Final Fantasy II Video Finale Coming Soon

Hey Everybody!

So, after a long, two-month process, I have finally completed FF2! It feels so good to finally finish. For awhile, it truly was my Moby Dick. But with the help of various sources on the Internet, including FAQs and forum posts, I finally made it. I have linked to these web sites in previous posts, but I wanted to take the time to say a quick thanks.

And thank you all for following. I'm surprised by how many views I get from something as simple as playing through the old FF series. I appreciate the viewers, and although this is a personal indulgence more than anything, I post it here for the viewers. Anytime you have suggestions or comments, please make it known below the post. I value your opinion!

We recorded the end of the game last night, and as usual, it's ripe with off-topic conversation and bad voice acting. Soon, I will have it posted online for all to see.

Then it's on to FF3, which is, so far, a much better game.

Have a great evening, Internet!

Final Fantasy II Part 15: Finale 2: The Demonic Castle

After Hoofing it Back to Pandemonium...

Ouch! Are you serious? This is bad...

I can't get past them, but at least they don't take me into an empty room!

After fighting some Death Riders, I score a great prize!

If you think it would look silly on Leon, it probably would. Of course, if I recall correctly, Ribbons prevent status effects. Who's silly now?

Scratch that comment about preventing status effects. At least it raises his Evade when he wants to dodge!

I make it to the second floor without any major issues. Other than the Death Riders, there is nothing new so far.

Lamia Country!

Pandemonium is a fairly straightforward final level in the first two floors. My only problem with it is that I have to walk long distances and climb lots of stairs up and down before I reach the end of each floor, meaning lots of random encounters.

Uh oh!

What? Sweet!

As I make my way to the end of the third floor, I start to question Pandemonium's odd blueprints. There are twists and turns all around me, and there are stairs that take me to other stairs like a messed up Escher painting. I guess the Kahuon builders must have died and been tasked with building this hellish castle. When I make it to the fourth floor, I find that there are even multiple doors in the final dungeon.

Unlike previous doors, all four of the doors actually take me somewhere!

Commander Gotus! You finally got a palette swap!

I start with the door all the way to the right, where I walk down a pathway and get the Genji Armor. It is guarded by the first boss of Pandemonium: Satan!



Thankfully, Satan also follows the singular FF2 boss rule. He can't stand up to my party, and even with Fire 16, he croaks. The best part is that I don't think I've ever played a game where I get to kill Satan! Does anybody else think it's weird that Satan looks like a bug and serves under the Newly-Reborn Emperor of Paramekia?

Unfortunately, when I try on the Genji Armor, it drops my characters' Evade almost down to 0%, so I leave it in my inventory for now. I then head into third door and make my way to find the Ribbon, guarded by Asteroth!



Asteroth proves to be a nuisance as he hits strong, has a lot of HP, and casts Death 16 successfully on Maria. At least he falls without any major threat. Out of curiosity, Maria tries to cast Life 2, but it misses. Just wondering! After the battle, I swap my equipment to raise my Defense and Evade as high as possible. Seeing a portal to the left of me, I decide to turn back and head to the second door, where I find the Genji Helmet, guarded by Tiamat. Back for more after the smackdown I put on you in FF1, huh? Bring it on!



Tiamat is once again a complete buttercup as he casts "high-level magic" and physically attacks me. He goes down without a true fight, leaving only one door left for me to travel. I head into the left door, where I find the Genji Gauntlets. Inside the chest, I also find an old friend, Borgan, who is now a zombie! He is as much of a joke as he was before, and he's not even worth the hard drive space to record a video.

I should have paid better attention to Zombieland. Always remember to double-tap so you know they're dead for good!

Further past the defunct General, I find a hidden room to the northeast, where I find the Masamune!

Yay!

At this point, I think I have made amazing progress, and hating to give it all up with an accidental death, Firion casts Exit so I can save, rest up, and replenish my stock.

Pandemonium Treasure Haul...so far: Ether, Eye Drop (seriously?), Genji Armor, Ribbon, Genji Gauntlets, and Masamune.

Is this the final death knell of FF2? What will happen next? Will Firion and the gang avenge their lost friends and families when they confront the Emperor?

Coming next time! Final Fantasy II Finale Part 3: The Video Finale!

Thanks for reading, and leave your comments below!

Final Fantasy II Part 14: Finale 1: Exploring the Jade Passage

Well, it was a very rude awakening! In fact, I got creamed just a few rounds into Jade Passage. Something tells me that I will not be doing all of this in one sitting, so I will be doing the first parts of the Finale in blog format. Once I know I'm ready, then I'll bring the crew in for the video Finale!

Preparing for the Expedition

Before I start, I take the party to Semite Cave to build up a little bit. I do this by using the Change trick as mentioned in the last blog entry. When it works, everybody's HP, MP, magic power, and vitality increases! Suddenly, my characters are a little stronger.

Where's the challenge then, you ask? Ambushes by the Great Malboros!

Great Malboro has the capability to inflict Mini, Poison, Silence, Paralyze, Sleep, and Confuse with a successful attack! Bad Breath can eat its heart out. It's thanks to this B.A.M.F. that I can't immediately make it through Jade Passage on my first try.

Instead, I take the wimpy route and take treasures as I encounter them, occasionally leaving to save my progress. I hope that as I continue my strategy that my characters will become powerful enough to handle it. Ladies and Gentlemen, I have sunk to a new low.

I head carefully down into the second level. Firion sits in the back with Maria since he has the best chance to run away.

This game sucks!

Doing My Research!

I take about a week away from FF2 as I rack my brain as to how I am going to get through this area to beat the game. For a long time, I scour the Internet for resources I can use to figure out how to make my way through.

The fights against Great Malboros are not well documented for the NES version. I take an alternate route and start to read about how to increase Agility and Evade, and thanks to a FAQ I read*, I decide that everybody needs a shield, except for Maria who sits in the back and casts anyway. Apparently, shields raise your Evade, and with each increasing shield level, your Evade bonus increases. According to the guide I read, Evade has a huge influence on how many hits you dodge, your likeliness to escape from battle, and even turn order. Having no other shields around, I buy some Ice Shields for Guy and Leon. And fun fact? I give Firion the Quartz Armor and unequip Guy's armor to raise their Evades.

After spending a couple hours doing some old-fashioned RPG grinding outside of Jade Passage, I get bored, save my game, and step back inside. In an amazing turn of events, some Great Malboros gang up on Firion, but when he's hit, he does not take as much damage and even dodges the status effects! Isn't it amazing that in a game with no traditional level-up system, you can still get stronger by grinding to level up weapons, shields, and magic?

Let's Continue, Shall We? :)

On the second level down, I find the Cat Claws knife, which brings me to my first boss battle of Jade Passage. Does anybody notice that a lot of the later boss fights in this game are optional? But how would you know? Would you willingly dodge a potential treasure? Here's the fight.



I realize after a turn that Leon has the Defense Sword equipped to increase his Evade, so I swap it out for the Sun Sword. The Blue Dragon hits hard, but to the peril of single-enemy boss fights, he doesn't stand a chance to my party. He's down and out!

After struggling for so long to get down those two floors, I finally make it down to the third level, where I see a waterfall.

This waterfall is not moving, and it's not because it's a screenshot!

After heading down a flight of stairs, I find the only way through is to walk through the waterfall, and like you would imagine, it hurts!

Ack! Game Boy mode again! It hurts! It hurts!

As I make my way through Jade Passage, I get that sense of security that makes me feel afraid, very afraid. But at the very least, it feels good right now.

HAHAHA! RUN AWAY, YOU SPHINX!

Yep; that's what I was afraid of. Grrr...This isn't over, Great Malboros!

Pulling Through?

In subsequent attempts, I fight the Blue Dragon again, and this time, I get the Dragon Shield, which raises Firion's Evade. I make my way down the waterfall again, this time clearing several of the Great Malboros which gave me trouble before. I find a treasure chest holding the Rune Axe, when I have a re-match with the Behemoth. Check it out below.



As with many of the FF2 bosses, Behemoth is strong, but he just doesn't stand a chance to a four person assault. Maria's Flare has become more impressive, and while Leon dies towards the end, the remaining three make it out safely.

I finally reach the bottom of the waterfall, and I notice that I can walk behind it. I'm surprised by what I find.

A magic shop!

Does anybody else think that this is the worst place for a magic shop? After all, this is Jade Passage. It only opens up once in a blue moon, but I digress. Maria buys Haste, and we move onward.

This gag really has haunted me through to the end.

Yay!

In a room deeper in Jade Passage, I find the Aegis Shield. It's worth knowing that as shield level increases, Evade goes up with it. If I had known that, I would have focused on that throughout this playthrough. Oh well. I'll know more next time. So Firion keeps the Dragon Shield because he already has an Evade of 91%, so Guy equips the Aegis Shield. Look at his stats now.

Strong? Yep. Stupid? Check. Evade? Wow!

On the other side of the floor, I find another Yoichi Bow, guarded by the Red Dragon. Anybody noticing that these treasures are useless to me because I own most of them already? Let's do this!



The Red Dragon proves to be a tough customer, as Leon can't even damage him with his sword. I don't think to try the Defense Sword in his inventory, and he casts Haste on the party instead. The dragon does a large amount of damage, but, thankfully, one large monster just doesn't stand a chance. It's outnumbered!

That's comforting.

Now you're just teasing me.

Is this it?

At long last, an entire summer's worth of Final Fantasy gaming, I've made it to...

Pandemonium! Even the game agrees with my mentality!

HAHAHA! Did you think I was really going to risk losing all of my progress? I'd rather cast Exit to save and then hoof it back.

It's time to save my game, rest, and refresh my items. Then I'm coming for you, Emperor. Oh yes...It's time!

Jade Passage Treasure Haul: 2 Hellfires, Diamond Staff, Ice Wind, Cat Claws Dagger, Rune Axe, Fang, Aegis Shield, Dragon Armor, Holy Lance, Yoichi Bow, 2 X-Potions, and Defense Gauntlets 

Coming next time! Final Fantasy II Finale Part 2: The Demonic Castle!

Thanks for reading, and leave your comments below!

*Many thanks to sco412's FF2 walkthrough. It provided some interesting ways to raise Evade that have ultimately helped me. You can find his FAQ at http://www.gamefaqs.com/nes/563414-final-fantasy-ii/faqs/41133.

Final Fantasy II Part 13: Impending Destruction

What in the World Happened While I Was Away?

I pass Altea and notice the town is completely destroyed. I can't even enter it. I quickly realize that the game is going to hit even harder than before when I notice the random encounters occurring outside of the game's first town.

A Big Horn outside of Altea? We're in trouble!

I pass by Gatea and also notice that it's destroyed. 

Ack! A tornado!

I enter Phin, which appears to be okay, but a kid tells me otherwise.

I'd say at least your buildings are intact, but no citizens can be problematic. What's up with this Whirlwind?

Inside Phin Castle, I also find out that Poft was destroyed by the Whirlwind. Apparently, the Emperor used his magic to create it, and if I were to attempt to enter it (What is this, Twister?), my body would be torn apart!

I guess the Emperor won't get torn apart by his own Whirlwind.

Inside the Throne Room, I get a pleasant surprise.

You must be a really good swimmer!

I guess it's hard to be positive when three towns are demolished by a Whirlwind, with Phin being next.

I learn from Gordon that I can only enter the Whirlwind if I can take flight. The word "flight" sticks out like a sore thumb, so I take my ship to Dist to check on the egg I saved.

When I reach Dist, Richard tells the kid that he was a friend of his father.

Whoa! Is that a Dragoon custom? Lost your friend? Get his wife and kid!

With no new information about the Hiryuu, I reset and return to Phin to ask Hilda and Gordon about the Hiryuu. Gordon knows nothing, but Hilda says that they used to use the light of the Pendant to call the Dragoon and the Hiryuu.* 

Shiny! I told you I'd be back!

I approach the mirror and show it the Pendant. The Hiryuu flies into the castle and unites with Richard. Wondering where the Hiryuu went, I open my inventory and find it.

OK, I thought a House in FF1 was ridiculous, but this takes the cake! Someone told me that it's supposed to be a flute to call the Hiryuu, but I choose to believe it''s the real deal.

Here goes nothing, Hiryuu! He looks kind of dopey... :(

Inside the Eye of the Whirlwind, I fight many tough monsters. After some Cockatrices run for their lives, I fight a Golem who actually looks like...

Thing?! I thought you were a good guy!

The Golem/Thing is very difficult, as if FF2 decided to hold a grudge with me ever since I defeated Gigas and his three powerful cousins. It takes several rounds to defeat him, but it gives me a chance to power up my Ultima spell, which does around 100 HP damage just at level 1! However, he is a tough foe as he hits hard and puts his targets to sleep!

On the second floor, I win the Poison Axe from a fight, giving Guy a welcome power boost! Then, lucky me, I find another Poison Axe in a treasure chest. After finishing exploring one side of the Whirlwind, I exit, sell off some excess items, and save before attempting the other side.

Commander Gotus again? He is resilient!

Oh no! Could this be the next Gigas fight?

Ah ha! Weak to fire!

After several blue floors, including spots where I lose HP per step, I enter an unusual place to be inside of a Whirlwind.

A palace! The Emperor is crazy!

At the edge of a staircase, I find a treasure chest with the Wind Flue. Inside of it, the Green Dragon lies waiting to strike! Check out the carnage below.



The Green Dragon is more powerful than his Dragon brother. It can use Mist 16 on everybody or attack for heavy damage. Halfway into the fight, I experiment with my magic and find that Bolt is effective against it, so I switch tactics and let Firion and Maria rip it to pieces with Bolt 3. For my efforts, I find the Greed Cane.

At the top floor, I find the Emperor sitting in his own personal Throne Room in the Eye of the Whirlwind. Watch the action below.



Afraid of what's coming to him, the Emperor sends out Corpses to attack me. I take them out easily, and then he assaults me with two Corpses and a Golem. I defeat his minions, and the Emperor turns out to be a complete joke, even easier than Borgan! When I return to Phin, Hilda and Gordon prematurely celebrate victory when a dying Rebel soldier reveals that the Dark Knight has been my former companion Leon all along! I accidentally skip through some text, but when I read it again in my video, it says, "I completely forgot about him!" I die laughing!

Whirlwind Treaure Haul: Ripper Knife, Poison Axe, Diamond Gauntlets, Diamond Helmet, Defense Sword, Diamond Armor, and Wind Flute

The Rebels are concerned because I will be unable to enter Paramekia because of the high mountains. However, when I hear mountains, I think Hiryuu, but when I get there, I can't figure out how to use it, so I use my Chocobo to figure out where to go next.

Hmm...Airship is still there, but Poft is gone. Where is Cid?

I head back to Phin. Stumped, I check the walkthrough mentioned before and realize I am supposed to talk to Paul the Thief, the one person I missed!

You're right. Cid is normally pink!

It turns out Cid was taken down in the Whirlwind, but the Airship is completely okay. I just have to go get it so I can get into Paramekia. Weird question, though. If the Hiryuu can take me into the eye of a Whirlwind, why can't it take me to the castle? Cid asks me to take care of his life's work and then dies.

Very sensitive, Paul!

In a random battle on the way to the Airship, I fight several Sergeants and Sorcerers, and one of them drops the Haste spell! Firion learns the spell, and now I can boost how many hits I get per attack, just like in FF1!

Here we go!

Paramekia Castle. Bring it On, Dark Knight!

I land inside of the highest tower of the castle and make my way to what I hope is the Throne Room. Instead, it's a trap door.

Ouch! Well, at least I'm in.

He's not Leon, but he's definitely one of those Dark Knight punks who killed me during the Prologue!

Throughout Paramekia Castle, I find many chests containing junk items that I throw out on the spot. In another chest, I find that Bolt Spear, which leads to fight with a Shade. The Shade looks like the Emperor but is much much harder. He curses Firion and Guy, leaving Maria and Richard alone for a few rounds. For the next set of rounds, he repeatedly attempts to cast Curse 8 on the party and misses until nearly the end of the fight. Luckily, Shade is the most difficult enemy here, and despite the castle being a long and confusing area, I am finished with it.

I finally reach the Throne Room and confront the Dark Knight. Watch what unfolds.

Paramekia Treasure Haul: Diamond Armor, Buckler, Knife, Garlic, Egg Timer, Bolt Spear, Heart, Valium, Magic Cane, Greed Cane, Evil Cane, and Sun Sword

A picture of my new party member. It looks like Leon is extremely skilled in several fields, but I am going to stick him with a sword and shield, if possible.

When I re-enter the Throne Room, Layla tells me that the Emperor sold his soul to the Devil to come back to life. Hilda tells me that Paramekia Castle has become the ancient demon castle Pandemonium. I find out that the only way I can reach this castle is to visit Jade, something the sages at Mysidia should be able to fill me in on. 

Taking Care of Business

I fly to Dist to share the bad news with Elina and her son. Elina is devastated by Richard's sacrifice, and when I press on the topic of Dragoons, she tells me she and her son are going to leave Dist. Before she leaves, she tells me that I will carry on the legacy of the Dragoons by wielding the Excalibur! 

In the library at Mysidia, I read that Jade is the passageway between the world and Pandemonium. Recalling Layla's information that Jade is a strait to the east of Mysidia, I hop onto the Airship and see if something new has popped up in the area.

I love Airships! It's a bit sad that there is no Airship theme in this game though...

Deep inside of that passage, I know that I will find Pandemonium. It took a long time, but have I finally reached the Home Stretch of FF2? Will my hard work have paid off, or will this be a rude awakening? There's only one way to find out!

But we won't be going in without being truly prepared first.

Here is my party before I enter Jade Passage.

Check out the Change trick featured in the Leveling Guide I used earlier. Here is the address: http://www.gamefaqs.com/nes/563414-final-fantasy-ii/faqs/21734

Using Change means that I lose pretty much all my MP, but it's OK. I'm rich and can afford to sleep it off!

Coming next time! Final Fantasy II Finale Part 1: Exploring the Jade Passage!

Thanks for reading, and leave your comments below!

*Many thanks again to Amar Kishan's walkthrough of FF2, found at http://www.gamefaqs.com/nes/563414-final-fantasy-ii/faqs/10175. Without looking at this guide, I may have traveled all the way down to the bottom of Dist Cave to find nothing and have wasted my time!