Final Fantasy III (ds: 2006): Reviews

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Final Fantasy III


7.9

based on 45 reviews
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How did we calculate this?

based on 38 votes
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GameSpot Hints & Cheats

Official Website

The only Final Fantasy that was never localized—the third installment of the original series—will finally reach North American shores. Lauded as "legendary" by the Japanese fan base, Final Fantasy III has been reborn, incorporating the latest in portable gaming technology. Using the features of the Nintendo DS to their fullest, Final Fantasy III features graphics that have been reworked and remodeled in 3D, while maintaining the mythical Final Fantasy look and feel. This is the fans' chance to complete the circle. The legend of Final Fantasy III is reborn. [Square Enix]

PUBLISHER:	Square Enix
DEVELOPER:	Square Enix
GENRE(S):	Role-Playing Game
PLAYERS:	1
ESRB RATING:	E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older)
RELEASE DATE:	November 14, 2006

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Detroit Free Press

It's got the familiar, turn-based attack game play that we've learned to love, and the dynamic job system and a complex plot would make it a perfect holiday gift.

100

GameShark

The DS needs more innovative and fun games like Final Fantasy III and Rocket Slime, and Square Enix is doing its part to make that happen.

Gaming Age

One of the finest RPG titles released in the past decade, and is a crucial game to grab for the Nintendo DS.

Gamer 2.0

The fact that you can play the game using just the stylus and touch screen just adds to the new feeling, and after playing this way—it’s hard to think that eventually someday players would have to go back to pressing buttons when playing RPG’s.

Cheat Code Central

Yes, the gameplay can get tedious. Yes, the traveling can be slow at times. Yes, it can be difficult and require plenty of trial and error. But if you're a RPG warrior, all these challenges comes with the territory.

Official Nintendo Magazine UK

There's so much depth and richness to the experience. [June 2007, p.78]

Gaming Target

Final Fantasy III is a terrific-looking RPG that what it lacks in story, nearly makes up for in its addictiveness and charm. The game can be pretty tough and the job system isn’t as polished as those in Final Fantasy V or Tactics, but it’s easily one of the best RPGs for the DS.

eToychest

Once players start to acquire more and more interesting jobs, allowing a varied number of party customizations, the game begins to come into its own as yet another enjoyable, well-polished Final Fantasy title that any Nintendo DS RPG fan would be proud to own.

GameBrink

An excellent remake that remains very much true to the original game. [JPN Import]

Digital Entertainment News

Final Fantasy III benefits from a complete makeover in its first US appearance, transforming from the ugly duckling of the mainline Final Fantasy series into a must-have for DS owners!

GameTrailers

Final Fantasy III is a solid product. The shortcomings with the saves and lack of DS tech infusion are unfortunate, but as an RPG it’s the real deal, and shows why the franchise is so revered.

NGamer UK

Turn-based fighting of the highest order on Nintendo DS. [Mar 2007, p.66]

G4 TV

Final Fantasy III is the gaming equivalent of comfort food. It tells a tale of crystals and chocobo we've heard a dozen times before, it delivers old school challenge and does its job with the kind of confidence that comes with 20 years of experience.

GameZone

While it is a brutally challenging game that might turn off the more casual gamer, it stands as one of the best portable RPGs available for the DS this year.

Nintendo Power

Square Enix may have transformed FINAL FANTASY III into a thing of beauty, but they haven't polished out its bumps and quirks to make it appeal to modern tastes. [Jan 2007, p.103]

GameSpy

It also helps that the game looks and sounds great, so if you can deal with the random battles and repetitive turn-based combat, you're in for a treat that should entertain for months to come.

Modojo

The best part of the game are the job classes. Final Fantasy III was the first of the series to feature job changing, which helps the replayability aspect of the game.

1UP

Hardcore RPG players may enjoy it more than modern Final Fantasy titles, thanks to its emphasis on skill development and combat. Casual players may find themselves surprised by how addictive simple level-grinding and monster-slaying can be.

GamePro

Through and through, this remake of Final Fantasy III has been a wonderful return to old school RPGs. Fans of Final Fantasy will definitely enjoy this nostalgic trip to a simpler time, and RPG fans in general would be well served to pick up this fun title.

Game Informer

Providing you’re the type of person who doesn’t have any trouble going back and playing 8-bit games, Final Final III is an excellent handheld homage to a bygone era.

PALGN

Final Fantasy players who missed out on the original - which is a highly likely scenario - can't go wrong by nabbing this professionally updated piece of gaming nostalgia.

RPG Fan

In the end, if you're a fan of RPGs, the kind of person Square Enix wants to pick up this game, you're going to like Final Fantasy III.

GameSpot

Not only is this a nicely done remake of an influential, little-seen early chapter from this long-running role-playing series, it's also an all-around solid RPG.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

The game's addictive job system makes plowing through the fun battles worthwhile. [Dec. 2006, p.152]

IGN

Even though we personally had a blast with Final Fantasy III, this one is going to be a serious judgment call on a gamer-by-gamers basis. For any unassuming casual gamer out there, be warned, as Final Fantasy III hits hard and plays like the demanding days of old.

Just RPG

There are a large number of sidequests, which is fitting, but the majority of them actually depend on utilising the WiFi system of the DS.

Game Almighty

All in all, I’m having a great time with Final Fantasy III and am enjoying it a lot more than I thought I would. The only disappointment comes in the lack of true DS functionality, something that is counteracted by Square’s traditionally deep and rewarding gameplay.

Jolt Online Gaming UK

A fantastic remake but also a frustrating one, bringing a classic NES title to western shores for the first time and improving upon it, but failing to make sensible use of the DS or implementing a fair save system.

Games Master UK

Showing its age a little, but this is still an enjoyable RPG and a must for FF fans. [Feb 2007, p.69]

netjak

A decent game for those who love the genre, but this release isn’t quite sure exactly what it wants to be. While worth it for the dedicated RPG fan and Final Fantasy completists, it shows that Square Enix has a long way to go before they can dominate the handheld RPG market.

Pocket Gamer UK

Final Fantasy III offers a solid role-playing experience, but despite the 3D refresh, it remains a bit part in the Final Fantasy canon.

Gamestyle

Somehow, Final Fantasy III is still amazingly enjoyable and as addictive as any in the series, despite its age.

Yahoo! Games

Square Enix's attempts to modernize the title go a long way towards making it more enjoyable on the Nintendo DS, and it's a good game overall, but you'll still find that it lags behind more recent RPGs in some respects.

Games Radar

If it seems like this has been one long bitch session about the game, it is. That's the deal with these types of RPGs - tons of uphill struggles and unaccommodating features that make the experience borderline miserable at times. But for some of us, the Fantasy followers and old-style gamers, it's nice to sneak in such a guilty pleasure in between all the over-produced RPGs that hold your hand every step of the way.

Next Level Gaming

At its core, this is an old-school RPG. So if you are looking for a turn based RPG that you can play in the palm of your hand or if you are just feeling nostalgic for the days of yore, then you might want to check this game out.

Computer and Video Games

A technically impressive adventure that sticks to the tried and trusted traditional FF formula.

AceGamez

Your ability to deal with an RPG that brings stale gameplay and little in the way of a story - 'classic' RPG traits - will ultimately decide if this game is for you, not the title to the left of the "III".

Thunderbolt

Final Fantasy IIID is a flawed RPG, but still a fun one, and definitely a bright, shining semi-historical treasure whichever way you look at it.

Worth Playing

While the game is challenging, it's because it lacks many of the improvements of recent games, not because of good design. Those hardcore faithfuls looking for a nostalgia trip will be pleased.

NintendoWorldReport

It is only the production values: graphics, music, and pedigree that make this game stand out. At its heart, Final Fantasy III is a dated and mediocre RPG that will only please the most die-hard Final Fantasy fans. [JPN Import]

Nintendojo

The typical Final Fantasy charm is there, but Square-Enix had good reason to keep this one out of the states for so long.

Edge Magazine

It’s a product of a time when hardened roleplayers were better noted for their patience – and its difficult to see many players tackling the adventure in its entirety. The walking speed for example, especially in the overworld, proves irritating in its sluggishness. [Feb 2007, p.83]

EuroGamer

This is a game for the RPG fan willing to overlook intolerable weaknesses of character just to have a desirable looking girl on their arm.

GameCritics

Final Fantasy III was fun while I played it, but now that the world's been re-harmonized and the credits have rolled, I feel no need to dig it out of my closet again.

Game Revolution

We’re glad they resurrected Final Fantasy III, but they also brought back all the problems RPG makers have spent years solving. It doesn’t do anything new for RPGs, but at least it serves to remind us how far they’ve come.

The average user rating for this game is 7.9 (out of 10) based on 38 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Willy G. gave it a4:
Man its terrible compared to all the modern FF games. Theres almost no character development, no plot twists, extremely predictable storyline(not to mention extremely cliched and old). Im glad the new FF games are so much better. Also, you can only save on the world map, which is terrible at the end of the game when you have to go up in a tower for 3 hours. The final boss is very hard so if you lose you have to repeat those 3 hours again and hope that you do better the next time. I was getting ready to destroy my DS at this point. I recommend that if you REALLY REALLY want a handheld FF game, then you should get it, or if you have never played a different FF game before like 7 8 9 10 you might like this. Otherwise its a pretty terrible game.

Christine W. gave it a9:
It's more difficult than most FF games which is a good thing. I love the graphics and the opening before the game start is so pretty looking! It's extremely easy to die in this game and Phoenix Downs are limited, making the game harder. I hate that you can't save at all in dungeons though. I was at the last boss and I died. I nearly pulled my hair out!

Steve W. gave it a6:
Not as good as I expected. The graphics are impressive but the game is tedious and has a horrible story. I understand that it was a remake of an old final fantasy however it gets boring. If you really really like final fantasy games...then give it a try, but if you are new to the series i would start somewhere else.

KL S. gave it a9:
Class system is innovative and lets you experiment i.e. choose different jobs at any time w/o too much of a penalty. Lands and missions are vast but don't feel overwhelming, and each give enough satisfaction (reward) upon completion. Graphics are good for the DS. Hard to find any fault in this game it's in my top5 of all time. If you like RPG's it's a must have title.

Steven C. gave it an8:
The job system is a great plus in this game, its very enjoyable to be able to pick out a team of classes exactly how you want and utilize there strengths within battles - you can pretty much field any team you like (of course, having a healer of some sort is near essential, and some job classes perform better and give advantages in certain fights / areas). The jobs seem nicely balanced out (I hear they have been tuned since the original game) and you'll most likely develop favourite jobs for specific characters. The Graphics are very nice for the DS - from the limited ammount of games i've played its by far the best looking. Summoning magic is especially great looking, but the battle sequences in general for the most part really gives some oomph and makes you feel like you're actually doing/taking some damage. The world map is nice, although it can at times look a bit bland. The game is not without its problems, although for the most part they are minor; the storyline is average, and sometimes even the instructions for where you have to go next are a bit vague. The lack of saving can be a problem - especially when it comes to the final encounter where you'll be catapulted back quite some time if you wipe. For all the time bar that though it was no real problem for me, as quicksaving allows you to stop at anypoint bar combat. The battles CAN drag, but only in the small fights where you're trying to go as quick as possible. The boss fights can be fairly lengthy and rightfully so. All in all a very enjoyable game. -1 for the minor niggles, -1 because its just over to soon, but i'm already replaying it just to try those jobs i didnt have a go with last time. Worth the money, another great FF game.

Joeking gave it a10:
Pure brilliance. The job-leveling system is a bit odd at first, but I couldn't stop playing as I really wanted to get to the next job set. By far the best rpg I've played so far on the DS.

Andy R. gave it a9:
The less than excellent reviews simply don't get it. This is meant to be more of a remastering than a remake of the original -- and what it has done, is done brilliantly. The musical score has been improved and expanded and graphically, the DS has seldom looked better. The game is centered around a job/class system that, if effective teams are built, greatly minimizes any grinding you'll have to do. My first time through the game, I did all the side quests I could find and I never had to grind -- it did take three attempts on the final boss, though. (And what a final boss this is -- keep in mind they made her easier this time around.) The story does have some major holes and searching for crystals was old even when FF III was originally released over a decade ago. Still, this adds to the old school charm. Nothing this epic has appeared on the DS before.