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  • Active ATB Menu Released

    For Final Fantasy V (SFC)

    RoSoDude’s recent FF work includes comprehensive ATB enhancement mods for FFIX, FFVI, and FFVII. When not modding FF, RoSoDude is a PC gamer obsessed with systems design, and he’s worked on extensive balance modifications for Deus Ex (GMDX), System Shock 2, Prey, and Pathologic, with future plans to create mods for Dying Light and other games. You can follow these and other projects via RoSoDude’s blog, Discord, or YouTube.

    Writes RoSoDude:

    While generally well-implemented, FF5’s ATB feels more “stop-and-start” compared to later entries. Most commands execute immediately after being entered, which blocks the next ready character’s menu from opening.

    This patch adjusts the timing to open the next menu just before the current animation starts. This allows the player to buffer inputs during animations, speeding up battles on Active mode.

    This patch should be compatible with any other hack that does not radically alter the battle code.

    You can now get the patch via Romhack Plaza here or via RHDN here.

    So, what do you think? Comment below, or check us out on Discord.

    Related Post:

    Berserker ATB Fixes Released

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  • Crosswinds Speedrun by NeoKakarot

    Whirlwind Four-Job Fiesta, Division IV-A

    For more info on the Whirlwind (Four-Job) Fiesta event, see here.
    For more on the Crosswinds mod for Final Fantasy III, see here.

    NeoKakarot is a fanatic of JRPGs, anime, and DOTA with an especially soft spot for games by Nihon Falcom. You can follow Neo’s work via YouTube or Patreon.

    Writes Neo shortly after his playthrough of Final Fantasy III on the Nintendo DS (playlist available here):

    Today we are playing Final Fantasy III for the NES on this stream, but it’s not a normal version of the game.

    For you see it has been modded by ‪@cIymax‬ and is called Final Fantasy III Crosswind!

    And I will be “speed running” it if you catch my drift.

    It should be a fun time!

    So, mark your calendars for Wednesday at 8pm Eastern, boys!

    Update

    The Speedrun.com submission is posted here, or see the video embed below.

    For the event leaderboard, click here.

    You can check the current event standings here.

    Crosswinds Any% in 5:07:13

    Titles Awarded: Bonus Conqueror I, Crosswinds Record Holder

    Date: August 20, 2025

    Team: FFV Central

    Congrats to Neo on the titles!

    This post has been viewed 23 time(s).

  • Ys III on the PC Engine CD

    Post-Stream Review by NeoKakarot

    NeoKakarot is a fanatic of JRPGs, anime, and DOTA with an especially soft spot for games by Nihon Falcom. You can follow Neo’s work via YouTube or Patreon.

    Video Review

    Writes Neo:

    Ys III: Wanderers From Ys is a strange game for the Ys series.

    It’s a sidescroller action game the only of it’s kind for Ys.

    I ignored this game for many years, but recently I played through it on my stream.

    In this video I go over why I didn’t play Ys III initially, why I played it, highlights of my stream for the game, what I think of Ys III and then also just some dumb comedy sprinkled in.

    The video is below, so check it out!

    Stream VOD

    Wrote Neo last week in a community post on his YouTube channel:

    As for Falcom stuff if something comes along which sparks me to make a video I will make it . . . and I’m going to start a PC Engine version playthrough of Ys III pretty soon here.

    Soon afterward, in another community post, Neo wrote:

    So in the previous post I said I was gonna play the PC Engine version of Ys III and indeed I did.

    The playthrough of the game was finished in under 6 hours and it was some very fun old school fashion side scroller action!

    I don’t know why it took me so long to play it but I’m glad I did!

    For players who wish to check out the stream VOD of the complete playthrough, see below.

    So, what do you think? Have you played Ys III? If so, which version of Ys III do you like the most?

    This post has been viewed 210 time(s).

  • Which Final Fantasy Should I Play First, and Which Version?

    A Guide for Series Newcomers

    For clymax’s projects, click here.
    This piece reflects the personal opinion of clymax only. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the FFV Central community or of any of its members.

    It can be daunting to know where to start as a newcomer to the series in this day and age.

    Enter ports, re-releases, and mods into the fray, only complicating matters further.

    This post covers the series up to Final Fantasy X. Entries beyond Final Fantasy X can be the subject of a future post.

    Banner credit: Genki_JPN on Twitter.

    Where Should You Start?

    With the following recommendations in hand, a new player can jump in with the very first entry in the series, Final Fantasy, before taking on the rest of the series in release order.

    If open-world chest rando is not desired as a mod theme, a new player can instead start with Final Fantasy III on the PSP before taking on subsequent entries in release order. This skips both Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy II.

    EntryVersionModMod Theme
    INESHeadwind+Open-World Chest Rando*
    IIFCUpwind+Open-World Chest Rando*
    IIIPSP (3D Remake)——
    IVSNESUltima PlusExpansion
    VSFCWhirlwind+New Modes Galore
    VISFCT-EditionExpansion
    VIIPSXComprehensive ATB EnhancementATB
    VIIIRemastered——
    IXPSXComprehensive ATB EnhancementATB
    XHD Remaster——

    + The post author is also the hack author, so take the recommendation with a grain of salt. Also, these are private mods only available via an event or via Game Jolt.
    * Only if a heavily modernized and more chaotic version is desired. A loose patch may be available to turn off chest rando: place a help request in our Discord for assistance.

    So, what do you think? Which entry and version would you recommend newcomers start with? Would you recommend a mod? Comment below, or check us out on Discord.

    This post has been viewed 4 time(s).