1. Starting the Game

   Navigate through the initial game menus... of peril!

2. Opening movie

   The tale of the Crystals.

Recommended levels:
• Level 0

Maps:

An intro to Final Fantasy: Dawn of Souls.

Welcome to Final Fantasy: Dawn of Souls. As you probably noticed when you were buying the game, both FF1 and FF2 are included on the cart. This walkthrough only deals with FF1. Have fun with FF2 on your own time, if you like.

Here is your first mini-game: pick FF1 from the list. (This is not really a mini game. I am being sarcastic. If you plan to read the whole walkthrough, you'd best get used to that, my friend.)

Here we are treated to the shiny FF1 logo. Pick New Game and let's get this party started.

Your first task is to select your party and give everyone a name. I am fond of the F/Th/WM/BM party shown (which is also the default party). The party you choose can make a big difference in how hard or easy the game will be.

This is the party I will use for my walkthrough, so you'd do well to pick it too.

When selecting names, please try to pick names that are suitable to a fantasy setting, and at the same time intellectually stimulating -- names that do FF1 the honor it deserves.

Press START and let's watch the opening movie.

The (unnamed) world of Final Fantasy is not in good shape. Just look at those storm clouds.

The winds die...

The seas rage. And seas are pretty angry even in the best of times. A grouchy sea is serious business.

The earth turns yellow and rather nasty looking.

They left off "fire", but you can assume that it's up to no good too.

Luckily there is a prophecy, and it brings the people hope and cheer.

Four Warriors of Light shall come. When? Perhaps... now?

Yes, now. Four young travelers appear...

...carrying crystals.

Where did they get the crystals? It's likely we'll never know. Part of the charm of FF1 is that the story isn't fleshed out like most games today. It leaves a lot to your imagination. This is a good thing. The game is different to all of us.

I know I've thought at times about what must've lead up to the beginning of this game: Where did the crystals come from? How did our Warriors get them? How did this prophecy come about? This is the stuff fanfics are made of.

Here we are treated to some eye-candy. The four crystals appear, then zoom around in circles, until...

...pop, they explode for some reason. I think it's impressive. But perhaps I am easily impressed.

So we have a mystery on our hands. The elements are run amok. Prophecy says Warriors carrying Crystals will somehow set things aright, but how? And who or what is causing the destruction in the first place?

Only one way to find out. Onward!