COLLECTION of SaGa FINAL FANTASY LEGEND
I had always had a genuine interest in trying FF Legends (aka the original saga games).
This version is just running the original ROMS (both the English and Japanese versions), with a few additions (mainly high speed mode, and for some reason you can play it in portrait mode).
Now, with that said, this version has a huge problem. The original games were GameBoy games so the text in the games is very sparce. So in order to learn the mechanics you were expected to read a manual that came with the game.
The problem here is that the game doesn't provide you that info (there isn't either a manual or some info in the "launcher" of how to use them) so I had to google how the classes and character progression worked (it's not really a problem but there's a couple of things that are worth searching).
As far as the individual games go:
FF Legends (SaGa):
The first one, off this one is rough at times it feels more like a prove of concept than a full game. The plot is simple: go to the top of the tower and learn the secrets of this world.
The game offers you 3 different classes:
- Humans (M/F): this class doesn't level up in anyway but rather it requires you to buy certain items that will rise your stats.
- Mutants (M/F): This class levels up more like a SaGa class, (i.e. by using them). They will randomly learn spells, and replace some that you have equiped (the game doesn't tell you, so you might no realise you've lost a skill you wanted until it's too late).
- Monsters: The most interesting class. They don't level up but rather will evolve by eating the enemies meat (that's dropped by monster enemies), there are some tables in the internet that will teach you how it works, you might want to check them since certain meats might downgrade your monster.
The inventory system is very restrictive since you can only have like 8 items in the inventory + w/e you have equiped.
Also, weapons have limited uses spells too (but those are replenishable when you rest).
In theory if a party member dies too many times you lose it forever and need to get a new one (I say in theory, because I never reached that situation.)
FF Legends II (SaGa II):
Compared to the previous game it has some semblance of a story and feels more cohesive.
It really feels like a full game (for what an 8-bit handheld jrpg can be).
The story gets started because you have to find your long lost father. Each of the places you visit has a theme going on (that kind of happens in the first, but you visit so few areas)
This game includes a Memo that has all the info you've collected for things you might need to know.
This game shows you the stat games at the end of the fight (which is a welcomed change).
This game includes a new class and has some adjustments to the already existing ones.
- Humans: they work similarly to the previous game, except for the fact that they now level up by using them.
- Mutants: Work similarly to the previous game, but now you know that the skill you will lose will always be the last one on your list of skills, so you can always put as the last the ability you care the less about.
- Monsters: They work exaclty the same.
- Robots: Their stats, are tied to their equipment (weapons go back to their full number of uses upon rest).
The inventory system is a bit better. And unlike the previous game the party you choose at the beginning is fixed (barring monster transformations and guest party members).
FF Legends III (SaGa III):
The last of the 3 games. This game, I believe, was made by a totally different team and it shows. It plays more like a traditional JRPG. With a traditional leveling system.
The game keeps the class system but with a few twists. You start with a party of two humans and two mutants. That you can, if you want, transform into monster or robots (and back again) if you consume their drops. That said I didn't feel the need to experiment with it, but I guess it can add some depth to the system.
The story plays a bit with time travel which is kind of interesting.
With all that said, I have no idea how to rate these games. I mean they're good, as far as 8 bit JRPGs go but they're products of their time.