Ultimate Fantasy II has lengthy been thought-about one of many weaker mainline entries in Sq. Enix’s sequence. Whereas it did try to push the property ahead when it comes to storytelling, its intriguing however deeply flawed levelling system has left many a participant unimpressed through the years.
In Ultimate Fantasy II, you play as a bunch of youths who make a stand towards an all-conquering empire. When in comparison with its predecessor, there is a heavier give attention to characters and political plot factors — maybe an indication of issues to come back for the franchise. It is not what we would name a very memorable story, but it surely does add a little bit of weight to the journey.
Truly progressing stated story will be tedious, nonetheless. The sport has a ‘key phrase’ mechanic the place you will study numerous phrases by chatting with non-playable characters. The concept is which you can then use these essential phrases to open up new matters of dialog, thus advancing the plot. Sadly, it finally ends up feeling like an pointless step in unfurling what’s finally an easy, largely predictable narrative.
And as alluded, Ultimate Fantasy II has extra bizarre concepts up its sleeve. The aforementioned levelling system sees your base stats and weapon proficiency enhance via performing particular actions in turn-based battles. Take sufficient injury and your most HP will enhance; forged magic a number of instances and your intelligence will get a lift. A reasonably revolutionary system on paper, but it surely falls aside in a short time in apply.
The principle drawback is that it simply takes so lengthy for these stat will increase to rack up. The grind in Ultimate Fantasy II is actual, and to make issues worse, it generally looks like development occurs at random. To not point out that it is all extremely exploitable, since celebration members can assault each other to maximise their positive aspects. It is simply so poorly applied.
Thank god for the Pixel Remaster’s boosts, then. On this enhanced re-release, you’ll be able to enhance the speed at which your stat positive aspects happen (by as much as 4 instances), making the entire course of approach extra tolerable. These additions alone arguably make this the most effective model of a divisive Ultimate Fantasy.
