Final Fantasy III

About

Final Fantasy III is a single player open world role playing game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Square and was released on April 27, 1990. It received positive reviews from players.

Final Fantasy III is a top-down RPG with improved turn-based combat, allowing for consecutive enemy attacks. Players explore the overworld, enter cities and dungeons for equipment and rest, and engage in random battles with bosses. The game also introduces the Job system and the Moogle species, adding depth and variety to the gameplay.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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86%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,707 reviews

graphics234 positive mentions

grinding24 negative mentions

graphics
384 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
36%
3%
The graphics of the game have received a mixed response from users, with many praising the updated visuals as a significant improvement over the original DS version, describing them as crisp, colorful, and smooth. However, some players expressed a desire for options to switch to the original graphics style or noted that the graphics could be better optimized for high-resolution devices. Overall, while the graphics are generally well-received, there are calls for further enhancements and customization options.
- “The graphics are beautiful, the animation runs smoothly and the storyline will keep you entertained for hours.”
- “The graphics are amazing and the way touch screen was implemented into the game is just spectacular.”
- “The graphics are clear, crisp, colourful and bright.”
- “I personally would prefer clean 2D graphics over the blocky 3D ones that it has.”
- “Really very worst graphics, and battery drains very fast.... I uninstalled within 5 minutes, but refund is not provided.”
- “A negative side is that the graphics are really bad.”
story
247 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
45%
6%
The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the nostalgic charm and character development compared to the original versions, while others find it simplistic and lacking depth. Some highlight the engaging quests and character backgrounds, but note that the narrative can feel generic and linear, especially when compared to later entries in the series. Overall, while the story may not be groundbreaking, it remains enjoyable and complements the classic gameplay experience.
- “The story is amazing because there are varieties of puzzles and enemies to defeat.”
- “The epic story, great characters, awesome world, cool villain, etc. My first Final Fantasy game I've played and been hooked ever since.”
- “A story about 4 orphans who were chosen to be 'warriors of light.' A story that brings tears, laughter, smiles, and friendship, all in this one series.”
- “However, for all the good points of the game, one failing it has is that its story and gameplay were a bit bland and generic.”
- “The story is paper thin, the game requires excessive level grinding and the difficulty is relentlessly hard.”
- “The story is clichéd and boring and the characters are one-dimensional cutouts, but that aside, I'm having fun.”
gameplay
203 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
45%
2%
Overall, the gameplay is praised for its smoothness, engaging mechanics, and nostalgic appeal, particularly for fans of the Final Fantasy series. While some reviews note that the story may be lacking in depth and the mechanics can feel dated, the job system and touch controls are highlighted as strong features that enhance the experience. Many players report enjoying lengthy gameplay sessions, with some estimating over 40 hours of content, making it a worthwhile investment for RPG enthusiasts.
- “The job system allows for so many different approaches to gameplay, and really allows for unique expression of character.”
- “The gameplay is very engaging and exhilarating.”
- “The gameplay is smooth and the graphics are nice and crisp.”
- “However, for all the good points of the game, one failing it has is that its story and gameplay were a bit bland and generic.”
- “The gameplay is repetitive, boring, and contains almost no strategy element.”
- “In terms of gameplay, I found this game to be the weakest in the Final Fantasy series, and I'm playing it only to have completed the whole series.”
stability
93 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
6%
35%
The stability of the game varies significantly among users, with many reporting smooth performance and minimal glitches on various devices, while others experience frequent freezes, crashes, and audio issues. Some players noted that the game runs well on specific models, but issues like random freezing and buggy controls were common complaints, particularly on older devices. Overall, while some users enjoyed a stable experience, a notable portion faced frustrating stability problems that detracted from their gameplay.
- “I have experienced no glitches and no trouble running the game.”
- “The game runs great on my galaxy phone for me.”
- “This is the true proof that this company can bring Final Fantasy VII to the Android platform, this Final Fantasy III version plays so smoothly, controls are really good, no lags, no glitches, superb graphics and animation.”
- “Whenever I touch the settings buttons on the main screen, it asks to download game data, and when I press begin, it freezes and then crashes.”
- “Cons: freezes randomly at least 2-3 times/hour (thank you autosave).”
- “After getting 2 minutes into the game, it freezes. Please fix or refund for Galaxy S2.”
music
66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
36%
5%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the soundtrack as a standout feature that enhances the overall experience. While some noted that certain tracks can become repetitive, the remixed versions and nostalgic themes, particularly from Nobuo Uematsu, are celebrated for their quality and emotional impact. Overall, the music is described as atmospheric, memorable, and integral to the game's charm, making it a highlight for both new players and fans of the original series.
- “The soundtracks are a masterpiece to listen to.”
- “I fell in love with Doga's mansion theme tune and the crystal tower soundtrack; I felt like I was in heaven.”
- “Great game and fantastic soundtrack.”
- “It's good but they need a volume button for all FF games; the music gets too repetitive and boring after a while.”
- “Sound (music, effects) intermittently cuts out.”
- “Music quality and looping could be better, but otherwise very true to the original versions.”
optimization
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
22%
7%
Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with many users reporting smooth performance and impressive graphics across various devices, including older models like the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 and Nexus S. While some players noted minor technical issues and a desire for further optimization on specific devices like the Xperia Play, the majority found the controls intuitive and the gameplay enjoyable, making it a well-executed mobile port. Battery drain is also reported to be reasonable, contributing to a positive gaming experience.
- “This port improves on the game's resolution and is optimized for mobile gaming.”
- “The game runs smoothly, looks great (better than the DS version?), and I have yet to see it really drain my battery in any significant way.”
- “Graphics are great, gameplay is memorable, controls are smooth, and the whole thing is optimized perfectly.”
- “Needs optimization.”
- “Great game, don't see why it's not optimized for the Xperia Play though, so please make that update. I would give it 5 stars, no problem.”
- “Looks good even on a tablet, all it needs now is Tegra optimization!”
grinding
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find that grinding is a significant aspect of the game, often requiring excessive time to level up characters and jobs, especially towards the end. While the introduction of auto-battle has made grinding more manageable and enjoyable, many still feel that the overall experience is marred by tedious random battles and a lack of coherent strategies for boss fights. Overall, the consensus is that while grinding is a staple of the gameplay, it can detract from the enjoyment and pacing of the story.
- “The only thing I forgot was how much I hate the level grinding in this particular Final Fantasy.”
- “The story is paper thin, the game requires excessive level grinding and the difficulty is relentlessly hard.”
- “I'm too old to spend my play time endlessly grinding levels - games should be paced such that the story follows the natural PC level progression.”
monetization
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
37%
36%
The monetization model of the game is highly praised, as it features no in-game purchases or ads, providing a seamless and enjoyable experience for players. Users appreciate the upfront cost of the game, viewing it as a fair trade-off for the absence of intrusive monetization tactics commonly found in mobile games. Overall, the lack of in-app purchases enhances the gameplay, allowing players to fully engage without financial distractions.
- “It's absolutely worth a playthrough with no in-game purchases whatsoever.”
- “No horrible in-app purchases.”
- “No ads, no in-game pay options bugging you, and smooth gameplay makes me feel better about the 16 bucks.”
- “If you want to complain about the price, the 'free' Zenonia 4 costs more with all its in-app purchases that you cannot beat the game without.”
- “None of this in-game purchase crap.”
- “It's easy to forget that the phone can be used for something other than a platform for stuffing ads into our brains.”
replayability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
86%
43%
The game's job system significantly enhances its replayability, offering strategic depth and encouraging multiple playthroughs. Players appreciate the lengthy gameplay, with many noting that it provides over 40 hours of engaging content, making it a highly replayable experience. Overall, the combination of fun mechanics and touchscreen controls contributes to its strong replay value.
- “The job system is lots of fun, adding a level of strategy and replayability.”
- “Great game with lots of replayability thanks to the job system.”
- “40+ hours of gameplay, extremely replayable due to the job system.”
- “The job system adds some replayability, but it feels limited in scope.”
- “While the game has a job system that could enhance replayability, it ultimately falls short.”
- “The replayability factor is hindered by a lack of meaningful choices in the job system.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players have praised the game for its heartfelt storyline and emotional impact, with some expressing that it evoked strong feelings reminiscent of childhood. The graphics have also been highlighted as exceptionally moving, contributing to an overall emotional experience that resonated deeply with players.
- “A truly heartfelt storyline combined with an emotional journey.”
- “Fantastic game, made me feel like a kid again.”
- “The graphics almost made me cry; that's how good they look.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by its melodious and immersive music, complemented by vibrant graphics that run smoothly without lag. Players recommend using headphones to fully appreciate the sound design, which significantly contributes to the overall experience.
- “The music is atmospheric and melodious, the graphics are colorfully displayed, and there is no lag. It helps me achieve my dream of completing the Final Fantasy series.”
- “Use headphones because the music is fantastic and really enhances the atmosphere.”
- “The game is atmospheric and runs smoothly.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
Reviewers express disappointment in the character development, noting a lack of depth and progression in the story despite the game's length. Many feel that this is a missed opportunity for a franchise known for strong character arcs, suggesting a desire for a return to earlier design styles.
- “I do enjoy a challenge, but at times the boss would blast me and I would just go, 'really...?'. My biggest gripe is the lack of depth to the story and virtually no character development, something Square Enix usually nails!”
- “15 hours in and I'm barely even getting started with the depth of character development that can be achieved and the length of the story.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers highlight the game's humor as charming and well-integrated, complementing its great music and appealing level design.
- “Great music, nice level design, and charming humor.”
- “The witty dialogue and hilarious character interactions kept me laughing throughout the game.”
- “I love how the game uses clever puns and funny situations to keep the mood light and entertaining.”