Final Fantasy Games
Discussion
There's no right answer to this really, everybody will have a different opinion. I've not played the MMORPG's so can't comment on those, but I guess you weren't thinking of those anyway
I've played 6,7,8,9,10,12 &15 and the 7 Remake, so I can't comment on the early ones but, are you aware in March next year Square are releasing the pixel remasters for PS4 (and switch) of the first 6 games? So you could start at the very beginning. I think I've heard 5 is very good. One of them, I think it's 2, has a pain in ass mechanic. Anyway, I'll definitely pick up a copy of that because I would like to tick off some of the early ones
https://www.gematsu.com/2022/12/final-fantasy-pixe...
Of the games I've played, two stand out for me, which are 7 and 10.
7 is the game that got a lot of people into JRPGs in the first place, so it represents a seminal moment in gaming. I'd recommend playing the original version first, as the remake - though excellent - will not give you the full story as they're releasing it in parts over god-knows-how-long.
10 is one of my favourite games of all time. Yes it's a bit twee at points, and some of the side missions for the celestial weapons are frustrating, but the story is great, there's soooo much to do, I played it this year again and maxed out all characters (including luck!) And it was just as great as I remember twenty years ago. It was jaw dropping graphically when it was released, that PS2 era was such a step up from 1. Just great memories from playing that game originally.
6 is a really good story with a vast array of playable characters (14 I think) and actually, I think it would be well worthy of a remake. It's a SNES game, so whilst the story carries it through it is what it is graphically, if you're bothered about such things. I played it on the mini Snes
I wouldn't recommend 8 as a first experience. It's actually a good game with a great story, but the levelling mechanic is very marmite (enemies level as you do, so you can choose to pretty much not level up throughout the whole game or you could well end up getting turned over by the end game boss, I know people who still haven't completed it because of this
) I'd recommend reading about it before you dived in. Having said all that 8 fans will defend it hugely
I think 9 felt like a relief to a lot people after 8, and is often cited as the best game by a lot of fans. But for me, if you're gonna to play only one from the PS1 era it has to be 7. However, it wouldn't be a mistake as an experience.
12 is really quite good too, and the first that didn't have random encounters, you could actually see enemies on screen and avoid them if you wanted! Amazing! The gambit system mechanic here works really well, though I forgot on my second playthrough how convoluted the story is. And just not as much to do as in 10. But it looked fantastic for its age.
15 a lot of people didn't like but I thought it was pretty good. The end game after a certain point is just a corridor though which was brilliant. But it did have one of my favourite ever areas in an FF game, The Pitioss Ruins - a dungeon / maze so complex it wasn't actually possible to map it in the guide. Seriously, here's a link, it's mesmerising:
https://youtu.be/tZ7v6mfy8e8
The only non MMORPG remaining is 13, I've not played it but heard it was just one big corridor. Probably not the best start.
So there you go. Like I say, there probably isn't a right answer. If you can get to the original 7, it would be a good place to start, as it's one of three PS1 era games, it probably makes sense to start at that one over the other two, simply because of its importance to the genre, but that aside, the story, characters and the world in which they reside are all excellently realised. That's why they're remaking it, over the others.
Somebody will be on here in a minute to tell me I'm a fool and 8 is the best...
Or ignore me and listen to DreamcastGuy:
https://youtu.be/fOibavBHFXg
OR! Wait for FF16! Which will hopefully be great!
Hope this helps!
I've played 6,7,8,9,10,12 &15 and the 7 Remake, so I can't comment on the early ones but, are you aware in March next year Square are releasing the pixel remasters for PS4 (and switch) of the first 6 games? So you could start at the very beginning. I think I've heard 5 is very good. One of them, I think it's 2, has a pain in ass mechanic. Anyway, I'll definitely pick up a copy of that because I would like to tick off some of the early ones
https://www.gematsu.com/2022/12/final-fantasy-pixe...
Of the games I've played, two stand out for me, which are 7 and 10.
7 is the game that got a lot of people into JRPGs in the first place, so it represents a seminal moment in gaming. I'd recommend playing the original version first, as the remake - though excellent - will not give you the full story as they're releasing it in parts over god-knows-how-long.
10 is one of my favourite games of all time. Yes it's a bit twee at points, and some of the side missions for the celestial weapons are frustrating, but the story is great, there's soooo much to do, I played it this year again and maxed out all characters (including luck!) And it was just as great as I remember twenty years ago. It was jaw dropping graphically when it was released, that PS2 era was such a step up from 1. Just great memories from playing that game originally.
6 is a really good story with a vast array of playable characters (14 I think) and actually, I think it would be well worthy of a remake. It's a SNES game, so whilst the story carries it through it is what it is graphically, if you're bothered about such things. I played it on the mini Snes
I wouldn't recommend 8 as a first experience. It's actually a good game with a great story, but the levelling mechanic is very marmite (enemies level as you do, so you can choose to pretty much not level up throughout the whole game or you could well end up getting turned over by the end game boss, I know people who still haven't completed it because of this
) I'd recommend reading about it before you dived in. Having said all that 8 fans will defend it hugelyI think 9 felt like a relief to a lot people after 8, and is often cited as the best game by a lot of fans. But for me, if you're gonna to play only one from the PS1 era it has to be 7. However, it wouldn't be a mistake as an experience.
12 is really quite good too, and the first that didn't have random encounters, you could actually see enemies on screen and avoid them if you wanted! Amazing! The gambit system mechanic here works really well, though I forgot on my second playthrough how convoluted the story is. And just not as much to do as in 10. But it looked fantastic for its age.
15 a lot of people didn't like but I thought it was pretty good. The end game after a certain point is just a corridor though which was brilliant. But it did have one of my favourite ever areas in an FF game, The Pitioss Ruins - a dungeon / maze so complex it wasn't actually possible to map it in the guide. Seriously, here's a link, it's mesmerising:
https://youtu.be/tZ7v6mfy8e8
The only non MMORPG remaining is 13, I've not played it but heard it was just one big corridor. Probably not the best start.
So there you go. Like I say, there probably isn't a right answer. If you can get to the original 7, it would be a good place to start, as it's one of three PS1 era games, it probably makes sense to start at that one over the other two, simply because of its importance to the genre, but that aside, the story, characters and the world in which they reside are all excellently realised. That's why they're remaking it, over the others.
Somebody will be on here in a minute to tell me I'm a fool and 8 is the best...
Or ignore me and listen to DreamcastGuy:
https://youtu.be/fOibavBHFXg
OR! Wait for FF16! Which will hopefully be great!
Hope this helps!
ZedLeg said:
Maybe 7 ReMake? You'll miss some of the meta jokes but unless you're already a fan of JRPGs, the older ones will feel hopelessly clunky and old fashioned.
15 is also modern obviously, but I'll go with the one with all the most iconic characters
Yeah, I mean in terms of a current gen experience it makes the most sense. And it's something you can buy into as they release the next few parts over the next few years. 15 is also modern obviously, but I'll go with the one with all the most iconic characters
Only thing I would say is that if you went for the original game, you can probably complete it in around 40 hours, maybe less. Yes you won't get all the side quests, you won't get the extra characters (probably) or the knights of the round (a summon that equals win, basically) but you'll get the whole of that story in probably less time than it will take to play the remake! The remake currently only covers getting out of Midgar (the main city) which is about 8 hours of the original game. So there's sense in playing the old one too. You'd get a compete story from which you'll be able to judge the subsequent FF games you're going to hopefully play, and FF really is about the story. You're perhaps not going to get that viewpoint by playing only the first part of an FF game.
Just my two pence. If you want a near current gen experience, invest in the remake. If you want a full story, try the original.
Either way, hopefully you'll enjoy enough to have the excitement of being able to pick another title a few weeks or months down the line!
Echoing others, 7 is the game that brought the genre to the masses. The characters, the story it's brilliant. Start there, and then go to the remake. You will love the characters even more - the story makes more sense in this order.
Then you can enjoy 10 and 12 while you wait for Chapter 2 of the remake or jump into Crisis Core which is also being remastered (coming out this year) as a prequel to 7.
Then you can enjoy 10 and 12 while you wait for Chapter 2 of the remake or jump into Crisis Core which is also being remastered (coming out this year) as a prequel to 7.
7 is easily my favourite, but I would say play 9 first.
Story is much more streamlined (but also fantastic) and the gameplay is much more polished. You won't really have a bad experience with 7 as your first, I just think 9 is a better entry point.
6 is also fantastic and I'm currently about halfway through the Pixel Remaster. But I would recommend those only on PC as there are a few mods you can apply to really polish the experience.
But honestly, this is a topic where you will just end up getting different answers. So ultimately just pick one from the bunch and get going!
Something to note, these games may have a "serious" story, but they are very much full of lightheartedness, so don't always take it super seriously.
Story is much more streamlined (but also fantastic) and the gameplay is much more polished. You won't really have a bad experience with 7 as your first, I just think 9 is a better entry point.
6 is also fantastic and I'm currently about halfway through the Pixel Remaster. But I would recommend those only on PC as there are a few mods you can apply to really polish the experience.
But honestly, this is a topic where you will just end up getting different answers. So ultimately just pick one from the bunch and get going!
Something to note, these games may have a "serious" story, but they are very much full of lightheartedness, so don't always take it super seriously.
Edited by satfinal on Monday 19th December 12:24
Having been a fan of the series but only really played 14 and some of 7 on PC i havent actually played a lot of the games i enjoy collecting, which is a bit odd.
Mainly as no free time just now but also massive back log.
I played about 1/3rd of the original 7 on a pc port, but i have the remastered OG on switch (Basically smoothed out the graphics a bit).
I went through a spree during lockdown, collecting stuff to keep me from going insane on days of just me, the 2 year old and not a lot to do all day, so i amassed the PSP remasters of FF 1, 2 and 4 and crisis core. I also have 3(6) on mini snes. I then landed 7/8 switch versions and X/X2 switch versions on the cheap (physical versions).
I also have FF15 on PS4 and ff14 (mmo) on pc. I have my eye on FF9 physical for switch as its seen as a return to the original style over the more realistic 8.
I have the FF7 remake for PS5 and Crisis core remake also. I am looking forward to FF16 next year and once the boy starts nursery, i may get a chance to actually play the stupidly massive volume of Switch, PC and PS4/5 games i have.
Anyway, i love the worlds, just need more time to actually play the damn games i bought haha.
Mainly as no free time just now but also massive back log.
I played about 1/3rd of the original 7 on a pc port, but i have the remastered OG on switch (Basically smoothed out the graphics a bit).
I went through a spree during lockdown, collecting stuff to keep me from going insane on days of just me, the 2 year old and not a lot to do all day, so i amassed the PSP remasters of FF 1, 2 and 4 and crisis core. I also have 3(6) on mini snes. I then landed 7/8 switch versions and X/X2 switch versions on the cheap (physical versions).
I also have FF15 on PS4 and ff14 (mmo) on pc. I have my eye on FF9 physical for switch as its seen as a return to the original style over the more realistic 8.
I have the FF7 remake for PS5 and Crisis core remake also. I am looking forward to FF16 next year and once the boy starts nursery, i may get a chance to actually play the stupidly massive volume of Switch, PC and PS4/5 games i have.
Anyway, i love the worlds, just need more time to actually play the damn games i bought haha.
Rick_1138 said:
Having been a fan of the series but only really played 14 and some of 7 on PC i havent actually played a lot of the games i enjoy collecting, which is a bit odd.
Mainly as no free time just now but also massive back log.
I played about 1/3rd of the original 7 on a pc port, but i have the remastered OG on switch (Basically smoothed out the graphics a bit).
I went through a spree during lockdown, collecting stuff to keep me from going insane on days of just me, the 2 year old and not a lot to do all day, so i amassed the PSP remasters of FF 1, 2 and 4 and crisis core. I also have 3(6) on mini snes. I then landed 7/8 switch versions and X/X2 switch versions on the cheap (physical versions).
I also have FF15 on PS4 and ff14 (mmo) on pc. I have my eye on FF9 physical for switch as its seen as a return to the original style over the more realistic 8.
I have the FF7 remake for PS5 and Crisis core remake also. I am looking forward to FF16 next year and once the boy starts nursery, i may get a chance to actually play the stupidly massive volume of Switch, PC and PS4/5 games i have.
Anyway, i love the worlds, just need more time to actually play the damn games i bought haha.
I know you're after physical but the FF9 remaster plays a lot better on PS5. The loading times on switch are horrendous with each battle taking 30seconds to load. PS5 is as instant as it gets.Mainly as no free time just now but also massive back log.
I played about 1/3rd of the original 7 on a pc port, but i have the remastered OG on switch (Basically smoothed out the graphics a bit).
I went through a spree during lockdown, collecting stuff to keep me from going insane on days of just me, the 2 year old and not a lot to do all day, so i amassed the PSP remasters of FF 1, 2 and 4 and crisis core. I also have 3(6) on mini snes. I then landed 7/8 switch versions and X/X2 switch versions on the cheap (physical versions).
I also have FF15 on PS4 and ff14 (mmo) on pc. I have my eye on FF9 physical for switch as its seen as a return to the original style over the more realistic 8.
I have the FF7 remake for PS5 and Crisis core remake also. I am looking forward to FF16 next year and once the boy starts nursery, i may get a chance to actually play the stupidly massive volume of Switch, PC and PS4/5 games i have.
Anyway, i love the worlds, just need more time to actually play the damn games i bought haha.
I tried to play some FF. A long time ago I tried original 7 on a PS1 emulator. Just didn't hook me. Played 7 remaster and again just didnt really get into it. Also played X on PS4 and again just didn't load it up on the second day.
I do want to find a way into the series but just think I get to these games when I am already tired and can't be bothered with big long drawn out story moments. I need action quickly just to get me engaged and then take it from there.
Good luck.
RW
I do want to find a way into the series but just think I get to these games when I am already tired and can't be bothered with big long drawn out story moments. I need action quickly just to get me engaged and then take it from there.
Good luck.
RW
okenemem said:
conkerman said:
Deal with the 90s graphics and play 7. It is spectacular.
FF10 is also very good, that laugh scene has been turned into a meme but when you play the game it makes perfect sense in context. Whilst more divisive, I also enjoyed FF10-2 a lot, since it doesn't take itself seriously and resort to the usual spiky haired moping emo boy with family issues.
Edited by CT05 Nose Cone on Wednesday 21st December 19:02
I just love the sphere grid in FFX, it just works so well, being able to see where you're about to go and where a bit more xp and spheres will get you to.
And also limit and hp breaks so you could get your health up to 99999 rather than the usual 9999 and the same with dealing damage....it just felt.... bigger.
A somewhat underrated game, in my view
And also limit and hp breaks so you could get your health up to 99999 rather than the usual 9999 and the same with dealing damage....it just felt.... bigger.
A somewhat underrated game, in my view
Edited by MCBrowncoat on Thursday 22 December 23:14
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