Figured the best way to start playing the Final Fantasy games was to start at the beginning. I was struck by the ambition: the story and game mechanics, for the time, are really something (even if some aspects of the story went over my head thanks to the poor translation). It was neat to see the foundation of so many tropes established, most of which can't touch on without getting into spoilers. The basic turn-based combat is great, and the distinct character classes added a lot to it.

I'd probably rate this higher if I had played it back on release and had a better understanding of the impact, as well as some nostalgia for it. But as it was, the first Final Fantasy was still a very solid, fun RPG that surprised me in many ways. Look forward to replaying it as the recently released pixel remaster.

Played on NES Classic mini console.