Do not adjust your web browser: Final Fantasy VI is headed to PlayStation for the first time, with a glimpse of Final Fantasy X included.
Before Zidane, before Squall, before Cloud... there was Terra. The name 'PlayStation' was only familiar to a few Sony employees, 16-bit consoles were at the peak of their success and a game called Final Fantasy VI was wowing Japanese gamers. The year was 1994, and despite the enormous success of the last 16-bit Final Fantasy, it took three years for the first FF game to grace PlayStation. Now five years on, hardcore Square fans are getting a chance to go 'all retro' with the release of Final Fantasy VI on PS one, bundled with a demo of the superlative-laden Final Fantasy X on PlayStation 2.
One of the most influential titles ever, Final Fantasy VI achieved massive sales in Japan and the US. The game itself retains the classic 16-bit graphical style long associated with the early days of the FF series, but a number of additions have been made including a brand new computer-generated cinematic opening and closing sequences and a still-top-secret special bonus mode.
Arguably just as deep as its graphically enhanced descendants, it stands as a worthwhile purchase for anyone interested in seeing how a classic series has evolved over time. Just to make this point completely clear, FFVI will be packaged with a two-level playable demo of Final Fantasy X for PS2. Now don't get confused: if you're a PS one owner, you can still play the brilliant FFVI, but it's only PS2 owners, with their lovely backwards-compatible machine, that will get the most out this unique combination.
The FFX demo allows you to take part in two key parts of the game, each offering a tantalising teaser of what you can expect to encounter without giving away any secrets or potential plot points. The first 'level' takes place at the very start of the game, where you take control of new lead Tidus as he tries to escape an attack on his hometown Zanarkand, whereas the second has him exploring the rainforests of Besaid encountering new characters who will aid in his quest. With a stunning and seamless mix of CG cutscenes and realtime graphics and a brief introduction to the new and improved battle scheme, the demo gives a taste of the Final Fantasy X experience that will definitely have you hungering for more by the end.
