Questions from a Final Fantasy noob

[Keir]

OK, I've only ever played one FF game, and it's Mystic Quest.

*dodges flying objects from FF fanboys & girls*

Having just picked up FF2 and 3, I'm wondering what I should play first. Should I go the chronological route? If that's the case, should I get FF1 and play that first? Maybe I should play whichever one I'm most likely to enjoy since I'll probably never find time to play both. Is there a general concensus as to which is better? One thing I'm really worried about is that there'll be too much levelling up required. I don't have the time or patience for that crap.

Any suggestions would be great. Thanks.

[geelw]

lol- guess what? other than ff 1 & 2 on the famicom (or was it 2 & 3,? lol), and ffx and x2, none of the other games share a connected story, just some game ideas and materials like weapons, magic names and chocobos. play 2 first (it's got a slightly better story in parts) and 3 later (so you can marvel at the much improved visuals and music)...=^P

[hezeuschrist]

Well I'm assuming you mean FF2 and FF3 on the North American SNES. If so, let me get a word in edgewise and tell you that FF2 is a far better game before all the FF3 fanboys get in there and beat you to death with their massive... fanboyism.

[Kid Fenris]

I've always been under the impression that none of the Final Fantasies prior to FF X-2 were related. What's the connection between FF2 and 3 on the Famicom?

My advice is to play an hour of each game, and dig into the one that seems more interesting. There's no objectively superior title among the Final Fantasy games, though everyone has a favorite. You've got people who love FFIV and hate FFX, people who adore VI and IX while ignoring the rest, and those GameFAQs folk who consider FFVII TEH BEST GAEM EVAR.

However, if leveling up is an issue for you, I'd probably give the edge to FF3 (aka Final Fantasy VI). Both games force you to build levels in preparation for a final boss, but FF3 makes the process a bit more compelling by giving the player all sorts of side-quests to take on. In FF2, you'll just have to trudge around the last dungeon to build up your characters.

[Keir]

I didn't know they weren't connected. Heh. That certainly makes things easier. I'm so used to computer games where you don't stand a chance in the sequels unless you've played through from the beginning and transfer your characters from the previous game each time (e.g. Bard's Tale). Obviously you can't do that on a console game. ;)

Oh, and yes, I'm referring to the North American SNES games.


In FF2, you'll just have to trudge around the last dungeon to build up your characters.
That's exactly what I don't want. Thanks for the heads up.

[SoulBlazer]

I admit I'm biased toward this game, but in addition to what Kid Fenris said, I think FF8 is a good one to start on. There's no need for leveling (as the monsters get stronger with you), no need to fight for money, no need to buy weapons, and it's one of the easiest of the FF games. Plus some damn sweet graphics and a good story.

FF9 is a 'modern' game that goes back to the 'old school' FF games. If you can't stand to play NES/SNES games anymore, give that a shot.

And if you DO decide to play FF1 through FF6, get the remade versions for the PlayStation. Good improvments.

[Anonymous]

I'd reccomend playing 2 first. There are a lot of improvements made between 2 and 3, and playing them in reverse may put a bad taste in your mouth for the latter. FF2 definitely has it's high points, and it really does feel like an evolution over FF1 (NES) whereas 3 is far enough along that it doesn't feel like a classic FF game so much as a SNES RPG. I'm not sure if that makes a whole lot of sense...:)

[maxlords]

I'd say play 2 first, then 3. FF2 has a good story, but honestly, I liked FF3 a LOT more, and MOST people seem to agree with me. Start with FF2, then see what all the FF3 hype is about :)

[Sylentwulf]

FF4 then FF6

Frankly, I like FF4 better than 6, but 6 is definitely harder, so you may want to warm up with FF4.

(Saying FF2 and FF3 for american versions was ok until the compilations came out stateside. Now there really IS a FF1 through FF10 (except 3, grrr.) and since I'm playing the real FF2 right now, well, see.)

[Keir]

x_x

So, my FF2 = Japan's FF4
and my FF3 = Japan's FF6
?

[Ed Oscuro]

Not quite -- rather, your FF2 = english translation of Japan's FF4 Easytype.

It's essentially a slightly altered FF4, sold for 200 yen more than the regular FF4 in Japan (which was 8800 yen).

[Anonymous]

if they're SuperNES games, yes. If they're playstation games No. Simple rule of thumb, All Nintendo system Final Fantasies are the 'US' number system (1=1, 2=4, 3=6). All Sony system Final Fantasies are the 'Japan number system.

[Tritoch]

Japan/North America releases for each game:

FF = FF (NES) & FF on Final Fantasy Origins (PSX)
FFII = FFII on Final Fantasy Origins (PSX)
FFIII = Nothing in North America :(
FFIV = FFII (SNES) & FFIV on FF Chronicles (PSX)
FFV = FFV on FF Anthology (PSX)
FFVI = FFIII (SNES) & FFVI on FF Anthology (PSX)
FFVII = FFVII (PSX)
FFVIII = FFVIII (PSX)
FFIX = FFIX (PSX)
FFX = FFX (PS2)

The FF Origins ports are souped-up versions of the originals (better graphics, soundtrack, dialogue, etc.), while the Chronicles & Anthology games are straight ports with a few extras (bestiarys and such) and sucky load times.

[AB Positive]

Well I'm assuming you mean FF2 and FF3 on the North American SNES. If so, let me get a word in edgewise and tell you that FF2 is a far better game before all the FF3 fanboys get in there and beat you to death with their massive... fanboyism.

*beats hezeuschrist with his FF3 fanboyism*

Well, I would play II first, then III because then you'd get the better storyline and magic system. However 2 is still great so either way you can't go wrong. I'm just saying save the best for last. And listen to me 'cause I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE! :D

-AG

[Drexel923]

I'd reccomend playing 2 first. There are a lot of improvements made between 2 and 3, and playing them in reverse may put a bad taste in your mouth for the latter. FF2 definitely has it's high points, and it really does feel like an evolution over FF1 (NES) whereas 3 is far enough along that it doesn't feel like a classic FF game so much as a SNES RPG. I'm not sure if that makes a whole lot of sense...:)

I'll second that...they are both great games IMO though, so even if you do play FF3 first you still should play FF2, even if it may turn you off a little.

[TRM]

FF3 (VI) is better then FF2 (IV). The game is easier, and it has a much better storyline as well as excellent music. I had gotten FF6 and 7 around the same time...I started playing them both over a span of months and I quickly dropped 7 for 6. Play 6 first.

[brandver3]

I'm gonna get reamed for this, but I really though 9 was the best one.

Great story, awesome Yoshitaka Amano character designs, and everyone had a speciality. Not like materia or sphere grids where everyone did everything. You wanted a monk, you put him in your party. You didn't give you healer different abbilities.

TACTICS!!!!!

TACTICS IS BLISS!!!!

[Sylentwulf]

FF3 (VI) is better then FF2 (IV). The game is easier, and it has a much better storyline as well as excellent music. I had gotten FF6 and 7 around the same time...I started playing them both over a span of months and I quickly dropped 7 for 6. Play 6 first.

Hmm, I had always thought FF6 was harder than FF4. I guess my biggest problem with FF6 is just the first couple of hours REALLY turn me off. If I ever manage to get locke and terra out of that first town, then I suppose I'll beat it again some day :)

FF4 on the other hand, picks up a LOT quicker, and keeps me going more in the beginning, which is why I've beaten it about 8 times now :) (as opposed to beating FF6 2 or 3 times)

[Delgrace]

I too say 4 first, if only for the fact that it's harder going from 6 to 4 then it is from 4 to 6. You'll miss all the polishes that 6 has, which you wouldn't notice if you played 4 first.

Still, up to you.

[Lady Jaye]

In my case, my plan is to play almost the entire FF series in order. First with FF 1 (Origins version) to FFX-2 (when it's released). Even FFIII will be covered via emulation and a translation patch (Square Enix, I'm still waiting for an official translation!!!). The only games I won't play are Mystic Quest, FF XI (I don't care about online-only, subscription-based games) and FF Crystal Chronicles (it seems to be more interesting in multiplayer mode than solo, and I don't know many people who have a GBA). I won't include the FF Adventures and Legends games on Gameboy. However, I do include FF Tactics and FF Tactics Advance. :)

[SoulBlazer]

Good luck playing them in order! It's hard to do these days. :D

I think FF11 is going to be a fun game. The beta reports have been encourging. At least 12 will go back to being a stand alone game again.

And I'll still buy Crystal Chronicles. :)

[Sylentwulf]

I actually AM playing them in order right now, heh. I beat FF1 on ths PS1 Origins, and I'm almost done FF2 on the same CD.

I HATE playing via emulation, so I'll be skipping FF3 :( Then, I also plan on skipping FF4, because as I've said, I really HAVE beaten this appx. 10 times, and the last time was a few months ago, recent enough for me! Then, I'm still debating about FF5. This one bugs me, I HATE job systems (fftactics be DAMNED!! HAHAHA) but I probably will try playing this one through, last time I tried, I stopped playing near the end.

Then, Finally, I will play FF6 on the psx compilation. Then I think it's off to crono trigger on the same cd since I haven't played the ps version yet.

FF7 I've beaten MORE than enough times, so I'll skip to FF8, then FF9, then I'm probably skipping to FF12. FFX was horrible imo. Not even worth playing again. FFXI is being released years after it's japan release, and I don't really care for online console gaming.



If you're one of the VERY few people who actually read all of that and cared.... Congratulations!

[Lady Jaye]

What about X-2? Will you play it?

[Jorpho]

When I finally get around to it, I think I will get the fanmade translation patches and play the original Japanese FF4 and FF6. (I really don't mind playing with emulation, especially if it's RPGs.)
________
Big Dick Vid (http://www.fucktube.com/categories/9/big-dick/videos/1)

[Sylentwulf]

What about X-2? Will you play it?

I'll be getting it one way or another, and I'm sure I'll play it. But as of now, I think it's gonna have too high of a production run, (a lot of people think the same way I do, yuna raider) and I'll end up getting it a year after it's released for $15-$20.

[Querjek]

I'd reccomend playing 2 first. There are a lot of improvements made between 2 and 3, and playing them in reverse may put a bad taste in your mouth for the latter. FF2 definitely has it's high points, and it really does feel like an evolution over FF1 (NES) whereas 3 is far enough along that it doesn't feel like a classic FF game so much as a SNES RPG. I'm not sure if that makes a whole lot of sense...:)
I wish this topic was around one month ago... now I have no will to play #4 (I found them both at Goddwill on the same day).