Final Fantasy Mystic Quest

Developed as an introductory game for audiences unfamiliar with the JRPG genre, Mystic Quest is a spin-off that simplifies many of the elements used in other Final Fantasy games.

Super Nintendo Entertainment System

Wii Shop

Overview

Final Fantasy Mystic Quest (known in Japan as Final Fantasy USA: MYSTIC QUEST and in Europe as Mystic Quest Legends) is a fantasy JRPG developed and published by Square for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System on October 5, 1992 (in North America), September 10, 1993 (in Japan), and October 1993 (in Europe).

A spin-off of the Final Fantasy series and developed by the same team who developed Final Fantasy Legend III, Mystic Quest was marketed as a budget entry-level title towards players not familiar with the JRPG genre. Many elements of the series are simplified, including the overworld (which cannot be free-roamed), random enemy encounters (which are removed), and the inventory system (with upgradeable weapons and armor).

Players control young adventurer Benjamin (known as Zash in the Japanese version) as he sets out to reclaim the four Focus Tower crystals (Earth, Ice, Fire, and Wind) from a group of powerful monsters (the Vile Evils). While journeying through the game's four regions (Foresta, Aquaria, Fireburg, and Windia), Benjamin encounters numerous allies that join him as temporary partners (using a simplified two-person Party system where players can opt to let the partner act autonomously).

The game was later digitally re-released by Nintendo for the Wii (via Virtual Console) in late 2010 (September 24 in Europe, October 18 in North America, and December 21 in Japan). It was also digitally re-released for the Wii U in Japan on April 16, 2014.

Gameplay

Unlike most of the Squaresoft RPGs of the time, there are no save points; players are allowed to save at any time. Party size is limited to two with Benjamin and a secondary character slot that rotates as the story progresses. In place of random battles, the player is able to see enemies on the field without the need of an item until a specific point in the game, but all enemies are stationary and incapable of roaming. Also unlike most RPGs, players are not allowed to free roam the world map, making the gameplay mostly linear. The player is required to follow guided paths, some of which could be blocked off until tasks are completed. Characters can jump, and use weapons outside of battle lending it an action-adventure type of gameplay also not found in other Final Fantasies. Mystic Quest includes many puzzles during the gameplay. Mystic Quest does not have the tradition of random enemies like the rest of the Final Fantasy franchise, instead the player battles stationary enemies within dungeons. The player has the choice whether to attack the enemy or not, and can prepare beforehand with restorative items. The battle screen appears after approaching an enemy, turns are awarded back and forth with the fastest character getting the most turns. Players can battle, run, or "control" during the battle menu. Control can allow the player to manually control their allies or have the CPU control them. Battle is influenced by statistics like speed, accuracy, or attacking power. Characters gain experience points and gold pieces from winning battles. The game also includes battlefields that the player can enter and attempt to clear out ten battles against pre-set enemy encounters which rewards the player with a large cash prize or even a unique item.