Final Fantasy II is Not a Bad Game

Final Fantasy II is heavily criticized and is almost universally considered to be the worst entry in the main series, but is any of this criticism warranted? Sources: Reviews: Final Fantasy II Review (GBA Version) – ArchsagePent    • Final Fantasy II Review (GBA Version)   Final Fantasy II Review (PSP) – BawesomeBurf    • Final Fantasy II Review   FINAL FANTASY II for PlayStation Video Game Review – CGRundertow    • CGRundertow FINAL FANTASY II for PlayStati...   Clement Remembers Final Fantasy! (II) – ClementJ64    • Clement Remembers Final Fantasy! (II)   Final Fantasy II – Dean Weiss    • Final Fantasy II - Dean Weiss   Final Fantasy II Review – heytallman    • Final Fantasy II Review   The History of RPGs Ep. 9 Final Fantasy II Analysis (1988) – Mr. Gentleman    • The History of RPGs Ep. 9 | Final Fantasy ...   Final Fantasy II – ProJared    • Final Fantasy II - ProJared   Final Fantasy II Review (Plot Spoilers) – Resonant Arc    • Final Fantasy II Review (Plot Spoilers)   First Time Playing FINAL FANTASY II – Steno Games    • Video   Final Fantasy 2 Review Pt 1 of 7 I Don't Wanna Do This... – TheFFFanatic    • Final Fantasy 2 Review Pt 1 of 7 I Don't W...   Final Fantasy 2 Review Pt 2 of 7 What were they thinking? – TheFFFanatic    • Final Fantasy 2 Review Pt 2 of 7 What were...   __________ Metagal Review – Cornshaq    • METAGAL - PS4 REVIEW   Final Fantasy III Review (Plot Spoilers) – Resonant Arc    • Final Fantasy III Review (Plot Spoilers)   Final Fantasy V Review (Plot Sploiers) – Resonant Arc    • Final Fantasy V Review (Plot Spoilers)   Metagal Review – Reviews 2 Go    • Metagal (Switch) Review   Top 5/10's: Top 5 Worst Final Fantasy Games – AvidAlchemist    • Top 5 Worst Final Fantasy Games   TOP 5 WORST Final Fantasy Games! – DreamcastGuy    • TOP 5 WORST Final Fantasy Games!   Top 12 Final Fantasy Games – IGN    • Top 12 Final Fantasy Games   Top 10 Worst Final Fantasy Games – GameTrailers    • Top 10 Worst Final Fantasy Games   Worst Final Fantasy Games – Gaming with Spoons    • Worst Final Fantasy Games   Gameplay/Let's Play videos: Let's Play Bravely Default Part 8 - Gameplay Walkthrough – HeroVoltsy    • Let's Play Bravely Default Part 8 - Gamepl...   Mass Effect – RabidRetrospectGames    • Mass Effect Full Game Walkthrough - No Com...   Miscellaneous videos: Weapon Durability, Fanbase Fragility (The Jimquisition) – Jim Sterling    • Weapon Durability, Fanbase Fragility (The ...   FFCountUp Cast #13 - Best & Worst of Final Fantasy – Myhappy1227    • FFCountUp Cast #13 - Best & Worst of Final...   Final Fantasy II (GBA any%) - 2:50:38 – SG    • Final Fantasy II (GBA any%)  - 2:50:38   FF2 - Easiest way to raise HP and MP – Ulillillia Archive    • Final Fantasy 2 - Easiest way to raise HP ...   Background music: Shima no Hitobito – Barakamon Soundtrack A Melody of Nostalgia Reminiscence – Bravely Second: End Layer Étude Pour les Petites Supercordes – Clannad Soundtrack Takin’ it Back – Dutty Moonshine Floating Castle – Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls Magician Tower – Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls Rebel Army – Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls Village Theme – Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls Court Jesters – Final Fantasy IX Vivi's Theme – Final Fantasy IX Ticktack Routine - Little Busters! Soundtrack Nakanojou no Theme – Nichijou Soundtrack