Collection of SaGa: Final Fantasy Legend is an eclectic collection of SaGa games that fare with mixed results. This is a fun way to try out some lesser-known SaGa (and sort of Final Fantasy) titles, while experiencing some of the most unique RPGs the Gameboy has to offer.
Collection of SaGa: Final Fantasy Legend
Developer: Square Enix
Price: $20
Platforms: Nintendo Switch (reviewed)
MonsterVine was provided with a Switch code for review
Though technically not Final Fantasy titles (instead belonging to the SaGa series,) the Final Fantasy Legend games are a strange part of gaming history. They’re very original in their own way, with an atmosphere and mechanics that are hard to find anywhere else. How they’ve aged is another story, but the games are certainly worth experiencing if you’re a fan of RPGs.
The collection itself is made quite well, with a lot of customization options available to make for the most comfortable SaGa experience possible. You can change the size of the screen, the layout of the virtual controls, and the artwork surrounding the screen to your preference, which is all quite nice. I do wish there were save states though, which is often part and parcel for collections like this, as they would help with the learning curve of the first couple games. Plus, they’re just convenient. The handiest feature of all is the speed-up option, which makes the game run faster while keeping the music at its usual pace. These are fairly slow games in the collection, which makes this feature very, very welcome.
Final Fantasy Legend
The first Final Fantasy Legend is certainly the strangest and most exploitable of the trilogy, which makes it surprisingly fun to revisit or play for the first time. You play as a customizable group of characters who can be one of various races. You travel across various worlds while defeating bosses in order to save the realms. It’s a very basic story that works with the simplicity of the game, but isn’t really a selling point. Battles are simple turn-based affairs,
The character system is quite fun to mess around with, but the fact that it’s never really explained makes internet guides almost necessary. Humans level up stats through purchasable items, while Mutants level up depending on what stats they use in battle. Then there’s monsters, which switch type depending on the enemy meat they eat, making up a balanced party. If you choose all mutants, though, you can save all your money for equipment while you level up, which makes the game far easier. Since none of this is explained to you,
Final Fantasy Legend 2
Like with the first game, Final Fantasy Legend 2 has you create your own party as you try to save the world. This time, your character has to find MAGI shards after being entrusted with the quest by his now-absent father. It’s more complicated than the first game’s story, and it’s fun for what it is. Both the story and gameplay have been improved upon since Final Fantasy Legend, making this a more well-rounded RPG and game overall.
There are a few updates to Legend 2 besides the story, like the robot race and smoother pace of combat. The music is incredibly catchy this time around, and the visuals are more impressive than before. This feels like a big step from the bumpy start of the first FInal Fantasy Legend, as it’s closer to a traditional SaGa game. It’s not quite as strong as Legend 3, but it’s a good step in the right direction that holds up pretty well.
Final Fantasy Legend 3
More so than the previous two titles, Final Fantasy Legend 3 has aged pretty nicely. You play as a group of named young travelers who go back and forth in time in order to stop the destruction of the world using their futuristic ship, the Talon. It’s the most advanced story of the three, with settings and characters that feel more timeless than in previous entries.
Battles look a lot nicer in Final Fantasy Legend 3, and flow much more smoothly. Enemies and the player characters are all represented on the screen, and the game remembers which options you choose in each fight. The varying sprite sizes and the amount of detail make the game feel much more advanced than previous titles, as it feels like the team really hit their stride with Legend 3. It’s a fun game to revisit, as it feels like a fully-fleshed out RPG.
The Final Word
Collection of SaGa: Final Fantasy Legend is a peculiar but enjoyable collection that lets you play some of the Gameboy’s more obscure RPGs. If you’re a fan of the genre, it’s worth experiencing for how different the Final Fantasy Legend series is, though the mileage per game may vary depending on your patience. Either way, it’s nice to finally see these games free from the Gameboy.
MonsterVine Rating: 3.5 out of 5 – Fair
