![Cover (Final Fantasy V [Japanese])](/web/20141115113608im_/http://www.allgame.com/img/nogame.gif)
Review
Among the many Squaresoft games released only in Japan, Final Fantasy V stands out as one of the best. Released for Super Famicom, the Japanese equivalent of the Super NES, this game is in every way on par with any other Final Fantasy game released around this time.
The five characters each have their own quirks and personalities, and there are several unexpected details relating to each one. As with other Final Fantasy titles, part of the enjoyment in the game comes with understanding more about each character. The way they act also tends to hint at which job classes they can better succeed with.
The Job Class system can allow for some very interesting character combinations and strategies. In more difficult areas of the game, it is often wise to change classes in the middle of a dungeon as a situation presents itself, which gives rise to a different form of strategy lacking in many other roleplaying games. Although it is not neccessary, it is very helpful to experiment with different jobs in order to get abilities from each one. This allows you to pick and choose exactly what your characters can do in battle and on the area map (similar to the strategy of Final Fantasy Tactics).
The world of Final Fantasy V is quite interesting for several reasons. First of all, the fact that there are three worlds to explore allows a change of setting that prevents world travel from ever becoming boring. Also, there are little quirks in the game to make world and dungeon travel interesting. Thieves can run and see secret passages in some areas, and there are some areas that only Elementalists can walk on safely.
If you search around long enough, there is even a way for you to slowly progress through mastering the piano, ultimately getting good enough to entertain the tavern patrons. This is a very nice touch.
Lastly, there are the multiple vehicles that the party travels in. The airship and boat allow exploration to new places previously unreachable, and the submarine allows the party to explore an underwater world where caves and treasure are often hidden.
Final Fantasy V takes around 30-40 hours to finish the first time through, and it is well worth the investment. There are enough plot details and twists to keep avid roleplaying fans interested the entire time.
Graphics 
Overal, the graphics are very good, and there are a few exceptional areas of note, such as the end of the game. The combat scenes are 2D sprites on a landscape scene, which are nicely drawn to reflect the appropriate terrain. Combat spells and "summon" spells are done as impressive graphic effects.
Sound 
Fans of Final Fantasy music and game music in general will not be disappointed by the musical score in this game. The composer Nobou Uematsu is famous for writing music for Square Soft games, and this game shows off another one of his fine works. The music reflects and enhances the mood of the situation at hand very well. The battle sounds are not overly spectacular, but still good enough to give the feeling of a sword being swung or a certain spell being cast.
Enjoyment
This game is definintely worth the time. As with many other games in the series, it retains player interest even after continuous hours of play. There are a few difficult and almost tedious parts, but a challenge is always good, as it gives a feeling of accomplishment upon completion.
Replay Value 
Only the most avid roleplayers will play this through multiple times. The storyline is linear for the most part, with very few hidden or secret areas and side-quests. The benefits of playing through multiple times include using job classes that one didn't get to use much in previous games, or better understanding of the storyline after multiple plays through. This will probably be a game that gets played over once every few months, but not continuously.
Documentation 
The documentation is on par with other roleplaying games. As far as strategy guides and online help, there is a surprising amount of online information about the game, despite the fact that it was not released in most places. A little bit of searching for information or hints will most likely prove fruitful.