Final Fantasy retrospective: Part VI
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Aug 21st 2007 at 10:58AM }
Final Fantasy IX was a throw back to cutesy Final Fantasy as games started moving towards becoming definitively un-cutesy. FF IX was also the last game before Square wised up and decided not to vomit full video in what started to feel like every single cutscene.
Next week GameTrailers covers FFX and the ultimate fashionista game for all those little boys who are going to try out for Project Runway in a few years: FF X-2. Whether you loved or hated FF X-2, those fashions were fierce.
See also: Part I & II, Part III, Part IV, Part V
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
DarthDavid @ Aug 21st 2007 11:08AM
After VII, I havn't gone back to Final Fantasy, til X which I never finished....The last RPG I finished was Odin Sphere, and now I'm going to start Persona 3. Those two games got me back into RPGs....wonder why? =)
After seeing the video I might to back to play IX (9)
blooh @ Aug 21st 2007 11:12AM
i liked 7-9 (along with some of the earlier ones) but I sure didnt like 10, and 12 had good gameplay but the story was barely existent
The Boo @ Aug 21st 2007 11:38AM
I heard they're making FF X-3 which replaces the dress system with a makeup grid. White eye shadow + black lipstick = red mage. Hoorah!
Mr Slavio @ Aug 21st 2007 12:29PM
OMG, I can't believe you went there with your avatar. LOL!
Kye @ Aug 21st 2007 12:43PM
Pot, kettle, black.
But, yeah, mein fuhrer Mario is a bit right wing.
Still, rated you up for being original.
The Boo @ Aug 21st 2007 12:54PM
Somebody had to.
dan stabbingworth @ Aug 21st 2007 1:22PM
Wow. Brutal. +
Kent Houseman @ Aug 21st 2007 11:32AM
VIII was a game that I really looked forward to. I really enjoyed and had fond memories. However I tried playing VIII with a lot of the same habits that would work with the previous ones. Mainly, excessive leveling.
There were other parts of the game that could be complicated if you didn't pay attention (like mixing all the rules up for the card game).
The story was pretty deep and complex. A lot to keep track of. So when someone played through this the first time I imagine with the Draw system, the complicated (and easy to ruin) card game, the story, etc. I imagine that almost everyone didn't get the full potential of what this game could be.
I had the chance to sit down and play the game again. Although briefly. A ways through disc 1. This time I knew that I should avoid leveling my characters. To max out my draws. To not mix the card game. Etc etc. I was familiar with the stat system. This allowed me to enjoy the game 10x more. I am probably going to buy an old copy somewhere and play through it.
Ultimately, it is Sqaure's fault for making a game have almost too much going on that a player can miss things (which for most Final fantasy fans, it is unacceptable to miss these things. You could easily miss a GF even) and it was easy to not get the story straight in your mind. I honestly believe that because of this, the game gets a rather bad rap among the more casual Square/FF fans. Maybe rightfully so.
However, if you can play through the game. Max out your draws when you get them. Try NOT to lvl (regular monsters lvl with you. This can make the game VERY tedious if you try and get your guys to a high lvl). Remember not to mix regional rules for the card game. You WILL have a enjoyable gaming experience.
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FFIX
Hmm. This is the game I was waiting for since VI. I liked VII and VIII but with the PSX's graphics and ability to make such a grand game I wanted one done in the classic FF style.
I like the visual/character design as well. The cartoony aspect of this added to the game. At the time this came out I was bored with the games trying to go for an ultra realistic look. This game was colorful. Because of the visual style it opened the player up and allowed the game to have a sense of humor. I don't think the story could have worked any other way.
Although it didn't sell like the 2 previous games I would not argue if anyone wanted to say that it could be the apex of the series. It had a great plot. Good story. Fun characters. Good system to learn skills. Allowed each character to be individuals in battle instead of letting their limit breaks, etc. be one of the few things seperating them.
The sidequests were fun. Chocobo's Hot and Cold game was awesome. I can't say enough about this game.
If anyone was turned off by this game I imagine if they sat down again and gave it another chance they would be rewarded.
micklol @ Aug 21st 2007 2:50PM
This joke has been told 100 times.
Stop ripping off jokes from internet and then post them on internet and feel good about yourself. It's pathetic.
micklol @ Aug 21st 2007 2:52PM
sorry
I click on the wrong link.
this is @ The Boo
Lanturn of Ash @ Aug 21st 2007 11:47AM
OMG, FF8 was amazing. It was the reason I got a PS1, and goddamn it was a good reason. Have some really good memories of that game, and it's one of the only ones I really plan to go back and play again someday. If it doesn't have some sort of rerelease in the next three years I'm going to put everything else down to play it again on my PS3 :) Who remembers the openining? Greatest opening ever! I have a video of it on my PSP right now! Actually, now that I think about it, the ending was absolutely amazing too. I LOVE FF8!!!!!!!
The Boo @ Aug 21st 2007 11:51AM
Not that FF8 was bad, I loved the game and played through it several times, but I think that a FF7 remake is a little bit higher on the wish list for Final Fantasy fans in general.
Kyrra @ Aug 21st 2007 12:43PM
I had an extreme distaste for FF8 for some reason. Be it the character configuration system, or something, but I got to the start of the 2nd disc and just quit. It's the only US-released FF that I never finished.
FF9 is by far my favorite in the series. Being that I played (US) FF1, 2, and 3 multiple times, this was a good throw back to the original games.
RedWing @ Aug 21st 2007 1:32PM
FF8's plot can be easily rounded up with: She's a sorceress, no she’s the sorceress, no i gave her my powers so she’s a sorceress, no I came from the future so I’m a sorceress. I love you Squall, I love you Rhinoa. The End….
Lanturn of Ash @ Aug 24th 2007 9:55AM
Rerelease as in, on the PSP. Or a downloadable PS3 title. Not a full remake, though I'd crap my pants and run in the streets naked if that happened.
Almack64 @ Aug 21st 2007 12:18PM
"those fashions were fierce"
That last bit made my day. lol
Mr Slavio @ Aug 21st 2007 12:30PM
Never played 9 but heard great things about it. After watching this, I might have to find a used copy somewhere.
Kye @ Aug 21st 2007 12:46PM
After watching this I'm relieved that I never played any of them.
They seem like wonderful games, don't get me wrong.
I like watching these retrospectives and learning about FF;
But turn-based fighting makes me want to... zzzzz...
Vincent Avatar @ Aug 21st 2007 2:05PM
FFIX: Epic Win.
Red Pyramid Thing @ Aug 21st 2007 2:09PM
Final Fantasy IX - best in series.
Huricos @ Aug 21st 2007 2:29PM
Can't wait for the next installment, FFIX is my favorite. FFVIII was actually better than IX in the cinematics departement, but it's characters destroyed the entire game for me.
Bring on IX! Shane Bettenhausen doesn't know shit.
Huricos @ Aug 21st 2007 2:50PM
Silly me, I thought this entire episode was about VIII.
So Sakaguchi actually considers IX his favorite Final Fantasy? That's awesome! To think the most underrated Final Fantasy is it's creators favorite child.
That game deserved much more recognition.
hvnlysoldr @ Aug 21st 2007 3:23PM
I first heard about Final Fantasy in a SNES tricks book about then FFII. I was simply amazed at the story and the sheer epic length. The first FF we played was 9 and we instantly borrowed it. My brother and I replayed it several times with over 150 hours. A great fantastic art style with the cute charm. The music bringing that fantasy feel to the world.
I bought 5-6. I played 5 to completion twice feeling the Light Warriors' deaths. My brother played 6 all the way through and I quit at the final level. Although a great on Nintendo FF numeral, it just felt too complex for me. I try to gain all the abilities but this had a possibility of every member learning all magics. So many Espers and sidequests for so many party members.
My brother bought 7-9. 7 looked incredibly buggy and weirdly controlled to me. Even the mini-games turned me away. 8's story and even more complex feeling junctioning turned me away.
Kingdom Hearts although not FF has their characters and stories touched me. KHII on the other hand feels heavy to me. My brother played that, 10, and 12.
FFIII I gave to my brother.
J44xm @ Aug 22nd 2007 6:21AM
Darn younger set and their not getting it.
KylHu @ Aug 29th 2007 5:50AM
FFVIII is still my favourite Final Fantasy game -- heck it's one of my favourite games period. I loved the serious tone, the complex characters, the card game, the style, the music, the videos, all of it. I even dug the combat system, draws, junctions and all. I know a lot of people found it overly complicated, but I loved how customizable it was, and how much content there was for it. I really wish other FF games had that number of summons and magic spells and everything. The character and world depth was so incredible for those willing to look, I loved it. Truly amazing.
As for IX, I still have to finish it. When it first came out I played straight to the third disc without sleeping, and never made it any further. I still look on it very fondly, even though I was never really into the older FFs. Something endearing about the cutesy angle, plus Vivi is awesome. Zidane is probably the most original lead character so far. Dual-daggers, ladies' man, uh, tail. As opposed to the typical sword-slinging, non-tailed heroes who never seem to want what the ladies are giving away (at least until the end).
Man I wish these things covered classics like Earthbound, Mario RPG, Chrono Cross/Trigger, or all the spinoff games.