Best Final Fantasy Ever!

[alexknibb]

Originally Posted by Veszerin

it would've been much better if they used sprites instead.

I've read this whole thread now, and I think you're wrong. Here's why...

It seems a lot of people here grew up with sprite-based RPGs and there's nothing wrong with that. Final Fantasy VII is one of the few games out there which truly hit home the power of games for me. Whether it was perfect or not is beside the point, it was a truly landmark game. And what made it landmark was not the gameplay, but the method of storytelling. 3D graphics and elaborate pre-rendered cutscenes allowed for a huge amount of emotion and involvement in the storyline. That's what got me about the game. It was like being in a 40 hour movie. For someone who'd never played an RPG before, this was a true eye-opener.

I think what you get when you compare those who embarked on RPGs before FFVII and those that got into them as a result of the game is this: Those who were always going to find RPGs fun valued the gameplay above anything else, and for them sprite-based games were traditionally the way to go. Those that came in as a result of FFVII, and I suppose I'm speaking personally, wouldn't have enjoyed FFVII anywhere near enough to push on with it if it didn't dangle the glorious 3D cutscenes carrot as a way to entice you into the game further. In other words, it did for RPGs what Nintendo is now trying to do for games as a whole, it attracted new players.

It's for this reason that'd I'd rate FFVII on importance above any of the ones I've played. Not because it's the best game per se, but because it's the one that triggered a love of 3D RPGs. It's a landmark game for many of us, and that's a personal thing.

It's also for this reason that I think FFVIII is my favourite of the series, simply because of the storytelling. I shed a tear when I though Rinoa had bought the farm, and it's to this day the only time a game has done that to me.

Just my 2p worth. And it's late so it's probably completely incomprehensible. So sorry if so.

[Veszerin]

Originally Posted by alexknibb

In other words, it did for RPGs what Nintendo is now trying to do for games as a whole, it attracted new players.

yes, and if the people that started playing video games with the wii start calling wii sports the best video game ever made, i'm going to probably hate them too. not that it's any different from the ff7 fanboys.

You're forgetting about the games that truly did that.
Who cares about the 5 million idiots that started playing rpgs with final fantasy 7? Yes. I called them idiots. why? because that's what they are. Caring more about graphics than storyline in an RPG. This isn't a First Person Shooter, this isn't a sports game, this isn't pong. Graphics don't mean a thing in a game. And Final Fantasy 7 graphics btw, look horrible. As if they were drawn by someone who was 10 years old. Pure Crap. You can see the sides of the polygon. Super Mario RPG did better with graphics, and was on a much weaker system.


What about all the people that started with Legend of Zelda, which was the first game ever to feature the ability to save your game. Otherwise we'd all be using 50 digit passwords. It was also the first game ever to have a non-linear storyline, that allowed you to explore the world you were in.

No one gives the Zelda series any love, but it's the most innovative game series of all time.

What about Chrono Trigger? You know Gamefaqs is having its yearly character deathmatch thing. And of course, Cloud Strife and Sephiroth are somehow beating legends like Crono, Frog, Magus. Duran, Kevin, Hawk, Lise, Angela, and Carlie aren't even mentioned. Fei Fong Wong isn't on there. Ramza Beoulve isn't on there. Neither is Delita Hyral. Terra Banford, Locke Cole, Edgar and Sabin, not mentioned. Cecil Harvey, Not Mentioned. Kain Highwind, not mentioned. Elminster, Drizzt Do'Urden, Not Mentioned.
And i'm willing to bet that half of these idiot Ff7 fanboys have no idea who half these characters are, so let me tell you.
Crono, Frog AKA Glenn, and Magus, are 3 characters from Chrono Trigger. Duran, Kevin, Hawk, Lise, Angela, Carlie, are the 6 playable characters from Seiken Densetsu 3. Fei Fong Wong is the main character from Xenogears. Ramza Beoulve and Delita Hyral are from Final Fantasy Tactics. Terra Banford, Locke Cole, Edgar Figaro and Sabin Figaro are from Final Fantasy VI. Cecil Harvey and Kain Highwind are from Final Fantasy IV. Elminster and Drizzt Do'Urden are from Forgotten Realms.


This ends my rant on Final Fantasy VII, a truly overrated, overhyped, and mediocre game.

[enjoievan]

The best final fantasy is EarthBound.

[SKTTR]

The best RPG is Earthbound.

The best Final Fantasy is Chrono Trigger.

[franman781]

Originally Posted by alexknibb

I shed a tear when I though Rinoa had bought the farm, and it's to this day the only time a game has done that to me.

That happenned to me not in FFVII, i never got a chance to play the game because i didnt get a Sony console until very recently, but i had a had that tear in there playing Kingdom hearts.

though the game is told in two parts, i look at it this way, 1 storyline= 1 game.

:otential spoiler alert::

and at the end of KH2 when that song comes on and you see Sora, Kairi, Riku, Donald, Goofy, and Mickey on Destiny island in that big reunitement after the final battle, just that tear kind of builds.

::end of potential spoiler moment::

This is why i submit the Kingdom hearts series as the best final fantasy.

[alexknibb]

Originally Posted by Veszerin

Who cares about the 5 million idiots that started playing rpgs with final fantasy 7? Yes. I called them idiots. why? because that's what they are.

Good argument. I think you've won the debate there.

Originally Posted by Veszerin

Caring more about graphics than storyline in an RPG. This isn't a First Person Shooter, this isn't a sports game, this isn't pong. Graphics don't mean a thing in a game.

I beg to disagree. You're right; the whole point of an RPG is its storytelling. But graphics help tell the story. I'm not talking about the QUALITY of the graphics in technical terms, I'm talking about the way the graphics are used to tell the story in the most effective way possible.

I think your view of what requires good graphics is a little topsy-turvy. I would say that graphics are LESS important in an action game like a sports game or a shoot 'em up, because the playability is of paramount importance. In an RPG, a lot of people wouldn't push on with 60 hours of gameplay if they really couldn't give a crap about the story or the characters. The graphics, or rather the way they're used, help to involve the gamer in the storyline, in the same way the dialogue and plot do.

If the special effects in Star Wars were obviously plastic models hanging on bits of string and wobbling around, I very much doubt it would be the success it is. You see, presentation and polish are crucial parts of the puzzle.

Originally Posted by Veszerin

And Final Fantasy 7 graphics btw, look horrible. As if they were drawn by someone who was 10 years old. Pure Crap. You can see the sides of the polygon. Super Mario RPG did better with graphics, and was on a much weaker system.

I don't know where to start debunking this 'argument'. I could resort to just calling you an idiot, like you've done, but that's a bit childish, don't you think?

You might find the graphics more appealing on SMRPG, fair enough, but that's a personal taste thing. In terms of how advanced the graphics were, no-one could argue that FF7 didn't represent a huge step forward for the genre and set a benchmark.

You can see the sides of the polygons, can you? Eek. Nightmare. Well, that ruins it completely. In fact, for that reason, we should cast aside every game made on the PS1. And PS2. And every 3d game ever made. That's like saying SMRPG looks rubbish because you can see the pixels. Don't forget, it was on the original PlayStation. For a fan of retro-games you seem to be oblivious to - or, worse, deliberately ignoring for the purposes of your argument - the hardware limitations of the system. This was a groundbreaking display for the new generation of consoles.

Your points on Zelda are fair. Whether people give it enough love is a matter for another time. However, if that's your argument about why Zelda is an important game, then surely you have to respect people's opinions about why FF7 is an important game for those reasons?

As a final point, don't call people idiots just because they disagree with you, it's not polite.

You idiot.

[Veszerin]

i'm sorry, anything with Mickey....is just a complete turn off.


Vincent Valentine has defeated Crono somehow in the gamefaqs character deathmatch or whatever it is.

I submit: Final Fanboy 7 as the most Overrated Crap Game ever made.

[hippiecrite]

It's not a crap game though. I'm not a huge fan of it, it's certainly not my favorite installment, but not because I think it's crap rather because I find it horrendously overrated and flawed in many aspects. Overrated does not equal crap though. For its time, Final Fantasy VII was a monumental achievement in presentation. It's the game that made me buy a Playstation and I'm sure that's true for many gamers. When I first played it I enjoyed it, but as time has passed it's flaws have become more apparant, mainly the Materia system which throws off the balance of the entire party and makes many characters virtually useless. Still it's a playable game and a fun one to revisit every now and then. It's not the best game in the series, but it's nowhere near being a God awful game like Superman 64.

[franman781]

Originally Posted by Veszerin

Who cares about the 5 million idiots that started playing rpgs with final fantasy 7? ... Caring more about graphics than storyline in an RPG.

ok, people dont play games just because they look great, they play them because they are fun.

Graphics will pull a person into trying or buying a game, but inevitably it's the story and gameplay that keep them in it.

i, never having played final fantasy 7, will say that seeing the graphics, i probably wouldnt pick it up because to me it'll be a complete eyesore. but the story, based on seeing Advent children, and playing the Kingdom hearts series, i have just as much a love for the characters as someone who has played through FF7. maybe not the same appreciation because i never witnessed the circumstances that made the characters who they are, but i am fully satisfied with the results.

if, and i mean if, (i also hope) if they do remake FF7 for the PS3, i would definitely go buy it. the graphics would be amazing as to pull me in, but if it turns out that i dont like the story or gameplay, i'd probably get bored of it and stop playing.

look at Final Fantasy X, (i had just recently started playing this game i'm about 14 hours in) when it released for the PS2 in late 2001, the graphics, especially for the time were mindblowing. the FMV sequences are astounding. the gameplay is good, though the active time battle system is not present. and i am quite taken with the story. i cant wait to find what the next Aeon is; when the next battle with Sin is; or what's the deal with Maester Seymour, if he's just meant to seem like a jerk with overall good intentions, or if he's got his own agendas.

that's the beauty of the FF series, there is no set setting, FF7 hit big in america partly because of the setting, it was no longer always medieval in tone, it seemed even a bit more real. FFX also takes this entirely different setting with the kind of Waterworld deal, very lush atmosphere and it helps tell the story well.

so (before i start to rant here ) just saying in closing, that the story is what makes the game, that is the most basic part. gameplay so your not just watching a six to fourty hour movie needs to keep you coming back, but the initial hook, especially for an unknown title is the graphics.

[Veszerin]

Originally Posted by franman781

ok, people dont play games just because they look great, they play them because they are fun.

Graphics will pull a person into trying or buying a game, but inevitably it's the story and gameplay that keep them in it.

i, never having played final fantasy 7, will say that seeing the graphics, i probably wouldnt pick it up because to me it'll be a complete eyesore. but the story, based on seeing Advent children, and playing the Kingdom hearts series, i have just as much a love for the characters as someone who has played through FF7. maybe not the same appreciation because i never witnessed the circumstances that made the characters who they are, but i am fully satisfied with the results.

if, and i mean if, (i also hope) if they do remake FF7 for the PS3, i would definitely go buy it. the graphics would be amazing as to pull me in, but if it turns out that i dont like the story or gameplay, i'd probably get bored of it and stop playing.

look at Final Fantasy X, (i had just recently started playing this game i'm about 14 hours in) when it released for the PS2 in late 2001, the graphics, especially for the time were mindblowing. the FMV sequences are astounding. the gameplay is good, though the active time battle system is not present. and i am quite taken with the story. i cant wait to find what the next Aeon is; when the next battle with Sin is; or what's the deal with Maester Seymour, if he's just meant to seem like a jerk with overall good intentions, or if he's got his own agendas.

that's the beauty of the FF series, there is no set setting, FF7 hit big in america partly because of the setting, it was no longer always medieval in tone, it seemed even a bit more real. FFX also takes this entirely different setting with the kind of Waterworld deal, very lush atmosphere and it helps tell the story well.

so (before i start to rant here ) just saying in closing, that the story is what makes the game, that is the most basic part. gameplay so your not just watching a six to fourty hour movie needs to keep you coming back, but the initial hook, especially for an unknown title is the graphics.

you do realize of course, that there hasn't been a good FF game in...about 7 years. (ports don't count, even though there have been about 20 ports in the last decade)

[franman781]

so you're arguing that FF XI online is a bad game regardless of it's over 4 million users spanned across PC's and consoles.

now i'm not into MMO's but clearly they did something right, and it's obviously an FF game, it's constantly expanding and has a full linear story.

one more question, did you play FFXII? all the way through.

I have it, it plays well, but i lost track early on in it because i was distracted by Kingdom Hearts 1 and 2, now im playing FFX partly to get an idea at what im in for as far as story twists, plot design, and Character Development.
Especially since it's the first numeric FF ive ever got into.

im sure the stories for the first sprite based installments are great, but the only Sprite RPG im really into is Seiken Densetsu 3. Square's storytelling can only improve as time goes on, like a good band finding their sound from album to album until they find the perfect fit and blow people away.

[Veszerin]

Originally Posted by franman781

so you're arguing that FF XI online is a bad game regardless of it's over 4 million users spanned across PC's and consoles.

now i'm not into MMO's but clearly they did something right, and it's obviously an FF game, it's constantly expanding and has a full linear story.

one more question, did you play FFXII? all the way through.

I have it, it plays well, but i lost track early on in it because i was distracted by Kingdom Hearts 1 and 2, now im playing FFX partly to get an idea at what im in for as far as story twists, plot design, and Character Development.
Especially since it's the first numeric FF ive ever got into.

im sure the stories for the first sprite based installments are great, but the only Sprite RPG im really into is Seiken Densetsu 3. Square's storytelling can only improve as time goes on, like a good band finding their sound from album to album until they find the perfect fit and blow people away.

of all games you bring up, you start with FFXI.

Yes, I played FFXI. I bought the import because i couldn't wait. I spent 250$ on a new video card so it would work on my pc. I spent 20$ on the shipping so FFXI would get to my house ASAP. i spent 3 hours reading a tutorial so that i could set up my account in the Japanese version.

I admit, I was severely disappointed in FFXI. WoW was much better. Square should stop wasting their time on mmos and focus on making a decent game.


FFXII, Tried it....got bored quick. The similarities to FFXI got annoying, and i began to think that Square couldn't do anything original anymore. I'll be honest, The only Ivalice game i enjoyed was Final Fantasy Tactics. FFTA was a major disappointment, and a waste of about 30$.



And lastly, you bring up Seiken Densetsu 3. A fantastic game. I always liked the Duran/Hawk/Kevin Party myself.
"Square's storytelling can only improve as time goes on, like a good band finding their sound from album to album until they find the perfect fit and blow people away." Such words are bull****.

Koichi Ishii, the creator of the mana series has created about 10-15 mana games over the past decade. All of which, SUCKED. Not Final Fanboy 7 sucked. I actually enjoyed FF7...a little. But just Plain sucked. 6.0/10 on the rating scale sucked.
They took out 40% of the game and downgraded the graphics of Secret of Mana, in order to fit it on an SNES cart. If Koichi Ishii had any intelligence whatsoever, he'd listen to what the fans want, which almost every single one of them wants is the unreleased full version of Secret of Mana and a US/EU release of Seiken Densetsu 3. And yet, Koichi Ishii, will continue to release some extremely stupid games. Heroes of Mana came out recently...he's starting to get the gist, i heard a few chars from SD3 appeared, not sure if thats true or not.

[SKTTR]

If it wasn't for this forum, I would have never heard about Secret of Mana was originally intended to be a bigger game. And really, I don't care.

Because right after Earthbound, Chrono Trigger and Terranigma,
there's my beloved Secret of Mana (and EVO, Shadowrun and Super Mario RPG) and I would download it in a heartbeat.

Then I get my two best RPG friends over to my house and play
simultaneous 3 player realtime RPG/adventure goodness the rest of the weekend.
That's one outstanding thing Secret of Mana always had. Three players at the same time, walking, adventuring, battling together.

Secret of Mana in it's "untrue, cutted and released form" was one of the best RPG experiences at the time.

But now that I'm thinking of it, with 40% more of that game, it could have been on the top of my list right next to Chrono and EB.
Anyway, to be honest, there was never a SNES-CD system on the market,
so developing a game for a non-existent system was just plain stupid from Square. I think these 40%-More-Version is burning in the hells of oblivion and no-one of us will ever see it.
It is much more likely that they'd remake Secret of Mana for DS - and then you have (or have not) the version you wanted.

[90's Gamer]

All REAL Final Fantasy's are great, not these with that so called 'realistic' look.
Final Fantasy died after part VII.

My favorite is....part IV i guess, such a great story, but it's head-to-head with V & VI.

[Flamin Skull]

My first RPG was Dragon Warrior (Quest) 1, and didnt play RPGs until I tried out FF7, and was promptly hooked onto RPGs, but I found that the FF games became stale after 8, (9 sucked and the laughing scene in X ruined it!) so bad that i stopped moving up and started going backwards with friends copies and GBA and Anthology..
my Fave out of all is FF8, I just loved how Squall could add a shot to my attack and the summons peaked in FF8! the storyline was allright tho.. too much lovey love u know?

[hippiecrite]

FFXII is great IMO. It gets a lot of hate from a lot of people but I found it was more akin to the older FF games (i.e. 1-6). FF has been hit or miss for awhile now, VIII and XII are the last ones I really loved. VII and IX are alright but flawed, X and X-2 are just pure garbage, and XI was cool but got boring after a year.

[deggs]

FF 2 (4 in japan)...

most addictive rpg i ever plays (keeping in mind that i never owned anything past snes and genesis)...

the yardstick by which i measure any rpg i try (and phantasy star 4 and dragon warrior 3 were almost as good if not better)...

ff2(4) resulted in the longest video game binge i ever took. it halted social interactions for like 3 or 4 weeks when i was a kid (last game to ever really do that too)... It was just sooo engrossing at the time (especially considering what else was around back then)...

[mechanix]

Like most RPG gamers my age, I absolutely love 7, it being a sort of 'right of passage'.

Then I bought 8, hated every second and didn't play another till Tactics advance. which I also thought was frigging marvellous.

Didn't bother with 9, 10 or 11, but my god 12 was something else. A real case of the engine overpowering the story. Somewhat bland in terms of plot, the game mechanic of 12 was never less than majestic. Also played 6 when it came out for PS1. Also stunning.

While I'd probably suggest that 12 is the best 'game', 7 has the most impact on my life, so I'll pick 7.

[coire]

Mystic Quest!

Yay!!! Easy RPG!!!!!!

No, I've never played Mystic Quest, But If It ever came out on the VC......

The only ones I have ever played are: Final Fantasy VI Advance and (I think the game I am Thinking of is) Final Fantasy Tactics advance, In Which Case, I really Liked tactics. However, If It wasn't tactics that I was playing, then I have to give it to VI Advance.

EDIT: The game I was thinking of wasn't Final Fantasy Tactics... But It was a GBA game, but unlike Tactics, It featured an over the shoulder battle perspective (like Pokémon) and I think the Plot revolved around crystals or something.... And One of the areas very early on is like a desert or something, where a common enemy is a 'boxer-ant' or something... Damn, I wish I could remember what that game was... Could anyone who has even the slightest Idea what game this might be, could they speak now and tell me? Thanks!

[Shortay]

*BUMP*

I haven't played any FF games before (shocking, I know), but I want to know which would be the best to start with? I have a PS3, so I could get some of the PS1 ones, and I also have a DS if I wanted to start with the FF III or IV (when it's released) remakes. I'd rather not start with a spin-off though.

[alexknibb]

Originally Posted by Shortay-01

I haven't played any FF games before (shocking, I know), but I want to know which would be the best to start with? I have a PS3, so I could get some of the PS1 ones, and I also have a DS if I wanted to start with the FF III or IV (when it's released) remakes. I'd rather not start with a spin-off though.

My personal recommendation would be not to start with III on the DS. It's a good game, but definitely not the strongest in the series. Plus, it can be hard as nails (but that's just 'cos I'm rubbish at computer games, probably ). My suggestion would be to start with VII on the PS1 and go from there. I personally thought VIII was the best, but you can have that one to look forward to! I've not really played the 2D ones, so can't really comment on those, but in terms of 3D, I'd say go chronologically to get a picture of how the series developed...

[Shortay]

Originally Posted by alexknibb

My personal recommendation would be not to start with III on the DS. It's a good game, but definitely not the strongest in the series. Plus, it can be hard as nails (but that's just 'cos I'm rubbish at computer games, probably ). My suggestion would be to start with VII on the PS1 and go from there. I personally thought VIII was the best, but you can have that one to look forward to! I've not really played the 2D ones, so can't really comment on those, but in terms of 3D, I'd say go chronologically to get a picture of how the series developed...

Thanks, I'll look out for VII on eBay soon, once I get some money...

[Mickeymac]

Best Final Fantasy Ever? I only liked one of those, and that Was FFIV. The pacing in the story was just right, and the story itself was too "out there" like the rest of them, and was actually coherant. The gameplay was also just right, it was very fast paced and had a fair amount of exploration to hold my attention.

[Iam Canadian]

For my money, the best Final Fantasy is Final Fantasy VI, though in all honesty, the only ones I really enjoyed were the original, FFIV, FFV, FFVI, and FFIX. The rest I either didn't play (FFII, FFIII, FFXI) or I disliked to varying degrees (FFVII, FFVIII, FFX, FFXII). However, I really do feel like any of the SNES titles are worth your time as they all offer something different.

I believe FFIV is the weakest of the SNES titles, as I didn't like how little customization it offered for the characters and I didn't much enjoy having my party configuration being at the complete mercy of the storyline. I really don't care about story in games, but to FFIV's credit, the character development isn't bad and none of the characters seriously grated on my nerves, which is usually the best a video game story can hope for. It's got decent gameplay, but like I said, your party changes at the drop of a hat without any warning, which I found got kind of annoying.

I really like FFV's approach; the story is pushed to the background and the focus is on customizing your party via the game's excellent Job system, which I've always been fond of. I really had a lot of fun developing my characters with the Job system. Plus, as a bonus, the game features Gilgamesh, one of the greatest antagonists in video game history, and his fantastic theme music to boot.

As for FFVI, it's a finely crafted game with elements that will appeal to anybody. The characters strike a good balance between innate traits that make them unique and customization via the Esper system. The music is one of the best soundtracks I've ever heard in a video game, and I really loved the non-linear second half of the game. Almost half of the game comprises of non-linear side quests, I love it.

[Bahamut ZERO]

In my opinion its VI.
All 11 required characters had great personalities and backstories, which is really amazing considering VII and VIII characters lacked personalities and there were only a handful of playable characters.
The gameplay was great. Though while V had better gameplay, Vi wasn't too far behind due to esper-customization.
It had Kefka.

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

Eh, the backstories and characterizations in FFVI were pretty flat, cliche, or tacked on, depending on which character you mean. There were a couple of well-developed characters (Celes and Locke for example) and some cool but not-well-developed characters (Cyan and Shadow, for example). You're right that most of the characters in VII and VIII were lacking in personality (except for Squall, who is one of the best written characters in the series), but I don't see VI as very far ahead of them.

[Mickeymac]

Okay, I got FFX, and THAT is the best FF game I ever played! The fights were fun and quick, I loved the grid system used for leveling up, and most of the characters were very interesting and likeable, which made the utterly-nonsensical story quite bearable. I didn't even mind the linearity of the levels. The only problem I have with it is the G-Ddamn Blitz ball mini-game, it's no fun at all and impossible to win, and worse it's mandatory. You don't necessarily have to win, however( which makes it an utterly pointless inclusion), so I won't hold it against it.

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

Blitzball isn't that bad... but lightning dodging is one of the worst things ever to be included in a video game, ever.

[Bahamut ZERO]

I actually loved bliztball. x-2 ruined it though.

Lightning doging was absolutly terrible.

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

Originally Posted by Bahamut ZERO

I actually loved bliztball. x-2 ruined it though.

I haven't played X-2 yet so I don't know how it ruined it. But yeah, it was a pretty fun little game. The team/roster management system was pretty shallow, but it was a mini-game after all.

Imagine if they released a compilation disc of all the really good, deep mini-games they included in the Final Fantasy series? The snow-boarding from FFVII, Triple Triad from FFVIII, and Blitz Ball from FFX all come to mind as prime candidates.

[Mickeymac]

Wait, does every FF game have a mini-game? Are they mandatory as well?!

And why does everybody hate FFX-2? From everything I've seen and heard, it actually seems pretty cool.

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

Originally Posted by Mickeymac

Wait, does every FF game have a mini-game? Are they mandatory as well?!

And why does everybody hate FFX-2? From everything I've seen and heard, it actually seems pretty cool.

They don't all have mini-games, no.

The problem with X-2 is that the ending of X is actually pretty good, and X-2 takes you beyond it into a land where things are different and previously tied-off loose ends get sloppily and unsatisfactorily untied.

[Trapster]

Let me tell you what FF I think is the best by quoting someone from said game: Uweeheeheeheehee!

[Mickeymac]

Originally Posted by Jogurt the Yogurt

They don't all have mini-games, no.

The problem with X-2 is that the ending of X is actually pretty good, and X-2 takes you beyond it into a land where things are different and previously tied-off loose ends get sloppily and unsatisfactorily untied.

Good, I was actually hoping to get into this series. As for X-2, good to hear, I was planning on getting it after I finished FFX, and I was afraid my money was going to be wasted. As long as there isn't anything really wrong with the gameplay, I'll be happy.

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

Originally Posted by Mickeymac

Good, I was actually hoping to get into this series. As for X-2, good to hear, I was planning on getting it after I finished FFX, and I was afraid my money was going to be wasted. As long as there isn't anything really wrong with the gameplay, I'll be happy.

The gameplay isn't bad at all. Just be warned that it's campy and basically tosses X out the window.

[Mickeymac]

Originally Posted by Jogurt the Yogurt

The gameplay isn't bad at all. Just be warned that it's campy and basically tosses X out the window.

I know, that's why I want it.

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

Originally Posted by Mickeymac

I know, that's why I want it.

Hahaha, touché!

[Bahamut ZERO]

I despised X-2.

Yeah, it had great gameplay.

But it ruined X-2. I mean at the ending

*SPOILERS*

Tidus comes back to life in 2 of the 3 endings

*END SPOILERS*

totally ruined X.

Also the whole Spira kind of was like "Wait, our religions a lie? Oh, those Al Bhed guys have cool stuff. Oh guys I'm sorry that we were racists..... give us your stuff." Spira changed too much.

Plus, lets all be honest, all that game was really trying to do was get more male fans for the Final Fantasy series

[Mickeymac]

1. Final Fantasy 5 - best FF game all around, and possibly one of the best RPGs ever. I've had no complaints with it so far, and I've never enjoyed an RPG as much as this. The class-swapping is brilliant, the story is great, and I don't think there's a character I didn't like. The settings were pretty memorable and had a lot of secret stuff to explore for. It's just a fantastic game.

2. Final Fantasy 3 - Great game, and a wonderful, memorable anventure, especially considering the fact that it's an NES RPG. The gameplay was also well-tuned, although it was a bit too difficult at times. I loved how there were so many hidden items you could find everywhere you go, it really added an element of exploration that I felt was missing in some of the sequels

3. Final Fantasy 7 - pretty fun game. A game that that just tries to be cool and pulls it off pretty well, IMO. The variety in the gameplay really made this game. The characters were pretty memorable too

4. Final Fantasy 1 - great game for its age, it has a kind of old-school charm that is unexplainable, yet makes this game so much fun. Being able to choose who you bring on your adventure was brilliant, and shall always be missed in the later games

5. Final Fantasy 2: Anniversary Edition - Coming from the persective of the PSP remake, it's the only Even-numbered game hasn't been a disappointment so far, and the only true remake that I've liked so far. After all the improvements, I can say that it's a really fun game with a balanced difficulty and a great leveling system. The story and characters were pretty cool, too. Pretty good, for remake of an NES game

Also:
Final Fantasy 4 - I really liked it the first time around, but after actually getting into RPGs, the game really came off as disappointing, especially compared to FF3 and 5. Still, I'd like to play it again and actually finish it. I might even get into it again next time

Final Fantasy X - My first Legally-purchased FF game. I really liked it at first, but it pewtered out towards the end of the game. The characters and settings were really unmemorable, the story was simply horrible, and the Sphere Grid was rather deceptive - it seemed like it offered a lot of customization, but it really didn't

Final Fantasy 8 - The story mad confusing, but at least the characters are like-able. The junction system seems poorly thought-out, yet I'm still really enjoying it. I guess it's not as bad as I thought.

Final Fantasy 6 Advance - Easily my least favorite FF game. I didn't really care for any the characters, and I found the story rather confusing. I liked that the game offered a lot of Character customization, and I do like that it offered a lot of variety, very much like FF7 did, but other than that, I couldn't really get into the gameplay at all.

Final Fantasy XII - I rented it and never really played much of it, but I didn't like what I saw. I might get it and try it again if I can get it cheap.

FF11 - I don't even consider it a Final Fantasy game. I'll just use FFX2 as a replacement.

Now I just need to play FF9.

[enigmaopoeia]

Here are my favorite Final Fantasy games, I have played about every Final Fantasy game except FFXII which I will be borrowing from my sister when she is finished. So here are my opinions, I ordered them from my most favorite FF game to my least favorite! The only games excluding from this list are side-stories like X-2, IV: The After Years, and Mystic Quest amongst other things.

#1 = Final Fantasy IV:
- I'd admit, I am a bit biased. This was my very first Final Fantasy game when it was released as Final Fantasy II for the SNES in America. The storyline was decent and I loved the characters, they were good for its time. Not to mention the most memorable thing about this game was the music, so many great songs that I was humming to. This game always found a new way for me to appreciate it as the more ports of it I have played.

#2 = Final Fantasy V:
- At first, I didn't liked this game. I was playing it as part of the Final Fantasy Anthology, and the translation and dialogue were just horrendous. The only thing that kept me playing this game from the beginning to the end were the graphics and music. The graphics were definitely very vibrant, especially since I've played FFVI before FFV, it was very appealing and colorful. A change of pace from the darker and modern elements of VI. Also the music was just breathtaking, the tunes aren't as memorable as IV to me, but they still hold a special place in my heart. Also the Job system was an interesting approach.

#3 = Final Fantasy VI:
- I liked the characters, graphics, music, and story of this game. Though at times it can feel a bit bleek, but understandable due to its melodramatic theme. And I love how I am able to choose my own party. My only gripe with this game is that it forces so many characters onto you that most end up getting lousy backgrounds and nothing to make them stand out like Strago, Relm, Shadow, Mog, Gau, and Umaro. They feel more like afterthoughts than fleshed out personalities like Terra, Locke, and Celes.

#4 = Final Fantasy VII:
- My main reasoning for liking this game was the music and the customization of the Materia system. I would just love combining them to create awesome abilities to my party. And speaking of parties, that is another thing I loved is that I wasn't forced to use a set party. I could choose whatever characters I fancied. Though I really didn't cared too much for the whole Cloud, Sephiroth, and Aerith drama.

#5 = Final Fantasy X.
- I only played this in Japanese, so the storyline was a bit lost on me, but I did enjoy the game. I wasn't too crazy about Yuna or the whole romance between Tidus and Yuna. However I enjoyed X-2 more than X due to the more light-hearted approach and FFX-2 would be placed amongst my top 5.

The rest goes as so:

#6 = Final Fantasy IX.
- I really loved the Abilities system, it reminded me so much of what I loved from the Espers of VI and the Materias of VII. Unfortunately, I couldn't connect with a lot of the characters of this game save for a few.

#7 = Final Fantasy III:
- I only played the DS version of this game and I liked the characters, they were cute even if they had shallow backgrounds which is forgivable seeing as it was originally for the FamiCom.

#8 = Final Fantasy:
- I was a late bloomer with getting myself into the older FF games, so I didn't played this until after I have finished VII.

#9 = Final Fantasy II:
- It was very different from the other FF games. An interesting change with the keyword system as well as how your party's Stats were defined, thankfully the Stats system were more balanced in the GBA version. I loved the characters, but there wasn't too much depth with this game.

#10 = Final Fantasy VIII:
- I didn't liked this game for one reason alone: Rinoa. I didn't minded the gameplay or the graphics, they were okay. The forced romance between Squall and Rinoa were unbelievable to me.

Well, that's it of my opinions.