Discover 2 epic tales of treachery, love and redemption in Final Fantasy IV and Final Fantasy V - exclusively available for the first time. Numerous weapons, magic spells and special skills to master.
The Final Fantasy series is instantly recognisable to PlayStation fans these days, thanks to the huge success of Final Fantasy VII, and it's numerous sequels. Although these games have brought delight to millions around the globe, it's only now that most fans of the series are getting to experience the earlier chapters in the Final Fantasy story. Final Fantasy VI has been re-released for the PS one, and now gamers get a fresh chance to experience episodes IV and V in the series, with the release of Final Fantasy Anthology.
FF IV was originally released for the SNES in 1991, with FFV following the year after, and both are clearly products of the pre-PlayStation era, before 3D graphics and FMV cutscenes became the norm. That said, these re-issued classics have been brought into the modern era with the introduction of new FMV sequences that beautifully illustrate the plot, but the majority of the gameplay takes place in good old fashioned 2D. Fortunately, when the storyline and gameplay are this compelling, the lack of visual flair really doesn't matter.
Final Fantasy IV was the first game in the series to demonstrate the kind of in-depth character development that would make the later titles so successful. The plot centres on the activities of Cecil, a Dark Knight and commander in the Imperial Army, who resigns his post after a crisis of conscience, and is forced to undertake a series of dangerous adventures, and eventually battle the evil Zemus. It was also the first Final Fantasy game to feature the 'Active Time Battle System', which revolutionised Turn Based RPGs, and ensured that FF IV was a massive success in both Japan and the US.
The ultimate enemy in Final Fantasy V takes the form of a tree, by the name of X-Death, but the real danger is posed by his equally evil (and far more fearsome looking) henchman, Gilgamesh. It's a game that's regarded with great affection by aficionados of the series, thanks to it's innovative 'job system'. This effectively allows you to assign a job (ranging from Warrior or Magician to 'Magical Dancer') to a character at any time, which will bestow appropriate skills to the character. Clever use of these jobs in conjunction with skill-boosting items can create a bewildering array of different skills and abilities, lending FFV an impressive level of customisability.
Both these games are established classics of the RPG genre, and have stood the test of time remarkably well. Although they can't hope to compete with the visuals of contemporary RPGs, their storylines and gameplay more than hold their own in the 21st century. Fans of the Final Fantasy series can't afford to miss these fascinating blasts from the past, and anyone looking for compelling role-playing gameplay will be surprised by how well these two titles have aged.
-Two Final Fantasy classics in one all-conquering package!
-Discover the origins of the Final Fantasy series for the first time on PlayStation
-Storyline enhanced with brand new FMV footage
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