Trying the FF series for pretty much the first time... [Archive]

shopkins

05-13-2009, 06:06 PM

You should just start by playing seven first. That seemed to work for most current FF fans. :)

From the ones I have played I would rank them:

VI
I (mostly for NES nostalgia)
VII
IV
X
VIII

But I can't say that any of them are really bad. It's just differing levels of quite good, I may have put VIII last on the list but it's very relative and I still enjoyed the hell out of it. I guess I hear people complain a lot about II, that seems to be the least well-liked one.

I finally have all of them in some form or another now, except the MMORPG, and I'd like to sit down and play them from the first to XII. But I don't know where I would ever find the time.

Aussie2B

05-13-2009, 06:19 PM

I'm sort of doing something similar. I've tried most of them, but I haven't actually beaten that many. First one I beat was FFVII, which I didn't like much. Fast forward several years, and I decided to seriously attempt to work my way through the series, hoping to find a game that really makes me understand the passion for the series. So now every summer I play through a Final Fantasy, starting with the first one on NES. That one was a better experience than FFVII since it actually had some challenge, but I still found it fairly tedious and dull overall. Then I played the remake of FFII on PlayStation, which was a bit better but nothing remarkable. I played FFIII on DS, which was even better yet but still not memorable, and the awful final dungeon really soured me on it. So this summer I'm due to start FFIV (well, FFII since I'll be playing the SNES game). Still looking to find a Final Fantasy that's anything more than average, but with the trend I'm experiencing, it looks like things are in my favor.

As for the spin-offs, Final Fantasy Tactics is amazing. I doubt I'll like any of the numbered entries as much as that. I like Final Fantasy Mystic Quest too, if only for the light breezy experience it offers and the rockin' soundtrack.

Malon_Forever

05-13-2009, 06:20 PM

I'd like to sit down and play them from the first to XII. But I don't know where I would ever find the time.

Thats sort of the idea I had, but I realized it's never going to happen. I'd like to try though.

Also, do any of the stories actually connect, or is it just new seperate stories each game.

kupomogli

05-13-2009, 06:25 PM

FF6, FF5, FF1, FF9, FF8, FF7, FF10-2, and FF4. I don't really like as much FF10, FF12, FF3, FF2 for the main series. FF11 isn't up there because it doesn't count in my opinion and it is terrible.

The only ones in the series I'd really recommend playing are FF1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10-2(solely for the gameplay.) The rest of the games really aren't worth it. FF4 is borderline because while it's a decent game, carries a few flaws I don't like no matter what version you're playing(in which the GBA versions of FF4 I would highly avoid.)

For games that aren't of the main series. I'd recommend most of them.

-Alot of people bash Mystic Quest because they like to look all hardcore, usually those are ones that started at FF7 and want to look like they're some sortof FF master, but in all honesty, Mystic Quest is a fairly solid RPG title, just a bit easy(the music is pretty awesome.)

-Crystal Chronicles is okay alone, but it's best when you're playing with friends(thanks for forcing us to use our GBA's in order to do so, the most stupid idea ever.)

-Another game that alot of people don't like is Dirge of Cerberus, but I think it takes the FPS genre and puts the FF7 label and Vincent Valentine to very good use(this is coming from a guy who normally doesn't like the FPS genre.)

-Every FFTactics title is good as well. The original easily has the best storyline and great gameplay. With worse storyline, I prefer the gameplay of FFTA over the original. The game itself doesn't have as much variety as only some classes can be used under specific races, however this is where it expands and your ultimate classes are now more diverse. The FFTA titles also take the level system of the Ogre Battle and Tactics Ogre titles. On FFT, leveling does somewhat matter on your stats but not much as you can change classes and your stats will change accordingly(you do get slight barely noticable changes per level though.) On FFTA, the characters stats raise depending on the class that leveled only, so leveling up as a mage class you'll want to continue leveling up as a mage class as the character will be a pathetic fighter.

Also, do any of the stories actually connect, or is it just new seperate stories each game.

FF10-2 is a sequel to FF10, but the story is pathetic. FF10-2 has amazing gameplay that tops almost every other title. If only the music and storyline were as good then I'd like it more. This game should definitely be played for the gameplay alone.

Dirge of Cerberus is a sequel to FF7. Good story, music, and gameplay.

eskobar

05-13-2009, 06:28 PM

I agree with you, shopkins; but Malon_Forever, do you enjoy playing SNES games ? ... if the answer is Yes, go for FFVI first ...

FFIX is also very nice to start the series :D

iloveguns

05-13-2009, 06:33 PM

i've really played it in numeric order.. lol..

kainemaxwell

05-13-2009, 07:03 PM

Play the PSX remakes of FF1 and 2. The high difficulty from their NES counterparts was toned down and the "leveling system" of FF2 was slightly balanced (but still a pain in the rump).

I should play 3 again on my nes dreamcast disc...

shopkins

05-13-2009, 09:21 PM

I'm sort of doing something similar. I've tried most of them, but I haven't actually beaten that many. First one I beat was FFVII, which I didn't like much. Fast forward several years, and I decided to seriously attempt to work my way through the series, hoping to find a game that really makes me understand the passion for the series. So now every summer I play through a Final Fantasy, starting with the first one on NES. That one was a better experience than FFVII since it actually had some challenge, but I still found it fairly tedious and dull overall. Then I played the remake of FFII on PlayStation, which was a bit better but nothing remarkable. I played FFIII on DS, which was even better yet but still not memorable, and the awful final dungeon really soured me on it. So this summer I'm due to start FFIV (well, FFII since I'll be playing the SNES game). Still looking to find a Final Fantasy that's anything more than average, but with the trend I'm experiencing, it looks like things are in my favor.

Wait til you get to VI. It starts getting good in IV but I remember VI just blew me away when I first played it.

I don't think the stories actually connect in most of them, except for X-2, but there are common themes, plot elements and characters. Cid keeps getting reincarnated, for example. Tactics Advance and XII both take place in Ivalice though, I think.

kupomogli

05-13-2009, 11:29 PM

I don't think the stories actually connect in most of them, except for X-2, but there are common themes, plot elements and characters. Cid keeps getting reincarnated, for example. Tactics Advance and XII both take place in Ivalice though, I think.

FFT, FFTA, FF12, and Vagrant Story are all in Ivalice, but Yasumi Matsuno didn't really try connecting all of them together until FF12, so I say they're not connected. If he tried connecting them from the start like the Ogre Battle Saga was, then it'd have been a different story, but there was three different games already out and he adds things to connect them all together in a single game it just doesn't make it seem they're truly connected.

Ivalice in FFT had no airships, no different races, etc. Ivalice in FFTA was just an alternate Ivalice found in this book and mostly made up in Mewt's head because he thought of the FF series as his favorite series, which the Ivalice of his time was only humans it seems(the Judges, his father, every main character was created and portrayed to how he saw fit.) Then Ivalice in FF12 had people mention cities and countries in the previous titles, including Vagrant Story, to link them altogether as residing in different parts of Ivalice.

Since there's so many differences from Vagrant Story, FFT, FFTA, and FF12, they're really only loosely based off one another, so I'd say there's no connection in any of them.

Rickstilwell1

05-13-2009, 11:32 PM

I have played through FFI thru FFVII using cheats on the Playstation versions and save states on the NES emulator versions. But now I plan to play thru these games again the real way. On real hardware and with no cheats. For NES FFII and FFIII I had English translated repro carts made. I will probably do the same when I get to FFV on SNES.

But first I am completing the NES Dragon Warrior series. Dragon Warrior is more basic and came first so I decided to start there. After Dragon Warrior IV I will switch to FFI.

I decided that if I own the real cartridges, I should make use of them or it was pointless to buy them in the first place. I'm videotaping my gameplay this time through too. That way I can watch it without doing all the hard work and if I ever get around to doing walkthrough videos I'll have easy source material.

majinbuu

05-14-2009, 01:44 AM

If you are playing FF1 from an original cart have you had the save battery replaced? That cart must be at least 20 years old. Last thing you need is for you to fire up the NES and find your saves gone. Don't do it though if you are a good way into the game because all saves will be lost in the change of battery.

One option would be to rig a temporary battery to the NES cart to keep the saves powered while you take out the original battery and put a new one in. I've never done it so someone else may be able to help.

Happened to me with Phantasy Star 2 on the Genesis. I was not a happy camper :(

Malon_Forever

05-14-2009, 04:03 PM

Jorpho

05-14-2009, 04:18 PM

I keep waffling over whether I should play the first six games in numeric order, and as a result never get around to playing any of them. (Do I really want to put off playing FFVI for that long?)

gjackx

05-14-2009, 04:36 PM

I'm sort of doing this...very little background with FF (played a little bit of VII and X, but not significant). I started with VI, and I'm slowly working my way through that one. From everything I read, it sounded like a good place to start. I'll do VII next and then probably VIII. Seems like those three would be a good sampling of the "good" FF!

RASK1904

05-15-2009, 12:08 AM

Not many people like 9? I thought it was amazing! It looks like a PS2 game. Probably the best graphics I've seen on PSX! I like more unusual battle systems. The Chrono Cross or Baten Kaitos stile systems. Both awesome games. Highly recommended. I do really think FF games are WAY over hyped though. Push one button, wait push the button, wait push the button, for 70 hours? Really?

kedawa

05-15-2009, 01:36 AM

The first FF I played was VII, and despite trying to get get into it numerous times over the years, I just can't do it. It's boring as hell and just gets uglier all the time.

By chance I recently found a copy of FF I&II for GBA on the floor at the mall and figured wth.
So far I'm about halfway through the first game, and I'm really enjoying it. It's a bit on the easy side, though.

Jorpho

05-15-2009, 02:12 AM

and then probably VIII. Seems like those three would be a good sampling of the "good" FF!There's a lot of VIII-hatred (Fury-VIII?) out there. I agree with Mr. Rask and would strongly recommend IX over VIII.

BrianP

05-15-2009, 06:15 AM

Hey dude, I'm in the same boat as you.
To this Day I've never played any FF game besides Tactics.
Years ago I picked up FF:Tactics for the GBA because I Love tactical war and my buddies have always raved about the FF series. Myself I was a Sega kid, had never had a Nintendo system untill the GBA, and by the time the 32bit consoles were released I had moved onto PC gaming, so I never had a chance to play any of them. (yes I know some where on the PC too, but I stuck to my AD&D, REAL roleplaying *tongue-in-cheek*, another reason the PC won me over from the consoles)

The other day I was at a flee market and saw FF1&2 for the GBA so grabbed that (with a cool 5 bucks that was change from my flamethrower chicken wrap). I still haven't tried it yet but I can't wait. My plan is to not even glance at FF2 till I've gotten thru FF1... if I can.

I'm hoping to get into this series the way everyones else seems to have

Mason P.

05-15-2009, 02:59 PM

I LOVE FF1 by far my favorite in the series. Liked the fact that you could pick your party at the start and keep them until the end of the game. You don't have to worry about them being killed off for a story plot. I also like FF5. I like how you could customize your characters.

I don't know what everybody sees in FF7. I have owned it since the day it came out and every time I play it I am disappointed. Yea, I know I will catch crap for that statement from the fanboys. Every time I just get board and quit. the story doesn't interest me. I like the fantasy part of the FF games, not the science fiction.

exit

05-16-2009, 08:45 AM

Final Fantasy 6 is my favorite, it has the most in depth characters and story out of all of them. I would have originally said FF7 a few years back, but the past year or so I thought about it and figured out it's more nostalgia than anything else. I guess the recent bastardizations SE has been releasing doesn't help anything either, because seriously Advent Children sucked. There, I said it.

FF9 is a pretty damn good game, I played it 3 years ago or so and enjoyed the hell out of it. It really felt like the game went back to it's roots and it also sported some of the best PSX graphics. I never was able to beat the last boss tho, I got destroyed within mere seconds and never had the heart to go back and fight it again.

If you want to just jump into one of the Final Fantasy games I would say go with FF5.

ironpunch

05-16-2009, 09:06 AM

You should try FF9. The best FF game I've ever played (I've only played 9 and 10 though).

mezrabad

05-16-2009, 09:34 AM

Final Fantasy and emulation are what got me into this whole expensive habit of console gaming.

In 1998, I hadn't owned a console since the Atari 2600. I bought FFVII for the PC, only to have it "spoiled" 10 hours in, by a gaming site writing about FFVIII and talking freely about events in VII. In 1999, I saw the trailer for FFVIII and decided to play all the FFs up to FFVIII.

I found out I could do this on emulation up to a point, and proceeded to play through FF and through fan translations of FFII and FFIII. Enjoyed them each, but didn't start to see real potential until FFIV. Went legit and got a Playstation, played FFV and FFVI and my socks were knocked off. Loved FFVII and got through FFVIII with a sense of satisfaction, having accomplished my orderly progression.

Since then, I've yet to finish FFIX, FFX, FFX-2, or FFXII but have enjoyed restarting them all many times. I don't think I'll ever get to the "end-game" in FFXI, but my son and I are trying. (He on the PS2 and me in the living room on the Xbox 360)

By the way, if you've loved the Final Fantasy solo games, I really recommend you give FFXI a shot. It does a great job of converting it into an MMORPG. You can get it and all the add-ons on the 360 for between 20-30 bucks and the monthly fee. Even if you only play for a month or two, it's a kick to see so many elements of the previous games brought into the MMORPG universe.

Since getting the Playstation, I've repurchased an Atari 2600, and acquired about 20 other consoles. I blame Final Fantasy and emulation for driving me to thousands of dollars worth of legal console gaming purchases over the last 8 years.

kupomogli

05-16-2009, 10:35 AM

Since getting the Playstation, I've repurchased an Atari 2600, and acquired about 20 other consoles. I blame Final Fantasy and emulation for driving me to thousands of dollars worth of legal console gaming purchases over the last 8 years.

Doesn't it make you feel better actually owning the games you like, though?

Jorpho

05-16-2009, 11:12 AM

Since then, I've yet to finish FFIX, FFX, FFX-2, or FFXII but have enjoyed restarting them all many times. I don't think I'll ever get to the "end-game" in FFXI, but my son and I are trying. (He on the PS2 and me in the living room on the Xbox 360)

By the way, if you've loved the Final Fantasy solo games, I really recommend you give FFXI a shot. It does a great job of converting it into an MMORPG. You can get it and all the add-ons on the 360 for between 20-30 bucks and the monthly fee. Even if you only play for a month or two, it's a kick to see so many elements of the previous games brought into the MMORPG universe.This entertaining review would seem to suggest it is not such a good idea:
http://socksmakepeoplesexy.net/index.php?a=ff11

(That site has a pretty good overview of the rest of the series as well:
http://socksmakepeoplesexy.net/index.php?a=patff )

Malon_Forever

05-16-2009, 12:53 PM

So.... Final Fantasy II and III for the SNES, are actually a different number in Japan? So are some of the ones on the PS1 just remakes or....??? I'm a little confused.

kupomogli

05-16-2009, 01:18 PM

PresidentLeever

05-16-2009, 01:23 PM

You have a lot of quality gaming ahead of you :)

Well, if you stick to this list anyways:
IV
VI
VII
IX
III
FF Tactics

...and I must stress that playing them in order is preferable, as even though they have individual stoylines and settings, the core game mechanics have stayed pretty much the same throughout most of the series and you'll appreciate each game more if you see what they each added to the formula.

Not great, but worth trying:
X
XII
VIII
V
Tactics Advance

Not worth it:
I (maybe the gba or psx version, but only if you're into grinding and don't mind poor storylines/characters and a rudimentary battle system)
II
Mystic Quest

Malon_Forever

05-16-2009, 02:02 PM

FF2 and 3 on the SNES are actually FF4 and 6.

Squaresoft didn't give us 2, 3, and 5, so they just put the next number. It wasn't until 7, which was originally going to be released as FF4, until Squaresoft decided to change their mind and go with the regular number system.

Also. I'd recommend against FF6 for the PSX and play it for the SNES or GBA instead. Squaresoft added this swirling effect for the PSX versions which takes a much longer time to load battles, etc.

Thanks for clearing that up!

Anyways, I just got to this "Marsh Cave" in FF 1. I'm enjoying it a lot, but it's just a head-ache not knowing what armorer and weapons each character can use.

Thanks for all the input and reccomendations everyone.

kupomogli

05-16-2009, 02:21 PM

You have a lot of quality gaming ahead of you :)

Well, if you stick to this list anyways:
III

Not worth it:
I (maybe the gba or psx version, but only if you're into grinding and don't mind poor storylines/characters and a rudimentary battle system)

You list FF3 as being a good game and then state FF1 as a grinding game. Did you even play both games? FF3 is almost as much as a grinding game as most Dragon Warrior titles, NES or DS version. Or maybe since all the built up hype of the DS FF3 due to the game never making release here makes you favor that piece of crap over the original title.

With the right class set up I can walk through even the NES FF only grinding at one point throughout the game. That's once getting to Elf Land and the need to be at level 7(a grind of three levels at most which at that level takes no time at all against Giants) in order to make it through the marsh. The rest of the game grinding isn't needed. The PSX game, same area as it's almost as difficult as the NES game unless it's played on Easy, and the GBA and PSP games you can walk through the entire game without grinding.

mezrabad

05-16-2009, 05:14 PM

This entertaining review would seem to suggest it is not such a good idea:
http://socksmakepeoplesexy.net/index.php?a=ff11

LOL, yes, but then it's never hard for a snarky, 20-something to focus on what they don't like about something, is it? While I agree with you, it is an entertaining review, I disagree with the reviewer and his conclusions. It sounds like he only played to get to the end-game as quickly as possible? He may have gotten good advice on the fastest way to gain experience points, but finding out what people did to enjoy themselves in the game might have been a better approach. While I hope to someday make it to the end-game, I'm enjoying the journey and taking my time.

One point I'll give him is that it is annoying that the cutscenes are interrupted by the chatter of other players. However, I do enjoy unraveling the plot and the backstory. I like finding weird bits of stuff and figuring out if it's better to sell or craft. I like doing all the miscellaneous quests and the odd japanese flavored events. I like the in-game translator that lets me communicate, if only in predefined game phrases, with people from all over the world when my smattering of Japanese, French, German and Spanish fails me.

I love the fact that I've yet to meet a griefer, (though it is not uncommon to meet a real money trader). I think that because the game makes it hard for people to grief in it, the actual jerks who like to grief go to other games. This is an MMORPG I'll be playing with my kids for as long as the thing is up and running. For a nice non-snarky look at the game, watch the FFXI episode of the GameTrailer's Final Fantasy Retrospective.

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/part-viii-final-fantasy/24494

Jorpho

05-16-2009, 05:20 PM

This is an MMORPG I'll be playing with my kids for as long as the thing is up and running.That sounds very expensive.

kupomogli

05-16-2009, 06:34 PM

The guy actually made a ton of valid points on his FF11 review. The game is mainly nothing more than a level grinder even when you do have a party. I've heard the game really doesn't start until you're actually 75-100 hours into the game and that it'd end up getting good then.

Well. Here's my opinion. If I play a game 22 hours(the amount of time I put into FF11) and the only enjoyment out of it that I receive is the starting quests and then about 5 hours in it's like 15 hours and I almost get no where else. Then I'm not going to put forth the effort to play anymore of the game because it's not only a waste of time, but a waste of money seeing as FF11 was 10 dollars a month.

Anyways. Square-Enix just released the box art for the two different versions of Dissidia Final Fantasy for the US. I didn't even think of mentioning this one. Anyways. Dissidia is an amazing game. I'm going to buy the cosmos version when the game is released in the states and when it reaches 19.99, if it's not a reversible cover game, I'll buy the chaos version for collector's purposes. I've played the Japanese version enough so I'll be on the US version for quite awhile starting a new game and actually being able to understand what's said.

http://img.qj.net/uploads/articles_module/131401/dissidiaboxartfull_qjpreviewth.png?713729

Malon_Forever

05-16-2009, 06:44 PM

I got a quick FF1 question.

So, I got the mystic key (or mystical, can't remember), and now I can go open all those chests. I went to all the ones I knew about, and got a ton of weapons and was just wondering if I should just look at how much each weapon is worth to decide to keep it or not. Because I got about 3 different weapons I can only use with my Fighter, and was just wondering what I should keep. Thanks!

kupomogli

05-16-2009, 06:58 PM

What are your classes? I'm guessing a Fighter, Black Belt, White Mage, and Black Mage.

You're probably also talking about the Were Sword, Rune Blade, and Dragon Sword? Keep the Dragon Sword, it's the most powerful of them. You'll get a Great Axe later on, sell it because it's a piece of crap and worse than even the Short Sword you're most likely using now. Use either the Dragon Sword or Coral Sword.

*edit*

Forgot something. If you're using the Silver Sword that you can buy in Elf Land, then sell them all. You won't find a better weapon until after you receive the Canoe.

Malon_Forever

05-16-2009, 07:00 PM

What are your classes? I'm guessing a Fighter, Black Belt, White Mage, and Black Mage.

You're probably also talking about the Were Sword, Rune Blade, and Dragon Sword I'm guessing. Keep the Dragon Sword, it's the most powerful of them. You'll get a Great Axe later on, sell it because it's a piece of crap and worse than even the Short Sword you're most likely using now. Then sell the Dragon Sword once you get the Coral Sword because you'll get a better weapon by the time you actually fight any Dragons(not including the Zombie Dragons) and Coral Sword is strong against all water enemies.

Yeah, that is my class. Did I really pick such a predictable class? :D

Thanks.

kupomogli

05-16-2009, 07:22 PM

Yeah, only because you said your Fighter is the only one who can use the weapons. That kicks out the Thief and the Red Mage. More than likely you'd use another attack character, so Black Belt fits. The last part was a guess that you most likely didn't use two Black Mages and stuck with a Black Mage and White Mage.

Also. With your Black Belt. Unequip whatever weapon he has right now if you're on atleast level 8. You'll take more damage off when attacking with his fists. Also unequip and reequip the Black Belt's armor every level up, as his defense reduces to his level after every level up and by unequipping and reequipping you have his level defense plus his equipment defense.

Malon_Forever

05-16-2009, 07:31 PM

PresidentLeever

05-17-2009, 02:18 AM

You list FF3 as being a good game and then state FF1 as a grinding game. Did you even play both games? FF3 is almost as much as a grinding game as most Dragon Warrior titles, NES or DS version. Or maybe since all the built up hype of the DS FF3 due to the game never making release here makes you favor that piece of crap over the original title.

With the right class set up I can walk through even the NES FF only grinding at one point throughout the game. That's once getting to Elf Land and the need to be at level 7(a grind of three levels at most which at that level takes no time at all against Giants) in order to make it through the marsh. The rest of the game grinding isn't needed. The PSX game, same area as it's almost as difficult as the NES game unless it's played on Easy, and the GBA and PSP games you can walk through the entire game without grinding.

Well I must admit I haven't played much of FF3 (and never considered the remake since I don't own a ds), but from the first half hour or so of gameplay it seemed more fleshed out and polished than the previous two games, and with actual characters in your party (instead of just a crude graphic representation of stats called a light warrior) it's closer to what defines the series as a whole and to what most people like about the series.

As for FF1, you have to see it from a first timers perspective... When I played FF1 (about 6 years ago I should add) I had to grind just to afford some equipment/magic. I also did it to be able to explore the world map more freely instead of just doing what the game told me, without ending up getting killed because I went a few tiles too far in the wrong direction and now the monsters kill my characters instantly.

I'm sure you Can play it more smoothly, but you'd need a guide or previous experience with it.

Zing

05-17-2009, 03:47 PM

This entertaining review would seem to suggest it is not such a good idea:
http://socksmakepeoplesexy.net/index.php?a=ff11

(That site has a pretty good overview of the rest of the series as well:
http://socksmakepeoplesexy.net/index.php?a=patff )
Anyone who tries to solo through FFXI is wasting their time. Not since the old school Everquest have I seen such a game so reliant on finding an optimal party to accomplish anything.

I played up to level 58 with a "static party" (4 of my real life friends with 1 other person chosen from a handful of candidates depending on who was online). It was by far one of the most fun experiences in an MMORPG ever. And I have played a LOT of MMOs.