FFIX - Worth Getting? - Page 4

August 25, 2007, 8:00 PM

Aww man, are you serious, it's in VIII even more? I don't understand why Square does that...i mean it can't be that much more taxing on the system, can it?

My Character Profiles · September 1, 2007, 2:49 AM

FFIX isn't necessarily a love it or hate it game; I'd say it's located roughly in between the two matters of opinion. It's one of those games that you just buy without reason and you either play it a million times, or leave it rusting on your shelf. I personally love the game to death and I consider it "the favorite" pick of the litter in terms of FF. But just because I love it, doesn't mean that you will.

Characters and Plot
The characters in the game can be roughly divided into two groups; the main cast, and the additionals. The four main characters are Zidane, Garnet, Steiner, and Vivi. And the additional cast consists of Freya, Amarant, Eiko, and Quina. So why two separate groups? The main cast that I mentioned sheds a lot more light onto the story. These particular characters are much more interactive and meaningful to the plot. The latter of the groups, as I mentioned, include less full and developed character personalities.
Zidane, the game's main protagonist, is one of the brightest, most sincere, and lovable personalities that I have seen in the series to date. He's very sweet, cunning, heroic, and a huge flirt! FFIX's cheerful protagonist introduced a new swing after VII and VIII's protagonists, Cloud and Squall.

The plot in FFIX was incredible. The story itself revolves predominately around three major aspects: Love, Friendship, and War. Now as I will describe in the romance section below, Love isn't a humongous aspect in this game; it's more of an undertone. Romance will ensue, but it won't moosh up the plot in any way. I'd say that the game's strongest focal point is Friendship. Of course, the game takes place in a turbulent time of war, and friendship is the ultimate key to survival.

Romance
The romance is absolutely genuine. There's not much to say without giving away any good spoilers. Let's just say that the romance is very progressive. The characters develop feelings for one another over time, and in a very sincere way. Not to mention that their relationship does nothing to interfere with the plot, yet all the while, it does have great meaning.

Gameplay and Graphics
This is where the "love it or hate it" mind frame drops in. FFIX did introduce better graphics than the previous game, but...the character designs were done in a chibi style; that's to say...miniature people with big heads. Now, half of the FF population is bent on good graphics and realism, and the other half is bent on perplexity and a great story. This is where the division of tastes incurs.
The gameplay was incredibly easy. There's nothing complicated about this game. In fact, I highly recommend FFIX as an introduction to the series (so long as you don't have a problem with chibi characters). The layout, the design, the navigation, and the battle system are all very typical for an FF title.

The only real downfalls that come with this game is a lack of creativity in terms of physically developing your characters, and the poor "limit break" designs. Each character is already permanently set with their own fighting class; (e.g. mage, fighter, thief...) and there isn't really any way to boost their attributes other than learning silly skills here and there that give you minor advantages in battle.
The limit breaks, actually referred to as "trances" in FFIX, were the biggest letdown in the game. As your character is attacked, and performs attacks in battle, his or her trance gauge will increase. You literally have no solid control over when your character transforms into their trance mode. When it happens, it happens. And if the battle ends before you use it, your trance gauge is immediately emptied; in short, you're screwed.

Overall, I give FFIX a 8/10. The only cons, as I mentioned included the physical development and battle system. Other than that, the game has one of the greatest storylines that I've seen in the series. ^.^

January 25, 2008, 3:55 AM

*What? i dont even think this thread shold exist!

*MOST DEFINATELY! every final fantasy fan or any gamer should own this game!

*once you play this game youll be hooked,you cant stop playing and unraveling th plots to come!

*as far as im concerned i think final fantasy IX is one of the best in the series!

everything fits well from the story,graphics,characters,plot,monsters,battle system and the grand adventure itself will pull you in!

*in my opinion people should just enjoy the game and stop being so sceptical or negative!

February 12, 2008, 2:20 PM

i love this game, i think that it has a good storyline and exalent twists. although my favorite is X this one is still pretty good

February 12, 2008, 11:55 PM

I didn't really rate IX as highly as VII & VIII but it's still a fun game. Has a nice little story to it and of course my favourite theme, romance lol

The graphics are quite pretty. Although I wasn't keen on the character styles at all at first, they soon grew on me

I didn't find it particulary difficult but it's still a good game and definaetly worth getting

February 13, 2008, 2:42 AM

DEFINELTY worth getting!!! I agree that developing the characters I a little too easy but the storyline and overall feel of the interaction between the characters is fantastic. In my opinion the best laid out story in the series. Also the graphic style made a welcome change from FFVII and VIII especially as it used the ps1 to its limit

February 18, 2008, 10:44 PM

If you're going to get into FFIX, I'd say play it early. A lot of people play FFVII or FFVIII first and love those games, and then get to FFIX and dislike the beginning due to the look of the characters and how childish they may seem.

For me that wasn't the case as FFIX was my 2nd FF game played and I loved almsot every second of it, but it does have its unique characteristics when compared with other games. I say give it a try, it's definitely worth a play.

February 26, 2008, 6:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aztec Triogal

Since this topic crops up so much, I figured I'd make a topic and sticky it.

Is this game worth getting? Please post your replies so that people who cannot decide can read this to make their decisions.

I would say that without a doubt this game is worth getting.

Of course, I'm a bit biased here, as it's obviously my favorite one, but in my opinion you should get this game.

The characters are great, and the story is great.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rydia

You'll have to get it online though since it's no longer sold in stores.

They still sell it at an F.Y.E store located in a Mall close to me. But that's the only store I ever see new copies of the game being sold in.

BTW, sorry if double posting is against the rules. I forgot to reply all at once, and also the rules wouldn't load for me when I tried clicking the link to them so I can make sure. But from here on out I will try not to double post.

May 13, 2008, 8:39 PM

It's a must have game in my opinion, I loved the storyline, the characters were great. I'd say if you've never played a FF game before than maybe start with IX as for me it was one of the easier titles. But I don't see how any FF fan could dislike it, it's great.

May 15, 2008, 1:38 PM

Why do you guys even ask if its worth getting it? It's an FF game!(well except XI, didn't quite get that though)