Following along with the series? Check out Final Fantasy I, II, III and IV!
Final Fantasy V is the last of the “missing” games of the series, though it came to the US before the others – only 7 years after it was originally released (unless you had a fan translation, of course.) Since then, the game has been re-released on many different platforms and we were given the gift of this light-hearted, yet challenging JRPG.
With this game, we return to the four character formula and the job class system from Final Fantasy III, but this time it works brilliantly together. Also, the graphics take a step up; this is one of the more brightly colored games in the series. The character sprites show a greater range with added emotes in order to really connect with a scene. However, as some aspects of the game improve, there are a few setbacks. What Final Fantasy V delivers, though, is a fun game with touching moments and excellent game mechanics.
Haven’t I Heard This One Before?
The plot of Final Fantasy V is not exactly the best. Most of the game is a rehash of the first four into a cohesive narrative that has poor pacing. That’s not to say it doesn’t have its charm.The back story is very similar to its predecessors. A powerful mage named Enuo summons an evil entity called the “Void” to destroy everything. The people fought back using the twelve legendary weapons, but though they defeated Enuo, they could not destroy the Void. In order to contain this evil and save the world, the people split the world in two and the Void was sealed between them.
700 Years Later
Meanwhile, a young traveler named Bartz (Or Butz…Yes, Butz. You are allowed to snicker), witnesses a meteor fall to the planet’s surface. As he investigates, he comes across Lenna, the Princess of Tycoon, and a partial-amnesiac named Galuf, who were both on their way to the Wind Shrine. The trio is eventually joined by the mysterious pirate captain, Faris. As they discover the shards of the Wind crystal, they become Crystal Warriors.
As our heroes try to protect the remaining three, they learn that the crystals are acting as a seal over a Dark Mage named Exdeath. (You can snicker here too.) Once released, Exdeath plans to unleash the Void, devouring all life forms in the process. On their quest, the heroes must discover where King Tycoon has gone, help Galuf regain his memory, heal the dying Hiryuu, and discover the mysteries behind the pirate captain, Faris. In the end, the heroes must battle again Exdeath and his henchman, Gilgamesh, and stop the Void from consuming both worlds.
