When I was in middle school, I drooled over my copy of Nintendo Power, lusting over a copy of that upcoming "Final Fantasy" game. I mailed in my entries to win the fancy Final Fantasy crystal ball (but didn't win). Over the years, I played through it at least a half dozen times. I loved that game.

Final Fantasy 3 is a whole lot like that original Final Fantasy, with the addition of a bazillion job classes. Which basically means that you can change jobs on the fly, rather than being locked into the same job for the entire game like you were in the original Final Fantasy. The DS version does a really great job of 3D-ifying the original 8-bit classic while staying true to the source material. The music is solid.

I've seen FF3 described as the hardest Final Fantasy. This may be true (especially regarding the final 6 boss fights that you need to complete without any chance to save the game), but anything hard in these games can be overcome if you level your characters high enough and figure out the strengths & weaknesses of all the job classes.

This is just some classic JRPG goodness. And I like it.

Whew. The finale to this game is a monster. I'm glad I spent hours grinding beforehand because otherwise I'm not so sure I would have made it through on my first try, and that runback is insane (~2 hours!). But the difficulty spike also just felt right for this game and the gauntlet of bosses at the end really makes it stand out, at least compared to FF I and II. I still think the Crystal Tower and World of Darkness have nothing on the pain that was the boss rush at the end of XV: Royal Edition, but I'm sure I was super underleveled when I did that.

There's not much else to say. This is as "pure" a JRPG experience as you can find anywhere. It was the introduction of the traditional job system (for the series anyway, not sure about in JRPGs at large), and features a very very bland story nearly copypasted from the first game about getting to the 4 crystals and then beating the big bad dude. It was a bit hard to motivate myself to push through the midgame because there was nothing new here for me. This especially after having finished Bravely Default last year, which has a significantly more modernized take on the job system and a much much better version of the "4 crystals" storyline.

Still, I can see the appeal, especially taking its age into account. I was very tempted to give four stars because I love the brutality of the endgame, but I can't overlook how bland so much of the world and story is here compared to more modern stuff.

It's the best of the original trilogy, but age has not been kind to it.

PS: Being locked out of a bunch of extra content because of a pointless multiplayer system hurt. ;(

Final Fantasy 3 made a much-needed improvement in gameplay design from the previous two. It added complexity when compared to the first game and took away some of the poorly designed mechanics from the second. I still don't care for the style of gaming, but if you are interested in old-school turn-based combat, then it is possible it could interest you. In terms of the story, unfortunately, there is barely anything there, and anything that is there is presented in the most simplistic and unimaginative way possible. I may be biased in that I don't like this type of game, but in my opinion there is never an excuse for ignoring the story.

My suggestion is that if you want to play one of the early three Final Fantasy games, you choose one of them based on the following criteria:

Final Fantasy 1 - if you really want to see the origin of the genre and the series and do not desire great gameplay or story experience.

Final Fantasy 2 - if you prefer an early RPG that has a decent story (still not good, but much better than the other two)

Final Fantasy 3 - if you want a somewhat bearable gameplay design but don't care much about the story.

Overall: 2.00/5.00

Full Review: https://watchreadgame.com/final-fantasy-3-review/

This FF entry offers a charming and nostalgic RPG experience with updated 3D visuals, originally developed for the original NES. The turn-based combat and classic job system are highlights, allowing for strategic flexibility as your party evolves. While the story is fairly simple and the difficulty can spike without grinding, the game captures the spirit of early JRPGs. The PC version runs smoothly, with improved resolution and controller support, but the dated animations and repetitive music may not appeal to everyone. Though this is something only a person that is not a JRPG fan would say, so stay away from this one if you are not

This was the very first FF title that I played, which is from the "classic" era of the NES, and I knew I was in for a good time, loved the job system, it gives you a very good sense of progression, and makes you want to experience with different parties. And while I wish Square continued using this mechanic, I'm also glad they decided to create more unique entries afterwards, and decided to abandon this formula. I guess I'm a sucker for JRPGs which tries to incorporate TTRPG mechanics such as very well defined party roles, jobs and a progress system similar to the classic FF crystal ones.

Another aspect that stood out to me was how very old-school the game feels, even with its 3D facelift. Dungeon design can be punishing, with long stretches between save points and bosses that demand you fully understand your current job setup rather than brute-force your way through. This can be frustrating at times, especially for modern players used to more forgiving checkpoints, but it also reinforces a sense of tension and accomplishment that feels rare today. When a carefully planned party composition finally clicks and carries you through a tough encounter, the satisfaction is immense.

That said, the 3D remake does come with some quirks that are worth mentioning. The chibi art style may be divisive, and the pacing occasionally suffers due to mandatory grinding or sudden difficulty spikes that feel less balanced than later entries in the series. Still, these flaws are part of the package, and for fans of classic JRPG design, they’re easier to forgive. Overall, this remake serves as both a nostalgic trip and a fascinating snapshot of where the franchise came from, one that rewards patience, planning, and a genuine love for traditional role-playing systems.