Final Fantasy II (or IV, if you're keeping track of the Japanese numbering) is one of those SNES RPGs that just sticks with you. You start off as Cecil, a dark knight with serious doubts about his kingdom's shady orders, and before long you're dragged into this sprawling rebellion against an empire that's way too into summoning demons.

The combat feels classic—turn-based, with that satisfying SNES-era magic sparkle—but what really got me was how your party keeps shifting. Characters come and go in ways that actually matter to the story, not just as interchangeable swords. Also, the leveling system’s simpler than later FF games, which honestly makes it easier to just jump in and slash things.

And that soundtrack? Uematsu at his best. The overworld theme still pops into my head randomly. It’s not as flashy as modern RPGs, but there’s something about the pacing—you’re always moving toward the next big twist or set piece, and the stakes actually feel high. If you’ve got a soft spot for 16-bit fantasy melodrama, this one’s a must.