Final Fantasy VI

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FINAL FANTASY VI first debuted in 1994 as the sixth instalment in the iconic FINAL FANTASY series. Innovations included the ability to play all the main characters as the game's protagonist, and to this day, its epic story intertwining each of their fates is still highly rated and wildly popular. With plenty of abilities available and the magicite system for controlling spells/summoning, players…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

80%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,622 reviews

story254 positive mentions

stability42 negative mentions

Incredible story with deep character development and emotional moments.
Great soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
Engaging gameplay with a variety of characters and unique abilities.

Poorly designed UI and controls that feel clunky and are not optimized for PC.
Character sprites and graphics are a downgrade from the original, leading to a less immersive experience.
Frequent bugs and glitches, including save file corruption and crashes.

story
562 mentions
45 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story of Final Fantasy VI is widely regarded as one of the best in the series, featuring a rich narrative with deep character development and emotional themes, including purpose and isolation. Players appreciate the game's innovative storytelling, which allows for significant character growth and multiple perspectives, while also tackling darker subjects. Despite some criticisms regarding pacing and character focus, the overall consensus is that the story remains captivating and impactful, even decades after its original release.
- “The story is just amazing.”
- “The way this game can withstand such a big world with a lot of quests to go through and even change itself as you progress was and still is pretty innovative for a game that came out in the 90s.”
- “The story is fantastic, the characters are enjoyable, and the music is outstanding.”
- “The plot kind of falls off a cliff halfway through the game.”
- “The only gripe I have with the story is that after a certain event where your party gets separated, the story kind of drops except when you find the characters.”
- “The story didn't grab me as much as it seemingly did for most.”
graphics
466 mentions
19 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The graphics of the latest version of Final Fantasy VI have received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over the updated art style, which they feel clashes with the game's original aesthetic. While some appreciate the enhancements and find the new visuals charming, others criticize them as muddy and lacking the charm of the original sprites. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the graphics may not meet the expectations of long-time fans, the core gameplay and story remain strong, and modding options are available to improve the visual experience.
- “The graphics were gorgeous in their original 16-bit, and they have been carefully touched up to look even better in this version.”
- “I love the overall redesign, the graphics are wonderful to look at.”
- “The updated graphics make the experience very enjoyable.”
- “The way this version ruins the game's art style is insulting.”
- “Let me preface this by saying that Final Fantasy VI is a great game and you should play it, but only play this version if it's your only option. The graphics are a huge downgrade from the original, the UI is terrible due to this being a straight port of the mobile version, and as I recently found out the music is out of sync at some parts.”
- “This is not a full remaster like Final Fantasy IV, but more of a graphical update.”
music
348 mentions
48 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in Final Fantasy VI is widely praised as one of the best soundtracks in video game history, composed by the legendary Nobuo Uematsu. Reviewers highlight its emotional depth, memorable themes, and the ability to enhance the game's storytelling and character development. While some express concerns about certain ports affecting the music's quality, many recommend using mods to experience the soundtrack in its full glory, affirming its timeless appeal and significance within the franchise.
- “The music in this game is arguably the best in the series and perhaps the best game soundtrack period.”
- “The story is amazing, the music, everything.”
- “The soundtrack is just amazing and turns everything more emotional.”
- “It is a shame there's no *ideal* port of FF6 that has both the visuals and music of the original with the improved translation and writing of later ports.”
- “I was willing to look past most of the drawbacks to try to beat it at least once but about halfway through (during some particularly important scenes) the music switched so jarringly that it completely broke any semblance of immersion and I just didn't want to play any more.”
- “Now the Steam version is exactly like the lazy mobile ports (least the music used is the quality of the PS1 release).”
gameplay
194 mentions
34 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Final Fantasy VI is characterized by its classic turn-based Active Time Battle (ATB) system, which remains engaging despite some dated mechanics. Players appreciate the depth provided by a diverse cast of characters, each with unique abilities, and the strategic elements introduced through the esper and relic systems. However, some criticisms arise regarding the frequency of random encounters, clunky controls in the mobile port, and the need for grinding, which can detract from the overall experience.
- “The gameplay is elegant, easy, and addictive.”
- “The gameplay is actually better and more strategy-based than some other Final Fantasy games and can be quite challenging at times; it has a nice story with many excellent twists.”
- “The gameplay, story, characters, and music all shine incredibly.”
- “Most of my gameplay consisted of dull battles from random encounters, and the worst part is that I didn't even get to play most of them, since this port has a 'fast forward auto battle' mode as a quality of life improvement.”
- “The gameplay is actually better and more strategy-based than some other Final Fantasy games and can be quite challenging at times, it has a nice story with many excellent twists, but of course, as it is a Final Fantasy game, it has a nasty habit of following many clichés.”
- “The controls are bad (hitting 'A' to approve a name adds the 'A' to that name, giving you Sabina and Edgara), the mechanics are bad (Bannon died 6 times fighting Ultros), and walking around is clunky and poor.”
stability
46 mentions
7 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
91 % negative mentions
The stability of this game port has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs, glitches, and crashes that hinder gameplay, particularly in critical areas. While some users have experienced a relatively smooth experience without issues, the overall consensus highlights a troubling number of technical problems that can make the game unplayable for others. Despite some improvements over previous versions, the persistent bugs and graphical errors have led to frustration among many players.
- “I experienced no glitches or freezing.”
- “Game runs great.”
- “The game works great, runs great, and is worth every penny.”
- “Final Fantasy VI is the best Final Fantasy game ever made, but this port is crap; it is buggy, it is edited for content, and the translation is much worse than the original.”
- “So buggy, I can't get past the introductory area without having to hit Alt+F4 to shut the game down hard due to game-breaking bugs making it impossible to do anything at all.”
- “I put 17 hours into the game only to experience glitches and troubles navigating menus, along with crashes that made the game unplayable.”
grinding
43 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Reviews of the grinding aspect in the game reveal a mixed reception. While some players appreciate the inclusion of a bestiary that adds purpose to grinding and the option to speed up combat, many find the grinding tedious and excessive, particularly in the endgame and for certain side quests. Overall, the experience can vary significantly depending on player preferences for challenge and engagement with the game's mechanics.
- “Another flaw which was still carried over from previous titles is the extremely grindy endgame.”
- “The combat felt very grindy and just a chore to do.”
- “This is not fun and engaging; it's a tedious slog through pointless battles that give no experience while trying to find all of them.”
emotional
28 mentions
96 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
Final Fantasy VI is widely praised for its emotional depth, featuring a diverse cast and a haunting score by Nobuo Uematsu that enhances its impactful storytelling. Many players highlight the game's ability to evoke strong feelings through its character arcs and memorable moments, with some even finding it more emotionally resonant than its predecessor, Final Fantasy VII. However, opinions vary, with some critics pointing out flaws in writing and pacing that detract from the overall emotional experience.
- “With the largest and most diverse cast of the entire Final Fantasy franchise, some haunting and emotional music from longtime composer Nobuo Uematsu, the best set of side-quests ever delivered, and a wildly intense final battle, Final Fantasy VI is, without question, a series standout.”
- “Each character has a heart-wrenching event, memory, or doubt to overcome and while not everything ends happily - and in any great story it shouldn't - they all break the shackles that are holding them back by the time you face off against Kefka at the end of the world.”
- “Final Fantasy VI may have the best story of any Final Fantasy game, telling the kind of story that was far deeper and more emotional than almost anything else on consoles at that time.”
character development
19 mentions
32 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising the depth and memorable side stories of the 14 playable characters, particularly the main protagonist, Terra, who undergoes significant growth. However, others express disappointment in the optional nature of character development, noting that it can be bypassed in favor of rushing to the final boss. Overall, while the game features a strong narrative and diverse character arcs, the execution of character relationships and interactions varies among players.
- “One of the best in the series with great story and character development.”
- “However, there are 14 playable characters, each of which have their own memorable side stories, character development, and personality.”
- “Wonderful story, great cast of characters with a plethora of character development, and a fantastic battle system with interesting mechanics from each character; not one character is the same.”
- “It should be noted that character development is somehow optional since post-half the game you can go straight to the final boss.”
- “The lack of character development and relationship building/interaction is disappointing, but this is still a good way to spend 30+ hours.”
- “- limited character development”
humor
18 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its blend of comedic and dramatic elements, featuring a cast of interesting and well-developed characters that keep players entertained. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke laughter through funny situations and character interactions, while also noting the impact of censorship on the original humor. Overall, the humor is seen as a key aspect that enhances the game's charm and engagement.
- “Good humor and drama, plenty of interesting characters and very decent pacing.”
- “With a greater array of genuinely funny and developed characters, you will never be short on entertainment and choice of playstyles.”
- “The game made me laugh often.”
replayability
13 mentions
23 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
The game's replayability varies significantly among players, with some praising its depth and character variety, allowing for multiple playthroughs and different experiences, while others find limited incentive to replay due to a lack of substantial new content. Overall, it ranges from highly replayable to medium-low, depending on individual preferences for exploring optional content and alternative endings.
- “If you love in-depth stories with 60+ hours of gameplay and countless replayability, this game is for you!”
- “Has replayability since there are so many characters you can use a different mash-up of guys and gals each time around.”
- “Overall a 9/10 highly replayable experience.”
- “Replay value: probably none.”
- “There isn’t too much in the way of replayability in this game, but a full playthrough of the main game will likely take you around 30-35 hours (around 40-50 hours if you want to tackle the additional areas).”
- “Replayability: medium-low.”
optimization
13 mentions
38 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while some players report smooth performance and no bugs, others criticize the clunky interface and poor graphical choices that feel more suited for mobile devices than PCs. Issues such as awkward sprite transitions and unoptimized menus detract from the experience, suggesting that the port could benefit from further refinement. Despite these drawbacks, many players still enjoy the game without significant performance issues.
- “I have almost 100 hours of playtime and I have not come across any bugs, so it is very well optimized.”
- “The game runs smoothly, the music is still Nobuo Uematsu's original masterpiece, and it's one of the best games ever created.”
- “No crashing or performance issues, and it is able to run smoothly on a PC that is definitely below average for CPU, memory, and video performance (which for a game this old, it should).”
- “It's optimized strangely, so the pixels look very smudged.”
- “Although the game itself is amazing, this version of FF6 is just above average due to the clunky battle interface that was optimized for mobile devices (not PCs), changed graphical sprites that feel more at home in a low-budget indie game, and text font presentation that seems to be pulled from RPG Maker.”
- “The already abysmal mobile interface is ported wholesale to PC with little optimization, with buttons and scroll bars in place of more thoughtful, less obtrusive, less eyesore layouts.”
monetization
9 mentions
33 % positive mentions
-22 % neutral mentions
89 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the monetization strategy of the game is perceived as a cash grab, with users expressing disappointment over the lack of free upgrades for existing owners and misleading advertising regarding the game's presentation. Many feel that the developers prioritize profit over quality, particularly in comparison to other titles in the franchise that received more attention and resources. Overall, the sentiment is that the game fails to justify its price, especially given its perceived low quality and lack of in-game purchases.
- “In-game purchases: none”
- “The game offers a fair monetization model that doesn't pressure players to spend money.”
- “I appreciate that there are no paywalls, allowing everyone to enjoy the game equally.”
- “Shame that they are doing a cash grab and making a newer version and not allowing owners of this version a free upgrade.”
- “This is 100% a cash grab and not worth the $8 I paid.”
- “This is a bad representation in quality, and just wanted a cash grab on nostalgia.”
atmosphere
5 mentions
40 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
40 % negative mentions
Overall, the atmosphere of the game is a mixed bag; while some users praise its great steampunk elements, wonderful artwork, and an astonishing soundtrack, others criticize the new sprites and overly bright visuals for detracting from the immersive experience.
- “Great steampunk atmosphere.”
- “It's still an incredible classic, with amazing atmosphere, wonderful artwork, and an astonishing soundtrack.”
- “The only downside is that the new sprites really suck, removing all atmosphere and feeling.”
- “From the first scene, everything is far too bright and smooth, losing any sense of atmosphere.”