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

[TOGSolid]

How was I just trolling? I meant every word I said. The only reason I brought up Final Fantasy 5 is because it was the only one I had a decent amount of fun in, and SOLEY because of how breakable the job system is.

My rants about Final Fantasy are hardly a new thing. FF fanboys trying to claim that FF is somehow good always gets me in a ragey sort of mood.

 

[FinalHeart95]

It seems like people are split on FFVIII. I still have to try it out for myself now that it's on PSN.

I started on FFVII, personally. I thought the game was great, and when I went to FFXII I got bored around where there's that giant sea of sand. I want to say it was called the Sandsea, but I'm pretty sure that's the name of a bar in Rabanastre.

I also play the American version of FFIV, which is great, although easy. I realize this is because it's the American version, and that the Japanese version was much more difficult, but it's still easy. I beat one of the four fiends casting Lit the entire battle, taking NO DAMAGE.

 

[FinalHeart95]

It seems like people are split on FFVIII. I still have to try it out for myself now that it's on PSN.

I started on FFVII, personally. I thought the game was great, and when I went to FFXII I got bored around where there's that giant sea of sand. I want to say it was called the Sandsea, but I'm pretty sure that's the name of a bar in Rabanastre.

I also play the American version of FFIV, which is great, although easy. I realize this is because it's the American version, and that the Japanese version was much more difficult, but it's still easy. I beat one of the four fiends casting Lit the entire battle, taking NO DAMAGE.

Don't PAY for FF8 you fool! YOUR MONEY DESERVES BETTER USE THAN THAT.

As for 4, even the SNES version has 3 different editions (Original, American, and Easytype). I've only played a patched version of the original personally.

I'll be the judge of that when I get it. If people universally hated it, then I wouldn't get it, but people seem to be split.

 

[TOGSolid]

How was I just trolling? I meant every word I said. The only reason I brought up Final Fantasy 5 is because it was the only one I had a decent amount of fun in, and SOLEY because of how breakable the job system is.

My rants about Final Fantasy are hardly a new thing. FF fanboys trying to claim that FF is somehow good always gets me in a ragey sort of mood.

5 is the best one (aside from Tactics). I wouldn't consider myself much of a FF fanboy. It has it's highs (5 and Tactics), and it's lows (2 and 8) just like any other series, but for the most part it is in fact decent.

Baldur's Gate on the other hand has not one good game in the series. The best WRPG series are KOTOR and Fallout.

Wait..

Baldur's Gate on the other hand has not one good game in the series.

....

Spoiler

I'll refrain from performing a public flogging here since this isn't the "baldur's gate" thread, but still. That's just fucked up mang, BG is one of the best RPG series ever made.

5 is the best one (aside from Tactics).

I couldn't really get into tactics. It wasn't the gameplay so much as it was just the ultra generic, ho hum setting and story. Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness on the other hand...

 

[TOGSolid]

...Did you play Soul Nomad?

Nein, Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness is the only game from them that I've ever played. The only reason I got it was because I had just gotten my PSP and it looked interesting. I ended up really liking how quirky the game's atmosphere was.

 

[Olikunmissile]

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.

10 is where I started and it's my fave game of the series. Loved it.

 

[TOGSolid]

...Did you play Soul Nomad?

Nein, Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness is the only game from them that I've ever played. The only reason I got it was because I had just gotten my PSP and it looked interesting. I ended up really liking how quirky the game's atmosphere was.

Play Soul Nomad. It's for the PS2 and is absolutely amazing.

I'll give it a looksy eventually. I just got King's Bounty + its expansion, so I've got my fill of SRPG goodness for a long while.

 

[Angron]

im a massive fan of FF IX and FF X and I only played FF VII for afew hours so with the hype of how good it is I went back to it, and im not saying its bad but from someone who has gone back too it I cant say I was impressed...

I no its cause it was good in its time and all, but from a going back and playing it point of view it didnt grip me enough to complete it...

but what im basically saying is play the old FF games if you want, but you will most likely like some more than others...Im not sure I would play any of them (other than 10 maybe) if it wasnt for the nostalgia that came with them

 

[cliffjeff]

It's funny how much drama there is over FF8. It really does evoke polarizing emotions from people. Personally, I loved it and it's probably my second fave behind FF6. I can see why some people wouldn't like it. It took a lot of risks, with the art direction, plot, and gameplay. I loved the look and personality of the characters, the love story, and the unusual ways of "leveling up". I felt like the interplay between the characters was the most "real" out of probably all the FF games. Squall was like Cloud, except with an actual personality instead of just all mope all the time. The towns and locations were also gorgeous. Whenever I have the urge to replay an old FF, it's always FF8 or FF6.

 

[AgentNein]

I personally recommend you start with 6.

 

[AgentNein]

It's funny how much drama there is over FF8. It really does evoke polarizing emotions from people. Personally, I loved it and it's probably my second fave behind FF6. I can see why some people wouldn't like it. It took a lot of risks, with the art direction, plot, and gameplay. I loved the look and personality of the characters, the love story, and the unusual ways of "leveling up". I felt like the interplay between the characters was the most "real" out of probably all the FF games. Squall was like Cloud, except with an actual personality instead of just all mope all the time. The towns and locations were also gorgeous. Whenever I have the urge to replay an old FF, it's always FF8 or FF6.

CLOUD DOES NOT FUCKING MOPE ALL THE TIME. There are basically three scenes of mope the whole game. Two for Vincent, which are obviously optional, and one for Cloud during that whole psychosomatic trip to the subconscious. 6 has FAR more moping scenes than 7.

Yeah, you're absolutely right. Cloud was in the end a pretty interesting character. He's essentially been retroactively TURNED into Squall in all of those crappy spinoffs of 7!

Squall had no personality. He had zero character development through that entire game (and believe me when I say I was waiting for it!) HE was Mopey Mcmoperson. Cloud cracked jokes. Cloud started off as this aloof jerk badass, and was slowly deconstructed through the rest of the game. Cloud was a million times more interesting than Squall.

I mean, the last thing I want to do is get into a debate on these two characters (because I really don't wanna be the guy who does...that), but it has to be said. Cloud was sort of a commentary on those types of characters (who were at the time more prevalent in Japan than the US), and Squall was such a step back. He WAS that character. If you went to high school with Squall he'd be that shallow jerk that all the girls inexplicably think is 'dreamy and deep' because he wears black and has long hair.

 

[nohorsetown]

No reason to listen to me any more than anyone else here, but I'd say:

Play 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 12. 1, 6, and 12 are the best. My opinion. So what?

Also, tactics is better than all of the above, and tactics advance (1 or 2) is pretty decent.

Might as well play them in ascending order.

If you're in it for the plot, Tactics (but NOT Tactics Advance) is the only one worth your time.

 

[breadlord]

I'd say, wait until final fantasy 13 comes out, or wait longer for final fantasy versus 13 to come out.

But until then, I'd say FF7: crisis core, then FF7. then your choice of FFX, or any of the others that looks good for you.