Is FF3 hard?

[Hansuke]

So, I never played Final Fantasy 3. Like, ever. I bought this as I prefer the retro style over the 3D. I have played every other Final Fantasy title. Is this one a challenge?

[Jeftah]

Yes. Especially towards the end. Add to that that Phoenix Downs are *extremely rare* (so if your healer goes down you have limited options to recover), and the final stretch of the game is a boss gauntlet without any ability to save, against some of the toughest bosses in the game.

I'd say this is the hardest of the 3 NES games.

[Hansuke]

Originally posted by Jeftah:

Yes. Especially towards the end. Add to that that Phoenix Downs are *extremely rare* (so if your healer goes down you have limited options to recover), and the final stretch of the game is a boss gauntlet without any ability to save, against some of the toughest bosses in the game.

I'd say this is the hardest of the 3 NES games.

Sweet that is good to hear. :) I am always looking for a challenge.

[Taka]

It is absolutely hard as balls. Without a question the toughest FF game to clear the main story.

[Blackened Halo]

Yes it is, but I am not sure about this version. All the games in the PIXEL REMASTER edition were re-balanced, so who knows....

[chaoticenigma]

Phoenix Downs can't be bought and are quite limited. Same for Elixirs, but I believe you can get drops of those endgame. Not sure if you can get Phoenix Down drops later or not.

So try your best to save both of those item types for the end

[DarkGTX]

The difficulty curve is rough. FFIV is similar, if you have played it, but the thing that made FF3 really tough was the last sequence of dungeons and bosses. You had to complete a ton... without any way to save. If you died, you were sent way back and it sucked balls. Big, fat, donkey balls.

[PC2070]

Not terribly difficult w/minimal grinding until the final two dungeons, if its like the NES or DS version expect a steep difficulty jump at that point, and prepare for a lot of grinding

[Mike MFin Curry]

Phoenix Downs are purchaseable a bit later in the game (I started seeing them in shops around the 4-5 hour mark).

No bosses gave me trouble until Garuda, who soundly beat the crap out of me multiple times.

[Koby]

eh difficulty of games like this is all about how much you're willing to grind. If it gets to be any trouble, just go gain a few levels and return.

The main difficulty in FF3 comes from sudden level spikes where you're just expected to go grind some levels and if you don't know to do it, you'll have a hard time for a moment until you realize it and actually go do it.

There are areas of the game that pretty much require specific job classes too.

But otherwise, if you're adequately leveled, you'll plow through most things pretty easily.

[Haljegh]

To the people saying phoenix downs can't be bought; they are available early on in this version.
Considering some of my characters got gibbed by bad RNG, it's a godsend. Otherwise that would've been a failed dungeon trip.

Not really difficult so far, but since random deaths are possible it's not free either.
Expecting things to ramp up as the game progresses.

[BrawlyLikesToBrawl]

I'm sure about the Pixel Remaster but NES and DS have the most agonizing final dungeon in FF

[The Cystocot]

FF3 is deceptively balanced in terms of difficulty; just plugging along through the story, you'll generally be strong enough to get through with next to no grinding, usually until around Saronia(Garuda fight) & Doga's Cave, though Doga's at least has enemies that give plenty of xp, with a recovery font just outside the cave, perfect place to build up a bit.

When you get to endgame, expect to be smacked quite hard by one of classic jrpgs' most evil difficulty spikes, facing a boss rush with so-so xp grinding available, no save(outside auto-saves), no recovery outside of items(stock up on hi-potions in your big airship's shop before making the final push, if only to ease the healing burden on your white mage/devout/sages' mp & your elixir stockpile), frustration could set you back hours just from needing a break.

Grind in the ancient maze & eureka, load up on Shurikens, and give the World of Darkness hell. Good luck.

[Epicmask]

... are you guys all kidding? You have to be, This game is insanely easy. The NES version was easy untill the very end, the ds version was a joke where you had to purposely cripple yourself to even have a chance of losing.

Im not to the endgame quite yet in this version, Though im pretty close alreadt, right before getting the last airship, but so far, much to my disappointment. Its also WAY easier than the nes version. Not as bad as the ds, but still.

Im pretty annoyed with square tbh, I hate how they cant do a remake of any final fantasy without removing any and all difficulty.

While im still enjoy the game a lot for what it is, and love some of the changes they made to make the terrible jobs useful, theres far more changes that just make the game damn easy.

Some changes from the Nes version that causes this are...
Magic has been more than doubled in its power, especially when multi targeting.

Infinite cheap phoenix downs. Most wont agree that this is a bad thing, but i liked having only a certain amount to ration all game.

Many more weapons cast spells when used as an item, in Salonia, which is not to far into the game, You can buy a staff that lets you spam free Blizzaga.

Bards are now useful, but also way to good. Free party heals and buffs with no downside, and can hit just as hard as anyone else.

Geomancers Terrain never fails.

Running is way easier, and no long leaves you defenseless.

Many classes have multi targeting attacks with no cost or downside while being almost as strong as the normal attacks.

I could go on, but already wrote to much.. Anyway, while the changes are fun. The games a cakewalk.

[carnage_panda]

Originally posted by Taka:

It is absolutely hard as balls. Without a question the toughest FF game to clear the main story.

You must have pretty good willpower if you finished FF2 and think this is harder to finish.

[Epicmask]

Originally posted by onetruemike:

Phoenix Downs are purchaseable a bit later in the game (I started seeing them in shops around the 4-5 hour mark).

No bosses gave me trouble until Garuda, who soundly beat the crap out of me multiple times.

Really? With wind spears and jumping without any job levels and lvl 20 characters I was hitting 2k each time, He only attacked once. Even my bard didnt die.