My Final review

[Elpizo]

Ehm, well, maybe it's stupid to make 2 topics for kinda the same. *unsure*. Eh, well, close this if needed, okay? If I would post this in the other topic, I would double post, which is wrong as well...

So, I've beaten FF V advance! Yup dudes, I've beaten mister Final Boss (SPOILER)NeoExDeath. And I can say, he was HARD. As hard as the original, believe me! Grand Cross kicked my behind many, many times. Oh, and X-Death (yup, it's spelled X-Death in the game, too bad, I liked ExDeath) before mister FB was hard too. Especially on lv 34 (except Lenna, she was 32) and with only 16 elixers! But I did it.

Okay, so what are my Final Thoughts on the maingame? Well eh, what can I say? It IS, believe me, BETTER than the original. I know that sounds a bit unbelievable, but really guys, Square Enix created a master piece! I can't tell enough how great this game is! I understood no gill of the Dialog but the music, the graphics and the atmosphere of the game told me everything. Don't shoot me, but I think SE will really have to try VERY hard with FF VI Advance to make it better than V advance. V Advance IS perfect. Why? Okay, I'll try to review without being too excited!

1) Music:
Did I tell how great the music is? It is my favorite FF Soundtrack of all FF's games I palyed. And that says much. It's better than the original.
Really, if you'll hear tracks like "The Decisive Battle" and "The Final Battle" or "In Search of Light" you'll understand what I mean.
These remade (?) tracks have advanced over their SNES counterparts, maybe "In Search of Light" a bit less, but it was still great.
Take "The Decisive Battle" as an example, in my humble little opinion, the best battle-track of FF V Advance. Played during the most dramatic 2D battle scene in FF history, once you've heard it, you cannot wait until you've beaten the game to get that music player (which is in english, even in the Japanese ROM). What can I say? I'm listening to it right now, I recorded it cause I love it so much!

Lovers of "Clash on the Big Bridge", do not fear, Gilgamesh is back in all his glory, and his music just as much.

Where FF IV Advance music did it's job greatly, I'll have to say V manages to surpass IV Advance. I think the music was remade with great effort, and if it's so, you'll clearly notice it when listening to the music. There was not one track that made me say "Hmm, could have been done better". What I did found a bit less than the SNES counterpart, however, is the soundeffects of spells and such. Outside of battles, soundeffects are great. The cries of Syldra and the Hiryuu are nicely done, but the music of the spells left me wishing for something just a bit better. That's too bad, otherwise, this would have obtained a perfect 10...

So, if I have to give points, the music deserves a 9/10 for immensly great music and battle themes, but the sound effects could perhaps have been done better, but that is my opinion.

2) Graphics:
Hmm, yes, difficult subject we have here. I myself am not the person to want awesome gorgeous graphics. I'm perfectly fine with SNES, or even NES, graphics.

But even the worst graphics whore will have to admit the battle background look simply stunning. I'm sure you could have judged that too, from my screenshots in my former topic. But now that I've completed the main storyline game (and thus I suppose I have seen all backgrounds, even in the new dungeon), I've stumbled upon even more gorgeous backgrounds. Here are some of my personal favorites:

http://www.maj.com/gallery/Elpizo/FFVA/wrg-ffv206.png

http://www.maj.com/gallery/Elpizo/FFVA/wrg-ffv223.png

http://www.maj.com/gallery/Elpizo/FFVA/wrg-ffv127.png

http://www.maj.com/gallery/Elpizo/FFVA/wrg-ffv120.png

The sprites themselves haven't changed that much from the original, but they look colourful, bright and are pleasant to look at. Maybe you al lexpected something more but I think the sprites are a job well done. Oh yes, those new jobs, I have them, they look nice, but I haven't used them yet. And I have not yet beaten the optional boss so I don't have the necromancer class yet.

Magic spells are impressive, good looking, but feel a bit less 'almighty!' because of the soundeffects. Like Meteor in the original wassed fast and with nice soundeffect, in the advance version the soundeffect isn't much different from the other spells, which takes away of Meteor's 'coolness'.

The Airship mode, the void devouring towns, world map, it is all done very nicely. Even the falling of the Meteor's looks quite good..

The graphics get a 10/10 from me, sure, sprites look kinda teh same, but what did you want? A complete overhaul? FF V's sprites already looked quite good in the original, there wasn't really much they could improve. That's why it gets a 10 from me. But hey, I'm fine with it if you would give it a 7, for example.

3) Gameplay:
Faithfull to the original. That sums it up. It's exactly the same. Good old world map is back and the ancient formula of exploring dungeons and beating a boss in the end works wonders in this game.

Great dungeons with greatly fitting music make this FF just that: pure fun. Like everybody knows, you'll have those random encounters everybody seems to want to forget in the newer Final Fantasies. Well, they are in this game (duh), but not too often to annoy you. Besides, it's pretty easy to run away from them.
But of course, the thing that makes this FF's battles so interesting would be the jobs, of course. Well, it's good to see them back, it's been a while since I had some fun messing with jobs. (Since, yeah, since I beat FF III NES this summer, and even so, it isn't quite the same.) There are no battle glitches here, or at least none I encountered or noticed. The jobs make the gameplay fun and makes you want to replay the game just for all the challenges you can set up with them. And now with 4 new jobs, what can go wrong? The fun from the past is back with a blast, to put it funny. Oh, and jobs aren't nerfed in any way. It still took me hours of pure battling to get those damn Ability Points. So if you love mastering jobs, this is the game for you.

My score? Well, 10/10 again, I really can't help it. You just don't get tired of playing this game!

http://www.maj.com/gallery/Elpizo/FFVA/wrg-ffv224.png

4) Difficulty:
When people hear "FF I and II: DoS", they scream: NERFED! Even FF IV Advance wasn't that hard anymore (although Zeromus did screw me more than once). So, how about it, you ask. Do we have to fear for another FF we can rush through with one hand on our back?

Well, in my previous topic, I said it was a bit nerfed. Well, I was WRONG. The first hours of the game are easy, sure thing. Go to the second world and you're in for a surprise. Even the meteor bosses offered quite a challenge.

FF V Advance is a game that should give even the most experienced FF gamers at least a bit of effort. X-Death and the Final Boss will really blow you to bits if you are not prepared. The bosses in the Void are challenging. Be careful when fighting certain enemies. And of course, we still have our 2 nightmares: Omega and Shinryuu. Let me say, Shinryuu still opens with a -8000 Tidal Wave and Omega can still Wave Cannon you to death.

I went in the new, optional dungeon, only the first floor. Guess what? My behind got kicked. Sure, everybody was only lv34, but let me tell you. The first floor of the new dungeon is filled with monsters like in "The Cleft of Dimensions". Want a descent challenge? I'm sure the new dungeon will give it to you. And of course, we'll have that new optional boss. I haven't seen him yet, but I don't think I'll stand a chance. Not even all my party members have HP above 1000. I'm going to train a bit more before even trying to go in that dungeon. Or maybe I'll just wait until the game is out.

10/10 because this game manages to start of easily, yet offers a certain challenge in the end. Like I said, even experienced FF palyers will at least have to put some effort in this one. Good, no?

5) Story/Translation:
I see you all looking like: You're giving a review but can't even tell anything about the thing we all want to see!

Sorry. Guys, every FF V player knows the storyline.

Well, the story was presented nicely because of the great music.
Those character portraits, you'll get used to them so soon that they won't bother you anymore in the end. They didn't bother me. I only didn't like Zeza's portrait.

NOW, THE MOMENT YOU ALL HAVE NOT BEEN WAITING FOR, SINCE YOU'RE ALL PLAYING THE GAME YOURSELVES NOW, THE SCORE OF FFV ADVANCE'S TRANSLATION!

Yup, you pals got it right, I got the english ROM.
And I'm ready for another playthrough.

I'm not very far in the game yet but I can say so far, the translation is absolutely beautiful! So richely compared to the fantranslations! So funny even!

Galuf and Bartz (yes, it's Bartz now) have maned to make me smile so often even though I'm just at the Pirate's Cave now.

Check:

http://www.maj.com/gallery/Elpizo/Sephiroth/screen1.png

http://www.maj.com/gallery/Elpizo/Sephiroth/screen2.png

http://www.maj.com/gallery/Elpizo/Sephiroth/screen3.png

See? And the first few minutes are full of it! I won't spoil too much and let you all enjoy it for yourselves. Also in the menu and in battle the translation seems nice. But it's mostly the dialog we wanted better, right? Well, the dialog is good, what can I say? Lenna clearly speaks as a princess, Bartz has this care-free attitude, Galuf is the daring old man and Faris is Faris. Oh, no worries, Faris doesn't have a Pirate accent, but she doesn't speak normally all the time, either. Like, she called Lenna 'lass' when introducing Syldra (yup, it's Syldra!). Nothing special, but it sounds a bit more piratey. I like it.

I can say this: If FF V Advance wasn't perfect yet, with this new english translation (correctly this time) it certainly has become so.

Score: 10/10! Way to go Square!
6) Overall:
Well, what can I say? This might as well be the FF game of the year! I know it probably won't be, with FF XII and all, but, excuse me for saying this, you're an idiot if you won't get this game. You can see Square Enix forced themselves to put very much effort in this game, and they have succeeded in creating the perfect FF V port. Everything is great, from music to graphics and extra's. While there will always be room for improvement, I can't think of any great imrpovements they can make in this one.

So, the Final Score is 9.8/10.

Well, very nice, I would say! Hats of for Square Enix, cause they have proven me that they can make excellent ports that can keep you occupied for a long time. And with the new bonus content, translation we'll soon be seeing, improved music, there's no reason for to not get this game unless you don't have a GBA/DS or you're a (forgive me) horrible idiot. Even if you did not like the original, FF V Advance just might change your opinion about a revived masterpiece.

Any comments, questions or requests?

PS: I have recorded "The Decisive Battle" and I'm willing to upload it. But I'm not sure if it's allowed to give links so PM me if you want it. It's the best track of the game, IMHO.

[Paul]

sounds great! can't wait to get the english version. FFV is the only game in the series left that i haven't played.

[boys from the dwarf]

those screenshots made me lean forwards and nearly glued my eyes to the screen. amazing.

if its as good as you say it is, im definetly looking forwards to it.

i've played the european anthologies version and X-death is called X-death in that one.

i've heard the new normal battle theme but im looking forwards to clash on the big bridge and the last two battles, tunes inperticuarlar. the tune that plays when you fight X-death is awesome, i hope its just as good or better in this version.

have you fought enuo or do you know how and where to fight him?

and whats this i hear about a necromancer. is there anything like that?

sounds amazingly awesome.

[Decessus]

I just wet my pants in excitement.

[Elpizo]

those screenshots made me lean forwards and nearly glued my eyes to the screen. amazing.

if its as good as you say it is, im definetly looking forwards to it.

i've played the european anthologies version and X-death is called X-death in that one.

i've heard the new normal battle theme but im looking forwards to clash on the big bridge and the last two battles, tunes inperticuarlar. the tune that plays when you fight X-death is awesome, i hope its just as good or better in this version.

have you fought enuo or do you know how and where to fight him?

and whats this i hear about a necromancer. is there anything like that?

sounds amazingly awesome.

It is really amazing! Really! I just can't say it enough! This game stole my soul! That legendary battle with X-Death vs Galuf, the music, it all came back and now I'm sold forever. Believe me, you have to, buy this and you'll never regret it, and if you do, you can hit me!

The tune when you fight X-Death I've recorded it, it's in a RAR file about 12.5 MB, quite much yeah, but it's an awesome track. I wanna upload it and PM you the link, if you want.
Believe me, that track when you fight X-Death ("The Decisive Battle") is the best from the game.
"Clash on the Big Bridge" is nicely done as well. (But I'm really sold to "The Decisive Battle", obsessed, yeah. )

I know where Enuo is, or at least I think I know. You know in the third world, that forest with Mirage Town in it? Take your submarine to south of it and in the area around it, you'll see bubbles on the water surface. Dive and you'll find a sea trench. That's the new dungeon! Once you enter it, you also find crystal shards with Prophet, Gladiator and Cannoneer. Then you can enter the dungeon, but it's very hard! At lv 34, you're screwed!

And I think in that dungeon, you fight Enuo. And when you beat him, you get the Necromancer class. Or so I heard, but I'm pretty sure it's true.

Bless the day SE decided to port this to GBA...
Maybe I sound too excited and you guys can't take me serious... Well eh... wait until you've played the game and we'll be over-excited together.

EDIT: Necromancer scan, enjoy!
http://www.maj.com/gallery/Elpizo/FFVA/ffscan.jpg

[boys from the dwarf]

thats cool. good luck on enuo. im looking forwards to the english version so i can play it and understand it.

[Zeromus_X]

Yay! That was my favorite version of his name! Yes!

And those backgrounds do look gorgeous.

[Sefie1999AD]

I'm glad you enjoyed the game. I'm not sure if Exdeath will be changed from X-Death to Exdeath in the English version because the Japanese version you played still hadn't been translated yet. It's good if the music is even better than in the original version. By the way, what's so dangerous about Grand Cross? I've fought and defeated Neo-Exdeath several times, and I think it has only once messed up my party, and even then I still won the battle. It's not like it casts Death on 3 characters and a 10-second Doom countdown on the 4th member like it sometimes does in FFIX.

[Zeromus_X]

It can be pretty nasty without Ribbons/Angel Rings on. But I would agree that FFIX's Grand Cross is much more lethal.

[Evastio]

Wow.

You mind explaining what the 4 new classes are like stat-wise?

[Elpizo]

I'm glad you enjoyed the game. I'm not sure if Exdeath will be changed from X-Death to Exdeath in the English version because the Japanese version you played still hadn't been translated yet. It's good if the music is even better than in the original version. By the way, what's so dangerous about Grand Cross? I've fought and defeated Neo-Exdeath several times, and I think it has only once messed up my party, and even then I still won the battle. It's not like it casts Death on 3 characters and a 10-second Doom countdown on the 4th member like it sometimes does in FFIX.

What was dangerous is that in Japanese, I couldn't always find the right medicines to cure it's effects. Gets even worse if your white magic caster becomes zombified and you can't heal her. I had Lenna stunned, Butz zombified and Faris sentenced to death, Krile had nothing... Fun. <_< Oh, did I say already that the Grand Cross looks godly in this one? I don't know if it differs from the original version, it's hard to see, but when Neo uses Grand cross, the screens becomes pure white first, then you can see a Shadow appearing from below, moving fastly upwards again and again until Neo's standing still in front of you again. Nifty.
The second time I tried Neo, I killed his Grand Cross part before he even could use Grand Cross. I was lucky. *sighs relieved*
Yeah, IX's Grand Cross is even more nasty, but don't underestimate V's when you're playing in Japanese, not at very high levels and don't have many elixers... You know, it was actually fun to lose to Neo the first time. He really is quite a challenge. Zeromus Advance hard? Try Neo.

Wow.

You mind explaining what the 4 new classes are like stat-wise?

Well, I only have 3 of the 4 new classes and I haven't used them yet or looked at their stats. If I wanted the necromancer I would have to go through the Bonus dungeon and beat Enuo. And I ratehr keep that until the english version fits in my DS.

[Paul]

i thought exdeath was going to be translated as exoddus

exdeath sounds like a really cheesy 80s bad guy name from an action movie. this from the company that references ancient mythology for almost any enemy. its forgivable since its japanese, but i hope it changes for a real translation.

[Elpizo]

i thought exdeath was going to be translated as exoddus

exdeath sounds like a really cheesy 80s bad guy name from an action movie. this from the company that references ancient mythology for almost any enemy. its forgivable since its japanese, but i hope it changes for a real translation.

Don't count on it. It probably will be translated as X-Death, like it stands in the music player. Besides, Exodus is cheesy as well, a reference to some religious book, nice...

[Paul]

yeah but it's better than "HAY HOW ABOUT X FOR EXTREME, AND DEATH FOR... DEATH?!? EXTREME DEATH MAN THIS TOTALLY RULES I AM A SURFER FROM CALIFORNIA"

[boys from the dwarf]

fair point but X-death is a good enough name and it suits the game without being totally cheesy.