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> Results: Final Fantasy II Anniversary Edition
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The ESRB Says
Fantasy Violence: GamerDad had to battle random groups of monsters every few steps. Mild Language: There are some occasional uses of words such as 'hell' and 'damn' in exasperation. For many fans of the series, Final Fantasy II represents the nadir of the series - it is certainly the low-point of the early part of the franchise. With a skill leveling system that borders on masochism, Final Fantasy II did at least try some new things and offer a plot that is different from most others. However, simply trying new things isn't enough, and in the past this game was bundled up with the superior Final Fantasy I. This seems especially wise based on this release - the developers have done everything possible to 'put lipstick on this pig' as the expression goes, but it is still a vastly underwhelming game, and all of the prettying up has only served to accentuate the negatives, making this one more avoidable than ever. It seems strange to me that whereas Final Fantasy I got overhauled in so many ways this game has been left untouched - there have been plenty of examples of usage-based skill systems since this game came out that have worked much better. Aside from that complaint, the game is not a bad addition to the Final Fantasy universe - the story has a nice depth based on the looming shadows of war and feels different due to the lack of the typical central 'crystal quest'. Most everything else is clearly part of the early Final Fantasy universe, though: the look and feel are the same, the dialogue and quest system, and the incessant random battles all carry over from the original game. Whereas the first game was and is a true classic that offers several reasons for fans to buy multiple versions, this game was best left as part of a collection such as the 2004 GBA Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls.  
As I mentioned in my review of the PSP edition of Final Fantasy I, these games compare closely with the feel of the content in Pokemon. The game consists largely of roaming a large world encountering random groups of monsters and stopping in towns to meet people and get quests. The combat is turn-based and menu-driven and not violent in any direct way and there are no scary or sinister encounters. The game has a E-10+ rating, and I am giving it a 10+ GamerDad Age Seal not so much for the content as for the combined effect of the content and the amount of reading required to make progress in the game. Younger gamers who have excellent reading skills and attention to detail should have no problems. However, the skill system will frustrate many younger kids more than anything else.
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