Poll: Is Final Fantasy 6 a Good Intorduction Game?

[Thunderhorse31]

Have you guys seen the Extra Credits from last week about getting people into games/genres? Just because a game is one of the most beloved doesn't mean it's easily accessible.

You want a really accessible starter RPG? Check out Super Mario RPG (SNES or Virtual Console).

Incredibly easy to get into, good difficulty curve, familiar/charming characters throughout.

It's the game that got me into RPGs - when the likes of Chrono Trigger or Lunar or FFVI initially failed, Super Mario RPG did the trick.

Hell, I bet any of the Paper Mario games would work as well. The best being The Thousand Year Door (GC).

 

[thenamelessloser]

Chrono Trigger,/ No random battles, still great graphics, good music, fast paced battles, decent story. Also, probably easier than most JRPGs. the biggest problem with it is that most other JRPGs are shit compared to it.

I'll say no if pokemon is your only background. Breath of Fire 1 & 2 would be a bit easier.

You're joking, right? Noth games had grinding fromm what I remember and Breath of Fire 2 can be VERY hard at points. I like both games but they aren't for people new to JRPGs.

 

[Traun]

Get Chrono Trigger.

The game has been in every Top 10 best RPG list to date, which at least shows that it's 100% quality. It uses basic gameplay mechanics and builds on them like no other and the plotline is developing in a truly unique way.

I can't recommend that game highly enough.

EDIT: Also, the way Chrono Trigger is structured it allows the player to engage bosses without grinding, which unfortunetly, is not true for Final Fantasy.

 

[Chris Barber]

I stand by Chrono Trigger but I think the mention of Mario RPG was a really solid suggestion.

 

[Glademaster_v1legacy]

FF6 is alright for getting into turn based games. As there isn't too much grinding from what I remember and it isn't too hard to learn mechanics. If you really want to start with a Final Fantasy game 6,7,9,10 are all fairly easy enough for beginners. Well combat wise.

 

[poppabaggins]

I never played FFVI growing up. I tried playing it a year or two ago and found it dreadfully boring and entirely lacking in gameplay, story, and characterization (although I'm sure all of the above were impressive at the time). The same goes for Chrono Trigger.

I would also have to recommend Super Mario RPG.

 

[Signa]

I'm just going to echo Chrono Trigger and Mario RPG. The only downside to either game is that Mario has that timed hit system. I fucking loved that system, and it feels hollow playing other RPGs afterwords without it.

But yeah, what RAKtheUndead said: FF6 is an AMAZING game, but I don't like how I feel about it when words like "introduction" are used in context with it. I get no qualms about Chrono Trigger though, and I might even argue it's a better story and game in the end.

 

[dimensional]

If you sort of know a bit about the genre I would say FFVI is as good as any place to start its one of the better FFs anyway but if youre completely new to the genre I would avoid it I can only speak from my experience but the first time I played that game it did nothing except reinforce my contempt for jrpgs.
I have changed my outlook on games now though and after returning to it many many years later (and finishing it) its a good fun game but as already mentioned in above posts I think mario RPG would be a better starting point.
Also gotta finish chrono trigger dammit I lost interest about a year ago and never completed it.

 

[TheDooD]

Chrono Trigger,/ No random battles, still great graphics, good music, fast paced battles, decent story. Also, probably easier than most JRPGs. the biggest problem with it is that most other JRPGs are shit compared to it.

I'll say no if pokemon is your only background. Breath of Fire 1 & 2 would be a bit easier.

You're joking, right? Noth games had grinding fromm what I remember and Breath of Fire 2 can be VERY hard at points. I like both games but they aren't for people new to JRPGs.

He's coming from a Pokemon background he can hang through some grinding. Plus Chrono Trigger is not for anybody new to RPG's because of how complex the story can get. If there's a game that should be playing is Dragon Quest it was really easy level 22 cap on basic story. Or because of his Pokemon background he might like Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey. For the fact it was pretty damn easier then some of the older games yet still had the feel of being a megaten game. Also he might like collecting different demons. At lease I'm giving him some different games then dry humping Chrono Trigger. It's a great game but there's other games out there.

 

[crazeekamikazee]

Hand down Golden sun is my most balanced choice, you can even generate a code to continue the next games with the same status if you happen to like it that much. the combat is only as complicated as you let it get, exploration is fun, the stories light but its interesting enough for you to play(best looking game on the GBA).

I you like combat systems I would recommend, I would say Final Fantasy 5 advance, tactics A2, dragoon force and golden sun.

For story, it has been said that FFVI has a really good story(haven't played it yet), FFIX, X and Kingdom hearts.


Whatever you do don't play FFVII expecting the best, it's not nearly that impressive any more I would give it a 5.5/10.


If you want to invest £150+ then panzer dragoon saga for the Sega Saturn is the best that game as a medium have to offer.

 

[DigitalAtlas]

Final Fantasy VII is a much better introduction to RPGs.

 

[Fbuh]

FF6 is a good game all around, even if you are used to more modern games. There are a lot of secrets, though, and it takes playing a couple fo times in order to get everthing. I suggest playing on the ZSNES emulator, as you can pause it or save it whenever you need.

 

[DigitalAtlas]

Have you guys seen the Extra Credits from last week about getting people into games/genres? Just because a game is one of the most beloved doesn't mean it's easily accessible.

You want a really accessible starter RPG? Check out Super Mario RPG (SNES or Virtual Console).

Incredibly easy to get into, good difficulty curve, familiar/charming characters throughout.

It's the game that got me into RPGs - when the likes of Chrono Trigger or Secret of Mana or FFVI initially failed, Super Mario RPG did the trick.

Hell, I bet any of the Paper Mario games would work as well. The best being The Thousand Year Door (GC).

****, Ninja'd.

Seriously though, Paper Mario or Super Mario RPG.

 

[thenamelessloser]

Chrono Trigger,/ No random battles, still great graphics, good music, fast paced battles, decent story. Also, probably easier than most JRPGs. the biggest problem with it is that most other JRPGs are shit compared to it.

I'll say no if pokemon is your only background. Breath of Fire 1 & 2 would be a bit easier.

You're joking, right? Noth games had grinding fromm what I remember and Breath of Fire 2 can be VERY hard at points. I like both games but they aren't for people new to JRPGs.

He's coming from a Pokemon background he can hang through some grinding. Plus Chrono Trigger is not for anybody new to RPG's because of how complex the story can get. If there's a game that should be playing is Dragon Quest it was really easy level 22 cap on basic story. Or because of his Pokemon background he might like Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey. For the fact it was pretty damn easier then some of the older games yet still had the feel of being a megaten game. Also he might like collecting different demons. At lease I'm giving him some different games then dry humping Chrono Trigger. It's a great game but there's other games out there.

True about the grinding that the topic poster wouldn't mind it cause they don't mind pokemon. Chrono Trigger's story isn't really complicated at all even though it evolves time travel. It really is no more complex than the Android/Cell Saga of DBZ and that is for kids. I always thought Chrono Trigger if anything was too simple (but I like games such as Xenogears and Planescape: Torment....) story wise. I wonder if you're confusing Chrono Trigger with Chrono Cross...

 

[thenamelessloser]

Actually, the Suepr Mario RPG I find an odd recommendation. the game is actually pretty hard at certain points if you're not used it. It would seem that the reason it would be a good introduction is the fact that it has to do with Mario and Bowser... If you look at the actual gameplay it is actually more confusing than some other JRPGs. I mean it is a good game, but unless you're already a mario fan I don't see how it is a good intro to JRPGs.... Also, since you have control over how the characters level up you can kind of mess up a bit I think.

I remember being stuck a long itme on the boat with undead stuff because of the puzzles for instance when I played it as a kid.

 

[Silent_Protagonist]

Seeing that Final Fantasy 6 is my all time favourite game, id say yes. It was the first remotly hard RPG i played and got me hooked on them. If you dont play it now, make a strong effort to play it in the future!

 

[JediMB]

Honestly, I find Chrono Trigger to be the only one of the "Big Four" independent Square games on the SNES (CT and FF IV-VI) that holds up to today's standards. It's a fantastic game, and I can say that as a gamer who didn't play it back in the day.

 

[Signa]

At lease I'm giving him some different games then dry humping Chrono Trigger. It's a great game but there's other games out there.

Wow, I'm just picturing you giving him some games, and then taking his copy of Chrono Trigger and humping it in front of him.

I think you meant "than" not "then".

 

[Thunderhorse31]

Actually, the Suepr Mario RPG I find an odd recommendation. the game is actually pretty hard at certain points if you're not used it.

I doubt you'll find any games that have little to no challenge whatsoever, and even if you did, is that what we should be looking for? I assume TC wants a game, not a point and click story.

It would seem that the reason it would be a good introduction is the fact that it has to do with Mario and Bowser...

Yeah, pretty much. No need to relearn an entire ensemble cast, plus most of the gameplay elements should be pretty familiar. Jump on an enemy to hurt it? Check. Mushrooms increase health? Makes sense. Bombs hurt? Duh. Find the princess and collect stars? Got it.

If you look at the actual gameplay it is actually more confusing than some other JRPGs. I mean it is a good game, but unless you're already a mario fan I don't see how it is a good intro to JRPGs....

What gameplay elements do you think might be confusing (besides the occasional puzzle)? And TC already plays Pokemon, it stands to reason that he is familiar with Mario games (being first party Nintendo stuff).

Also, since you have control over how the characters level up you can kind of mess up a bit I think.

True, but how much can you screw up when you only have three options? Plus they give you a tutorial for everything (items, fights, levels, etc. etc. etc.), so it seems like they hold your hand enough along the way without spoon-feeding you everything.

That's why I suggested it, at least.

 

[DigitalAtlas]

Actually, the Suepr Mario RPG I find an odd recommendation. the game is actually pretty hard at certain points if you're not used it. It would seem that the reason it would be a good introduction is the fact that it has to do with Mario and Bowser... If you look at the actual gameplay it is actually more confusing than some other JRPGs. I mean it is a good game, but unless you're already a mario fan I don't see how it is a good intro to JRPGs.... Also, since you have control over how the characters level up you can kind of mess up a bit I think.

I remember being stuck a long itme on the boat with undead stuff because of the puzzles for instance when I played it as a kid.

It's very likable and gets people quickly into the elements of JRPGs. Though I recommend Paper Mario as it is a bit more lenient with well placed save points and quirkier humor.