The third installment in the popular Final Fantasy series — which has been engaging players on various systems since 1987 — has debuted on yet another platform, this time for the iPhone and iPod Touch. The new installment comes 13 months after the initial release of Final Fantasy I and II for iPhone and iPod Touch last year, and is priced much higher — $16 for Final Fantasy III compared to a then-extravagant $9 each for the first two.
For the extra money, however, players will find revamped 3D graphics not previously seen, along with touch controls and story sequences exclusive to the iOS platform. Developer Square Enix plans for an iPad version of the game to come out in April, but in the meantime the game is compatible with the Retina Display of the iPhone 4.
Final Fantasy III was originally released in 1990, though it was largely reinvented in 2006 for the Nintendo DS version — but older fans still enjoy playing the early entries as much as ever. The iOS version also features a monster bestiary and other game records that are easily accessible, as well as redesigned Job Mastery cards.
Players take the part of Luneth, an orphan living with three other orphans under the care of a village elder on a floating continent. The aftermath of an earthquake reveals a crystal that informs them the world is out of balance, and that other crystals must be recovered and restored. The orphans undertake the quest on the planet below their floating home.
Final Fantasy III requires iOS 3.0 or higher.
