Final Fantasy – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Final Fantasy

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

game1987

68%

WISE Score

76%

IGDB

The RPG that started it all—historically important, perfectly safe, and almost unbearably slow by 2025 standards.

Final Fantasy

game

1987

68%

WISE Score

76%

IGDB

The RPG that started it all—historically important, perfectly safe, and almost unbearably slow by 2025 standards.

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Where to Play

Nintendo

Screenwise Verdict

Here's the truth: Final Fantasy (1987) is historically important and perfectly safe, but it's a museum piece. The grinding is relentless, the story is barebones, and the pacing would make a sloth yawn.

If your kid is genuinely interested in gaming history or is a hardcore retro enthusiast, this could be a fascinating artifact to explore together. But if you're just looking for a good RPG to introduce them to the genre? Pick literally any other Final Fantasy.

The WISE score reflects reality: great imagination and safety, but the entertainment value in 2025 is rough. It's like asking a kid to watch a silent film—culturally significant, sure, but good luck keeping their attention.

Age Fit

Appropriate for ages 8+ from a content perspective—it's completely clean. But realistically? Most kids under 12 will find it painfully boring unless they're retro gaming enthusiasts or history buffs. Better Final Fantasy options exist for introducing kids to the series (World of Final Fantasy gets recommended for younger players).

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Classic turn-based RPG with themes of heroism, cooperation, and saving the world. Four Warriors of Light work together against evil forces. Combat is fantasy-based (swords, magic) without graphic violence or gore. No inappropriate content for the era—it's a straightforward good-vs-evil adventure that models teamwork and perseverance.

Imaginative

Groundbreaking for 1987, establishing the RPG template that spawned an entire franchise. Players create their party by choosing classes and names, explore dungeons and towns connected by a world map, and engage in strategic turn-based combat. The job system and open-ended exploration encourage experimentation and creative problem-solving. This game literally defined the genre.

Safe

Extremely safe by modern standards. No online chat, no in-game purchases, no loot boxes. Users can interact locally only. Fantasy violence is abstract and pixelated—no blood, gore, or mature themes. The original NES version has no content that would surprise or disturb a parent. Clean, straightforward adventure gaming from a simpler era.

Enriching

Teaches strategic thinking, resource management, and planning. Players must balance party composition, manage limited inventory and gold, and think tactically in combat. Reading comprehension required for story and NPC dialogue. However, entertainment value is significantly diminished by 1987 design—slow pacing, heavy grinding, minimal story depth by modern standards. Educational value exists but wrapped in dated mechanics.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Zero safety concerns: no chat, no purchases, no mature content—just pure turn-based fantasy adventure
Teaches strategic thinking and resource management through party composition and tactical combat
Historical gaming significance: this literally created the JRPG template
Encourages reading and planning as players navigate dungeons and manage limited resources
The job system lets kids experiment with different party builds and playstyles

⚠

What to Watch For

Brutally outdated: 1987 graphics, glacial pacing, and repetitive grinding will bore most modern kids to tears
Minimal story and character development compared to what kids expect from games today
Requires significant patience and tolerance for old-school game design (no quest markers, sparse guidance)
Better as a history lesson than an actual entertainment choice—there are vastly better Final Fantasy entries for kids

Conversation Starters

"How does this game compare to modern RPGs you've played? What's better or worse?"
"What job classes did you pick for your party and why?"
"Can you imagine playing this when it first came out, when there was nothing else like it?"

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