Topic: Final Fantasy Thread

This is a general thread for all final fantasys, inc. spin-offs. If some final fantasy games already have threads, this is for those that don't, and general discussion of the franchise.

I'll start off by saying that I like XII.

I've only played three Final Fantasy games (I know, really sad number considering the vast amount that are available around the world), but I will say which ones I liked in order:
3. Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions (PSP)
2. Final Fantasy VI Advance (GBA)
1. Final Fantasy V (SFC)
To prove that I'm a fan of that game, allow me to share with you my crossover fanart of Bartz and his Chocobo from FFV racing alongside Wander and Sylvia from Wander Over Yonder: =3

The next Final Fantasy game I'll try will either be Final Fantasy IV or Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest; I wouldn't mind picking either game, especially the former

The one truly love and hoping for a remake is Final Fantasy IX... e_e; it's a real nice piece of work, now if only it'll be done over again...

(oh well, I suppose I shall buy the port instead ._. )

IV through to IX are classics.

X is okay, but then it started to go oh, so very wrong.

_{...I liked XII...and XI is still one of the most popular MMORPGs despite the release of XIV and the onslaught of WoW...}

My first & favorite is FFX, although it's been years since I played it, so I'm probably somewhat blinded by nostalgia.

I had mostly played platformers as a kid, but then I started playing games like Paper Mario, Kingdom Hearts, & the GB Pokémon games, and that's when I realized games could be something more (as in telling enchanting stories, exploration, adventure, etc.), and I took my first big leap into RPGs with FFX, and it was the first true "epic" I played.

From the more "adult" world & story (compared to what I had played before), to the conditional turn-based battle system, to the fantastically realized world, I loved it.

Since them, I've also played FF I&II: Dawn of Souls, FFIV Advance, FFXII, & FFCC: the Crystal Bearers. All of which I'll go into more detail later.

Final Fantasy V is king. Granted, I've enjoyed pretty much every Final Fantasy game that isn't FF6, but still, FF5 is the best by far.

I think all of the Sakaguchi games are true classics, and have by far endeared me to gaming more so than any other franchise. I'm still missing a few, but some day I believe I can say I'll have played all of them.
My grades would be: VII>IV>VI>X>IX>I>VIII>II>XII>Any other RPG>XIII
As stereotypical as it sounds, VII is my favorite, everything about it, the world, the game mechanics, the story, the characters, the music, the visuals, and all the rest of the game were and are just so engrossing. That game and Chrono Trigger really represent the great Squaresoft at their height in the 90's.

Now, Square Enix's entries into the franchise after X, on the other hand, I have few if any good things to say about.

I've played them all except XI XIV. Not into MMOs, but might give XIV a chance somewhere down the line. As for XV, I'm approaching it with caution. On the one hand, the setting is terribly bland from what I've seen and so are the characters and the lack of turn based battle puts me off. But, Square has been working on this for a long time and it could wind up being great. Just have to wait and see.

VI is my favorite and my fourth favorite game of all time. I just love the story, the steampunk setting, the characters, battle system, Kefka, the music, Kefka, and the music. Did I mention I loved Kefka and the epic music?

For me it goes
1. VI
2. IX
3. IV
4. VII
5. XIII
6. III
7. V
8. I
9. II
10. XII
11. X

I'm craving a 3DS remake of VI. Square releasing it for Android and iOS just burns me up bad. VI got me obsessed into RPGs and was one of the first games that really moved me.

Overall, I know Final Fantasy is supposed to be the vanilla standard of RPGs, I've never found myself to be that great of a fan of the franchise. Like I said, it's the vanilla standard (or at least it was one of the games which set that standard); nowadays, far many more game series have gone above and beyond, and to me, they've left Final Fantasy in the dust in terms of presentation, story, characters, visuals, etc.

I can appreciate a piece of art without liking it is what I'm saying...

I wouldn't say Final Fantasy is the vanilla standard. As far as JRPG's go, they're the most melodramatic of the bunch. Gameplay wise though, I guess you could argue that they're fairly basic.

Despite being a JRPG fan, the only FF game I've completed start to finish is II. The one pretty much universally regarded as the worst. I've tried out I-VI, but that was back when I was new to gaming and didn't have the patience for RPG's :/

I've played a whole lot of spinoff games though, like Tactics Advance, A2 and Crystal Chronicles.

I've played a lot of JRPG's, and by no means would I ever group any Final Fantasy close to the vanilla standard. Case in point, the second half of Final Fantasy VI. I know this might be personal, but I've seen game series that might have had games with better stories, some with better gameplay, but as for me, when I want consistent overall mastery, I always think of Squaresoft Final Fantasy.

Time for my thoughts on the other games (already did X, my favorite).

FFI - Played in the Dawn of Souls collection. It was neat seeing where the series started out, but I eventually got lost & never beat it (I was like 12 or 13 at the time, and really lost track once I started II).

FFII - I don't really know why people don't like this one. Yeah, it may be because it's been a long time since I played it, but I remember enjoying it, even if it's not one of my favorites.

FFIV Advance - I wouldn't put it above X, but this is definitely one of my high points with the series. It was a real enthralling experience. The only thing I could have done without is the Active Time Battle System (I know I'm in a big minority here). I feel like I'm being rushed more than I like in the battles, and it's one of the things putting me off of the PS1 titles.

FFXII - I never finished this one. I got to the part where you had to run away from some lizard guy with some sort of saw weapon, and kept on dying trying to escape (because you still got caught up in regular fights, which would slow you down). I never ended up beating it, because we got our 360 & Wii soon after, and got distracted. I also wasn't a fan of the pseudo real time battle system. Either make it fully turn based, or fully action. Being able to run around is pointless if you're still going to get hit during your enemy's turns, and if the rules are still fully turn based, giving the illusion of some sort of player controlled action just makes things unnecessarily disorientating.

Crystal Chronicles: the Crystal Bearers - Just like my feelings on the Active Time Battle System, my feelings on this game are a minority thought, because I really enjoyed it. Up there with X & IV as one of my favorites. I enjoyed the really cinematic ride, and your telekinetic powers were a real highlight, I thought.