Final Fantasy IX was the final numbered installment of Final Fantasy on the PSone, and it is also my favorite game of all time. I can never quite pin down why I prefer this one over all others, but I figured you can all join in and reminisce with me if you have played it. If you haven't, you've been missing out.



FF9 is a perfect example of a JRPG done right. It includes elements of all past Final Fantasy titles in one package. Everything from the battle system to the abilities to the storytelling. This game is high on nostalgia. Perhaps this is why I love it so much. Or maybe it's the characters.



As far as leading men go, Zidane isn't that complicated. He isn't a headcase like Cloud, nor a social reject like Squall. He is a very traditional leading man. Sure, he is a thief, but other than that, he is the embodiment of a Classic Hero. He cares only for others and gives without asking for anything in return. His backstory is kind of murky at first, but the big reveal is one of my favorite sections of the game. What a breath of fresh air this was back in 2000. Nothing against Cloud and Squall, but a happy protagonist was very welcome by me.



FF9 is also home to Vivi, another personal favorite. His story is a sad one, but he overcomes a lot throughout the course of the game, becoming a valuable party member in the process. His Black Magic will defeat many foes.



Which brings me to the Battle System and Character Classes. In FF9, each character has a set class, and it cannot be changed. For instance, Vivi is the only Black Mage in the game, hence making him the only character capable of using Black Magic. While some might bemoan this lack of costumization, I assure you it does not hurt the experience. There are other ways to make each character your own. You learn abilities by equipping armor or weapons and racking up AP with said armor or weapons.



As for the battle system, it's very basic. No fancy ideas here really, just good old fashioned RPG grinding. It works, and it's quite enjoyable if you give it a chance. Nothing like some old-fashioned level grinding.



The music of FF9 is a mix of old and new, as usual with Final Fantasy. Some of the rearranged songs work really well here, and the music as a whole fits perfectly with the setting and events. Of particular note are the sequences when Garnet, the female lead, is singing. Sure, she doesn't actually sing any lyrics, but it sounds beautiful all the same. It almost brings a tear to your eye, it's so heartbreaking. Wonderful music, all done by Nobuo Uematsu, of course. He truly is a master of his craft. I have the soundtrack on my computer and would love to buy the actual disc one day, if I can ever afford to import it. Great Soundtrack.



I guess when it boils down to it, there is no one reason why I love this game. Sure, I'm a sucker for nostalgia, but there is more here than that. The Fantasy setting is wonderful, as opposed to the cyberpunk setting of Final Fantasy 7 and the just plain dull setting of Final Fantasy 8. Then of course the wonderful cast of characters and the great story, which I barely touched upon here. Everything comes together to form one great piece of art. This was one of the lower selling Final Fantasy titles, but it's easy to find on Ebay used or even new on Amazon for 15 bucks. If you haven't played this one yet, you owe to yourself to give it a shot. There is far more to the game then mentioned here, so please play it and enjoy it.