Origin and Remembrance
It’s always amusing to see what I remember and what I don’t. Well, the stuff I don’t remember I can’t really amuse myself with… or something. But anyway! I remember exactly the two video games that got me hooked on role-playing games; they were Final Fantasy and Dragon Warrior (aka Dragon Quest).
Were it not for these two titles, I don’t think I would’ve been into role-playing games or even bothered to pick up a fantasy book (Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey was the first by the way).
The first of the two games I bought was Dragon Warrior. The only reason, that I remember, why I got it was because it looked fun. The box art was attractive and the manual. oh the manual was awesome. 8-bit graphics aren’t all that great but back then, the blocky graphics were used to enhance imagination. It took a while, but I finished the game. Back then, it was a great accomplishment mainly for the fact that there weren’t many hints as to how to beat the game. There wasn’t a Game FAQs but at least I had maps for all the dungeons. But to actually get through the content, it was trial and error. Lots of error.
After saving the world in Dragon Warrior, I got Final Fantasy. If I was blown away by Dragon Warrior, I was obliterated with Final Fantasy. The prologue quest portion was just amazing. It took a while to beat that first boss and when it was finally done, the main portion of the game occurs and you realize it was just the beginning. Instead of traveling alone, I was able to create three other characters. That was pretty cool. Not having to trek it alone means a better chance for survival.
Admittedly though, I never beat Final Fantasy. And as if that set the tone, out of all the Final Fantasy games i’ve played, I only beat two of them. The first was Final Fantasy III (Final Fantasy VI) and Final Fantasy VII. I’ve always toyed with the idea of finishing the original Final Fantasy but my NES doesn’t play and I haven’t touched my Gameboy Advanced version. But now a PSP version has been released. Revamped graphics (but still in the style of the original) and added cutscenes (from a previous incarnation). Square-enix is milking the old titles for all their worth. While being one of those that loathe remake after remake after remake (I mean, how many times can you beef up the original Star Wars trilogy before it loses its luster?), I am seriously thinking of getting this latest remake.
More for old times sake and because I want to beef up my portable games library with more role-playing titles.
Seriously, it’s not because I feel guilty for leaving my PSP behind on my latest vacation trip.
