This or That: Final Fantasy Series

[magus113]

As far as playing FFVI, the Game Boy Advance version is supposed to be the one with the most additions and it's got completely rewritten dialogue.

Sorry about the wall of text with my answer.

I've only completed FF3(Japan), FF7, FF9, and FF10. I can personally say FF9 is probably my favorite. FF3 was great, but I'm not too big on games with job systems, considering I'm not that good at managing my parties that way. FF9 was pretty old school and it brought the series back from it's roots, which it didn't return to until I'd have to say FF11 or 12. I've never played FF11 because MMOs really aren't my thing after a while. My issue with 12 was that the battle system was just BORING. Ugh, I don't think I could imagine playing through a 35+ hour game with that kind of battle system.

Straying from my point here. The music in FF9 was fantastic, the characters were all actually pretty enjoyable, my personal favorites being Freya, Amarant, and Steiner. All of the characters have their uses (yes even Quina), and they all add humor and more character to the game. The plot progression was fantastic. It was everything FF used to be and more.

FF8 is the one I'm trying to trek though now, and I do enjoy that game although I feel sometimes the narrative between Laguna/Squall and how they're connected can get a little convoluted. The junction system is cool, but I also think it makes the game way too easy if you do like I do and make for some pretty serious level grinding when it's possible. The magic system is fine, it's the organization and distribution of magic that makes things tedious. Yes you can transfer all junctioned magic and all of that goodness easily, but divvying it up makes for a little too much time in the menus if you ask me. The SeeD ranks are a joke, because the answers to the tests are always super simple and you receive a ridiculous amount of money on a regular basis.

FF7? Ugh. I don't know. When I finally beat it start to finish two years ago, I wasn't left with a bad taste in my mouth, but I don't think there's much for me to remember. Mind you, it brought about some pretty decent material as far as the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII stuff goes (Crisis Core is actually a pretty cool game, and Advent Children, while campy and a cash cow has it's replay value). But yeah. It's definitely overrated.

FFX for me was cool when I started getting into it, but I think my biggest issue was that I found it very difficult at some points because I wasn't accustomed to level grinding when I first got the game, which would have helped me and my sphere grid progression a whole bunch. The whole keeping-your-entire-party-with-you-when-you-battle system was cool but I don't think I was able to fully get the most out of everyone because I was trying to make sure they all got in to battles at once, which is the wrong way to approach things, I know but I didn't know any better.

The first Final Fantasy is a great game, and I still strive to beat it. I have the 20th anniversary edition for the PSP, which while toned down in difficulty, I think is the best version of the game. I still plan to beat it one day.

I've played the beginning of FF2 and I can't say that I really enjoy it to be honest. I think it's the leveling system. I dunno. I'll give it another shot.

FF4, I got all the way to when you first get the Lunar Whale, and I started to struggle a little after that. Eventually due to a mishap of my own fault, my save was deleted and I have yet to pick it up again. But I want to.

FF5 I played and I've actually gotten all the way to the end but I have not beaten Exdeath. The difficulty is pretty up there. And I'm gonna attribute it to me not being able to manage my party properly with the job system. It requires me going back to level grinding which I guess I can try, but I don't know if I could.

[TheSlyMoogle]

Originally Posted by magus113

The music in FF9 was fantastic, the characters were all actually pretty enjoyable, my personal favorites being Freya, Amarant, and Steiner. All of the characters have their uses (yes even Quina), and they all add humor and more character to the game. The plot progression was fantastic. It was everything FF used to be and more.

This game has the best music. Also Quina was highly useful, white wind was the best healing spell in the game for a long time, and mighty guard is top tier magicks. Always has been.

My favorite characters were Freya and Amarant, but sadly didn't use them much thanks to the broken goodness that was Zidane, Eiko, Vivi and Steiner. I'm soooo sorry Garnet didn't get Holy or a decent summon like Eiko did. She had access to Holy and the best Summon, Maduin (Forgot what they called him in 9)

Originally Posted by magus113

FF8 is the one I'm trying to trek though now, and I do enjoy that game although I feel sometimes the narrative between Laguna/Squall and how they're connected can get a little convoluted. The junction system is cool, but I also think it makes the game way too easy if you do like I do and make for some pretty serious level grinding when it's possible. The magic system is fine, it's the organization and distribution of magic that makes things tedious. Yes you can transfer all junctioned magic and all of that goodness easily, but divvying it up makes for a little too much time in the menus if you ask me. The SeeD ranks are a joke, because the answers to the tests are always super simple and you receive a ridiculous amount of money on a regular basis.

SeeD ranks are a joke, but if I understand what you're doing with the game in terms of leveling up, then will say the game will get nearly impossible for you around the end of disc 3. I may be wrong about that, because the GFs in the game are pretty sick, but let's just say it will be hard. Probably the funnest thing I've done in a regular FF game (Aside from Tactics which is just amazing), Is a no level up run in FF8. It's impossible not to gain a few levels in the beginning of the game but aside from that, it's a lot of fun, and a great challenge.

I think if you enjoyed 9 you would really like 6 if you haven't played it.


Also, can we please stop considering FFXI as part of the series? It wasn't even originally titled FFXI, but the number was added to boost sales and get more players. Playing FFXI was probably the worst thing I've ever done in an MMO, I played it for 3 hours, looked up and realized I was like level 4 or something. I actually ninja returned it to Wal-Mart saying the game was busted, and they gave me a nice unopened copy that I took to a different wal-mart to get cash for. Wal-mart you're so good to me.

So far the only game I've yet to play in the series is Final Fantasy 12. I just couldn't do it. Reminded me too much of .hack series and I struggled through the last 2 games in that series just to finish the story. Decided it was more fun to watch my roommate do the same stuff in the ff series. Lol. Zodiac Spear.

[magus113]

Originally Posted by TheSlyMoogle

SeeD ranks are a joke, but if I understand what you're doing with the game in terms of leveling up, then will say the game will get nearly impossible for you around the end of disc 3. I may be wrong about that, because the GFs in the game are pretty sick, but let's just say it will be hard. Probably the funnest thing I've done in a regular FF game (Aside from Tactics which is just amazing), Is a no level up run in FF8. It's impossible not to gain a few levels in the beginning of the game but aside from that, it's a lot of fun, and a great challenge.

Well I'm not ignoring the GFs either, but I am definitely using them to give me some crazy stat boosts, etc. The level grinding is mostly for AP to learn all kinda of stat bonuses and junction abilities. Plus the GFs make the game super easy to grind.

Originally Posted by TheSlyMoogle

I think if you enjoyed 9 you would really like 6 if you haven't played it.

I've started 6 and haven't finished it sadly. It IS on my list though.

[Vampyr]

Also, can we please stop considering FFXI as part of the series? It wasn't even originally titled FFXI, but the number was added to boost sales and get more players. Playing FFXI was probably the worst thing I've ever done in an MMO, I played it for 3 hours, looked up and realized I was like level 4 or something. I actually ninja returned it to Wal-Mart saying the game was busted, and they gave me a nice unopened copy that I took to a different wal-mart to get cash for. Wal-mart you're so good to me.

I had a similar experience. I bought it for the PS2, but my connection was so slow I couldn't even get the game started.

I took it back to walmart and asked if it could be returned if it was opened, and the person said no. So I walked around for a few minutes and came back and there was a different person working, and I just told her the game didn't work and they gave me my money back, which I used to get a NES themed Gameboy SP.

[Vampyr]

I just remembered my number one gripe with FFXII:

You didn't get a bangaa in your party.

[Ginkasa]

Originally Posted by Vampyr

I just remembered my number one gripe with FFXII:

You didn't get a bangaa in your party.

That would have been cool.

So, anyway, I've decided to play through the entire FF series in order. I was just going to play the ones I haven't beaten (II, III, V) but through a series of unfortunate events found myself playing the first game instead and inspiring me to play through the first series.

Anyone interested in giving a FF marathon a go? A thread for impressions on each one?

[magus113]

Originally Posted by Ginkasa

That would have been cool.

So, anyway, I've decided to play through the entire FF series in order. I was just going to play the ones I haven't beaten (II, III, V) but through a series of unfortunate events found myself playing the first game instead and inspiring me to play through the first series.

Anyone interested in giving a FF marathon a go? A thread for impressions on each one?

That sounds like a cool idea. I'm glad I still have the FF Origins copy of FF1/2 because while the engine was kind of broken I felt more accomplished getting as far as I did in the game, although the PSP Anniversary collection remakes were pretty cool. It IS very time consuming however and I'd probably skip playing FF7 again to be honest.