Final Fantasy III was especially enjoyable because so much of it felt familiar through my time with Final Fantasy XIV. Playing the earlier game gave me a chance to see the beginnings of ideas, places and jobs I already knew from the MMO.
The adventure starts with four young heroes exploring a cave and discovering the Wind Crystal. From that small beginning, the world gradually opens up. I enjoyed how much there was to discover and how the game continued to offer new possibilities as the journey progressed.
Finding the jobs I already loved
The job system was one of the biggest reasons I enjoyed Final Fantasy III. The party starts as Onion Knights, and the crystals later grant access to more jobs. Having different roles to try made developing the party an enjoyable part of the adventure.
Monk and Dark Knight stood out to me. I had played both in Final Fantasy XIV, so seeing their earlier forms was particularly interesting. Their abilities and roles have changed across the series, but recognising those names and ideas made the experience feel connected to something I already loved.
Onion Knight was another part of the job system I enjoyed. Exploring these different classes helped me appreciate how much room there was for the series to build on them in later games.
Beyond the Floating Continent
Exploration was another highlight. I enjoyed the Enterprise and the way airships expanded the journey, giving the party more ways to travel through the world.
Leaving the Floating Continent was one of the most memorable moments. Discovering the larger world beyond it changed my understanding of the places I had already explored. It was incredible to realise that the adventure extended so much further than that first setting.
Eureka was another location I was excited to experience. Coming to it with knowledge of Final Fantasy XIV made it interesting to see an earlier version of a name and idea that the MMO would revisit. These connections were a big part of what made playing III rewarding for me.
Doga and Unei
Doga and Unei’s sacrifice was a moment that stayed with me. Their decision to entrust the future to the party added weight to the journey and the responsibility the heroes had taken on.
Eternal Wind
The music helped make that journey memorable, too. “Eternal Wind” is one of my favourite pieces of music in Final Fantasy. Hearing it here, in the game it originally came from, made exploring the world feel even more connected to my experience with the wider series.
I would recommend Final Fantasy III to most players interested in trying the earlier games. I enjoyed its exploration, its jobs and the way its world continued to grow as I progressed.
For me, it was also a chance to understand more of Final Fantasy XIV’s roots. Familiar jobs, locations and music gave me new reasons to appreciate both games. Final Fantasy III became a memorable part of my journey through the Pixel Remasters because I could see so many ideas beginning to take shape.
