Ninjafire72 said:
So please don't burn me at the stake or anything, but I've never actually tried a FF game before. I honestly have no idea on anything about the series, although I have played JRPGs before.
So I thought 'why the hell not?' and figured I should try one out. Problems is, I don't know which one; apparently there's really good ones and there's really, REALLY bad ones. Can anyone recommend me which FF instalment I should start off with?
Well, first things first - the fanbase is kind of...divisive on certain titles, and like most fanbases, they can get REALLY loud about it. So if you end up trying and liking one that's not popular or vice versa, just ignore them.
As for recommendations, it depends on what kind of RPG games you like, but here's my list of recommendations:
-4 and 5 are both pretty good, but for different reasons. They're both part of the old-school RPG era, but 4's plot was above and beyond the standard story fare, featuring elements of retribution, jealousy, self-sacrifice and redemption that actually had an impact - a rarity for those times. 5's plot is more by-the-numbers, but the job change system in that game made for a lot of fun gameplay options. It's one of the few features in the series that appears in multiple games, and it's especially good for a newcomer who's not familiar with the lingo, so to speak. In short, if you prefer story over gameplay, go with 4. Else, go with 5.
-6 is often considered to be the epitome of pre-Playstation RPGs. It's huge for an SNES game with a large cast of main characters (most of whom actually are interesting
), a wonderfully crazy villain and solid gameplay.
-7 is my personal favorite, though that may be the nostalgia goggles talking. Still, it departs from the traditional fantasy setting to go with a more modern-day feel, features highly-customizeable gameplay elements with the Materia system, and despite a wonky-as-hell translation has what I consider one of the strongest stories this series has ever produced. Be warned, though, the graphics are utterly laughable by today's standards - it was made back in the beginning of the PS1's life cycle, when 3D models were a brand new thing. They have cubes for hands. You have been warned.
-9 is probably the best place to start for a newcomer if you want to get a feel for the series in general. It's a throwback to the pre-PS days of the series but does it well, if not better than before. Best graphics you'll get on a Playstation, fun characters, lots of fun to play, and it has a surprisingly adult feel to the story.
-10 is the first entry with voice acting, and it...tends to show (just look up the laughing scene for FFX and prepare to cringe) and the main character we follow is a bit grating to listen to in the beginning, but the combat system is arguably the best in the entire series and the story is so delightful dark and tragic without completely killing any sense of joy or humor.
These are good places to start, IMO. I skipped the really old ones because I didn't grow up with them. 8 is...okay, but the gameplay system kind get on your nerves after awhile and the story pretty much wets itself after the halfway mark. 10-2 is actually better than people give it credit for, but it's the rare direct sequel to 10, so obviously don't start there. 12 is pretty good IMO, but it's the first entry from Square-Enix and it's a lot different than the older Squaresoft titles.
As for 13, I actually haven't played it yet, but I will say the opening, save for one moment, does not impress me. Probably not wise to start there either.
I hope that gives you some food for thought because WOW this got long. ^_^
