Final Fantasy 1 & 2 (Dawn of Souls) Review

These adventures, like fine wine, only improve with age.

While I hold the opinion that the 'final fantasy' series of role-playing adventures tend to overshadow comparable experiences that are offered on console and portable systems, it is important to also recognize the impact that this franchise has on role-playing games. Without Final Fantasy, no other competing franchises would exist, meaning that there would be no Star Ocean, Shadow Hearts, or Xenosaga.

While most game players are familiar with the later Final Fantasy games that have been released for Sony's Playstation systems, not everyone is quite as knowledgeable about the initial adventures in the timeline. With this in mind, Square-Enix released several games on the Sony Playstation in an attempt to highlight the franchise's heritage. Some of the games released were entitled 'Final Fantasy Anthology' which reproduced Final Fantasy 5 & 6, and 'Final Fantasy Chronicles' which reproduced Final Fantasy 4 & Chrono Trigger, a non-Final Fantasy adventure that many recognize as one of the best role playing experiences of all time. Another game that Square released was entitled Final Fantasy Origins, which reproduced Final Fantasy 1 & 2 on the Sony Playstation.

Interestingly, Square (now Square-Enix thanks to Square's acquisition of that company) saw it appropriate to replicate Final Fantasy 1 & 2 once again, this time for Nintendo's Game Boy Advance video game system. Do these adventures hold up on a portable platform, and how relevant are they in the midst of CG-cut scenes and complex menu systems?

For gamers that have already played Final Fantasy Origins, the interface for Dawn of Souls will be extremely similar, you are introduced to a title screen and have the opportunity to choose between playing Final Fantasy 1, Final Fantasy 2, or a bestiary where you can view all the enemies that you have defeated throughout your adventure.

Once you have made a decision as to what game you choose to play, you are taken to that adventure's title screen. Here is a brief synopsis of what to expect from each adventure.