While this collection was released containing both Final Fantasy V/VI, and a compilation of music from both games, it still could have been much better. The ratings that I have given this collection stands for the entire package. The games are great in their own right, but in all, this package is not even close to what it could have been. The thing that has been debated for months and months prior to the release of this collection is the omission of the legendary Final Fantasy IV (or previously Final Fantasy II). For some strange reason, Square didn't see fit to include this game in this collection, instead replacing it with music CD with twenty-two tracks. But, more on the soundtrack coming up.

Let me get to the games though, before I harp on about what could have been possibly the greatest release this year for many gamers. Lets start with Final Fantasy V, the primary reason many will buy this collection. For starters, FF V was never released here in the U.S. Many gamers complained for years and finally got what they asked for. The sad thing is that Final Fantasy V has been available in emulation for quite some time now, fully translated by fans for fans. So many people who wanted to play FF V have already done so. But if you are like me, and decided to wait it out until I was finally released here, you are in for a treat. Other than some minor quibbles with the translation of the names (i.e. Butz is Bartz in the U.S. version) Square did an excellent job with this. But the factor that takes main stage with Final Fantasy V is the gameplay. If you were really into the "Job" system of Final Fantasy Tactics, you are going to be in heaven with this game. The "Job" system was first created for FF V and while not as well rounded as the FFT system, shows only slight age in its interface. There are around 21-22 possible classifications for your characters, and this adds quite a bit of replay value to this game alone. With this many 'Jobs" just about every time you play through the game, you can have different "jobs" adding to, or decreasing the difficulty in the process. Another great thing about this game is the music. This game has an excellent soundtrack with it, and you will find many themes here that you have heard before, along side of a multitude of new tracks, that stand the test of time much better than the soundtrack to Final Fantasy VII and VIII are as old as this game. Perhaps the only thing lackluster about this game is its graphics. You can tell that these graphics are early SNES graphics. It's too bad that most consumers will see these graphics and not even give the game a chance for this reason alone.

A lot of people have fond memories of Final Fantasy VI, and even more consider it the best RPG ever made. While I don't believe that, it ranks near the top of my list nonetheless. You will see a huge jump in graphic quality from V to VI, and also in just about every other aspect of the game. The plot line is better than almost all of the RPGs available today, the magic system blows FF VIII's draw system out of the water, and the musical score is perhaps one of the finest creations by a composer EVER, ANYWHERE. (Ed's Note: It's all about Nobou man!!!) This game has a cast of playable characters so huge, that it's almost scary. This game has more playable characters than almost all RPGs in recent memory. And they are all developed and dealt with individually. In the end, this game wows you with perhaps the greatest ending in a video game, ever.

So what about that soundtrack CD that Square seemed to see fit to replace that godlike game of Final Fantasy IV? Square took a poll on their web page asking for your favorite tracks from each of the games. Well, if they actually used these poll results, I have to say one thing; "What is the matter with you voters?" The two tracks that I voted never made the cut either. I personally voted for "The Dragon Spreads its Wings" from FF V and "Locke," from FF VI. For some reason I have this sneaking suspicion that Square didn't even use the poll results because I think fans of these games that would actually know the names of the tracks would have better taste than this. One thing that I think would have been VERY cool if Square had decided to do it is not to use the tracks from the game, but use arranged tracks from the Final Fantasy Pray, Love Will Grow, and the multitude of other albums out there devoted to Final Fantasy.

Well, for all you returning players that have finished both of these games in the past, what kind of extras will you be getting that make the trip worth a second (or tenth) time around? Well, the first thing you will notice are the simply exquisite opening and ending CGs. These are done in the style of Final Fantasy watercolor guru, Yoshitaka Amano (whose beautiful artwork is all over the game box and instruction manual). I must say that I enjoy the looks of these movies more than the movies in Final Fantasy VII/VIII. It sent chills down my spine the first time I saw Terra walking to her Magitec Armor in the opening to Final Fantasy VI. Another slightly cool thing that is included with Final Fantasy VI is the Bonus section. In this "gallery" of sorts you can look at many things like monsters, areas in the game, and watch all the movies and find out information about each of them. This is a lot of fun to mess around with, but you have to finish the game before you can access everything. On the downside, players will have to deal with the slight amount of slowdown that is present in each game. Since both of the games are running on SNES emulators, they have their flaws. But in all this is nothing that will get you very upset. But on the upside, if you press the O button while walking, it makes you run. This feature was not present in either of the games in the past.

You may be wondering why I didn't give much of a back-story on what each of the games are about. Well, the truth is that it's most likely that if you wanted these games, you already have this Anthology. I'm not going to harp on about FF IV being kicked out of the collection (I mean it is my favorite in the series, but I still own the SNES version, so I'm content). To get right down to it, if you haven't played these games, and consider yourself an RPG fan, go buy this. There might not be pretty full motion video every 20 minutes, but these games are far superior to the more recent versions of Final Fantasy; and that's the truth. Believe me.

· · · Mezz