additions feel scant.

If it wanted to make an impact, the company should've re-mastered the game, similar to what it did with Final Fantasy III on the DS, removing the 2-D visuals in exchange for 3-D graphics. With that being said, this Final Fantasy offers an overpriced but enjoyable experience. The lower the gamer's expectations, the better.

Ultimately, it comes down to $30 for a single game when two games were about as much just a couple years back. If you're that big a Final Fantasy fan, then there's really nothing more to say. If not, you're not missing much.

Final Fantasy Anniversary Edition is an excellent visual upgrade to the original version with support for the PSP's widescreen enhanced graphics, but it only slightly improves on gameplay and offers just a small amount of new additional content.

As it stands, fans of the original game will eat this up and newcomers to the RPG scene will adore it, but hardcore role-playing fans will more than likely want to pass.

Buy it if you didn't play it the first time, but otherwise prepare to be disappointed.

A deeply nostalgic trip for the fans. Even by today's standards this is not a bad RPG, but the lack of proper story and the constant fighting make it hard to recommend it to casual gamers. The PSP-version is definetely the best version of this game, thanks to the new, upgraded graphics.

A beautiful trip down memory lane, but only if you missed the other remakes.

Distressingly little effort went into crafting this anniversary package: Square Enix merely cobbled together aspects from the PS1 and GBA remakes, touched up the graphics with high-resolution art, and added one new, ultra-difficult dungeon at the game's end.