Final Fantasy II: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox CVG| title = Final Fantasy II |
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Revision as of 16:33, 25 February 2007
Characters
- Firion
- A resident of the country of Fynn. One day, while escaping from a group of dark knights, Firion and his 3 friends are knocked unconscious. He later becomes the leader of the group, and, essentially, one of the top commanders of the Rebels.
- Maria
- Friend of Firion and Guy, as well as Leon's sister. She, along with Leon, Guy, and Firion, are knocked unconscious while escaping from Fynn. She doesn't speak much, but is quite the magician, often turning the tides of battle.
- Guy
- The "brute" of the group. Guy is a real buff attacker, as well as a good tank. Guy barely ever speaks, and when he does, it is often in short, easy to understand sentences. He also speaks the language of animals.
- Leon
- Brother of Maria and friend of Gus and Firion. He is knocked unconscious and brain-washed by the Emperor of Palamecia. He is the infamous "Dark Knight", and later declares himself emperor. Distraught by the return of the Emperor, in repentance, he joins Firion and the others to destroy the Emperor once and for all.
- Hilda
- Former princess of Fynn and leader of the Rebels. She issues commands to Firion and the others.
Setting
Story
The story concerns the adventures of four youngsters from the kingdom of Fynn named Firion, Maria, Guy and Leon. Their parents are killed during an invasion by the army of the emperor of Palamecia, who has summoned forth demons in his quest to dominate the world.
The game opens with the four being attacked by high-level imperial soldiers and left for dead. Firion, Maria, and Guy are rescued by Princess Hilda of Fynn, who has established a rebel base in the nearby town of Altair after the Emperor's capture of Fynn. Hilda denies a request by Firion that he, Maria and Guy join the rebel army on the ground of them being too young and inexperienced. Eager to prove their value to the resistance movement, the three set off for the besieged Fynn, where the four find an ailing Prince Scott of Kashuan, Princess Hilda's fiance, in the basement of the rebel-friendly local pub. Scott dies of his wounds from the battle of Fynn against the Emperor, but not before giving the party his ring, which reveals the world map. He also informs them that Borghen betrayed the rebellion and became a General in the Imperial army. He tells the party to tell Hilda that he loves her, but retracts the request, and dies shortly afterward. The three adventurers return to Altair and present Hilda the ring, who after an emotional reminescance of Scott, allows them to join the rebel movement.
Having proved their worth, the party is charged with journeying to the mountainous northern parts of the world to find mythril that the rebels need to make weapons that can measure up to that of the Empire's. Before leaving, the party is joined by the white mage Minwu, who healed the party at the beginning of the game. The four sail across the ocean to the eastern continent and make it north to the mountain village of Salamand, which is under siege by the Empire and forced to mine mythril for the Imperial army. There they meet Josef, the hero of the town, who informs them that the men of the village are being forced to mine mythril in the Semmit Falls. Josef, however, can do nothing, as his daughter, Nelly, is being held captive.
The party enters the mine and saves the captives, including Nelly and Paul, who is supposedly the world's best thief. The party defeats an Imperial soldier and returns to Altair with the mithril. The party is then told to go to Bafsk, which is under General Borghen's command and is easier to infiltrate. However, the party is too late to stop the Dreadnought from being completed. A plan is formed to use the Sunfire from Kasuhan Keep, but to enter, either the Goddess Bell or the voice of a Kashuan is needed to open the keep. Josef helps the party enter the snow caves with a snowcraft, and the party retrieves the bell. On the way out, Borghen attacks the party, and although he is defeated, he sends a boulder after the party. Josef holds back the boulder to allow the party to escape, but is crushed to death.
The party reaches Kashuan Keep, where they find Gordon has already entered. Although they retrieve Egil's Torch, and use it to capture the Sunfire, the Airship- with Cid and Hilda on board- is captured by the Dreadnought's crane arm. The party enters the airship and saves Hilda, before throwing the Sunfire into the engine. Immediately after doing so, the Dark Knight appears, and Maria recognizes his voice before she escapes.
The King of Fynn, now close to death, summons Gordon, Minwu and Firion's group into his bedroom and gives them assignments. Gordon is given command of the rebel army, Minwu is told to find the Ultima Tome, and Firion's group is given the task of finding the seemingly extinct dragoons of Deist. The king then dies of his wounds. Firion's group realizes that no captain will take them to Deist save one- Leila. Leila, however, turns out to be a pirate, and orders her crew to attack Firion's party. The party fights them off, and although Leila expects that Firion will kill her, he instead asks for her help in taking them to Deist, a request with which she complies. In Deist, the party finds only a mother with her son, learning that the all but one of the Dragoons and all but one of the Wyverns are dead, partly as a result of Imperial poison. The party obtains a pendant to speak with the last Wyvern, who tells the party to take its egg to a pool deep in the cave before it dies. The party plants the egg in the cave, and fights off some monsters that come after it.
The party returns to Altair, where they learn that Hilda has been acting oddly, eating mice and acting seductively. She summons Firion to her room and tries to seduce him, revealing her true form as a Lamia Queen. The party defeats the Lamia Queen, and learns that they had rescued a decoy on the Dreadnought; the real Princess is in the Arena; Gordon goes to save her while leaving Leila to run the rebellion. The party defeats a Behemoth to win the Princess, but the Emperor tricks them and has the Dark Knight and his soldiers throw them in jail. Paul, however, breaks them out, and the party saves the real Princess.
Upon their return, the party learns that Hilda and Gordon are launching an attack on Fynn, and infiltrate the castle to kill the commander of the enemy forces. Hilda then tells the party that Minwu has not been heard from for some time, and tells them to search for him. The party acquires a Crystal Rod to enter the tower after acquiring other relics, but Leviathan swallows their ship and separates them from Leila. They meet Ricard (his name is based on the Game Boy Advance translation, and varies significantly with the translation), the last surviving Dragoon, who had set out to find the Ultima Tome, and they join forces. After gaining another ship, they sail to the Magicians' Tower. At the top, Minwu explains that he was waiting for the party, and then casts a powerful spell to shatter the Ultima Tome's seal, at the cost of his own life.
The party returns to Fynn and sees that many towns have been destroyed by the Emperor's Cyclone. The party calls upon the newly born last wyvern to take them to a castle inside the Cyclone, where they confront and kill the Emperor. Everyone celebrates the Empire's defeat, but a mortally wounded soldier arrives and reveals that the Dark Knight has taken the throne and plans to destroy the Rebels with the Imperial army. He then makes a more shocking revelation- that the Dark Knight is Leon, Maria's long-lost brother. The party realizes that they will have to infiltrate the castle of Palamecia from the air after talking with Paul, and receive the airship from a dying Cid, who was mortally wounded by the Cyclone.
The party enters the castle and confronts Leon, who, although no longer in the service of the Emperor, wishes to rule the world. Then the Emperor returns in a new demonic form, and reveals that he does not seek to regain the Empire, but to destroy the entire world. As he summons magical fire against the party, the Wyvern arrives, and takes the party to safety as Ricard holds off the Emperor and dies. Princess Hilda is shocked to see Leon on their side, but Maria convinces her to trust him, and Leon agrees to help his friends and sister once again.
The party enters the Jade Passage, an underground cavern near a lake, and find a portal to Pandemonium. The party fights its way through the fortress, and reaches the Emperor at the top, defeating him for a second time. The party then receives congratulations for their efforts, and learns of Hilda and Gordon's plan to unite Fynn and Kashuan, which may indicate that they plan to marry. Paul is upset that he will no longer have the Empire to steal from, and suggests that he will steal from the former rebels. Leila invites Firion to become a pirate, but Maria objects, and Leila suggests that Firion will have to deal with her in the future. Maria hopes that they will live together as they once did, but Leon says that they cannot live together again- some translations have him indicating that they know too much about each other, which may refer to his lust for power. Maria begs Firion to stop him, but Firion believes that Leon must follow his own path, but tells him that they will be waiting for him, as though he hopes that Leon will return someday.
Development
An early press release video of the game reveals that the series may have originally been intended to continue by using Arabic numerals rather than Roman numerals. The video also reveals a different logo for the game.[1] Most of the original staff reprised their jobs for this game. Because of the popularity of the series in America during the 1990s, Final Fantasy II was one of the first games to undergo fan translation, in this case by NeoDemiforce.[citation needed]
Musical score
Final Fantasy II was originally scored by Nobuo Uematsu, and it was Uematsu's 19th work of video game music. The game's music was arranged by Tsuyoshi Sekito for the WonderSwan Color, PlayStation, and Game Boy Advance remakes. The original score was released on CD together with the score of Final Fantasy in 1989. Arranged versions of some of the tracks were included on Symphonic Suite Final Fantasy, released the same year.
Unreleased English version
Following the successful release of the original Final Fantasy by Nintendo in 1990, Square Soft, Square's North American subsidiary, began work on an English language localization of Final Fantasy II. Assigned to the project was Kaoru Moriyama, whose later work included script translations for Final Fantasy IV and Secret of Mana. Although a beta version was produced, and the game was advertised in several Square Soft trade publications, the age of the original Japanese game and the arrival of the Super NES, the NES's successor console, led Square Soft to cancel work on the Final Fantasy II localization in favor of the recently released Final Fantasy IV (which, to avoid confusing North American gamers, was retitled Final Fantasy II to reflect the jump in releases).[2]
Although a prototype cartridge of the NES Final Fantasy II was produced (with the subtitle Dark Shadow over Palakia), the project was, by Moriyama's own admission, still far from complete:
We had so very limited memory capacity we could use for each game, and it was never really "translating" but chopping up the information and cramming them back in… [Additionally] our boss had no understanding in putting in extra work for the English version at that time.
In 2003, when the game was finally released to English-speaking audiences as part of Final Fantasy Origins, it was released with a brand new translation produced under the supervision of Akira Kashiwagi. NeoDemiforce's fan translation of the game, similarly, made use of an original translation, as the existence of the prototype cartridge was not common knowledge at the time.[2]
Other versions
WonderSwan Color
| WonderSwan Color remake | |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | JPN Square |
| Release date(s) | JPN May 3, 2001 |
| Platform | Bandai WonderSwan Color |
| Media | 32 megabit Cartridge |
In 2000, Bandai announced a color version of its WonderSwan handheld aptly titled the WonderSwan Color. Enhanced remakes of the first three Final Fantasy games were revealed as part of the console's lineup.[3] Final Fantasy II was subsequently shown at the Tokyo Game Show the following year and was officially released on May 3, 2001.[4] A special Final Fantasy II edition of the console was later released bundled with the game.[5]
Noted for not just being a port of the original game, the game received a complete graphical update including larger character sprites, redone music and Yoshitaka Amano character portraits, and full graphical backgrounds in battle mode. Menu shortcut keys and a run button are also included as new features.[6]
PlayStation
| PlayStation remake | |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | JPN Square Co., Ltd. |
| Release date(s)
|
|
| Platform | Sony PlayStation |
| Media | CD-ROM |
Released both individually (in Japan only) and alongside Final Fantasy I in a collection entitled Final Fantasy Origins (or Final Fantasy I+II Premium Collection in Japan), the PlayStation port of Final Fantasy II was based on the WonderSwan Color version. Most of the changes instituted in that version of the game remain in this version. However, there are a few differences. Although the graphics are basically the same as in the WSC version, the higher screen resolution of the PlayStation means that most have been improved to some degree, with more detail. Tsuyoshi Sekito also remixed the soundtrack to Final Fantasy IX quality to utilize the audio capabilities of the Sony PlayStation and also composed a few new tracks like the ones used in the opening movies.[7]
In the Japanese language version, the script has been changed to include kanji. Character and magic name lengths have been increased from four to six characters, as well. Saved game data takes up one block on the PlayStation memory card, which means that up to fifteen games can be saved onto each memory card, a major improvement. The "quick save" feature of the WSC version has been excised, but in its place a "memo save" feature has been introduced where game data can be temporarily saved to the PlayStation's RAM. This data remains until the system is turned off, or its power supply is otherwise interrupted. There are also full motion video cutscenes and omake. The game is now bookended by two full-motion, prerendered video cutscenes. An "omake" (or bonus) section has also been made available. It includes a bestiary, an art gallery, and an item collection that are unlocked as the player progresses through the game.[8]
Game Boy Advance
| Game Boy Advance remake | |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | JPN/  / Nintendo
|
| Release date(s)
|
JPN July 29, 2004/ November 29, 2004 EU December 3, 2004 |
| Platform | Nintendo Game Boy Advance |
| Media | 128 megabit Cartridge |
Another fairly extensive list of changes accompanies the Game Boy Advance release of Final Fantasy II as part of Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls.
The difficulty level of the Game Boy Advance version most closely resembles the "easy mode" of the Final Fantasy Origins. Unlike that version, however, there is no option to switch back to the original difficulty level.[citation needed] Similarly, the redirection of "ineffective" hits, which had been optional since it was introduced in the WSC version, is now mandatory. Graphics are more or less identical to the PlayStation version, although the GBA has a slightly lower screen resolution than the PSX. Changes to the battle and character development systems were also made, including the elimination of the "action-cancel" bug, removal of stat decreases, and implementation of regular maximum hit point increases (in addition to increases due to hit point depletion as true of other versions).
This version of the game also featured a completely original feature found in none of the other contemporary remakes. Once completed, a bonus storyline entitled Soul of Rebirth would be accessible to the player, featuring a number of characters who had been killed off during the course of the main story. The game only features 4 areas and most of the time will be spent training up for a 2nd encounter with the last boss. An Ultima tome can be achieved but it requires the killing of the extremely powerful Ultima Weapon.
The game was delayed in release because of several bugs discovered at the last minute.[9]
Mobile phone
| Mobile phone remake | |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | JPN Square Enix |
| Release date(s)
|
|
| Platform | NTT DoCoMo 901i series, KDDI au BREW Yahoo! Keitai |
| Media | Paid download |
In 2004 and 2006, Square Enix released a version of Final Fantasy II for three Japanese mobile phone networks[10]. Graphically, the games are superior to the original 8-bit game, but not as advanced as many of the more recent console and handheld ports.
PlayStation Portable
For the 20th anniversary of Final Fantasy Square-Enix is planning to remake Final Fantasy I and II for the PSP with brand new high resolution 2D graphics, and featuring the FMV from the Origins and the bonus dungeons from Dawn of Souls.[11]
Reception
Gamespot gave Final Fantasy II, as part of the Game Boy Advance re-release as part of Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls a 7.2, noting its mostly outdated graphics but praising their length and bonus content.[12] IGN noted the great improvement in the translation of the story and the adding of later Final Fantasy features, such as being able to save anywhere in the overworld map without a tent or cabin.[13]
The Dawn of Souls release was called the Game of the Month for March 2004 on the Game Boy at IGN.[14]
References
- ^ "Final Fantasy II 2". Video Game Ads. 1990-01-01. Retrieved August 31.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Chris Collette. "Spotlight: Final Fantasy II". LostLevels.org. Retrieved 25 August.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); External link in|work=|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Craig Harris (September 8, 2000). "Final Fantasy Goes WonderSwan Color". IGN.com. Retrieved 2006-09-03.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); External link in|work= - ^ David Smith (March 29, 2001). "TGS 2001: Final Fantasy II for Wonderswan". IGN.com. Retrieved 2006-09-04.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|year=(help); External link in|work= - ^ Wonderswan Gamer (January 19, 2006). "Final Fantasy II Boxset". Wonderswan Gaming. Retrieved 2006-09-04.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ fastbill1. "Final Fantasy II". PortableReview.com. Retrieved 2006-09-04.
{{cite web}}: External link in|work= - ^ Triche, Stephen (2002). "Final Fantasy Origins". gamevortex.com. Retrieved 2006-03-08.
- ^ Unicorn Lynx (July 11, 2003). "Game Trivia for Final Fantasy Origins". mobygames.com. Retrieved 2006-03-08.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|year=(help)CS1 maint: year (link) - ^ Anoop Gantayat (July 2, 2004). "Final Fantasy Pushed Back". IGN.com. Retrieved 2006-09-03.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|year=(help)CS1 maint: year (link) - ^ http://www.square-enix.co.jp/mobile/ff/
- ^ "Square-Enix to remake FF I and II for anniversary". IGN.com. Retrieved 2007-01-18.
- ^ Bethany Massimilla (2004-11-29). "Final Fantasy 1 & 2:Dawn of Souls". Gamespot.com. Retrieved August 31.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Jeremy Dunham (2004-11-30). "Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls". IGN.com. Retrieved August 31.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ IGN Staff (November 30, 2004). "GBA Game of the Month: November 2004". IGN.com. Retrieved 2006-09-03.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|year=(help)CS1 maint: year (link)
External links
- Final Fantasy Origins official site
- Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls official site
- Final Fantasy Wiki category list for Final Fantasy II
- Final Fantasy II for the NES at MobyGames
- Final Fantasy II for the WonderSwan Color at Moby Games
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