Hey, fellow gamers and RPG enthusiasts! Today, we’re taking a trip back to 1987 to celebrate the legendary Final Fantasy I—a game that not only saved a struggling company but also kickstarted one of the most beloved franchises in gaming history.
The Beginning of a Fantasy
Did you know that Final Fantasy wasn’t supposed to be “final” at all? The game was initially called Fighting Fantasy—until some pesky trademark issues forced a name change. But here’s the kicker: the team at Square (now Square Enix) was in a pretty tight spot financially, and this game was their last-ditch effort. If it didn’t work, it might have been the end of Square altogether.
Spoiler alert: It worked. Big time.
Meet the Warriors of Light
The story is pure classic RPG goodness. You’ve got your Warriors of Light, each carrying one of four elemental crystals. The twist? Those crystals are dimmed by the evil Elemental Fiends, and it’s up to you to restore their light and save the world. It’s got all the vibes of an epic quest with just the right amount of mystery, danger, and triumph.
Gameplay That Defined the Genre
Final Fantasy I introduced players to four core gameplay modes:
- The Overworld: A map to explore your world.
- Towns and Dungeons: Places to rest, resupply, and fight off enemies.
- The Battle Screen: Turn-based combat that tested your strategy skills.
- The Menu Screen: Where you managed your party, equipment, and spells.
Travel started simple—on foot—but as you leveled up (and grinded through those infamous random encounters), you got access to cooler ways to get around: a ship, a canoe, and yes, the iconic airship.
A Game-Changer for RPGs
Back in the day, Final Fantasy I blew people away with its graphics (for 1987, that is) and deep gameplay. Sure, there was some criticism—mostly about the grind of leveling up—but the magic of exploring this sprawling world was undeniable.
By March 2003, all versions of Final Fantasy had sold a combined two million copies worldwide!
Fast forward to today, and this game is seen as one of the most important RPGs ever made. It laid the foundation for so many of the features we now take for granted in the genre. And let’s not forget: it gave us a franchise that’s still going strong 37 years later!
Fun Fact: It’s Still Around!
Over the years, Final Fantasy I has been remade and bundled with other games (hello, Final Fantasy II) on just about every platform you can think of. From the NES to modern consoles, it’s proof that this game’s legacy is here to stay.
Thanks for reading,
Stephenie
