50.6 hours played
Written 30 days ago
The 3D remake of Final Fantasy III is more than just a visual facelift—it’s a thoughtful reintroduction of one of the most important, yet long-overlooked, entries in the series. Originally released in Japan in 1990 for the Famicom, Final Fantasy III was the first game in the franchise to introduce the job system, and this 3D version breathes new life into that legacy with modernized mechanics, an expanded story, and a fresh coat of polygonal paint.
In the original, the four Warriors of Light were anonymous, function-over-flavor avatars. The 3D remake changes that by giving the protagonists—Luneth, Arc, Refia, and Ingus—individual personalities, brief backstories, and light character development. It’s still minimalist by today’s standards, but this change adds much-needed heart to the classic tale of saving the world from encroaching darkness.
The plot remains a simple, high-fantasy adventure filled with ancient crystals, fallen civilizations, and elemental balance. It’s traditional, yes, but it has a certain old-school charm—especially for players who appreciate a more straightforward heroic journey.
At the core of FFIII’s appeal is its job system, and the remake keeps that front and center. As you progress through the game, you unlock dozens of jobs—ranging from Black Mage and Knight to Evoker, Dragoon, and Ninja. The flexibility to change jobs at will (with a minor penalty to discourage constant switching) allows players to experiment with party builds and strategies.
Combat is traditional turn-based fare with a snappy tempo, and the difficulty curve feels more balanced than the NES original. That said, bosses can still be punishing if you’re underleveled or using suboptimal jobs, and dungeons are often long with limited save points. The final stretch, in particular, remains a gauntlet of attrition.
The 3D graphics, while basic by today’s standards, hold a nostalgic appeal. Character models are expressive, the environments are colorful, and monster designs are faithfully adapted from the original sprites. The DS-era visual style has aged decently, and the game looks crisp on mobile and PC platforms.
There’s also something charming about the chibi-style proportions and how they contrast with the game’s more serious moments—it makes the experience feel like a whimsical yet earnest fairy tale.
Nobuo Uematsu’s iconic soundtrack is lovingly remastered in the 3D remake. From the haunting melody of “Eternal Wind” to the tense boss battle themes, the music elevates the emotional impact of the game. The soundtrack strikes a beautiful balance between serene exploration and epic adventure.
The 3D remake introduces several welcome tweaks:
-Mid-dungeon quick saving (in most versions)
-A proper tutorial area (the revamped Mognet system)
-More intuitive job balancing and clearer descriptions
-Additional sidequests and optional bosses in the endgame
That said, inventory management can still feel a bit clunky, and there's no escape from the old-school grind mindset—expect to do some leveling if you hit a wall.
Final Fantasy III (3D Remake) is a respectful and engaging modernization of a classic that many fans in the West never got to play in its original form. While it doesn’t have the deep narrative of later entries or the production polish of recent remasters, it stands strong as a bridge between the series' old-school roots and its evolving identity.
If you're a fan of customizable party systems, turn-based challenge, or classic fantasy aesthetics, this remake offers a surprisingly rich and rewarding RPG experience—even years after its release.
Recommended For:
-JRPG fans looking for a customizable battle system
-Newcomers to classic Final Fantasy entries
-Players who enjoy traditional dungeon crawling with a twist of strategy
Rating: 8/10
