Metascore
63 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 31 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 31
  2. Negative: 2 out of 31
  1. It feels much more fun and fresh than its predecessor. [Aug 2007, p.83]
  2. Great blast from the past, although the experience mechanics could be a bit better. Overall, 2D has never looked so sweet
  3. Exciting turn-based battles that grow tiring from time to time. The strategic elements are the most interesting.
  4. 80
    These complaints aside, Final Fantasy II is yet another great addition to the PSP's slowly improving library and really shows off the care and attention that Square Enix puts into its remakes. [Aug 2007, p.88]
  5. Final Fantasy II is an interesting blast from the past for those die hard FF fanatics. Others may not enjoy the fantasy so much thanks to a very odd leveling system.
  6. A wonderful little game that is a must buy for any Final Fantasy fanatic. The revamped graphics, sounds, story, and additional content make the game a valuable addition to your PSP.
  7. Final Fantasy II is a game that sports a refreshed look and feel, but a noticeable lack of added features and content puts a damper on this celebration.
  8. The battle system wears thin quicker than expected and the story comes across as a little flimsy, especially when compared to more current Final Fantasy games. Nevertheless, it offers hours of enjoyment.
  9. You'll most likely find that your level of interest in this game will be based more on your love for the Final Fantasy franchise than the quality of the product.
  10. 70
    For those who are interested in some slightly-skewed nostalgia and the freedom to manipulate their characters' skills on a microscopic level, Final Fantasy II is a perfect time sink of RPG pleasure.
  11. It's old-fashioned, but definitely worth playing for a little bit. [May 2008, p.79]
  12. 61
    But for anyone who can see past Square Enix's flagship branding, there isn't any one aspect of Final Fantasy II that pushes it into the "must try" zone.
  13. A good story with strong production values, but get the first game. [Apr 2008, p.85]
  14. This is the worst Final Fantasy game, and that is a very hard thing to say for a diehard FF fan such as myself.
  15. If you're a serious fan of Final Fantasy and have somehow yet to play the second installment, this is a fairly solid re-make that will at least bolster your appreciation for the series' roots.
  16. Unquestionably visually and aurally stunning, but in the end Final Fantasy II manages to somehow be simultaneously forward-thinking and painfully anachronistic.
  17. The updated graphics are pretty, but the chaotic leveling system and aged gameplay don't hold up very well.
  18. Now that these two games have been separated, it is all too plain why this substandard adventure has never been able to stand on its own legs. [Aug 2007, p.103]
  19. 60
    It's hard to argue that the minor tweaks to FFII -- though improvements they may be -- really justify its being sold individually when it's previously been packed together with the original Final Fantasy so many times.
  20. As much as I enjoy all things Final Fantasy, I find it hard to recommend this version of the game. It has already been released on two other consoles, and the game play has not been changed at all.
  21. Although Final Fantasy II isn't one of the better Final Fantasy games, it's an interesting cog in the 20-year history of the series, and shows how much the series has grown and evolved since its inception.
  22. 60
    Final Fantasy II is the first to truly deliver that experience of being transported to a world filled with fluffy yellow birds and medieval flying machines.
  23. Ultimately, Square Enix really ought to have put this and the first game on one UMD... [Aug 2007, p.82]
  24. 58
    Perhaps in the course of the nearly 30 hour romp I had through Final Fantasy II, I missed some mystical item that magically makes the game fun and so I was never able to actually appreciate the full worth of the game.
  25. They should perhaps forget about the half-hearted measures and just stop putting out these cosmetically-enhanced, half-effort retreads and forge ahead with something new already. Like Parasite Eve 3!
  26. It's still taking the piss though, and Square Enix should be ashamed of themselves for being so lazy and cheeky. Twenty pounds each? Piss off.
  27. While the story is strong the clunky gameplay will irritate. [Dec 2007, p.108]
  28. 50
    While the storyline and plot are more exciting than what we saw in the original Final Fantasy, the rest of the game is pretty damn bland, with the soundtrack being the game's one glimmering moment.
  29. For better or worse, random battles pop up on the screen at a pretty high rate. While this will help in the quest to get stats and skills boosted, it becomes pretty tedious after awhile.
  30. Final Fantasy 2 Anniversary is a grand game to pick up if you're intent on playing it in an updated format made solely for the PSP, but not a good enough value to warrant purchasing it on curiosity or the nostalgic magnetism that draws gamers to remakes in the first place.
  31. Final Fantasy II was a poor videogame in 1988 and no amount of spit and polish will perform the necessary shifts to its foundations to produce a good one in 2007.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. This is another case of a definitive version of a Final Fantasy classic game, much like the PSP rerelease of FF1 (and FF4, which came out recently). The game looks great and improves upon the original version in every way needed. This Final Fantasy is also interesting in that the leveling up is completely unique and different from what is standard in RPGs and Final Fantasys alike. Instead of gaining overall experience points and gaining a level after a specific amount has been obtained, the player improves based on what they are using (ie: your hit points increase if you get hit, your strength goes up if you attack, etc). This is a unique title that is worth a look but might not be for everyone. Thankfully, the difficulty has been scaled back slightly to make things both more accessible and more fun. Full Review »
  2. My first impressions of this game were that the story actually existed this time, and the experience system was changed, as in it was gone. There isn't XP this time, it's a weirder system that works, but you have to get used to it. A lot of reviewers score this game lower than other RPGs because of it, but I don't think it's that big of an issue. In contrast to the first game, Final Fantasy II is a lot easier. I beat the end boss on my first try, so obviously I didn't have much grinding to do and that was refreshing. I can't say that everyone's going to enjoy FFII, but I think it's worth a shot if you want to take a look at the evolution of the RPG. Full Review »
  3. KieranSinclair
    7
    Here we go again with another remake of a remake, with slightly better rendering this time. This game is something of a rip off to buy at the shop, telling us that Square Enix is getting greedy. A better idea would be to sell a 2-disc set along with the original game, or even better put both games on one disc! Beside all this if you get over the simplicity of the game it is a great one for the road with minimal loding time Full Review »