Introduce me to Final Fantasy.

[IamQ]

I know quite a bit about games, so natrually I know of the Final Fantasy series. Though, I am ashamed to say that I have never played one of them.

So I wanted to try it now that I've got some spare money to spend. But I don't know which to start with. I know there isn't any continuity between them, so there is no reason for me to start with the first one.

Also, if it helps, my means of gaming are: Gamecube, Playstation 2 and Gameboy Advance. I have a Playstation 3, but I don't think the 13th installment is something I'd like to start one, considering that the fan reception it has gotten is quite negative.

 

[xmbts]

Well, X is a good one to start with, it's easier then some of the others barring a few boss fights, and it's cheaper then 7, 8, or 9 at this point(and easier to find), just be aware that the voice acting isn't exactly the best.

I've heard tactics is very good though I've yet to play it.

 

[Distorted Stu]

I first got introducted to FF with X. I loved it it soo <3

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

9 or 10.

Great starting points. Generally well-liked. Among the least divisive within the fanbase.

9 harkens back to FFs of old, and X is the first modern game in the franchise. It's the first with voice-work, too.

9's card game is shit, though. And so is Blitzball. So, their mini-games suck.

Triple Triad (FF8) forever!

 

[dsmops2003]

Just play the first and third ones on NES.

 

[Legion IV]

welcome to the greatest series ever made. First thing i must say is this. Do not listen to hardley anything said thats negative about FF. Thats very odd i know but FF fans are the most insane fans out there. they will hate on anygame they didnt like but if somone else likes it there crazy. FF fans tend to cling to there few games and say the rest is crap. People say 6 is the best of the whole series. To me its the worst (still great) People also praise 8 but it has the most INSANE BS story ever told of the series.

Me? am the weirdest Oldschool FF fan you'll know. i grew up on 1-5 (imported japenese consople baby!) I love those to death i grew up on the old games YET my top 3 is.

FF13.
FF7.
FF10.

There all amazing so dont listen to anything people say but others. the real way to go at this is what do you want more? Story focus, Character focus? or gameplay focus?

Gameplay focus.
FF1,FF2,FF3,FF5.

Story Focus.
FF4,FF6,FF12, FF Tatctics.

Character Focus. (my favorite)

FF7,FF8,FF10,FF10-2,FF13.

Stuff i didnt list cant really be catergorized.



This is all my oppinion as am sure i'll get attacked for saying this. Just dont listen to the hate please. There all masterpeices there all great.

I've been a fan since the day i 2 years old. I own every single game and collect everything. Dont listen to the bashing. Just pick anygame. I'd reccomend 13 since its my fav though.

 

[SnootyEnglishman]

Since you've got a PS2 just go with X. Then if you like it go for the games for the NES, SNES and the other systems. But in the name of all that is good stay far away from X-2 and XII.

 

[Thunderhorse31]

Download IX from PSN. It's fun, it's charming, and it's the most widely praised entry in the series (i.e. you're less likely to find someone that actually hates it, unlike X, VII, etc.).

If you want to get sucked in and fall in love with the characters pretty easily, IX accomplishes that better than most.

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

9 or 10.

Great starting points. Generally well-liked. Among the least divisive within the fanbase.

9 harkens back to FFs of old, and X is the first modern game in the franchise. It's the first with voice-work, too.

9's card game is shit, though. And so is Blitzball. So, their mini-games suck.

Triple Triad (FF8) forever!

Are you mad? Triple Triad was horrible. Even Blitzball was more playable than that crap.

Triple Triad had a good tutorial, and clear basic rules. And good rewards!

Unless you spread other rulesets. I tended to play only in places with the basic ruleset.

Tetra Master doesn't even teach you what the symbols on the cards mean. It's annoying and a mess.

Blitzball was...too time intensive.

 

[2xDouble]

I'm gonna give the same advice I've posted every time this comes up:

1) Get a pair of dice.
2) Roll the dice.
3) Convert the result to roman numerals and slap a "Final Fantasy" in front of it.
4) Find and play that game.

Optional step 5) If you don't like that game (or can't find it), repeat steps 2-4 until you find one you like.
Optional step 6) Play Final Fantasy I (aka "original" Final Fantasy, because 2d6 cannot equal 1)

Edit: Warning! if you manage to roll an 11, FFXI is an MMO, if you're looking for a single-player adventure, treat 11 as a "roll again".
(I haven't played XI, but I've heard that it isn't bad as MMO's go)

 

[Phoenixmgs_v1legacy]

I have only played FFX (which is an average RPG at best IMO; the game is super easy even for a RPG virgin, the classes are unbalanced, and the battle system is so basic) and FFXII, which is good but has a lot of flaws. I tried playing FFVI way back on the SNES but I just hate random battles so much I just stopped playing (there are battles every 3 steps as you are going through a burning house and trying to save someone, no lie). I haven't played FFXIII yet though. FFX and earlier all have random battles; FFXII and FFXIII (2 of my friends that are big FF fans loved it so...) are the only ones that don't have random battles. To me, the FF series has never produced a great game because of my hate for random battles, which totally deter exploration and just artificially lengthen the game, and FFXII is the best FF game I've played and it's just good, nothing great.

 

[Blitzkrieg64]

VI, IX or XII. These are the ones I'd start with, because they were my first Final Fantasy games, well IX was my first that I played through, but I had played a bit of VI before and XII was the first I played on PS2 because X was harshly criticized and XI was an MMORPG.
Though XII is a bit difficult to start with I suppose, so either IX or VI. Both are really good and fun, both are PS1 games, which the PS2 can run easily.

 

[ramboondiea]

id defiantly say to get ff6, if you can find the gba version fantastic get that, if you cant get the psone version (pretty much the exact same)
id avoid 7, its not the rpg messiah people say it is, and 8 is much better.
ffx is great but it feels very boring after a while, fun and bright with a decent story and ok(ish) character
ff12 is great though, its story is good (if you can follow it) and the characters are interesting, even vaan the whiny ass git ha.

 

[moretimethansense]

But in the name of all that is good stay far away from X-2 and XII.

Don't (necesserily) listen to this!
XIII I can't vouch for but X-2 is a perfectly fine game, granted the "good" end sorta ruins the end of X but most people hust freak out caus X-2 is (for lack of a better term) pink.

Sure it's fanservicey but what's wrong with that?
I liked going to places and seeing how they got on after the main game, and the battle system is downright inspired.

I'll admit it's far too easy though.

OT other than that Defo play IX and X.
VII is a good one too if you can ignore the hype.
VIII and X-2 are more divisive you may like them or you may hate them, I like them.
IV, V and VI are damn good ones as well you can get their rereleases on GBA or PS1 easy enough.

the origional, II and III I can't honestly recomend, their not bad but I personally didn't enjoy them, if you want you can get 1 and 2 on GBA or PS1, III you cant get in English it's origional form, you have to get the remake on the DS.

XIII can't comment.
XII stay the fuck away this thing killed the series for me, after attempting to play this (more than once) I found myself hating the entire franchise, I don't even know how that's possible, I haven't played XIII because I fear it completly tainting my memories of the others.

FFVII Crisis Core - PSP
If you like Seven I'd recomend it, even if you don't, you may enjoy this but it contains massive spoilers for Seven so it's up to you.

 

[Gaz6231]

I'm gonna agree with the peeps saying X, it's pretty much the flagship for the PS2 games. I'm not sure if VI is out on GBA, but if it is then I'd consider that the best of the 'old-school' games.

On a personal basis I'd say the best was VII, but again the FF games are entirely subjective.

 

[moretimethansense]

VI, IX or XII. These are the ones I'd start with, because they were my first Final Fantasy games, well IX was my first that I played through, but I had played a bit of VI before and XII was the first I played on PS2 because X was harshly criticized and XI was an MMORPG.
Though XII is a bit difficult to start with I suppose, so either IX or VI. Both are really good and fun, both are PS1 games, which the PS2 can run easily.

Wait...
X was harshly critisized!?
Have you seen the arguements between those that like XII and those that don't?
Granted there is a lot of hate for X (undeserved IMHO) but the utter contempt for XII in some circles has to be seen to be believed, read my spiel up there and remember that compared to some I was downright genorous in my dislike.

 

[Reaper195]

Use your PS3 and get FF7/8 on the PSN. Best games to start with, and best games. The rest were...rather average. 13 was all right though.

 

[Naheal]

I did a review on the remake of the first one a while back [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.248146-Classic-Reviews-Final-Fantasy-I]. That might be a good place to start.

Keep in mind that these games are in no way chronological. They just tend to have a few similarities from game to game.

 

[rockyoumonkeys]

XII was by far my favorite, but part of that might have been its similarities to XI, which I enjoyed in the brief time I played it, but which I don't consider a real Final Fantasy game at all.