Final Fantasy - recommendation?

[Arqus_Zed]

I'd recommend Final Fantasy IX, like so many others already have.

It has a good story with both humorous and very serious parts, epic in scope and probably has the least plot holes of all FF games. The designs of characters and monsters are quite interesting and the environments (despite being pre-rendered backgrounds from more than a decade ago) bring life to a truly fantastical world. It's also quite easy and doesn't have too much annoying exploitable mechanics (Squall's Limit Break in FF VIII, Yojimbo's Zanmato in FF X, etc.)

Also, the music is very memorable. It doesn't have the epic orchestra of Halo or God Of War game, but atmospheric piano pieces like 'Loss Of Me' and 'Tantalus Theme' will linger forever in the back of your head.

The gameplay is also quite straightforward, in both combat an stat upgrading, so no problems there. If you would rather have a more "innovative" stat upgrading system, you might want to look into FF X. Or FF VII if you don't mind really crappy graphics. Or FF VIII if you don't mind grinding like hell and being confronted with a highly original, yet completely Junction system.

Oh, and FF XII is always good if you want more of a "western RPG/MMO RPG"-feel to your JRPG.

 

[RJ 17]

Is FF1 the best game in the franchise though? I don't really mind screwing up the chronology or anything, I just want to see what the series has to offer. If I like the first one I play, then it'll probably entice me to go back to the first one and work my way through.

Since, with a couple exceptions, each individual game's story has nothing to do with the game before it, you can really start anywhere you want. As such, chronology isn't really much of an issue.

Most of the people in my gaming circle grew up with the FF series 1-6, and as such we'd tell you that those are the best games out of the franchise. 7 is widely hailed as the best one ever, but there's plenty of people out there (myself included) that don't see what all the fuss is about...it's good, but just another FF game.

In all honesty, I'd say that FF8 is probably the easiest one to start with of the "modern" series (by "modern" I mean CD-based games). The thing of it is though, just like how each FF game's story doesn't play off the previous game, nor do the mechanics of any given FF play off the previous game. Most every FF game comes with a few new/different mechanics. For example, FF4 only has 2 set characters that can learn white and black magic and only one of them can call summoned monsters, while in FF 6 you can have anyone you want learn any spell you want and summon any monster you want (specifically by equiping the summoned monsters to a character and as that character levels up, the monster teaches them spells). This was tweeked in FF 7 in that still, anyone can learn any spell and summon any monster, but now you've got to equip specific "materia" for each specific spell/command/summon.

In short: if you ask me they haven't made a good FF game since FF 7 (not counting Final Fantasy Tactics which most consider outside the franchise since it's more of a strategy game than a standard RPG). I'd stick with FF 1-6, to be honest. But maybe I'm just like an old Star Wars fan. Someone who saw the original movies as a kid, absolutely loved them, grew up and saw what they did to the series, and now thinks it's all a bunch of crap. Somewhere Final Fantasy Tactics for the PS1 was the ast FF game to feature actual fantasy characters (knights in armor and wizards in robes and such). Every FF since then (FF7 included even though it came out before FFT) has been filled with a bunch of characters with crapy anime outfits and crapy anime haircuts and even crappier english voice acting. As Yahtzee said in one of his reviews, "When will people realize that Square-Enix doesn't want to make games anymore? They want to make movies!"

But yeah, if you don't mind the fact that the series now'a'days is essentially just a bunch of crappy stand-alone animes, then it really doesn't matter which FF you play first. No matter which one you choose you're going to have to learn mechanics that are unique to that title, as such one is as good as any other.

 

[SpaceBat]

Mentally disturbed? I don't think I've ever run across any of them, as IX's fanbase tends to be pretty tame from where I sit. Care to elaborate?

Spoiler

Remember that scene where Zidane, being the pervert that he is, "accidentally" grabbed Garnet's butt? I've encountered people who actively praised Zidane for that scene, mentioning that we all should do the same, that anyone with a double x chromosome exists for our pleasure only anyway and that it's completely her fault and deserved even more due to her selection of clothing. Perhaps it was just a fairly big team of trolls, but I didn't stay long enough to find out. All of this on a family-friendly gaming site too. I call people who actually mean these stuff mentally disturbed, but perhaps sexually frustrated is the more fitting word.

It is obviously a very tiny section of its fanbase (although that scene does seem to be incredibly popular). The majority of IX's fanbase is often tame and surprisingly mature. Unfortunately, every time Zidane does his usual pervert shenanigans, I cannot help but to remember those disgusting comments.

 

[TheLastSamurai14]

That made me lol, but it's true. I mean even at the fastest ATB speed, nothing gets done. This is why I have Auto-Haste equipped on my whole party at all times.

But the slowness of IX kind of makes me want future games to use the fast paced ATB style of XIII. Detract the game as much as you want for linearity and Auto-Battle, but the ATB mechanics in it were near flawless.

I recently bought in on PSN and played it on my PSP for a 8-10 hours or something and all my illusions about how great that game was were shattered. I think the speed of Final Fantasy XIII's battle system has spoiled me. I am currently playing X too and I am wishing it was faster too. It's like "Lulu, just cast the damn spell already".

Yeah, I can totally see where you're coming from with that. I stopped playing IX for a few months while I played XIII (the Platinum took me about a year to get, what with me getting every single variation on the ultimate weapons), but then went back to IX after my first XIII playthrough. The speed didn't completely ruin the game for me, as I managed to get used to it again, but it as well as...other factors really took a toll on me.

"ZIDANE, Y U NO STEAL INSTANTLY!?"

"Eiko, just switch to fucking ravager!"

"Crap, time to break out a full ATB skill!"

"Oh shit, he's charging a big attack! Steelguard!! Steelguard!!"

Yeah, I don't think XIII was good for my health.

Mentally disturbed? I don't think I've ever run across any of them, as IX's fanbase tends to be pretty tame from where I sit. Care to elaborate?

Spoiler

Remember that scene where Zidane, being the pervert that he is, "accidentally" grabbed Garnet's butt? I've encountered people who actively praised Zidane for that scene, mentioning that we all should do the same, that anyone with a double x chromosome exists for our pleasure only anyway and that it's completely her fault and deserved even more due to her selection of clothing. Perhaps it was just a fairly big team of trolls, but I didn't stay long enough to find out. All of this on a family-friendly gaming site too. I call people who actually mean these stuff mentally disturbed, but perhaps sexually frustrated is the more fitting word.

It is obviously a very tiny section of its fanbase (although that scene does seem to be incredibly popular). The majority of IX's fanbase is often tame and surprisingly mature. Unfortunately, every time Zidane does his usual pervert shenanigans, I cannot help but to remember those disgusting comments.

Oh Jesus Christ...the fanbase has THAT type of people? Great...The last thing I want it to be tainted by is a bunch of sexually frustrated misogynists.

Luckily, that's most likely an extremely vocal minority. No one I've encountered IRL or on the Internet has even mentioned that scene, much less praised Zidane for his antics.

I for one kind of wish Garnet was able to keep the white mage robe for longer. I love callbacks to the older games, and that was one of my favorites.

 

[Enigma Syndrome]

To start off? FFIV is pretty straight forward, has pretty good characters (albeit 'WAAHHHH MY LIFE SUCKS' Cecil and typical badass Kain) and as far as story goes it's not THAT convoluted? Most FF's tend to be anyways.

Plus I mean c'mon. Tower of Babil? Awesome.

 

[Epona]

What is Final Fantasy-ish? Besides the mainstays like item names, chocobos, etc....what gameplay elements stay the same with every game?

That is a very interesting question. But, I think, this question is a whole different subject.

It is at least something I can't just put into words in a few sentences. The most simplistic answer would be that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Or to put it differently, everything comes together and becomes something different entirely. Thats when you have the Final Fantasy feeling. But what this really means?

Emo guys with insane hairstyles that defy gravity? (hehe)
Epic story line of good vs evil?
Music by Nobuo Uematsu?
Turn base combat?
Unique fantasy worlds?

I can't really dissect Final Fantasy like that.

The WHOLE includes the Final Fantasy name and once the name is applied, then the point becomes mute. The question is, if Final Fantasy XIII didn't have the Final Fantasy name on it, would anyone say "This is like Final Fantasy"? Replace XIII with X or VII and so on and see if any game would pass that test.

Some may have said "Breath of Fire and Breath of Fire 2 are like Final Fantasy", I would.

The emo guy thing only started with VII. So that would mean VI is not Final Fantasy-ish. Besides, don't other games have an emo guy?

Epic storyline of good vs evil, doesn't every JRPG have this?

Nobuo Uematsu did the music for Lost Odyssey too I believe.

Turn based combat is in many JRPG's.

Unique fantasy worlds, many JRPG's.

Also, there are alot of games with the Final Fantasy name that shouldn't have. Like that Wiiware title, My Life as a King. That could have taken place in the Disney Universe and it wouldn't have changed much.

 

[Palademon]

I can unironically recommend FFXIII.
You're new to Final Fantasy so you won't have the fan rage other people do.

 

[Epona]

That made me lol, but it's true. I mean even at the fastest ATB speed, nothing gets done. This is why I have Auto-Haste equipped on my whole party at all times.

But the slowness of IX kind of makes me want future games to use the fast paced ATB style of XIII. Detract the game as much as you want for linearity and Auto-Battle, but the ATB mechanics in it were near flawless.

I recently bought in on PSN and played it on my PSP for a 8-10 hours or something and all my illusions about how great that game was were shattered. I think the speed of Final Fantasy XIII's battle system has spoiled me. I am currently playing X too and I am wishing it was faster too. It's like "Lulu, just cast the damn spell already".

Yeah, I can totally see where you're coming from with that. I stopped playing IX for a few months while I played XIII (the Platinum took me about a year to get, what with me getting every single variation on the ultimate weapons), but then went back to IX after my first XIII playthrough. The speed didn't completely ruin the game for me, as I managed to get used to it again, but it as well as...other factors really took a toll on me.

"ZIDANE, Y U NO STEAL INSTANTLY!?"

"Eiko, just switch to fucking ravager!"

"Crap, time to break out a full ATB skill!"

"Oh shit, he's charging a big attack! Steelguard!! Steelguard!!"

Yeah, I don't think XIII was good for my health.

XIII doesn't get the credit it deserves. I beat it twice now, I never beat XII so it's safe to say that I like it more than most Final Fantasy games. I can't count the number of times I beat 6 and 7 but only once for 8 and 9. Twice for X. IV was ok, I beat it once and have no desire to return to it, I didn't like always switching characters, just give me my team and let me build them up. XIII was guilty of that as well but not as bad.

 

[4RM3D]

The WHOLE includes the Final Fantasy name and once the name is applied, then the point becomes mute. The question is, if Final Fantasy XIII didn't have the Final Fantasy name on it, would anyone say "This is like Final Fantasy"? Replace XIII with X or VII and so on and see if any game would pass that test.

Some may have said "Breath of Fire and Breath of Fire 2 are like Final Fantasy", I would.

The emo guy thing only started with VII. So that would mean VI is not Final Fantasy-ish. Besides, don't other games have an emo guy?

Epic storyline of good vs evil, doesn't every JRPG have this?

Nobuo Uematsu did the music for Lost Odyssey too I believe.

Turn based combat is in many JRPG's.

Unique fantasy worlds, many JRPG's.

Also, there are alot of games with the Final Fantasy name that shouldn't have. Like that Wiiware title, My Life as a King. That could have taken place in the Disney Universe and it wouldn't have changed much.

That...

Emo guys with insane hairstyles that defy gravity? (hehe)

was a joke.

Anyhow, what point do you want to make? That Final Fantasy is nothing more than a name?

 

[OManoghue]

Play Chronotrigger, it's a JRPG without the whiny girly men and terrible voice acting.

 

[Epona]

The WHOLE includes the Final Fantasy name and once the name is applied, then the point becomes mute. The question is, if Final Fantasy XIII didn't have the Final Fantasy name on it, would anyone say "This is like Final Fantasy"? Replace XIII with X or VII and so on and see if any game would pass that test.

Some may have said "Breath of Fire and Breath of Fire 2 are like Final Fantasy", I would.

The emo guy thing only started with VII. So that would mean VI is not Final Fantasy-ish. Besides, don't other games have an emo guy?

Epic storyline of good vs evil, doesn't every JRPG have this?

Nobuo Uematsu did the music for Lost Odyssey too I believe.

Turn based combat is in many JRPG's.

Unique fantasy worlds, many JRPG's.

Also, there are alot of games with the Final Fantasy name that shouldn't have. Like that Wiiware title, My Life as a King. That could have taken place in the Disney Universe and it wouldn't have changed much.

That...

Emo guys with insane hairstyles that defy gravity? (hehe)

was a joke.

Anyhow, what point do you want to make? That Final Fantasy is nothing more than a name?

Yes, I guess that's my point.

Aside from chocobos, item names, Cid, Mog and a few other mainstays, Final Fantasy games are a new experience every time. Direct sequels don't count even though X-2 is nothing like X.

 

[TheLastSamurai14]

snip

XIII doesn't get the credit it deserves. I beat it twice now, I never beat XII so it's safe to say that I like it more than most Final Fantasy games. I can't count the number of times I beat 6 and 7 but only once for 8 and 9. Twice for X. IV was ok, I beat it once and have no desire to return to it, I didn't like always switching characters, just give me my team and let me build them up. XIII was guilty of that as well but not as bad.

True, but I hear that in XIII-2, Serah and Noel are supposed to be constantly controlled by the player, with the third slot being taken up by guest characters (i.e. Lightning) much like Final Fantasy II. Hopefully we won't have constant plot-related deaths, though.

 

[Epona]

snip

XIII doesn't get the credit it deserves. I beat it twice now, I never beat XII so it's safe to say that I like it more than most Final Fantasy games. I can't count the number of times I beat 6 and 7 but only once for 8 and 9. Twice for X. IV was ok, I beat it once and have no desire to return to it, I didn't like always switching characters, just give me my team and let me build them up. XIII was guilty of that as well but not as bad.

True, but I hear that in XIII-2, Serah and Noel are supposed to be constantly controlled by the player, with the third slot being taken up by guest characters (i.e. Lightning) much like Final Fantasy II. Hopefully we won't have constant plot-related deaths, though.

I have played the demo for XIII-2 a few times now. The third slot may be filled by guest characters at some point but in the demo it was filled with a monster. Think Lufia 2 capsule monsters.

I enjoyed the demo alot but to be honest, I would rather have a character to monsters.

 

[SnootyEnglishman]

Go with IV, VI, VII, X, XII (even though vaan is a horrible character), and XIII cause i like it (that's right i said it bring it on)

 

[enersha]

9 is the best anyone who says anything else is wrong
/thread

 

[Epona]

9 is the best anyone who says anything else is wrong
/thread

9 is slow paced, get it for those times when you can't sleep.

/enersha

Just kidding.

 

[SpaceBat]

Oh Jesus Christ...the fanbase has THAT type of people? Great...The last thing I want it to be tainted by is a bunch of sexually frustrated misogynists. Luckily, that's most likely an extremely vocal minority. No one I've encountered IRL or on the Internet has even mentioned that scene, much less praised Zidane for his antics.

Every fanbase probably has those kinds of people, so this kind of stuff thankfully rarely bothers me. You won't see me thinking differently over the game Bayonetta because a possible majority loves mentioning how they love the main character's disproportionate body and would like to do stuff to her. Not even the fact that people analyzed Tali's (Mass Effect) sweat to a molecular level made me flynch, as the Internet is known for its weird people.

It's just that this one struck me off guard. I didn't expect to see a bunch of misogynistic and sexual/vulgar comments directed at what seems to be a group of children on an incredibly popular site that is supposed to be family-friendly. So yeah, it being a minorty doesn't help me personally when I keep getting redirected to the comments of those bunch of degenerate pricks every time Zidane opens his mouth.

I for one kind of wish Garnet was able to keep the white mage robe for longer. I love callbacks to the older games, and that was one of my favorites.

Completely agreed with you there.

I actually dont remember that particular scene, but it sounds light.
snipped the rest

I am not talking about the scene in the game. I am talking about the surprisingly vulgar and misogynistic part of the IX fanbase.

 

[Nilsenator]

My advice to anyone who wants to get into the Final Fantasy series is the same as Moviebobs advice on comic books: start wherever you want, it doesn't really matter. There is no overarching chronology and the games are overall very different. This also means that none of them really represents the series as a whole, so if you don't like one or some of them you might still enjoy the others. Seek out the ones that are the most available to you and looks the most interesting, then work your way from there.

My personal top five is IX, VI, XII, IV and V. The rest of them range from great to passable in my opinion.

 

[Suman1991]

Personally i would recommend 12 as it was also my own first ff game. The mechanic is kinda weird and outs a lot of people off the experience. But if doesn't bother you, its a truely amazing game. i got over 120 hours of gameplay out of it, thats including majority of the sidequest and excluding the very few i didn't bother to do.

10 on the other hand has more or less standard JRPG turn based combat system. So you can go for that too, if your into old school gaming.

Oh, and fair warning FF's are known to have painfully long leveling up times after the first 20 level, and these are no exceptions.

 

[Suman1991]

Go with IV, VI, VII, X, XII (even though vaan is a horrible character), and XIII cause i like it (that's right i said it bring it on)

my friend and actually spent the first few minutes wondering if vaan's a girl. But then Ashe and Fran show up and we stopped caring