Completing the evolution in storytelling that began in their own right with FFIV (and continued outside FF with Dragon Quest V and Phantasy Star IV), Final Fantasy VI managed to outdo the previous effort in terms of emotional firepower, thanks to a grand, extensive concentrate of tragic tales revolving around death and loss. It's basically a tale of two games, two sides of the same coin - the playful first half and the mournful second half. The former indulging in wacky, aimless minigames, and the superior latter comprised of emergent, lengthy scenes telling equally brutal backstories as the player tries to navigate and reclaim the wasteland before them. One half greatly benefits the other in their peculiar contrast. In a way, this split functions as a metaphor for the destruction of old JRPG values and their subsequent replacement; out with the grandiose exuberance, in with the somber, contemplative mood. Locke and Celes are perhaps the cast's biggest 'victims' subplot-wise, but the rest potentially set new standards in poignancy.

Echoing all those ambitions is the versatile combat system. Often dismissed as imbalanced or broken, it actually led to some of the most liberating battles yet, carrying busted but entertaining synergies and combinations that only add to its fun factor. In addition, character-specific skill progression grants extra gameplay identity to its large roster beyond moveset or stats, while the Esper system - essentially a rework of FFV's job class mastery, can at least impact character stat growth, thereby opening up even more build opportunities.

A turning point for JRPGs, Final Fantasy VI was the dividing line between the old grindy era and the party/character focus that defined its future.