Final Fantasy I is not what I'd describe as a good game. However, it's not a game that follows the standard rules of JRPG design, as it was made before they were fully established. It feels far more like a game based on a tabletop RPG than other JRPG's, or even games directly based on the rules of one. The combat feels almost identical to that of D&D. Now, like I said, it's not necessarily a good game, the story is an excuse plot and grinding isn't so much a part of the game as the majority of it. But curiosity about the roots of the genre and a certain retro charm kept me playing the game. It's worth noting that the music is great and that the graphical design still holds up. I would also recommend playing the NES version, the GBA remake is more polished but makes it a more conventional JRPG, one not really worth playing.
An Interesting Bit of History
Final Fantasy I is not what I'd describe as a good game. However, it's not a game that follows the standard rules of JRPG design, as it was made before they were fully established. It feels far more like a game based on a tabletop RPG than other JRPG's, or even games directly based on the rules of one. The combat feels almost identical to that of D&D. Now, like I said, it's not necessarily a good game, the story is an excuse plot and grinding isn't so much a part of the game as the majority of it. But curiosity about the roots of the genre and a certain retro charm kept me playing the game. It's worth noting that the music is great and that the graphical design still holds up. I would also recommend playing the NES version, the GBA remake is more polished but makes it a more conventional JRPG, one not really worth playing.