Final Fantasy 2’s Word Memory system is an underrated gem

The original Final Fantasy was pretty bare bones in terms of its world-building, and followed four unnamed adventurers who became the Warriors of Light. Its successor, Final Fantasy 2, introduced a named cast of three characters — Firion, Maria, and Guy. These heroes aren’t simply swept up in tragic events; they seek justice as citizens of a world suffering under the Emperor of Palamecia. But a group of memorable characters with distinct personalities was not the only innovation the second title in the series brought to the table. All the way back in 1988, Final Fantasy 2‘s Word Memory system gave players a unique tool to engage more deeply with the game’s world. It lands on Xbox Game Pass on Feb. 3, but it’s also available for purchase on numerous other platforms, as part of Square Enix’s 2021 Final Fantasy Pixel Remastercollection of the first six games in the series.