Is Final Fantasy Worth It?

[Kakarot89]

Hey everyone I have a question for all of you.

There's a retro gaming store down the street from where I live and I go there almost all the time. They have a great selection of PSX games and have Final Fantasy I-VI in anthology collections (the first two in a set together, IV with Chrono Trigger, and V and VI together). I have never really played FF before (played the first a bit on an emulator) but have played Chrono Trigger on SNES (a lot of people have compared the two) and immensely enjoyed that. From the bit of the first FF I've played, it was a lot of fun.

However, my understanding is the series has begun to go downhill. I did some research but no one can really agree on when this began. I've heard since XI it's been going downhill but have also read that VIII is when the series began to suck.

I guess what I'm wondering is a few things: 1. Is Final Fantasy a series worth getting into? 2. When would you say the series began to go downhill? 3. If you didn't notice, none of the PSX titles had III. So what would be the best way to experience these games?

With that last one please try to keep in mind, the only systems I have are a SNES, N64, Gamecube, PS2, Gameboy Advance, and a Nintendo DS.

Thanks.

 

[Windcaler]

The best final fantasy games are a matter of debate all I can talk about is my own experiences with the series. The good ones are Final fantasy 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, and Final fantasy Tactics. Final fantasy 8 is much more mediocre but I wouldnt say its bad. The original final fantasy is certainly a grindfest as well. I have not completed the various final fantasies that werent released in the US till recently which include 2, 3, and 5. So I cant give an informed opinion on their quality

There is quite a bit of debate about Final fantasy 12 being a good or bad game and I personally didnt like it all that much because the gameplay was pretty awful yet the story was ok.

Then there is the nearly universally hated one Final fantasy 13. In every other game there was an underlying theme of some kind. FF4 was about redemption, FF6 was about hope, FF9 was about death, and FF10 was about religion. However I can not tell you what FF13 is about even though I forced myself to complete the game

Now because all the games are set in different worlds you dont have to worry about playing them back to back. There are two exceptions to that. Those being 10-2 which is what I call Final fantasy: Charlies angles edition and then theres 13-2 and soon to be 13-3 when it comes out

You may notice I didnt mention final fantasy 11 or 14 and thats because both these games are MMO's and I dont feel I have the knowlege of either of them to express any complex opinion besides "they exist".

For spin offs of the series there are only two I would recommend. Final fantasy tactics (arguably one of the best ones) and Dirge of Cerberes which is sort of a direct sequel but not really of Final fantasy 7. If you like Vincent from FF7 you'll probably like Dirge of cerberes even though its more action then RPG

That said some other games made by Squaresoft and Enix (now renamed Squarenix since they merged) that I recomend are the entire Dragon warrior/quest series, Secret of mana, the Front mission series, The breath of fire series, The Star ocean series, Grandia, Vagrant story (be warned that is a very complex game), and Xenogears. Im sure there are more good old Squarenix titles Im forgetting about too

All that said, IMO its worth it just to get the good ones because there are more good ones then bad ones.

 

[KarmaTheAlligator]

Final Fantasy isn't exactly a series, it's just a group of games that happen to share a name for business reason and have some things in common (mostly names, like spells, and chocobos).

And all the games are subject to personal taste as to whether they're good or not, so if possible, rent (or have someone lend them to you) the ones you can and try them, see if they're worth your time.

 

[Maximum Bert]

Well the talk about it going downhill is largely bullshit imo seriously after playing all the main non MMO entries to completion many of the earlier Final Fantasies arent that good and are outshone by the later games.

As for which ones are worth your time I would recommend VI,VII and X as my top 3 with IV close behind, the rest didnt exactly impress much although most arent awful. The only ones I thought were bloody awful were II and XII, while XII is again preference I thought it had a good end game marred by bad combat, bad artistry, bad characters and bad story while II is just a horrible broken mess. I have a friend who loves XII though (well he says he does but he hasnt finished it).

Your experiences on the series will definitely vary though I didnt think too much of Chrono Trigger I mean I liked it but found it very forgettable. On these forums IX seems to get a lot of love but I wasnt a fan of the art style, some of the characters (some were awesome though) and most especially the slow and dull as ditchwater combat system I just dont know what they did there the combat hasnt been as bad as that since FFIII.

 

[Doom972]

Since each numbered game (I, II ,III, IV...) takes place in a completely different world, with a new story and characters, you don't have to play through the entire series anyway. There are no cliffhanger endings to get you to buy the sequel.

Personally, I enjoyed FF1, FF4, and FF6 - all of them are available for the Gameboy Advance, so I suggest getting those versions. I think that the decline of the series began with FF7.

 

[Paprik]

I used to love the series when I was younger. IMO it's worth to play if you like story, interesting characters and well designed worlds.

The huge flaw that keeps me from playing more is that FF games are a huge time sink and they're incredibly easy unless you force yourself to do a challange (use only this, zero grind, time run etc.).

 

[Moktor]

I don't see them declining with 7. While I realize some people just have to hate 7 (maybe because it took a less popular genre into the mainstream a bit more), it was a ton of fun and kept me really entertained. 9 is among the most loved, though I never played it and 10 has a strong following as well (my wife LOVED it, I didn't). 12 and 13... well... let's hope 15 shines a bit brighter =)

I tend to remember some games fondly but simply can't play them anymore as they age. Some people will scoff at that, but it is just me. If you can stomach graphics for gameplay, many of the FF series are worthy. I even grabbed 4 for my phone and play it on occasion as it was one of my favorites.

 

[KeyMaster45]

My first Final Fantasy game was FF8 and I still love it. Though I've never gotten past the start of disc 3 due to lost memory cards, corrupt save files, my sister wiping all my memory cards because I played her copy of X2 while she was away for two weeks[footnote]She also tore up the players guide, smashed the disc, and left it in front of my room as some kind of twisted warning; they both belonged to her. My sister is fucking crazy.[/footnote], or forgetting to draw the Alexander summon on the last boss fight of disc 2. Thus I'm always going to recommend to start with 8, but 9 comes in at a close second simply because it's so damned good. Starting with 10 is okay as well but it's kind of "meh" in my opinion.

You'll never catch me singing the praises of 7 though; I'm convinced that damned game is cursed. Every time I've tried to start playing it either the power goes out or I've had to take shelter for a tornado.

 

[SinisterDeath]

I used to love the series when I was younger. IMO it's worth to play if you like story, interesting characters and well designed worlds.

The huge flaw that keeps me from playing more is that FF games are a huge time sink and they're incredibly easy unless you force yourself to do a challange (use only this, zero grind, time run etc.).

Oh, there's challenges to the game (completion) beyond simply challenging yourself.
Some require completing it in a new game+ to get 100% completion/ultimate weapons.

FFX, and FFX-2, for example, had something like a 100 level, or 999 level dungeon system. You descend deeper and deeper into said dungeon, each floor having a boss.. I don't believe you could save. I've heard, that FFX-2's version was the hardest of all the FF games in that dungeon system.

FFXIII has, however, one of the toughest FF bosses to date. (not counting MMOs)

FFI had a very simple almost non-existant story.
FFVI, had the best story to date. (IMO)
FFVII is the one that hooked most fans.
FFVIII is one of the mind bending emo like games. Its not bad, but like all the games, if you simply sit back, and read/listen to whats happening, its a lot better than simply skipping through all the quest text.
FFIX is good, once you get past the graphics. They also base a lot of the story on Nordic Mythologies.
FFX is.. um.. Different. It had its good points (story wise), and some fan favorite characters.. But... Tidus.. Makes the main character in FFVIII look non-emo.
FFXII is where things really changed. That's the game that started to dumb down the combat. Made it nearly play itself.
I didn't care for the combat, Others might. I didn't care for the leveling system at all. And the story... I didn't like any of it. The character You Play Isn't the Main Character! You are the supporting cast that shouldn't even really be there, and barely affect the plot at all.
FFXIII was an improvement (IMO) It combined gameplay aspects of FFXII, and FFX-2 (FFX-2 had the best gameplay of all the Ps2-Ps1 era FF games)
The story was different, but not bad. FFXIII-2 improved upon FFXIII, in both gameplay and story. And I'm mostly wondering where its going 'next'.

But,
FFXIV could be the best of them all if the hype train is anything to be believed.


Side note.
Xenosaga episodes 1-3 are unforgettable. You don't even need to enjoy the gameplay, skip through it all just to listen/watch the story. (seriously, sometimes it has 1 hour long cinematics) But I loved that series, For the Story. Gameplay sucked (specially in 2) but it was good.

 

[antigodoflife]

Yeah, I clearly wouldn't get along with most Final Fantasy fans.

First thing you should know is that the games are like reading a books and in the latter games like watching a movie, which to me is not a bad thing, may get on other people's nerves but I like it.

I personally prefer FFV, FFVI,FFIX and FFXII. FXII is one of my all time favourite games, the story is ok - above average in terms of videogames and the battle system is fantastic, the best in the series by far I believe. I've spent about 200 hours getting lost in FFXII and is currently the only Final Fantasy that I have played multiple times.

Final Fantasy I, II and XIII are overall the worst, if you are going to buy and play them, you have been warned.

FF III and IV are relatively unnoteworthy to me and if you want to know more about them you should probably ask someone else, I personally got nothing out of them.

FFV again, isn't plot heavy but it is the funniest which besides the 9th game is essentially the only game that tries to be funny all through-out the game, it also has the best battle system in the 2D games.

FFVI has the best story and villain in all of Final Fantasy and best overall gameplay and is runner-up for best combat in the 2D FF games and outside the 9th game has the best characters and world.

FFVII sucks and is my personal least favourite but is the fan-favourite in the series, so maybe you'll enjoy it more then I did.

FFVIII is also boring yet it is somehow interesting enough to suck me in, in a way it's one of my favourites yet in retrospect I have no idea how or why.

FFIX is pretty much the best all around game with fantastic characters, world, set up, story and emotional investment, but suffers greatly for being on the PS1. I feel they could have done so much more with the game if it was on the PS2, like voice acting and a more open world*. It probably would have sold better if it was on the PS2.
*Open world as in less corridor-y.

FFX is okay, it has it's fans, it gets bonus points for the villain, Sin who is actually threatening, but then again, it loses those points for it's other villain, the ever repetitive, Seymour and the shitty sequel FFX-2... sorry did I say 7 was my least favourite Final Fantasy games. :l

FF XI and XIV are MMOs and I don't really play MMOs, you might enjoy it but I don't really have the knowledge to tell you if they're worth your time though.

 

[antigodoflife]

You'll never catch me singing the praises of 7 though; I'm convinced that damned game is cursed. Every time I've tried to start playing it either the power goes out or I've had to take shelter for a tornado.

My EX-roommate set fire to my kitchen while I was kicking ass on the last form of the last boss in FF13, the fire brigade of course turned off the power... I was so close to to never needing to touch that game again... T_T

I just think Final Fantasy is a cursed series...

 

[Rattja]

I've played all but 13-2 and I'll just say that imo you should stop at 10.

These are really LONG games, but if you are into story I'd say it's worth it yes. Even though the games are old, the stories are still interesting and fun.
There are so many small things hidden everywhere, funny quotes, minigames and whatnot (which seemed to stop at 10).

Chrono Trigger were made by many of the same people that made FF, so it's kinda the same, only that Chrono has a choice system.

Personally I like the older ones best, as I like the old graphic style, where VI (or III if you have the North-American version) is one of my favorites.

I think what broke it for me was actually X, even though it was the first one I personally owned and really loved (still do), but it was where they started voice acting. No longer could I make up voices in my head and read through the text at my own phase.

At the moment I am working my way thrhough IX, and it's still fun. Although it looks horrid on a 42" =/ So I'd say because of that the older games holds up better, that means I-VI

To sum up:
1. Yes I think it's worth it

2. I'd say it started at with FFX, when they started to focus more on graphics and voice acting, and not all the little things that made the series what it was.

3. The best way is any way you want, depending on your taste, as they don't have anything to do with eachother. Every game has a new story, new world, new characters. Maybe take a quick look at the plots to see what seems interesting? VI and VII are quite safe bets in everyones eyes as good though.

So yeah, have fun, explore and enjoy the wonderful strange worlds they have to offer!

 

[Foolery]

Poor XII. Never gets any love. Happens to be my favourite along with IV. I do have a few gripes with it though. The license board. Which isn't really much better or worse than the sphere grid. I enjoyed the combat, even the gambits, which are completely optional. Summons aren't all that useful though, quickenings are the real power moves of the game. Story did feel hit and miss, but the world was engaging and fun to explore, so it didn't matter. Basch was supposed to be the main character, but executives concluded part way through development that a young japanese audience would have a hard time connecting with him. Hence, Vaan and Penelo were created, and shoved into a plot they had no place in. The characters and some of the underlying narrative elements seem to have been plucked from Star Wars and bits of Final Fantasy IV. Basch/Gabranth aren't that different from Cecil/Golbez. XII's villains, for the most part, were elegantly portrayed. Plenty of political intrigue, which in my opinion is better than another crystal or become a god plot. XII also seemed the least cheesy in terms of script. What characters said was believable and appropriate. As a whole, the game felt slightly more mature than previous titles, and featured some decent english voice-acting.

 

[Captain Sunshine]

Hey everyone I have a question for all of you.

There's a retro gaming store down the street from where I live and I go there almost all the time. They have a great selection of PSX games and have Final Fantasy I-VI in anthology collections (the first two in a set together, IV with Chrono Trigger, and V and VI together). I have never really played FF before (played the first a bit on an emulator) but have played Chrono Trigger on SNES (a lot of people have compared the two) and immensely enjoyed that. From the bit of the first FF I've played, it was a lot of fun.

However, my understanding is the series has begun to go downhill. I did some research but no one can really agree on when this began. I've heard since XI it's been going downhill but have also read that VIII is when the series began to suck.

I guess what I'm wondering is a few things: 1. Is Final Fantasy a series worth getting into? 2. When would you say the series began to go downhill? 3. If you didn't notice, none of the PSX titles had III. So what would be the best way to experience these games?

With that last one please try to keep in mind, the only systems I have are a SNES, N64, Gamecube, PS2, Gameboy Advance, and a Nintendo DS.

Thanks.

Everyone else has given you plenty of lists of which games to get and reasons for them, which is great. I love some of the FF Games to death. I would say, however, that some of them have not aged as well as others, particularly in the case of bad translations. And a couple of them get the honour of being 'one of the greatest FFs' because of how they were at the time of their release, not how they are now. I'm looking mainly at 6 and 7; phenomenal games, but mainly because of how they were when you first played them in 1996-7, not now.

9 and 10 have aged really well. 9's graphically a lot more appealing (think how Wind Waker in the LoZ series still looks good) and had a great translation and a lot of humour despite its very serious themes, whereas 10 is the game I always start people on in the franchise because it's the perfect storm of great story, characters, gameplay and art style, with nice cutscenes and things for people only just getting into the series.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

I have those collections and while I would recommend them, be warned that the load times can be a bit ridiculous. Final Fantasy 2, 4, and 6 are great in my opinion and while they are all present in those collections for the PSX, they were also released on the Game Boy Advance and I would STRONGLY recommend you seek out those instead (particularly Final Fantasy VI which I am lead to believe has an additional dungeon and bosses).

The PSX collections are solid though and if those are your only options than go for it.

 

[BrotherRool]

The Final Fantasy games change wildly in style and tone from game to game so I'm very distrustful of people saying the series has gone downhill because you never know whats coming next. FFX is very popular and a favourite of a large fraction of the fanbase, but it's also equally hated by others. FFXI was an MMO, FFXII was one of the least controversial of the series and it did that by practically no-one loving it and practically no-one hating it. And then FFXIII was generally unpopular.


One data point doesn't make a pattern. In a series with 12 main franchise games, two data points wouldn't make a pattern. Some people love VIII, some people hate VIII, some people love IX some people hate IX. To many VII was the saviour of RPGs to others VII was the beginning of the end. VI is generally liked but you've got to be a sort of person to have played VI because it didn't hit mainstream popularity at the time to same extent VII did, and if you've gone back and played it, hopefully you already know what you're getting yourself in for at the time.

My advice is to not even try to extract a pattern, particularly not some straight monotone increasing/decreasing line. Look at reviews and listen to opinions for each game individually and make purchase decisions based off that. It's fully possible to like VII, X, XIII or VIII, IX. Or VII, VIII, X. Or VI, IX, XII. Basically there's no easy way to predict which series entries you'll like based of other series entries

Also FF Tactics is really worth checking out

------------------------------------------
Personally I'm a X fanatic and I start most people on that because the graphics level isn't off putting. But by the sound of your console list, that wouldn't bother you. In which cases starting with VI or VII makes a lot of sense. If you want to start with VII the steam version has a graphics upgrade and more importantly practically eliminates load times which makes the whole experience hugely more enjoyable, and I would probably recommend getting it there. I don't think you need a gaming PC to run it properly.

The license board. Which isn't really much better or worse than the sphere grid.

It was worse, because right from the start no character was special in anyway and before the end game each person will pretty much be able to do everything. At least the sphere grid kept them feeling distinct until the post-endgame

FFXII The character You Play Isn't the Main Character! You are the supporting cast that shouldn't even really be there, and barely affect the plot at all.

I never get why people think they play Vaan in XII. Your party members aren't distinguished in control at all, you can play all of them equally and have the same abilities with everyone. Nor do you watch cutscenes from one-persons point of view. In fact Vaan stops appearing in cutscenes pretty quickly. The different members aren't noticeably stronger than each other, no-one has a defining character ability unlike say Yuna. You get to choose the person you walk around the world with (well you walk around with 3 people I guess).

You control Vaan in the prologue but that doesn't mean he's the character you control or 'your' character once the rest of the game starts. I don't know about other people, but I always chose to play Ashe

 

[Maximum Bert]

As usual I think if it keeps going on for longer we will find they all suck and are all awesome at the same time so basically the series has been what it always is up and down all over the place so whether its worth playing a game in the series will be impossible to say until you have tried it for yourself.

I like the way this series can so easily divide opinion and so absolutely as well. I may not like all the games but as long as they keep doing what they are doing I think everyone will get a FF game they like eventually.