Ultimate Fantasy V might be probably the most ignored instalment within the mainline sequence. It did not come West till years after its unique launch, and by the point that it lastly bought a PlayStation port, it had been left within the mud by its genre-defining successors. What’s extra, V by no means actually obtained the retroactive consideration that was granted to the likes of Ultimate Fantasy III or Ultimate Fantasy IV.
However Ultimate Fantasy V deserves one other probability. It combines a extra concerned gameplay loop with a storytelling focus, making for a reasonably robust-feeling RPG. That mentioned, the story and the characters are literally a step again in contrast these of its speedy predecessor. The sport’s crystal-based plot may be barely plodding and predictable, whereas get together members lack depth by way of character and motivations.
Nonetheless, the sport as a complete retains the sense of journey that is so key to retro Ultimate Fantasy — and that is one other world that is pleasing to discover. There are additionally extra light-hearted moments sprinkled all through V, which supplies it a novel form of allure when in comparison with its darker, moodier siblings.
Ultimate Fantasy V’s gameplay techniques are what makes it value enjoying immediately. It takes the job system from Ultimate Fantasy III and runs with it, letting you tweak your heroes to a formidable extent. As an alternative of simply assigning lessons to your group, you’ll be able to grasp particular skills from completely different jobs and apply them to others. This principally means you could create hybrid character lessons, permitting for an addictive stage of get together customisation.
This does, nevertheless, push a must grind if you wish to unlock a variety of job skills. Fortunately, the Pixel Remaster makes the method simpler than ever, as a brand new ‘Increase’ can multiply the quantity of Means Factors that you simply purchase from battles. Helpful!
With an honest story, okay characters, and fairly commonplace turn-based fight, Ultimate Fantasy V does really feel a bit too secure at occasions, however the expanded job system actually ties a whole lot of the expertise collectively. A forgotten Ultimate Fantasy for a lot of, however one which’s nonetheless enjoyable to play by way of.