Final Fantasy Omnithread - All FF, all the time.

[Anomie]

VII was the first one I played and, coincidentally, my favourite. None of the other games made me care as much for the characters as that one did. Having said that, I haven't played VI yet and XII seemed far too complicated to be worth my time. Am I wrong? I hope so.

[Castaway]

Nine was awesome because it was ridiculous. Also, I love the voice acting, and I agree about FFXII. It was fun, but the plot was just not good enough. The only twist that interested me was that Balthier was a Judge.

[clockworkmonk]

My favorite is a toss up between V and VI.

both are just really great.

[owtytrof]

I've played every main FF game except for 11 and 2j, and my favorite, hands-down, is 6. The first I played was 1, when it was originally released in the US on the NES. I was too young and impatient to really understand it or play very far, but I loved 4(2 for SNES), and then 6(3 for SNES) was so much more.

I didn't like the "futuristic" feel of 7, 8 bored me, and 9 didn't hold my interest for very long. 10 was fun, but I way over-leveled and finished the final fight in about 2 rounds, and the lack of a free-roaming world map kind of disappointed me. I've yet to finish 12 or 3(DS), but they're both pretty good so far.

EDIT: I forgot to address 5. I rushed through parts, and ended up saving in a spot where I couldn't progress and was too weak to make it back to a town alive, so I gave up. I'll probably give it another shot some day.

[Ghona]

I love the job system in FFV, but the story's pretty weak. It does have some good music, though (Gilgamesh's theme is a favorite).

Ditto. 6 was my favorite overall, but I liked the mechanics better in 5.

And Gilgamesh is my favorite final fantasy character overall.

[Dark Ragnarok]

IX for me all the way:
1: Interesting steampunk/medieval world appealed more to me at the time.
2: Main character is actually likable and fun, unlike those obnoxious emos, Cloud and Squall. I mean, how many times can you use "..." as dialogue?
3: Equipment/ability system was intuitive. It was the only such system that I found sensible. Those "Sphere Grids" and "License Sheets" just seemed like convoluted systems stuck on the reality of the characters' world. I mean, in X, are they somehow accessing this mysterious grid? In XII, are they completely retarded and incapable of using a hat without using a silly system like "license points?" In IX, it made sense: equipment had certain properties, and, when you use that equipment long enough, you can always use those abilities. It's such a sensible system that I'm glad they stuck it into FF:TA.

I really do like how XII changed a lot, getting rid of silly random battles and treating it a little like an MMO in terms of feel... but I could never get into the political story. None of the characters mattered in the slightest to me.

Well, this thread has made me want to play IX again. ^_^

I... Love.... You....

Nine was awesome because it was ridiculous. Also, I love the voice acting, and I agree about FFXII. It was fun, but the plot was just not good enough. The only twist that interested me was that Balthier was a Judge.

Don't forget ARK! Don't forgot the thrilling animation of pure apocalypse. Nothing beats some machina weapons that nearly blows a hole in the earth's ass to rid your enemy asunder. I don't care if it's a 1:20 long. It's just.... orgasm of power there.

[lachatte]

I'll looking at buying some new video game(s) soon, and it's looking like I'm just going to get a Final Fantasy or two that I haven't played.
So, excepting X, XII, and VII (which is just too expensive at this point) which would you choose for the PS/PS2?

[pieaholicx]

Ignoring the fact that you've already brought your selections down to a handful of games, Tactics. Get it, love it.

[Gunfingers]

Anthology and Origins. Each comes with two games, and they're from before Square started modeling their characters after pop singers.

[lachatte]

Anthology and Origins. Each comes with two games, and they're from before Square started modeling their characters after pop singers.

I'll probably pass on Anthology, since I've played through III (on SNES) three times. But Origins looks like a good idea.

As for Tactics, is there an actual storyline in it? I vaguely remember watching someone play it briefly and it didn't really seem like there was, but it was a really long time ago and I was probably quite drunk at the time

What do you guys think of VIII, VII: Dirge of Cerberus and X-2? I'm kinda thinking of getting X-2, because I loved Yuna and Rikku in X, but then I think maybe I should go with games that aren't directly tied to one I've played.... *shrug*

[Gunfingers]

X-2 was fun in it's way. It had a Charlie's Angels feel to it. It uses the job system, similar to Tactics and V, but you change jobs by playing dress up.

Don't get me wrong, i played it and enjoyed it, but it's a damned girly game.

[lachatte]

X-2 was fun in it's way. It had a Charlie's Angels feel to it. It uses the job system, similar to Tactics and V, but you change jobs by playing dress up.

Don't get me wrong, i played it and enjoyed it, but it's a damned girly game.

Well, I'm a girl, so that's not necessarily a bad thing. I do enjoy 'girly' things occasionally.

[pieaholicx]

As for Tactics, is there an actual storyline in it? I vaguely remember watching someone play it briefly and it didn't really seem like there was, but it was a really long time ago and I was probably quite drunk at the time

It has one of the (arguably) best stories. It's just not told in the same way as the other games. Unfortunately the PS version doesn't have the cutscenes of the PSP version, since those really emphasize the story. Just read all the dialog that happens and you should be fine.

[Endless Mike]

The story in Tactics is incredibly detailed and not terribly well translated, but it's there. They're nice enough to include a summary and glossary as you go along since it likes to throw about a million names at you. It's a great game, though, up to the point where I can't get past because I don't feel like spending several hours grinding.

I would also recommend FF Chronicles which has FF4 and ChronoTrigger. Anthology is basically worth is for FF5 unless you have a GBA or DS and can just play it there. FF2 is the opposite of fun unless you enjoy grinding. Seriously, screw that levelling system.

Oh, and FFX-2 is a lot of fun as long as you can get over the cheesiness of it, which didn't really bother me in the least.

[d33p]

VIII was the first FF I played (yes, I was a late bloomer) and after I've played the rest of them, it's still my favourite. Maybe nostalgia, who knows. I like the "less cartoony" feel of it, and the character development is alluring. Squall is more sullen than you typically see from the FF heroes.

[Endless Mike]

Oh, FF8 is nice if you ignore the story. It's completely insane and 90% of it isn't so much told as implied, which makes understanding what's going on kinda difficult. That said, it's fun trying to break the Junction system. It's possible to finish the game on your starting levels, and in fact it punishes you for levelling up too much since the enemies level with you.

FF9 is really great if you've played the NES and SNES games since it references them a lot and is basically a big wink-wink to longtime fans. It's a fun game besides, if a bit easy.

[LDJosh]

FF12 > FF7 > FF6 > FF10 > FF8 > FF9 > FF-X2

[Endless Mike]

Your opinion is wrong.

[LDJosh]

Your opinion is wrong.

Your logic is flawed.

[CrackTheSky]

I'm a sucker for love stories, so FFVIII gets my vote. Great character development, and I really enjoyed the gameplay mechanics as well. I plan on playing FFX if I ever get a PS2, so I'm looking forward to that.

[Stief]

VII was my first and still is my favourite...

I also liked VIII, although not as much as VII

I liked IX's Storyline, how it went from a simple kidnapping to a world domination spree...but after that, it seemed a bit off...Kuja was ok as a villain...*shrugs*

I'm not blessed with copies of X, as every time I play, the disc stops working, just as I'm getting into it ¬_¬

XII is rather good, but I seemed to have stopped playing it...

IV isn't that good in my opinion...but that may be because I couldn't get past one boss

I really like V, as the job system is great ^_^ (same for XII)

VI is a good game as well I like the different characters

I've not played I or II...I have an emulated version of I however, the absolute ORIGINAL version, not the origins remake...

I want to get Origins however, and the new DS version of III...then my collection will be semi complete

The reason I love most of the games is the music...Nobuo Uematsu is a legend when it comes to composing ^_^

[Allium Cepa]

I love VII, VIII, and X. I played I and II one a gameboy port, which was pretty good. I can never keep the numbers straight when it comes between like the Japanese 4 and our 4 being different and then the numbers got all screwed up. Anyways, I also like the one with the ancients, which ever one that was.

I also really liked the story of 8, and the junction system was badass, I think it was one of the better battle systems.

Oh, and tactics was cool too.

[thejdawg]

VI, by far my favorite. All the characters, save for Gogo and Umaro have excellent back stories that get developed to fairly intricate degrees. They're all also completely unique in what they can do and what they offer to your party.

[FACM]

All the characters, save for Gogo and Umaro have excellent back stories that get developed to fairly intricate degrees.

The main party's story, for all 6 or so of them, is good. Everyone else generally missed the boat for a real backstory. I'm rather upset that Setzer's story amounts to this:

Locke: "We need an airship to go to the opera"
Setzer: "I HAVE AN AIRSHIP, AND I LOVE OPERA! BUT MY TALENTS HAVE A PRICE!"
Locke: "Um... the girl in the opera is hot?"
Setzer: "SOLD! HOP ON!"

[aion7]

If you play longer Setzer has a more developed storyline, no wait. That was Locke again. What about the time when, oops. That was Celes. Eh, Setzer still rocks.

I suggest Chrono Trigger. To me it is tied with Diablo II for the title of best game ever. In case you're wondering what a non-Final Fantasy game is doing here, allow me to explain. Chrono Trigger is like a final fantasy game, but better. The only real Fina Fantasies that come close are V and VI, although IV is good too.

[rxninja]

I'm gonna second (third? fourth?) the Final Fantasy Tactics love going on here and say that it's pretty much tied for my favorite game of all time, sitting right next to Final Fantasy VI. The grid battle system in Tactics is great, the storyline is well done, articulating treachery, betrayal, revolution, and the rise of demonic forces all at the same time, and the replayability is actually pretty good (there's a way to level down your characters in order to level them up again and become more powerful. It's pretty insane). I've logged more hours on FFT than I'd care to enumerate.

[Jack Saladin]

VIIIs art design - the Gardens (oh, Balamb Garden, I love you so), especially - alone make it one of the best for me. Of course, I enjoy that aspect of games more than the average gamer, so depends on how you personally approach them.

[d33p]

*agree* I'm a style junkie, so the graphics and design were an essential part of my obsession with VIII. The dance scene? Classic. And I'll confess, I teared up when Rinoa was floating out in space... so cold... so alone...

[SecondTalon]

Tactics > Tactics Advance > FF1 > other games not associated with the series, FF2 thrown in here somewhere > watching paint dry > FF7

Pogo-stick wielding Godfigures was FF7 boring.

[Gelsamel]

FFTA >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> All other FFs.

The FF series is unbelievably mediocre... also I think there is a thread about your favourite FF game already.

[CrackTheSky]

I suggest Chrono Trigger. To me it is tied with Diablo II for the title of best game ever. In case you're wondering what a non-Final Fantasy game is doing here, allow me to explain. Chrono Trigger is like a final fantasy game, but better.

I disagree entirely. Admittedly I never beat CT, but I got basically to the end, and throughout the entire game I just couldn't escape the feeling of complete mediocrity. It was...okay...but I'd never play it again, and every FF I've played I enjoyed far more than CT.

[Zohar]

I didn't like FFTA too much. Tactics is awesome. Most gameplay time out of all the other FFs, by far. I loved FFVIII. There's an annoying plot twist somewhere in disc 3 I think, but other than that I loved it.

[Nyarlathotep]

VI has an amazing story and great characters, it actually made me cry a few times. The graphics are however very badly outdated (sprites give me headaches) and it sometimes suffers from awkward gameplay. I highly recommend this one, though the GBA version is best, the PS1 version has FMV cutscenes

VII is overhyped to the max but a good game if you ignore the fanboys

IV is... not very good. Boring story, bad characters, bleh.

VIII has great characters but a horrible plot.

I hear mixed things about IX

XII is fantastic if you can afford it.

[Endless Mike]

I think FF12 is now Greatest Hits, or is at least selling cheap at used stores.

[Nyarlathotep]

If you play longer Setzer has a more developed storyline, no wait. That was Locke again. What about the time when, oops. That was Celes. Eh, Setzer still rocks.

I suggest Chrono Trigger. To me it is tied with Diablo II for the title of best game ever. In case you're wondering what a non-Final Fantasy game is doing here, allow me to explain. Chrono Trigger is like a final fantasy game, but better. The only real Fina Fantasies that come close are V and VI, although IV is good too.

Your avatar alternately makes me happy and fills me with rage.

DAMN YOU KEFKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

It's funny. I used to think that a psychotic clown would suck as a villain. Then I actually played VI.

Kefka would murder Sephiroth so hard, momma's boy would never see it coming.

*starts a flamewar*

[rxninja]

*starts a flamewar*

I wish I could help you with your flamewar, but I agree wholeheartedly.

[segmentation fault]

1 and 3 were my favs.

Kefka would murder Sephiroth so hard, momma's boy would never see it coming.

thats what i like about Kefka. he looks like a clown but is just the essence of pure evil. Sephiroth was just an emo who wanted a hug from mommy.

[Stief]

It's funny. I used to think that a psychotic clown would suck as a villain. Then I actually played VI.

But...what about the Joker? D:

but Kefka is equally as good ^_^ I especially like his laugh

[darktalon]

First one I played was VII and I think it's still my favourite. It looks a bit dated now (early 3D graphics were not good) but still stands up. I also like VI (though I thought it got a bit incoherent towards the end, even more than the usual rush of plot compression) and VIII. And since someone mentioned Chrono Trigger, that's as good as any of them.

[Vellyr]

Out of the ones you haven't played, VIII is the best in my opinion. X is my favorite. XII was amazing except that the battle system just isn't fun (setting up gambits is interesting, but after that you're pretty much just a spectator) and the plot is kind of dry. The art, the characters, and the other game systems were really cool.