The final installment of the original Nintendo Entertainment System’s Final Fantasy series, Final Fantasy III aimed to enhance the successful franchise. While its predecessor, Final Fantasy II, introduced a unique leveling system based on actions rather than traditional experience points, Final Fantasy III expanded on this concept with the introduction of the Job system. This allowed players to change each character’s job, chosen from a variety of classes, offering a new level of customization and strategy. For this review, we’ll focus on the 3D remake for the DS, also available on Steam.

The story begins with Luneth falling into a cave after an earthquake and discovering the first crystal. As a freelancer, players start their quest, quickly gathering the other three characters as they attempt to break a Djinn’s curse. As the story progresses, players encounter additional crystals, unlocking more job options for their characters. The narrative revolves around the power of the crystals, the eternal battle between light and darkness, and other classic fantasy tropes, all accompanied by the renowned music that Square is known for.

Mechanically, Final Fantasy III retains the turn-based combat system of its predecessors. However, it introduces a greater variety of jobs, offering players more flexibility in customizing their party. While this opens up numerous strategic possibilities, some classes may feel redundant or unnecessary. For example, the Monk and Black Belt classes are quite similar, differing primarily in their special abilities. This abundance of options can sometimes detract from the storytelling aspect of the game.

Despite this, Final Fantasy III remains a compelling and enjoyable experience. Its innovative Job system and deep customization options make it a standout title in the series. While the story may feel somewhat superficial in places, limited by the technology of its time, the game’s overall enjoyment, challenging gameplay, memorable music, and engaging story endeared it to millions with many concepts and mechanics that continue to shape rpgs to this day.