Final Fantasy VI Advance

2026-09-10

I've been meaning to poke at either FFVI or Chrono Trigger, and I remembered there's a GBA version of FFVI so!! Here we are. I was obsessed with this game when it came out, but haven't played it in a loooong time, so it will be interesting to see if it "sticks" as part of the handheld rotation.

2026-09-12

Played FFVI for several hours on a car trip. This is the first time I've played the GBA translation, and I got really hung up on the fact that the Figaro Matron in the Ted Woolsey version is high priestess in this one. According to Legends of Localization, high priestess is correct. But this is the first, possibly only, mention of religion in this game, and Figaro Castle having more than one priestess (presumably, since this one is the highest ranking) brings up so many questions. This is exactly the sort of thing that drives people like me crazy for no reason.

I really appreciate the overall setup. We have an amnesiac 18 year old girl who is extremely powerful and confused as fuck. From the beginning, her instinct is to do the "right thing" and she readily admits she doesn't know what the right thing is. Edgar and Locke are protective of Terra's autonomy, and Edgar even calls Banon out for getting emotionally manipulative when asking for Terra's help. The big brother vibes are strong.

This translation reveals that Edgar is obsessed with women of all ages, but his flirting with Terra is clearly an attempt to lighten the mood. He doesn't seem legitimately interested in her or frankly anyone he makes a pass at. I would argue if the 27-year-old king of Figaro wanted a girlfriend or wife or whatever, he'd have one. I don't recall him getting much characterization after his past is revealed, but my gears are already turning contemplating why Edgar is so Edgar.

I'm also fascinated with the implication that Edgar may have only locked the bandits up for convenience, and may have intended to let them go later. The thing about a game like this is there are so many little tidbits and details that never get explained.

2026-09-13

Our team escapes along the river, and after a ridiculous octopus battle they get separated. At this point, the game splits into 3 paths.

Locke's adventure involves sneaking around South Figaro and stealing clothes, which is always good fun. The town is under imperial occupation, so Locke has to keep a low profile. When you're dressed as a soldier, some soldiers express dissent in the ranks. It seems nobody likes Kefka. Nor should they. Locke recruits Celes, who is a former imperial general turned prisoner. She has a runic ability, which allows her to absorb spells. Should be useful later.

Sabin ends up wandering around... wherever the heck he is. You can recruit the assassin Shadow, but he has a random chance to leave your party, so save scumming is useful. Shadow has excellent theme music, and I always liked his character design.