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Final Fantasy III does hold up surprisingly well. While this version of the game is inferior in many aspects to the Pixel Remaster, it remains playable and even has some strong points.

Do you want to experience the roots of the Final Fantasy series, or do you want some classical JRPG action without the modern anime aesthetic?
If that is the case:
Final Fantasy III is a good choice, although not the best one. Final Fantasy V took many elements that Final Fantasy III has established, and improved massively upon them. Making FFV almost objectively the better game, but FF3 has some NES charm that can not be understated, and even carries into the 3D remake.

Nothing about FF3 is original nowadays, but it is the whole package of classical RPGs that FF3 provides. Most of the game is a great relaxing background activity and holds up so well. FF3 provides relatively short episodic scenarios, requiring the player's intervention to clear the overarching story.
FF3 is a pleasure to play through and infinitely better than FF2. I do think that FF1 still holds up better as it is just easier to play through and has a more coherent experience, but FF3 was by far the most ambitious of the NES trilogy, because of the job system.
While some jobs become obsolete, there is a decent challenge in trying new combinations, sometimes even for entire runs (Although I would not recommend it, FFV is also better in that regard).
There is honestly not much to say about FF3. It is a pretty basic turn-based JRPG before anime and Final Fantasy approximated each other.

A great video, if you do not want to read anymore.
So you have decided that you still want to play Final Fantasy III. This is understandable, but which version should you pick?
DS, Phone, PC, or the Pixel Remaster?
It is a trick question. The DS, phone, and PC versions are in terms of content identical. That makes it only about graphics and user input.
If you are not even interested in that, the question remains:
Pixel Remaster or 3D remake?
The Pixel Remaster is a somewhat dumbed-down version as the 3D remakes for Final Fantasy III and IV are notoriously harder than their SNES counterparts. If you are seeking a challenge, the 3D remake does provide it. I have to warn you though:
FF3 is also notorious for its final dungeon. Up until then, it's relatively smooth sailing. Most content in FF3 is clearable without risking a headache, and grinding stays minimalistic.
But the final dungeon is when this gets thrown out the window, and your hands become sweaty as you are probably risking multiple hours of progress and many levels as well as loot.
The Pixel Remaster is smooth sailing all around and tries to be more faithful gameplay-wise. I think the balance-related changes from the 3D remake are awesome, but the elephant in the room needs to be addressed:
The 3D remake is too slow.
Changing equipment, the victory screen, the battle animations:
Everything takes too long. And in a moment of utter degeneration Square Enix made this much worse. Changing a job (a regular act in FF3), makes the character weaker for up to ten battles. There was no reason for this change, and it sucks.
It did not need to be like this. Square Enix did not fix the port in that regard.
The Pixel Remaster is faster and has a better user experience all around.
Even the music in the remake is better, and discussion about the art style is about pure preference.
In short:
There are not many benefits to this version if you ignore the superficial characterization of the characters in the 3D remake. There is only one saving grace:
Additional content. Well, if it was good.
FF3 has, without exaggeration, the worst additional content of any Final Fantasy remake. The Iron Giant is contained within a minuscule dungeon, needs hours of grind to be beatable, and is not even fun to fight.
Last but not least, FF3 3D remake has the most time-intensive achievement in FF history:
Jack of All Trades
I spare you the specifics, but it requires leveling every job of every character to level 99. Reaching 100% in this version is magnitudes harder than obtaining 100% in the Pixel Remaster. It is a badge of honor and also madness. I do not recommend it if you are not looking for bragging rights.
It broke me.
To be honest:
If you are not in it for the challenge or to claim you obtained 100% in the hardest version of FF3, play through the Pixel Remaster.

I like FF3. It is a decent game. But do not play this version of FF3, if you are not in it for the bragging rights. The 3D remake of the game needs QOL changes which Square Enix will never provide. Settle for the Pixel Remaster and enjoy the experience. I beg you.

Originally posted by author:

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[quote] [url=https://steamproxy.net/steamstore/curator/31884377-If-It-Is-Insane/]Check out my curator page for more awesome reviews[/url] [/quote] [h1]TL;DR[/h1] Final Fantasy III does hold up surprisingly well. While this version of the game is inferior in many aspects to the Pixel Remaster, it remains playable and even has some strong points. [h1]Should I Play Final Fantasy III? (for newcomers)[/h1] Do you want to experience the roots of the Final Fantasy series, or do you want some classical JRPG action without the modern anime aesthetic? If that is the case: Final Fantasy III is a good choice, although not the best one. Final Fantasy V took many elements that Final Fantasy III has established, and improved massively upon them. Making FFV almost objectively the better game, but FF3 has some NES charm that can not be understated, and even carries into the 3D remake. [h1]Final Fantasy III is Fun[/h1] Nothing about FF3 is original nowadays, but it is the whole package of classical RPGs that FF3 provides. Most of the game is a great relaxing background activity and holds up so well. FF3 provides relatively short episodic scenarios, requiring the player's intervention to clear the overarching story. FF3 is a pleasure to play through and infinitely better than FF2. I do think that FF1 still holds up better as it is just easier to play through and has a more coherent experience, but FF3 was by far the most ambitious of the NES trilogy, because of the job system. While some jobs become obsolete, there is a decent challenge in trying new combinations, sometimes even for entire runs (Although I would not recommend it, FFV is also better in that regard). There is honestly not much to say about FF3. It is a pretty basic turn-based JRPG before anime and Final Fantasy approximated each other. [h1]Differences Between Versions[/h1] [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2w-jlhP8aQ] A great video, if you do not want to read anymore.[/url] So you have decided that you still want to play Final Fantasy III. This is understandable, but which version should you pick? DS, Phone, PC, or the Pixel Remaster? It is a trick question. The DS, phone, and PC versions are in terms of content identical. That makes it only about graphics and user input. If you are not even interested in that, the question remains: Pixel Remaster or 3D remake? The Pixel Remaster is a somewhat dumbed-down version as the 3D remakes for Final Fantasy III and IV are notoriously harder than their SNES counterparts. If you are seeking a challenge, the 3D remake does provide it. I have to warn you though: FF3 is also notorious for its final dungeon. Up until then, it's relatively smooth sailing. Most content in FF3 is clearable without risking a headache, and grinding stays minimalistic. But the final dungeon is when this gets thrown out the window, and your hands become sweaty as you are probably risking multiple hours of progress and many levels as well as loot. The Pixel Remaster is smooth sailing all around and tries to be more faithful gameplay-wise. I think the balance-related changes from the 3D remake are awesome, but the elephant in the room needs to be addressed: The 3D remake is too slow. Changing equipment, the victory screen, the battle animations: Everything takes too long. And in a moment of utter degeneration Square Enix made this much worse. Changing a job (a regular act in FF3), makes the character weaker for up to ten battles. There was no reason for this change, and it sucks. It did not need to be like this. Square Enix did not fix the port in that regard. The Pixel Remaster is faster and has a better user experience all around. Even the music in the remake is better, and discussion about the art style is about pure preference. In short: There are not many benefits to this version if you ignore the superficial characterization of the characters in the 3D remake. There is only one saving grace: Additional content. Well, if it was good. FF3 has, without exaggeration, the worst additional content of any Final Fantasy remake. The Iron Giant is contained within a minuscule dungeon, needs hours of grind to be beatable, and is not even fun to fight. Last but not least, FF3 3D remake has the most time-intensive achievement in FF history: Jack of All Trades I spare you the specifics, but it requires leveling every job of every character to level 99. Reaching 100% in this version is magnitudes harder than obtaining 100% in the Pixel Remaster. It is a badge of honor and also madness. I do not recommend it if you are not looking for bragging rights. It broke me. To be honest: If you are not in it for the challenge or to claim you obtained 100% in the hardest version of FF3, play through the Pixel Remaster. [h1]Conclusion[/h1] I like FF3. It is a decent game. But do not play this version of FF3, if you are not in it for the bragging rights. The 3D remake of the game needs QOL changes which Square Enix will never provide. Settle for the Pixel Remaster and enjoy the experience. I beg you. [quote=author] As of now, meme curators dominate Steam. So consider following me for reviews that cost me some time (and effort) to create. I don't think this will change much, but the majority of my readers are not followers. I am still going to pump my heart into these reviews. https://steamproxy.net/steamstore/curator/31884377-If-It-Is-Insane/ [/quote]