FFVI Wiki
Originally released in Japan in 1994 for the Super Famicom, FFVI was released later that year in America as FFIII for the Super Nintendo. This was the last game to be re-numbered due to the skipping from I to IV. This was also the very last core FF game to be initially released on a Nintendo system. FFVI focuses on a rebellion group the Returners who battle the Gestahlian Empire. Emperor Gestahl wished to gain the control of the Espers, magical, powerful beings, and start a second War of the Magi. The Returners later battle against the evil clown Kefka Palazzo who wishes only to become a god himself.
FFVI had 14 (!) playable characters in total, more than any other core FF title even to this day:
- Terra Branford: A half-Esper who begins the game in control of the Empire. She breaks free of their mind control, but has no memory prior to her capture. She spends the game learning how to love herself and her split heritage.
- Locke Cole: A thief (excuse me, treasure hunter) who initially rescues Terra from the Empire. He fights for the Returners, but also searches for an artifact to help return a loved one.
- Edgar Roni Figaro: Twin brother to Sabin and King of Figaro. Edgar is very flirtatious. He appears to ally with the Empire, but secretly fights with the Returners.
- Sabin Rene Figaro: Twin brother to Edgar and a master martial artist. Sabin would have shared Figaro's throne with Edgar, but he chose his freedom from the throne and trained in martial arts instead.
- Shadow: A heartless man who would slit his momma's throat for a nickel. Shadow is a mercenary for hire with a mysterious past he only thinks about in his dreams...
- Cyan Garamonde: A noble samurai from the kingdom of Doma, Cyan swore revenge against the Empire for poisoning his kingdom, including his wife and child.
- Gau: A feral child who grew up on the Veldt, Gau is a master at mimicking beasts' attacks.
- Celes Chere: A former general of the Empire, she became disillusioned with the empire and was set for execution before being rescued by Locke.
- Setzer Gabbiani: A vain and materialistic man, Setzer lives for adventure. He initially only joins the Returners because the Empire is bad for his business.
- Mog: Mog is a moogle who has the rare ability to communicate with humans.
- Strago Magus: An elderly mage from Thamas, Strago is very protective of his granddaughter, Relm.
- Relm Arrowny: Strago's granddaughter and a little girl. Relm can create living things with paint and magic.
- Gogo: A strange creature, Gogo is a mimic who... mimics things. S/he doesn't even have a defined gender.
- Umaro: A yeti who has been befriend by Mog.
Gameplay elements unique or introduced in FFVI:
- For the first time you could decide who was in your party. While previous game had multiple characters, the story dictated who were fighting with at any given moment. FFVI, except for a few story sequences, allowed you to choose from any of the available characters for some or all of the slots in your group.
- Several of the above characters didn't have to recruited at all. Most of them could be forgotten about past a certain point in the game. This is the first time in the series there have been "optional" characters, the only other game being VII.
- The Esper system introduced in VI is similar to the Job system in V. Espers, or summons, can be equipped on a character. When this is done, that character learns any spells attached to that Esper via AP points earned at various rates depending on the spell. Characters will also earn various stat boosts upon levelling up depending on the Esper equipped.
- Characters now have abilities specific and unique to them such as Edgar's ability to use Tools or Shadow's ability to throw things.
- Desperation Attacks were introduced. When a character has low HP they have a slight chance, when attacking, to use a rare super attack specific to them. This concept would be expanded in later games. I've never actually had this happen to me; true story.
FFVI has seen a couple of releases over the years:
- As Final Fantasy III for the Super Nintendo.
- As Final Fantasy VI as part of the Final Fantasy Anthology Collection along with FFV. This version added FMV sequences to the beginning and ending of the game.
- On the GBA with a new translation along with a new bonus dungeon and few new Espers.
Interesting note, although the FF games would not feature voice-acting until FFX, FFVI is the first FF game to give a character a voice. While it is not a actual recorded voice, FFVI is the first game to use a sound to represent a character's voice (in this case, a certain infamous laugh).
And, finally, Cid Watch:
Cid Del Norte Marquez for the first time had nothing really to do with the invention of the airship or the party obtaining an airship (that role now going to Setzer). Indeed, Cid is at first an ally to the Empire! He is the inventor of the technology that can turn Espers into magicite. When he learns of the evil role of his technology he assists the Returners. He also raised Celes as his own daughter.