Side Quests and Optional Dungeons

Side Quests and Optional Dungeons

While the main quest of Final Fantasy I will keep you busy, there are several optional dungeons and side quests that offer valuable rewards, powerful equipment, and additional challenges. These areas are often more difficult than their main story counterparts, so ensure your party is well-equipped and adequately leveled before venturing into them.

The Citadel of Trials Revisited

After acquiring the Airship, you can return to the Citadel of Trials for a hidden challenge. This isn't just a re-run; a new, tougher path opens up.

• Location: Floating high above the world map, accessible only by Airship.
• Requirements: Must have the Airship.
• Walkthrough:
  1. Land your Airship near the Citadel of Trials.
  2. Enter the Citadel. Instead of heading to the throne room, look for a newly accessible path or a hidden switch that was previously unavailable. This often involves interacting with a specific wall or statue.
  3. Navigate through the new, more challenging floors. Expect stronger versions of enemies you've encountered before, as well as new, unique foes.
  4. At the end of this optional path, you'll find a powerful boss. Defeating this boss will grant you access to a treasure chamber.
• Rewards: Expect high-tier equipment such as the Masamune (a powerful sword for your Warrior/Knight) or the Light Axe, along with significant amounts of Gil and experience points.
• Strategy: Bring plenty of healing items and consider using status-effect spells. The boss here can be particularly challenging, so focus fire and protect your weaker party members.

The Sunken Shrine's Hidden Depths

The Sunken Shrine, already a formidable dungeon, holds even greater secrets for those willing to delve deeper. This optional area is often overlooked but provides some of the best defensive gear in the game.

• Location: Within the Sunken Shrine, accessible after defeating the Kraken and restoring the Water Crystal.
• Requirements: Must have completed the main objective in the Sunken Shrine and obtained the Water Crystal.
• Walkthrough:
  1. Return to the Sunken Shrine.
  2. Locate a previously inaccessible area or a hidden passage that opens up after the Water Crystal is restored. This might be a new staircase or a section of the map that was blocked.
  3. Explore these new floors. The enemies here are significantly tougher than those in the main shrine, often including powerful aquatic monsters and undead.
  4. The deepest part of this optional section typically houses a unique treasure.
• Rewards: Look for the Ribbon, an incredibly valuable accessory that grants immunity to most status ailments for the wearer. You might also find other high-defense armor pieces like the Dragon Mail.
• Strategy: Equip your best Water-resistant gear if available. Spells like LIT2/LIT3 are highly effective against many enemies here. Be prepared for long battles and conserve your magic points.

The Ice Cave's Secret Chamber

The treacherous Ice Cave has a hidden chamber that can be accessed later in the game, offering a unique weapon that is highly beneficial for certain classes.

• Location: Deep within the Ice Cave, past the main path to the Earth Crystal.
• Requirements: While you can enter the Ice Cave earlier, this specific chamber requires the Levistone to access, which is obtained much later in the game.
• Walkthrough:
  1. Travel back to the Ice Cave.
  2. Navigate through the familiar icy corridors until you reach the area where you would typically use the Levistone to proceed to the Floating Castle.
  3. Instead of immediately leaving for the Floating Castle, search the surrounding walls or a specific ice formation in this area. A hidden passage will reveal itself.
  4. This passage leads to a small, isolated chamber.
• Rewards: The primary reward here is the Flame Sword, a powerful weapon that deals fire-elemental damage, making it excellent against ice-based enemies.
• Strategy: The enemies in the Ice Cave remain a threat. Ensure you have plenty of healing items and consider bringing a party member capable of casting FIR2/FIR3 for efficient combat.

The Waterfall Cavern's Hidden Treasure

Near the Waterfall, a secret cavern exists, holding a legendary item that can significantly boost your party's offensive capabilities.

• Location: Behind the Waterfall, which is located in the northern part of the world map, accessible by Canoe.
• Requirements: Must have the Canoe.
• Walkthrough:
  1. Take your Canoe to the Waterfall.
  2. Instead of going around or past it, attempt to "enter" the Waterfall itself. The game will prompt you to enter a hidden cave.
  3. Inside, you'll find a relatively straightforward dungeon with a few strong enemies guarding the treasure.
  4. At the end of the cavern, you will find a chest containing the legendary item.
• Rewards: The Oxyale, a crucial item for breathing underwater, is found here. More importantly, the Rosetta Stone is also located in this cavern, which is essential for understanding the Lufenian language and progressing the main story, but its acquisition is technically optional until you need it.
• Strategy: The enemies here are not overly difficult if you are at an appropriate level for the main quest. Focus on physical attacks and standard offensive magic.