How to Play Final Fantasy? (aka HELP ME!)

[UkibyTheMaid]

After years avoiding Final Fantasy like the plague and telling everyone I didn't like it at all, I decided to give this series a second chance, when I came accross the GBA remake of the first one (for the NES) and I was like "Hmm... OK. This game is simple and yet really good. Maybe I got the wrong imression of this series."

So, I probably started with the wrong foot the first time I played and I guess that now I started it off right. But, I still have a HUGE question about this whole 'adventure' I'm abut to get into:

How am I supposed to play this series? I mean, not 'gameplay' wise (because that would be retarded XD), but 'timeline' wise. Should I just go with the normal order and play I, II, III and so on (like I intend doing, as soon as I'm finished with the first one) or should I go for another order altogether? Is jsut that, there are so many Final Fantasies that I'm down right confused...

So, anyone who knows more about FF than me, please, help this lost, lost soul, 'cause I don't know which path I should follow XD

 

[Hiphophippo]

It doesn't really matter honestly. They aren't sequels.

 

[z121231211]

It doesn't matter what order you play in. They're all completely different stories (except a few exceptions of course). So whatever is most convenient for you.

 

[Clyde]

The plots to all the games, except FF10/10-2 and Kingdom Hearts, are not related to each other.
The order you play them doesn't matter.

 

[Space Spoons]

You're safe to play them in any order you like. What you should consider, though, is difficulty. Like, Final Fantasy VII? It's arguably the most famous one, and there's a good reason for that; classic Final Fantasy gameplay, but it's not too difficult. In fact, some have even said it's downright easy.

Final Fantasy IV on anything other than the SNES? Now that is an unforgiving game.

 

[UkibyTheMaid]

Ah, I see...

I always thought that this game was a continuos story, that spanned a HUGE timeframe, but continuous nevertheless.

So I guess I'll be going by the I, II, III order then (so then I can keep track of what I already played more easily XD).

 

[dommyuk]

Given the choice, I would have played them in ascending order from the first one, it gives you a chance to see how the series has evolved during its lifetime.

 

[x0ny]

Each FF game is independent of each other excluding 10 and 10-2. I'd recommend 8, it's the easiest, with a nice levelling system of junctioning magic. But it's hard to get your hands on this. 10 is quite good, though there's no waiting bar. 12's combat system is unpopular with tradition FF players but I loved it, made grinding so much quicker. If you have a PS3, 7 can be downloaded from PSN.

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

The number doesn't matter except for X and X-2. The only case of a direct, non-spinoff sequel.

But honestly, start with 10.

It's streamlined, fast-paced, and simple to grasp.

 

[z121231211]

FFX-2 isn't all that much of a continuation of FFX anyway. So you don't need to play FFX first, though it will give you a better understanding.

FFX-2 had the best use of the ATB system IMO, so I recommend that but the story isn't the best.

 

[God's Clown]

As most people have said, you can play them in any order you desire, since for the most part they are different games with some similar elements.

As for the order I personally would play them in? Four, five, six, seven, nine, ten, twelve, the others. That also happens to be the order in which I like them!

 

[Nalgas D. Lemur]

Even though they're mostly totally unrelated in terms of story and stuff like that, playing them in order is a good idea for another reason: after playing the newer ones, you will get spoiled by the interface improvements, and little things may drive you nuts when you play the older ones. I played 4 after 6, and even though they're both SNES-era, they cleaned up a lot of stuff in the years between those two, and I kept looking for little things that made my life easier in 6 while playing the older one and not finding them, which kind of bugged me. It was still a good game, but...

 

[Acidwell]

As everyone has said it doesnt matter what order but you should try to find one with a battle system and a story you like otherwise you will be turned right off the series.

 

[Amnestic]

I'd start with X personally. I started with VII back as a wee lad when it was the first PSX game I ever played, but X is still fairly accessible in regards to how many copies there are floating around, as well as being not too far behind on the graphical scale. Decent story, likeable heroine, good music, easy to understand mechanics.

Really though you could start with any. You could just wait 'til March and pick up FFXIII for the 360 or PS3.

The FF Tactics (Advance) series is a good Strategy RPG series as well. I'd suggest taking a look at them.

 

[LeonLethality]

It doesnt matter they all have a different battle system and a different plot so just go with what you want. though if you do play them in order most people call 2 the black sheep of the series due to its level up system but I love it all the same

 

[Amnestic]

Don't play 8. And don't play 10-2. Thats the best i can say. Also don't go for 11 either since its an MMO. Try to stay away from the handhelds and stick with the Console versions unless its a direct remake of them like FFT: the Lions war for the PSP.

X-2's combat system was good and I really quite enjoyed the Garment Grid/Dress Sphere rehash of the older Job system. Graphics were pretty too. Music was...fluctuating in quality. Some of it was good, some of it was terrible. I kinda want to play it again actually but my family sold my copy without informing me when I moved out.

Story was wank and the characterisation was dire though. If they played any harder to the stereotypical American preteen to midteen female demographic they may as well have just replaced Yuna with Miley Cyrus.

Or whichever teenage lass Disney was endorsing at the time.

They sold my copies of God of War (1 and 2), MGS2+3 and a few others as well I managed to save Kingdom Hearts 1+2, FFX, FFXII, DMC3 and Resi 4 though.

 

[Littaly]

They do get a little more complicated as they progress. The "gear" systems in both 7 and 8 take some time to wrap your head around. Can't say much for the other ones since I haven't played them but I can imagine them being the same.

If I were you I'd start with 7, just to see what the fuzz is about ^^ But you can play them in any order you like really. Just make sure you have a lot of time on your hands, and a guide ready if you (like me) are short of patience ^^

 

[RagingScottsman]

The number doesn't matter except for X and X-2. The only case of a direct, non-spinoff sequel.

But honestly, start with 10.

It's streamlined, fast-paced, and simple to grasp.

^^this^^

The only thing I would change is that the combat is NOT fast paced. Where as a lot of them are ATB (Active turn based), X is not meaning you can take as long as you want selecting attacks. It is fast-paced in the sense that the narrative seems to move along quicker than some. Excellent one to start with though. Just be sure you pay attention to the sphere grid tutorial. If you just skip through it, you will hate yourself and end up hating the game.