Here is a game that takes you into a whole new world and never lets you out. Final Fantasy, a wonderful game series, this title in particular happens to be a remake of the first two Final Fantasy's. Now when I first played this game I wondered how it worked, because for those who have played the two titles know that they both have different leveling systems. For instance, Final Fantasy I has your standard gain EXP and level up concept while Final Fantasy II gives you a list of skills that depending upon what you do and what you use level up individually. However, turning the game on I came to a menu that actually let me have a choice on which one I wanted to play. My initial thought, "this is pretty freakin' sweet!"

So since that is how the game is set up, I will review both games individually within one review. I think it will makes things a little more clear for the readers and will help decide which game the reader would be more interested in. I rated the whole game a 9.5, I thought it was pretty cool that both games were featured in as separate titles instead of put into one. Personally I played the Final Fantasy I first so that is where I will begin.

Final Fantasy I is a role playing game, at the start you choose what kind of character you wish your party to have. Example: warrior, white mage, red mage, black mage and thief etc. Once you have chosen your party you then proceed to name them, and if you feel uncreative at this point there is an auto name feature which I find pretty handy. Once you are thrown in the world then all you must do is defeat the first boss, and help the rest of the world save their crystals going from town to town. Some may be unsuccessful in the beginning, but later in the path all will be right with the world and you will save all of the crystals being the warriors of light that you are. As said in the legend spoken to you in the beginning of the game. That is pretty much the simple run of Final Fantasy I.

Final Fantasy II is one of the only titles in Final Fantasy that I can think of (or have ever played) that can possibly be a squeal to Final Fantasy. It is pretty much the same concept you must go from town to town and help save the world by defending the crystal that a few towns acquire. However, there are some differences with the two titles. For instance, like mentioned before the leveling system is different and the characters are not the warriors of light.

If these games were the original copies for the NES then I would rate them about a 7 for graphics because of how unadvanced technology was at that time, it was nice to look at but it wasn't exactly a definable looking game. However, since this is a remake and the graphics have improved for both games drastically I rate the graphics and sound a 9. These games where very beautiful to look at and the sound quality was a lot better than the 8-bit sound of the older games (granted I love the 8-bit sound), with its updated tiles and sprites even the monsters look more clear and defined.

As for the addictiveness an 8, two really good games with story lines that are easy to follow and really quite interesting once you really get into the game. I pick this game up and play for hours, the only times I ever really put it down is when I have to do some serious level grinding but I think this is more of a personal issue really, because I just get kind of tired of fighting the same monsters over and over again. Not to mention how many times you will encounter a random battle, it happens just about everywhere except in towns of course. Story I rated an 8, they where both very interesting and I think very well thought out. Although Final Fantasy II may have been a bit of a copy of Final Fantasy I, it had it's own set of differences and was really interesting.

For the depth and difficulty I rated them both a 7, the games are both quite long and have many hidden items and things of the sort. I still haven't found everything in the game, and I have been playing Final Fantasy since I was about seven. Also this game can get really challenging, enough random battle encounters and you will suddenly have fallen party members or at some point you will encounter an extremely hard boss that won't be defeated unless you level grind like crazy. But the games are not impossible, in fact if it wasn't for things that I just mentioned it wouldn't be hard at all.

Over all Final Fantasy I & II Dawn of Souls is a wonderful remake of two iconic games rolled into one. I suggest them to any fan of the franchise or anyone that is into RPG's. They have wonderful story lines, and the graphics for these remakes will not bore you or turn you off from the game. Also, I know at some point it will more than likely be asked which title do I prefer to play? The first one, I enjoyed the game a lot especially when I took my first run through it. With the second one I liked it almost as much if it wasn't for the skills leveling system, it just generally confuses me and at times I have a hard time deciding which skill I want to level up for each character. Anyway, I hope that this review has inspired you to pick up this game and give it a shot, I hope for those who have not played it that you enjoy the games and have an amazing adventure.

This is an excellent review! I myself am a big fan on final fantasy, and I played the first and second one before, and I plan on playing again!

s34n4e : I know what you mean sometimes the dungeons on the first one can become kind of complex, but all in all I prefer the first one to the second mainly because of the leveling systems and like you said the boss at the end of FFII. When I play RPG's I kind of prefer that simple gain exp. and level up instead of leveling up individual skills which I have kind of a hard time keeping track of especially if there are more than one character to control, but I did enjoy playing FFII nonetheless.

mscoral : Thanks a lot, it is always nice to hear that I am doing well on my reviews. I take a lot of time to work on them usually I play the game before I start the review but for this one I have played these games so many times so that wasn't the case. I have been planning on picking it up again though, can't keep me away from a lot of FF titles.