Portable remakes

[TheSpoonyBard]

I'm thinking of delving in the portable gaming market and I would like to hear some opinions on the PSP and DS remakes. I already have VI, VII, VIII, and IX on the PlayStation and X, X-2 and XII on the PlayStation2 so the possibility of playing the earlier instalments is what appeals to me.

If I get a PSP I can play

• FFI Anniversary Edition
• FFII Anniversary Edition
• Crisis Core: FFVII
• Tactics: The War of the Lions
• Dissidia (if it's ever released in English)
• FF Agito XIII (whenever it comes out)

If I get a DS I can play

• FFIII
• FFIV
• Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift
• XII: Revenant Wings
• FFI & II: Dawn of Souls (GBA)
• FFIV Advance (GBA)
• FFV Advance (GBA)
• FFVI Advance (GBA)
• Tactics Advance (GBA)

At the moment I'm leaning towards the DS as the list is longer and all the games are on the market now.

A few questions:

How does the DS version of IV differ to IV Advance on the GBA?
How does VI Advance (GBA) differ to VI (PS)?
Do the Tactics games follow a chronology?
Any other comments/suggestions?

[Roogle]

Final Fantasy IV Advance is a port of Final Fantasy IV on the Super Fanicom with some added content; conversely, Final Fantasy IV on the Nintendo DS is a full-fledged remake with new graphics, story elements, and gameplay elements.

[Slothy]

Honestly, I'd go with the PSP for the FF Tactics remake alone. All of the same great gameplay, some new classes and sidequests, and a much better translation of the already awesome story. It beats anything on the DS that you haven't already played in some other form if you ask me, and you'll get plenty of playtime out of it. I believe it took me more than 50 hours when I played it originally on the PSX, and I'm about 10 hours into War of the Lions right now. Definitely an amazing game that you shouldn't pass up.

With respect to your first and second questions; FFIV Advance is a port of the original hard type FFIV game with a vastly improved translation over the initial SNES release and two secret dungeons, and FFVI Advance is pretty much the same deal as FFIV Advance, new translation, two new dungeons and a couple of new Espers. It was certainly an improvement, but I wouldn't say it's worth purchasing a DS for by itself.

[Wolf Kanno]

This is a tough one... My thoughts:

FFIII: Amazing game and the first full 3D remake of an FF. Story and gameplay is awesome and its easily the best of the NES classics. An underappreciated gem.

FFIV: Playing this right now. A real amazing experience, especially if you love IV. Better localization than the GBA and an improved difficulty level and revamped battles system. Its been a blast so far. Course I've only just become a Paladin in the game but I'm still having gobs of fun.

Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift: Haven't played.

XII: Revnant Wings: Haven't played.

FFI & II: Dawn of Souls (GBA): A port of the PS1 games (or WonderSwan, I can't be bothered to remember) with a lower difficulty rating and a revamped magic system.

FFIV Advance (GBA): Port of the original game with a revamped script (though not as good as the DS one) 2 bonus dungeons and the ability to switch party members at end game are added. On the downside, the game is not as difficult as the PS1 version or the DS.

FFV Advance (GBA): Port of the original with a new translation and localization that are truly amazing. It will make you hate the PS1 version of the translation, its that good. 4 new job classes and an optional dungeon are added but honestly, the new translation is reward enough and shows why so many people love this game.

FFVI Advance (GBA): Port of the original with a new translation and localization that adds a new level of depth to this classic. 4 new Espers and two new optional dungeons. Once again, the new content is good but the new translation and localization is what makes this game a masterpiece and easily my favorite of the GBA ports.

Tactics Advance (GBA): A "Lite" version of FFT with a new story and a heavily modified job system. Despite getting nailed with the "kiddie" moniker, its actually a pretty well written and thought provoking game (like all of Matsuno's games) The combat system has been streamlined for more accessibility for newbies and gaming on the go. The Judge system makes its debut and adds another layer of depth to a good tactical series.

FFI Anniversary Edition: Port of the GBA with slight modifications to the graphics and sound for the benefit of the PSP. I believe there is a few new optional dungeons as well.

FFII Anniversary Edition: See above.

Crisis Core: FFVII: I will start off by saying I didn't like this game. The gameplay is fun though it lacks depth even when it tries to be more than it is. The extra missions are repetitive but they are fun as well. The plot is... well atrocious imo. The parts dealing with VII directly are good and mostly well done. The "original" story elements are terrible and the game has a bad deja' vu feeling to it. Its main villain, Genesis wins my award for worst FF villain.

Tactics: The War of the Lions: I'm really bias here... This game is the sole reason I would buy a PSP (I borrowed my friends). It is an amazing experience and once again the new translation and localization make it into an even more epic and enthralling adventure. 2 new job classes, two new "guest" characters and many added story mission and extra's that will make any fan of the game die in glee. It also has new cel-shaded cutscenes and excellent voice work.

It only has two flaws imo. There is a bit of lag on certain special attacks and spells. Its annoying but after awhile you get use to it. Also, many of the new equipment and items (including all of the Onion Equipment) can only be obtained by playing against other players in Wi-Fi. Bad if your like me and only have one friend who owns a PSP and you happen to be borrowing it...

Dissidia (if it's ever released in English): Looks good

FF Agito XIII (whenever it comes out): Surprising looks interesting but still little detail.
[/LEFT]

As for your question about the Ivalice games being in a chronological order, yes they are. It goes like this in order of first to last:
FFXII
FFXII: Revnant Wings
FFTA2: Rift of the Grimoire
FFT
Vagrant story*

*Most fans speculate that Vagrant Story is last in the order.
FFTA1 is not canon.

I hope this has helped you though my opinion may be bias.

[Nice]

Dude get yourself a DS and enjoy some good games.

[Slothy]

Because the DS is the only system with good games.

[Wolf Kanno]

Because the DS is the only system with good games.

Lately, yes...

[Nice]

Because the DS is the only system with good games.

With respect, I think the PSP has some pretty solid titles, but when compared to the DS, especially in the Final Fantasy department, the PSP is not in the battle. It has FF tactics WoL which I know for a fact is a solid game on that system. However, in terms of quality and quantity, the DS has more. FF IV DS, FF III DS and FF VI ADv are all worth picking up the system. *Plus if you like the Castlevania series the DS has three solid titles that are well worth the play. *

[Slothy]

It's all opinion though. Frankly, I'm not overly taken with the majority of games on the DS. If my fiancee hadn't bought one, I never would have bothered. Even FFIII and FFIV DS aren't enough of a reason to get one if you ask me, but then, I was never a huge fan of III, and I've played FFIV so many times in it's three previous incarnations that I have a hard time being overly excited about it again, even with all of the new features. For my money, the PSP is where the fun games are, especially since I recognize that there's more to the gaming world than Final Fantasy games. Final Fantasy games that I already have three seperate copies of in particular. In all seriousness, I'd recommend getting a GBA on the cheap over buying a DS.

[Nice]

I'd agree with you there. I think it's all down one's preference and whether they over played all these games that are being remade.

[Wolf Kanno]

It does come down to opinion. I've played both and can safely say I'm quite happy with my DS. If it ever went "super cheap" I might pick up a PSP for FFT, the MGS titles and the Darkstalkers game but beyond that I have never been too impressed with its library. Even Homebrew is sorta of a moot point as I don't buy handhelds for the purpose of having a portable system oddly enough.

Course Dissidia and Agito are tempting but I have so many other games on my play list that I can't say I'm in much of a hurry to own them.

[Nice]

That's why I have a DS. =p

[Jessweeee♪]

If you're a die hard FF fan, then you'll probably want both anyway, but if you're picking one, I'd go with the PSP because of Dissidia and Agito

Of course those won't be out for quite a bit.

[.:kerrod:.]

i have a PSP, and while i do want to play the DS Final Fantasies, i would never trade my PSP for a DS, but that's probably attributed to other factors...as for FF games, Tactics: WotL is awesome, i still play it today and got it when it first came out (rarely, but i still enjoy it). it's the same great PSX game but with some good updates, and the customization and strategy involved make it one uber game (that 'review' may be a bit bias :rolleyes: )...then there's crisis core; i wouldn't go out and buy a PSP just for this game, i enjoyed it, but it doesn't have a very strong 'final fantasy' feel...but still, it's worth checking out if you're a fan of the series. as for the anniversary games, i didn't really have the urge to finish them once i'd started...FFII was better than FFI (as expected) because of the storyline (and lack of a proper one on FFI), and while i understand they were great for their time and are timeless classics, i just found them hard to enjoy because they weren't nostalgic or anything to me (there were a little before my [gaming] time)

Then, of course, there will be Dissidia and Agito sometime in the very distant future, so don't let these play a huge role in your purchase

That's just my view on the PSP, i can't speak for the DS games

[hhr1dluv]

I have both, though a few months ago, I was just like you and wondering which one I should get.

I have so much more fun with my DS because I have a lot more games for it, but that's because I had a friend who gave me a lot of his games. However, the PSP seems to have the some of the stronger/more appealing titles, IMO. Of course, that's dependent on your preference.

All I need is a PS3 when FFXIII comes out, and I will be set with everything! Bwa ha ha!

I am crazy.