Final Fantasy III Image
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68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 4 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 80 Ratings

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  • Summary: First released in 1990, FINAL FANTASY III introduced series hallmarks such as the job system and summon spells, and became the first in the series to sell over a million copies. Reborn in full 3D in 2006, this classic installment of the FINAL FANTASY series is now available for the PSPFirst released in 1990, FINAL FANTASY III introduced series hallmarks such as the job system and summon spells, and became the first in the series to sell over a million copies. Reborn in full 3D in 2006, this classic installment of the FINAL FANTASY series is now available for the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system! Graphics have been re-adjusted to fit the 16:9 aspect ratio, and new features such as the sound and image gallery, an option to switch to the original BGM and an 'auto-battle' system that doubles the speed of combat, have been added! Expand

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Final Fantasy III Official Movie 2
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 4
  2. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. 80
    The character depth and story detail might feel somewhat lacking compared to newer JRPG titles, but there is an expansive world here that begs for exploration as you grow your characters for future challenges. The overall package is an easy one to recommend.
  2. Pelit (Finland)
    Sep 3, 2014
    72
    The old classic deserved a better port. [Aug 2014]
  3. Jun 12, 2014
    61
    An RPG foreign to the PC in every way, and a port that does little to modernize it. There’s fun to be had, but only for the open-minded.
  4. Jul 9, 2014
    60
    Going in fully understanding that this is basically a NES game at heart with all that implies, you might be able to endure and find some charm in the classic formula.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 12
  2. Negative: 5 out of 12
  1. May 31, 2015
    10
    This game is what I think about when I consider the ideal Final Fantasy. One of the bet games ever, I turned into a toad and got rekt. Plus,This game is what I think about when I consider the ideal Final Fantasy. One of the bet games ever, I turned into a toad and got rekt. Plus, the entire cast looks great as Red Mages Expand
  2. Jan 14, 2023
    10
    worth it and glad to play ti this game again. so much memories and nostalgia within this second game in the series.
  3. May 28, 2014
    8
    I want to treat 2 aspects of the game, first being the game itself and second being Square-Enix.

    Having never played Final Fantasy III this
    I want to treat 2 aspects of the game, first being the game itself and second being Square-Enix.

    Having never played Final Fantasy III this has been an absolute joy. I started the series with 6, followed by 7, 8 and 9 on the PSX and since then no Final Fantasy game has been able to grab in me the same way. It does show it age by how it doesn't display markers, doesn't warn you about areas too high level for you and an overall difficulty level making this RPG an actual challenge. No charging head-first into the area in this game.

    With only 4 primary characters in your party, you get a good amount of customization with the job system without having to deal with switching out entire characters (and leveling them up individually). Next to the characters level you can give them a certain class. While their character level stays the same, they have to earn proficiency with each job. Not only does add variety it also gives you a reason to stick it out with the random battles. Even though grinding is required in this game, it doesn't consume as much time to be annoying (to me, anyway).

    While the story isn't overwhelming (again, personal opinion), your goals are always clear as long as you bother talking to the NPC's and actually taking in what they have to say. This automatically gives you insight in the game world. Again, it's not overwhelming then again these are ~24 year old standards. I found it enjoyable overall.

    The real issue with the game though, and this is the other point, is Square-Enix. After having bought FF7 and FF8 re-release on Steam I have mostly been unable to continue at certain points due to bugs / crashes to desktop. Which to an extent also made me paranoid about saving my games because I'd have no clue when the next crash would come up. This ruined the experience for me and I quickly gave up on them. Lucky these issues have not (yet) presented them on my version of FF3.

    Though it's running stable, I do have to point out that keyboard controls are problematic. It hasn't taken kindly to me trying to map them differently. I simply ended up switching to controller which it luckily mapped all the keys for automatically (and correct). Next is how the game will cap itself to 30 frames per second, even though I have my refresh rate set to 120hz in the games' settings menu. It will do so on any resolution, windowed or not. It's not a huge issue, but it does show how badly the (already few) settings options were implemented.

    Next is the fact of Square-Enix charging €13/$16 for what is basically a port of a port. I disagree with the pricing of FF7 and 8 on Steam as well, as these were already on PC. All they had to do was fix the compatibility (they got it to run, but I find the remaining issues too aggravating to even play them).

    I waited for a sale when 7 and 8 came around, but not having played FF3 I figured it'd be worth spending some GMG credit on it. I am thus far not disappointed, but if you are already familiar with the original game, this probably won't be worth it outside of a minimum 50% discount. Though this will probably take 1 to 2 years as Square-Enix is very stingy with discounts on the Final Fantasy series (whilst they shower you with Hitman Absolution and Tomb Raider).

    All in all I really liked the game as a Final Fantasy fan of 6 up to 9, also having never played 3. For that I have based my score on. Though if I were to consider 'value', it being, in the end a poorly optimized, overpriced port while having to remotely deal with Square-Enix, this would be more towards a 5 or 6. Though I'm choosing here not to hate the game for its publisher.
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  4. Apr 3, 2015
    7
    I first played this game way back in 2006 when it came out for the DS. I enjoyed the game so much. It was very outdated even at that time, andI first played this game way back in 2006 when it came out for the DS. I enjoyed the game so much. It was very outdated even at that time, and 9 years after, it still is. But this exact reason, this could be WHY this game is very suited for hardcore JRPG fans.

    The story is as simple as it can get. There are no check points in dungeon, which means if you die, they you have to start over again. The job system is still solid and great.

    Overall, if you can get over the fact that this game is outdated, then get it. It is a true great adventure and one of the very few RPGs for the DS that I really enjoyed. The price tag is high for an old game like this

    Verdict: Get it if you haven't played this game before and you are a fan of the series
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  5. Jun 29, 2019
    4
    This is one of the ugliest games i have ever seen. It looks like a n64 game. And with less content than the PSP version and with low framerateThis is one of the ugliest games i have ever seen. It looks like a n64 game. And with less content than the PSP version and with low framerate this is almost unplayable and very poor for a game release in 2014 for PC. Expand
  6. Feb 1, 2016
    4
    I would like to point out I have no problem with older games and I remember times number of colors in games was 3 digit numbers or even lessI would like to point out I have no problem with older games and I remember times number of colors in games was 3 digit numbers or even less and I like to play those game and play quite old games even now, but when it is port I would expect higher standards then in original game at leas for UI and graphic.

    One to one port from mobile version, absolutely no enhancement of graphic that may look good on 5" phone, but is just terrible on 25" PC display. Just more details in textures so you don't have to see those super big pixels, would be enough I don't really expect much, but this looks worse then some of those one man show games. UI is completely obsolete and you cannot even use mouse and most of the task is quite unintuitive. Changes in this wouldn't ruin nothing of the old game spirit, so only things that come in mind is either laziness or they just wanted made as much as possible on as low effort as possible.

    As for the game it is also bit out of date, but still can be fun. If you are not into FF or JRPG it would appeal to you much and it will start to be quite repetitive quite soon. The monsters are the same with slightly different statistics, there is basically no change at all beside different models. The story is mediocre, with some nice moments and was quite good at it dates, but I have played quite few games with better story.

    This game may have been one of the best at the time of its original release, but today is have not much to offer and the execution of port is poor. If you are not into FF or you don't want to try how really old rpg games were like, there is no reason to buy this game.

    It is bit shame as the potential was good, but it got wasted.
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  7. Jul 5, 2020
    0
    Final boss and she was kill me in 5 turns. Super powerful team! 56 level Dark knight with full cover, Ninja with huge amount of surikens,Final boss and she was kill me in 5 turns. Super powerful team! 56 level Dark knight with full cover, Ninja with huge amount of surikens, Magus and Devout with all magic. Try another one atemp from the beginning of dungeon. So stupid and old game and don't fix it in 2014. Expand

See all 12 User Reviews