No matter how stable they are, every game has a few oversights in them. Either it’s something the developer missed or didn’t think the players would come across as they progressed through the game. Usually, it’s due to a bug or a glitch that can hinder gameplay, which would be particularly disastrous in a long JRPG like theFinal Fantasyseries.
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However, some oversights can benefit the player by breaking the game in fun ways. Why grind for hours when the right oversight can turn the party into a powerhouse? Here are a few examples offun, game-breaking techniquesthat make theFinal Fantasygamesa breeze.
8Final Fantasy: Heal Yourself for Free
The originalFinal Fantasymay have gotten the series going, but going back to the game is like trying to read ancient Greek scrolls. It’s a different world in a different language, and it’s missing so many bits that some spells or even entire classes don’t work (sorry Thief). Still, the buggy coding can work in the player’s favor sometimes.
If they’ve had enough of spending MP on healing spells, they can track down the Healing Staff and Healing Helm. They require searching the Citadel of Trials and Mirage Tower respectively. Once used as items, they can cast Heal without costing a thing. InDawn of Souls, and the GBA and iOS versions, the Rune Staff does the same and drops from beating Orthros or Tiamat.
7Final Fantasy 2: Hurt Yourself and Heal Your Enemies
The originalFinal Fantasy 2tried out a new leveling system where the more the character did an action, the better they got at it. On paper that sounds simple enough, even realistic to a degree since practice makes perfect. Except it slowed progression down to a slog.
The only way to speed things up was to make the party attack themselves to improve their abilities. Casting Life would help heal members afterward, but it could also kill Zombies, making them the best choice for grinding the spell. Swap would also beef up characters’ HP and MP, while Osmose could drain even the biggest bosses’ MP. So, start hitting yourself to win the game!
6Final Fantasy 4: Augmented Reality
The original SNES version ofFF4was already simplified for players outside Japan. Yet it wasn’t as broken as theNintendo DS version, as it included new skills called Augments. They gave Rosa Dualcast and Omnicast, which let her do two moves per turn and target multiple foes respectively. This meant she could raise her whole party from the dead, or blitz everyone on the field once cast.
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If the player had a little more time and maxed out Rydia’s Whytkin before equipping it with Flare, they’ll have won the game. Doing this makes it capable of attacking through walls with 9999 damage per hit for just 50MP. Sadly, this got taken out of the Android/iOS and Steam ports for being so broken.
5Final Fantasy 6: Quicktime
FF6is often regarded as one of the best, if not THE best in the series. It was Squaresoft’s swansong to the SNES, andto Nintendo in generaluntil theCrystal Chroniclesgames on the Gamecube. Even so, it was an easy game to figuratively snap over one’s knee.
Casting the Quick spell would make a player perform two actions per turn, or five if they had the Soul of Thamasa equipped. It costs a hefty chunk of MP to use, but the Osmose spell can top it back up for just 1MP. Then, if another character has both the Master’s Glove and Genji’s Glove equipped, they’ll attack eight times per turn. Bulk up their strength and cast Quick on them to make short work of any foe.
4Final Fantasy 7: Get ‘All’ The Money
Few games have had as much impact asFF7. It’s inspired enough articles to keep people reading for a millennium or two. This includes ways to twist the game towards one’s whims, like using the right Materia with the Knights of the Round Summon tomake the game fight Ruby Weaponby itself. This technique is simpler by comparison and will take care of any money worries the player will have.
Just save 40,000 gil to buy the All Materia from Fort Condor, and master it to Level 5. Then sell it at any store to get 1,400,000 gil! That’s more than enough to afford anything in the game! Best of all, mastering a Materia gives the player a fresh copy, so they can repeat the cycle if need be. At that point, players could buy out the Shinra Corporation and save the Lifestream that way.
3Final Fantasy 10: 9999 is the Magic Number
Limit Breaks are a fun little mechanic in theFFseries. They’re particularly helpful inFF10, where Rikku’s Limit Break can combine two items to create all sorts of lovely spells like the Calamity Bomb and Quartet of 9. The best is Trio of 9999, which does what it says on the tin: makes the character’s actions do 9999 damage.
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If it’s cast on Tidus or Wakka before they do their Overdrives, they’ll do 6 and 12 hits respectively of 9999 damage each. But it doesn’t just apply to attacks. It can also turn humble Potions, Cures, and Prayers into the Ultimate Healing spell, recovering 9999HP!
2Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13: Imitation Is the Sincerest Form of Flattery
TheFF13trilogy wasn’t too popular with fans, as each game had significant flaws that turned many off of the series. However,Lightning Returns’ focus on a more action-based form of gameplay set the path theFF7 Remakegames would follow. One thing it didn’t pick up was Yuna’s Summoner Garb.
If Lightning dressed up asFF10’s top girl, she’d gain the Elemental Lv* Ability and boost her damage tenfold! Players have been able tobrush through the entire gamein this outfit without any trouble. Only the final boss may pose a challenge. The keyword there being ‘may’ as savvy players can still steamroll them with the right tactics.
1Final Fantasy 15: The Ultimate Lasagna
Get Ignis’ cooking skills to Level 9, and he’ll be able to make Lasagna. Whoever scoffs it down will regain 4,000HP, get a boost to their EXP and become immune to Elemental Attacks. Clearly, the only thingFF15is advertising is homemade Italian cooking.
