The previous game debate let the readers pick their favorite game of 2009, and the results are in! With over a hundred votes cast for 40 different games, one game in particular rose way to the top. Before long it became a battle for second place, with one title barely beating out the others! Here is the Dtoid Army 2009 Game of the Year:
- Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (25 votes) -- Winner!!!
- Borderlands (12 votes) -- Silver Medal!!
- Batman: Arkham Asylum (11 votes) -- Bronze Medal!
- Dragon Age: Origins -- (10 votes)
- Demon's Souls -- (7 votes)
- Left 4 Dead 2 -- (5 votes)
- Street Fighter 4 -- (4 votes)
Now that 2009's over and done, let's get back to business. You didn't think I'd let the game series debates come to a close before giving the Final Fantasy series some spotlight, did you? Of course not! This week is all about that wonderful RPG series that Square Enix has kept alive for decades of delight. With Final Fantasy XIII's release only two months away, it's time to look back and discuss what game was the highlight of the entire series so far.
This week, instead of voting for just one game, please rank all the Final Fantasy games you've played from best to worst. You may not vote for Final Fantasy XIII, but you may vote for any of the Final Fantasy remakes or spinoff games as long as they have Final Fantasy in their title.
After you rank them all, feel free to tell us why you ordered them that way, and answer any of the bonus questions after the jump that you feel strongly about.
BONUS QUESTIONS:
BQ1: What was the first Final Fantasy game you ever played? How long ago was this, and have you replayed it since then? Has it gotten better or worse after all this time?
BQ2: How many times have you played or replayed your favorite Final Fantasy game? What makes you replay it so much?
BQ3: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite music? Care to link us to some of those songs?
BQ4: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite cinemas? Care to link us to some of those videos?
BQ5: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite characters? Why did you connect so much with them?
BQ6: Which game out of the entire series has your least favorite characters? Why did you dislike them so much?
BQ7: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite battles or overall favorite battle system? Why? Do you have a favorite weapon, attack or summon out of the entire series? Be specific!
BQ8: Name one thing you didn't like, or wish was improved, in the game you voted as your favorite this week.
BQ9: What are your expectations of Final Fantasy XIII?
Contest:
9:30 PM on 01.19.2010
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BQ1: What was the first Final Fantasy game you ever played? How long ago was this, and have you replayed it since then? Has it gotten better or worse after all this time?
BQ2: How many times have you played or replayed your favorite Final Fantasy game? What makes you replay it so much?
BQ3: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite music? Care to link us to some of those songs?
BQ4: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite cinemas? Care to link us to some of those videos?
BQ5: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite characters? Why did you connect so much with them?
BQ6: Which game out of the entire series has your least favorite characters? Why did you dislike them so much?
BQ7: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite battles or overall favorite battle system? Why? Do you have a favorite weapon, attack or summon out of the entire series? Be specific!
BQ8: Name one thing you didn't like, or wish was improved, in the game you voted as your favorite this week.
BQ9: What are your expectations of Final Fantasy XIII?
Honestly, everything but FFVI can be fiddled with depending on my mood and how much I remember at any given moment. Nothing has beaten FFVI yet and the way things are looking, nothing will.
I played FF VII, X and XII. Back in the day I think I played VI or something I don't remember xD. Of all, XII must be the most boring game I've ever played (just my opinion...)
BQ1: What was the first Final Fantasy game you ever played? How long ago was this, and have you replayed it since then? Has it gotten better or worse after all this time?
Final Fantasy VII. Six months ago. Played a couple hours of it and decided that I still hate RPGs and that the graphics made me want to vomit. Best game ever, my ass.
BQ1:My first FF was 7, way back when, I think 2000 when I first touched it. I played it recently last year, and, it aged a little better, I didn't like it much back then, but I like it better now.
BQ2:I've played it twice. The whole battle system in FFXII just works for me. Being able to see, and AVOID enemies before a battle starts is like a gift from god.
BQ3: Tie between Tactics, and seven. I need to find those soundtracks.
BQ4:Although I haven't played it, FFCC: CB looks to have some badass cutscenes. Other than that, all pretty equal to me.
BQ5:FFXII. I'm a political junkie, and Balthier is awesome.
BQ6: Tie between FFVII and FFX. FFVII annoyed me, and FFX...well...no.
BQ7:Again, FFXII. Just a lot more freedom with that engine. Don't have a favorite weapon, though I do have a not favorite; Sephy's Sword. 9999 damage my ass.
BQ8: I hope they can maybe go back and improve on the engine used in FFXII.
BQ:9: That Shiva Bike thing. Oh I want that thing on my book shelf.
2. Final Fantasy IX
3. Final Fantasy VII
4. Final Fantasy IV
5. Final Fantasy X (though holy cow the voice acting was bad)
6. Final Fantasy V
7. Final Fantasy I
8. Final Fantasy III
9. Final Fantasy XII
10. Final Fantasy II (though, to its credit, the battle song was really awesome)
I have actually played (and beaten) every single Final Fantasy game (except XI, obviously). Woo.
Final Fantasy 7
Final Fantasy 5
Final Fantasy 4
Final Fantasy 10
Final Fantasy 9
Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy 8
BQ1: FF6, I remember watching my brother play it when I was really little and I always wanted to play it, was under 8 when I first played it probably. I've replayed it too many times to count and it's always been the same amazing game since
BQ2:Like I said I'm not sure how many times I've played it but it's over 10 times. I keep coming back to it almost every year (I've trailed off lately though, but I know someday I'll come back) because it is the #1 most nostalgic thing in my entire life, it opened me up to video games, it opened me up to caring about characters, it opened me up to music, I love every single thing about it
BQ3: FF6, Aria di Mezzo Carattere is easily my favorite video game song ever
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcE1mIBVkm0
BQ5: FF6, Celes, Locke, Terra, and Kefka are some of my favorite video games
BQ6: FF10, the game itself is good but my burning hatred for Tidus almost overpowers my ability to like the rest of the entire game
BQ7: FF5, I loved it's job system, and the Atma Weapon from FF6 is my favorite actual weapon
BQ8: The trailing off of the character relationship development in the World of Ruin due to it's more nonlinear form
BQ9: I expect it to be up there with my two favorites FF6 and 7, but I doubt it will overcome my nostalgia for 6
FFX: 7 (I hate it, but I'll admit it has some good)
FFXII: 10
FFIV: 10
FFT: 11
BQ1: FFVII, 1999, better.
BQ2: FFT, cause it's great yet simple.
BQ3: FFVII has great battle/action music, FFXII great ethereal soundtracks.
BQ4: XII has awesome eyecandy.
BQ5: in FFIV Cecil, and in FFXII Penelo.
BQ6: in FFX Tidus and Wakka, they are imperative and faddy, and Kimahri is empty.
BQ7: that would be FFXII for fucking Yiazmat, I will just say that magics are kinda shitty cause they are too slow and don't cause more than 9999 damage. For the battle system FFT, it's just almost perfect, also FFXII for it's active stuff. Favorite summon, Titan from FFT.
BQ8: ?
BQ9: to have cities
- Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core
- Final Fantasy I
- Final Fantasy II
Sure is cool troll post ya got there. Also I meant to say characters in my post about characters, not "video games".
FF7
FF10
FF8
FF1
I feel like chrono trigger counts as a final fantasy, and i would rank it 2nd if i could.
2) FF Tactics
3) FF6
4) FF4
5) FF9
6) FF8
7) FF5
8) FF10
9) FF1 (PSP Anniversary remake)
10) FF 12
11) FF 3
12) FF Crystal Chronicles
BQ1: Final Fantasy 7. It was around 1997 when a demo was out there, I think with Playstation Underground (or something). I have replayed it about 2 times since 1997. It has definitely gotten worse over the years, with tech demos and money squeezing sequels and prequels, it's legacy has been lessened for me.
BQ2: I have played Final Fantasy Tactics about 3 times since release. The story is so engrossing each time I play it. Plus, I mix up my job skills everytime I have played it to keep the battles refreshing.
BQ3: Damn, this is tough. I would have to say Final Fantasy 6. Atma Weapon and Dancing Mad, two of my favorite boss themes EVER.
BQ4: Final Fantasy X has some memorable ones. One of my favorites is Yuna's Wedding because of the awesome rail skating.
BQ5: Final Fantasy 6. Not only was it a diverse group in terms of abilities, but they meshed so well. From the Gau's wackiness, to Sabin's honorable tough guy act, and Relm and Strago's "dawwww" moments. Nothing was pretentious about any of the characters, and I loved how they didn't take each other seriously.
BQ6: FUCK YOU FINAL FANTASY 12. Nothing stood out from any of them, except Balthier and Fran. Vaan took a backseat to the half-assed story of Ashe, and they just didn't seem to click with me.
BQ7: My favorite Battle System is Final Fantasy Tactics' because of it's perfection of the job system. There's plenty of variety to choose from since you can have a mix of 2 jobs in one. My favorite weapon is the Excalibur, but Tactics' Excalibur to be specific because it makes the most broken character IN THE ENTIRE SERIES, and arguably ever, that much more broken. Second strongest sword in the game, auto-haste, a rare Holy element. You do the weapon duplicate glitch, and you win the game, instantly. My favorite summon is Knights of the Round, even if it does take a year to finish.
BQ8: All of the sequels, prequels, side-stories were unnecessary. Sometimes I like to think they should exist at all.
BQ9: Well, since I got burned on Final Fantasy 12, I'm hoping this is as excellent as I've come to know a Final Fantasy game. Very high expectations.
BQ1. Final Fantasy 8
BQ2. It's an RPG, I don't hardly replay them, but one and half for FFIX
BQ3. Final Fantasy 7
BQ4. Final Fantasy 8
BQ5. Final Fantasy 9 and 6 can't pick
BQ6. Final Fantasy 7
BQ7. Final Fantasy 10 and 12, because they're both a step forward from the series. Favorite summon, knights of rounds whatever the name
BQ8. No mini games
BQ9: My expectations for FF13 is low, it's a step backwards. Also they're trying to out do ff7, so it's low.
Final Fantasy Legend II(GB)
Final Fantasy Tactics(PS1)
Final Fantasy VI(SNES)
Final Fantasy VII(PS1)
Final Fantasy Adventure(GB)
Final Fantasy VIII(PS1)
Final Fantasy Legend(GB)
Final Fantasy 7: Crisis Core(PSP)
Final Fantasy IX(PS1)
Final Fantasy IV(SNES)
Final Fantasy V(SNES)
Final Fantasy X(PS2)
Final Fantasy XII(PS2)
BQ1: FF7, technically, though FF8 was the first one I owned and beat. Must have been atleast 6 years ago. Have replayed it. Worse.
BQ2: 2-3. Would replay it more if it weren't for the time investment, and the system it's on(or rather, legacy games not working on the DS). Enjoyment of the world crafted, and the system used.
BQ3: Final Fantasy Legend II:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y3Q0dBfsGQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGunnbf3C5g
BQ4: Palidi Shrugs. They're all pretty exceptional to me.
BQ5: Final Fantasy Legend II. Because from their names, to their abilities, they were characters I wanted and crafted. They felt like a journey of a tiny family or something. Also, some of the key NPC's were interesting too, from banana hording shogun, to Norse king gods that will revive you if you promise to fight them one day. Also, your character has an Indiana Jones style dad who uses windows as doors.
BQ6: Final Fantasy XII. They all seemed bland(save one or two). None of them ever seemed to have any of their own progression as a character(even the likable ones).
BQ7: Final Fantasy Legend II. No exp leveling. Characters level the way you want them to. Save for monsters and bots, who do different things that would change how you need to play the game. Lots of fun, lots of options. Runner Up: Final Fantasy Tactics.
BQ8: The leveling system had some things that could be greatly abused about it. Also a broken trash can item, lol. I'd talk improvements, but I haven't gotten to play the remake yet.
BQ9: 'Meh' at this point.
IX > VII > X > III > VI > I > X-2 > V > IV > XII > VIII > II
BQ1:My first one was FF9 back in the year 2000, and boy have I replayed this game, and it's always better, in my opinion.
BQ2: I've probably replayed FF9 about 6 or 7 times, and I keep going back cause everything for the story to the characters to the gameplay just show JRPG at it's best.
BQ3: The game with the best soundtrack would be a toss up to 7 and 9, bith have a different sound to them but are done immensely well.
BQ4: FF9 had some of the best FMV's they always showed so much emotion and helped captivate you into the world that was growing and dieing around you.
BQ5: FF7 has my favourite character (Sephiroth) and I don't think I connect to him much but he's is freaking Sephiroth.
BQ6: FF2 would have to be my least favorite because the story wasn't very good, I didn't end up caring about any of the characters and I did not like the style of gameplay that they took for this one.
BQ7: FFX was my favourite battle system it being a simple turn base made it easy and had a fun strategic value, and the Sphere grid gave you such immense power and abilities for everyone. My foavourite weapon would have to be the Ultima Weapon for Cloud and Zidane, and the all time best summon would have to be Leviathan.
BQ8: In Final Fantasy 9 I wish it wasn't so hard to get Excalibur II but then again it's optional so no big loss there.
BQ9: I don't have much for expectations until I can get my hands on it especially since it's baring the name of Final Fantasy.
Never finished II nor III, they were really boring. no wonder it took ages for NA ports.
Q1: Final Fantasy I, god it been a while. i couldnt even speak nor read english at the time.
Q2: How many times? well Sooo many times on SNES, just once on GBA and DS
Q3: FFIV of course!
Q4: FFVII first game with videos!
Q5: Cecil. dunno that Dark Knight to Paladin transition was epic for me at the time. Kain was also badass!
Q6: Tidus is so gay.
Q7: FFXII i hated the idea of gambits when i started the game, and it turned out be really effective and i started enjoying it.
Q8: That they could have made FFIV-AfterYears a decent game.
Q9: Epicness!!
Final Fantasy IX
Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy XII
BQ1: Final Fantasy VI(At that point, III). I played it on my cousins' SNES down in Virginia about... 12 years ago? I can hardly remember. Had difficulties with RPGs then, so in that sense it got better. Translation wise too, however the GBA's lacking of the quote "SON OF A SUBMARINER!" is saddening.
BQ2: I've played it about 3 times. Mostly because I get the urge to play it again and a new version came out. Also because I'm -yet- to defeat Kefka. Never level up enough to survive his tower XD Fanatics Tower, on the other hand, is very easy.
BQ3: I would have to go with Final Fantasy VII simply for the remixes in Advent Children and Crisis Core. Final Fantasy VI comes next for the orchestra soundtrack that was released.
BQ4: Errrgh I'll have to go with Final Fantasy VII again, if only for Crisis Core. What can I say? Zack is very likable D: and Genesis was intriguing and odd.
BQ5: Final Fantasy VI hands down. All the characters had personalities that I found generally likable, outside Shadow's moodiness. Relm I think was the one I just didn't identify with at all, or Strago. Nor Gogo either I guess, what with him/her/it being swallowed by a worm and I have not.
BQ6: Final Fantasy VIII. I played it, but not too much. Characters were just rather annoying to me, specially Squall. Dissidia didn't help in the Squall area of things either.
BQ7: Final Fantasy VI has my favorite battle system, which I think could only be perfected by incorporating elements from Final Fantasy X(Having set positions in the attack list rather than relying on turn bars, the ability to manually switch out characters. Summons being more useful would be nice too.) Using equipped Summons to increase magic use and stats was wonderful and non-complicated. Also having set moves that each character alone could use is nice. Final Fantasy IX's system is nice for the set moves too, however having to use equipment to gain new abilities is rather annoying. My favorite summon would have to be....Odin? Maybe Alexander. Both have very interesting designs and nifty attacks. Favorite weapon would be the Atma Weapon from Final Fantasy III(VI). I liked that translation better. Even if it was just a light saber, it was an awesome one that you could potentially dual wield :D.
Favorite Boss: Kefka Tower/God Kefka has my favorite design, but again. Really haven't had much luck fighting him. My favorite fight that I DID defeat would be...... Seymour Omnis, in Final Fantasy X. One, because I was overpower'd at that point; two, because it meant the end of Seymour's hellish reign.
BQ8: In Final Fantasy VI, I would improve on the dead ends that were never really...well, dealt with. Sigfried/Zigfried was never touched after appearing several times and complaining about imposters, Banon and the Returners were never touched upon after you reach Vector. Of course, a graphics update would be sweet. Dreamily, I would love a remake with Final Fantasy XII's graphic level; not too taxing, but quite awesome. Just.... whoever worked on Vaan's skin for the 3D model needs to be fired. Seriously, that was the most unnatural bare chest ever.
BQ9: I was skeptical at first, the screenshots making the game look more like... Futuristic Tokyo/generic giant city with teens being able to use MAGIC and transformers for rides. Voice acting however has turned out solid and no blonde annoying kids are in the roster. Also, the storyline looks more interesting to me now, reminding me sort of...well, Terranigma of sorts.
BQ1: FFIV, about sixteen years ago, and replayed it about 5 times, as well as the Advance and DS versions. Hasn't really changed all that much in my mind.
BQ2: FFT..4-5 times. I also played FFIV, VI, VIII and IX each at least 3 times. Back in the day, there wasn't much else to do but replay the games in your collection. It's not like I had new games to play every day.
BQ3: The list would never end.
BQ5: FF6, I suppose. They had personality, and could show some emotion when needed.
BQ7: I still think the Materia system is one of the most well-balanced and customizable systems, but the Job system in FFT is probably my favorite. My favorite weapon is Nail bat, and my favorite summon is Lagomorph. If that's a summon.
BQ8: FFT does have its issues. The difficulty on some missions are pretty unbalanced, and there's too many ways to break the game and make it too easy (Calculators, Orlandu, etc). Final boss could have been much more difficult too. I think it could have also used some more fleshing out with the characters in your party - when they get into your party permanently, their role in the story is usually over and they have nothing else to say. Maybe there could have been more missions that revolve around a players' history (like Beowulf and Reis) or something? Or simply a way I can sit around and talk to my party and gain relationship points or something.
BQ9: That it not be a terrible game.
Not enough time for the questions.
While the others are great, FFVI is the only one that mattered.
BQ7: Bahamut has always been my favorite summon since I first summoned him with Rydia in IV. The Mega Flare was spectacular.
BQ8: That the Leveling didn't feel so random on account of the DMW roulette.
Granted the RNG can be manipulated pretty easily, but christ, is it a solid game worthy of the title FF IV
This is the definitive FF for me. The characters, the story... as I played this on my SNES I was, and still am in utter awe of everything that it did. The opera scene, watching as Kefka pulled the Warring Triad out of order and destroyed the world, waking up as Celes on the small island... no other FF did that for me. Not FFVII, not FFX, not even FFIV (though that came very close!)... just FFVI.
BQ1: What was the first Final Fantasy game you ever played? How long ago was this, and have you replayed it since then? Has it gotten better or worse after all this time?
FFIV. It was utterly amazing, even when it did frustrate me to no end. It's got some my absolute favourite FF characters in there (Rydia was my first video game crush, methinks) and it was pretty much amazing.
BQ2: How many times have you played or replayed your favorite Final Fantasy game? What makes you replay it so much?
Seventeen, I think at this point? I grasped more and more of the themes and concepts involving FFVI which made everything all the much sweeter. I replay it all those time because, it's always just to experience all those moments again, experiment with different party members (though the party of Terra/Celes, Locke, Edgar and Sabin are unmatched in glory) and well... experience all the awesomeness of it.
BQ3: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite music? Care to link us to some of those songs?
FF6, once again. I think Destructoid frontpaged a nice article about Dancing Mad, and it pretty much speaks for itself. It's possibly one of the greatest boss tracks in the history of forever, all those different segments coming together and forming this story of a rise and fall. Then of course, Terra's Theme. The song is beautiful and utterly amazing to here. But then there's Celes's Theme. The song is indescribably one of the most moving pieces I've heard. It still actually brings a tear to my eye listening to it. And of course, by extension Aria di Mezzo Carattere. And when you want that extra kick of feeling awesome, you can always go with Locke's Theme. It's incredibly triumphant and confident, which can really pick you up when you're down. Hell, just the entire god-damn FFVI soundtrack.
BQ4: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite cinemas? Care to link us to some of those videos?
Eh... since I'm assuming you mean cutscenes as the earlier FFs didn't really have 'cinemas', but... eh... FFVI. Again. Nothing (not even Aerith's death. Goodbye, Ms. Plot Device!) was about as absolutely touching as Celes's attempted suicide. The direction was fabulous, the music, the tears... it was easily one of the most touching and powerful moments of my youth and even today very few games have been hard-pressed to match the sheer beauty of that scene. And yes, I am declaring FFVI to have the best cutscenes because of that single scene.
BQ5: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite characters? Why did you connect so much with them?
Heheh... time to go with FFVI again. The cast of FFVI was wide, diverse and absolutely lovable. Celes and Terra are still among some of my favourite female protagonists (Celes especially!), when it comes to FF games, I've never felt for and empathized with the characters just as much as I did FFVI's. Every moment that happened had it's full effect just because the characters meant so much to me. The love story between Celes and Locke, the dynamic between Sabin and Edgar, Terra trying to figure out who she is, Cyan coping with the loss of his family... and above all else, the characters of FFVI were human. I can't stress this detail enough and that 'human' characteristic of FFVI was a spark of magic that I felt other FFs could never quite match. And... well, Kefka. There are no words to describe how much I love his destructive, diabolical, anarchic self. I went from assuming he was just another mook that I'd get out of my way on the way to Gestahl, then watching as he poisoned Doma Castle, drained and killed all those espers, killed General Leo and ended the friggin' world. Kefka is easily the best FF villain ever and ranks in my top ten as best villains ever.
BQ6: Which game out of the entire series has your least favorite characters? Why did you dislike them so much?
FFX... I didn't like them. Period. Except for maybe Lulu. Everyone else could burn in hell, for all I cared. Tidus was an annoying prick, Wakka was an equally annoying prick, Yuna was annoying in general and the main villain was far from threatening.
BQ7: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite battles or overall favorite battle system? Why? Do you have a favorite weapon, attack or summon out of the entire series? Be specific!
Final Fantasy Tactics. Oh god yes, that game's battle system was brilliant.
BQ8: Name one thing you didn't like, or wish was improved, in the game you voted as your favorite this week.
Eh... well, I kinda wished the game would give you slightly more direction in where to go. When I first played it, the internet was a very abstract and foreign thing so when I got lost and confused as to where to go, I'd be lost for a while.
BQ9: What are your expectations of Final Fantasy XIII?
Cautiously excited. I haven't paid much attention to it (or much FFs past X, really) though I'm hoping that it'll turn out good.
"Celes and Terra are still among some of my favourite female protagonists (Celes especially!), when it comes to FF games"
Thats my avatar!!!!
BQ1: What was the first Final Fantasy game you ever played? How long ago was this, and have you replayed it since then? Has it gotten better or worse after all this time?
FF1, way back on the NES. It is what it is and it was hard as hell. Fun to play then, nostalgia trips now.
BQ2: How many times have you played or replayed your favorite Final Fantasy game? What makes you replay it so much?
FF6, the story. Kefka was a truly evil bad guy, the story was amazing, and they developed all of the characters.
BQ3: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite music? Care to link us to some of those songs?
FF3 soundtrack, the Red Wings music, and the Final Fantasy theme. My favorite has to be the music that plays over the credits at the beginning of FF3 while you march in to Narshe.
BQ4: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite cinemas? Care to link us to some of those videos?
FF3 (notice a trend)
BQ5: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite characters? Why did you connect so much with them?
FF3, again, you understood what drove them, what they felt, and why they were doing what they did. It wasn't some poorly defined oh I have to save the world cause I'm destined to bullshit, they had a purpose.
BQ6: Which game out of the entire series has your least favorite characters? Why did you dislike them so much?
FF8, Mercs, boring, Squall saying whatever and Quistis in as a secretary fantasy.
BQ7: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite battles or overall favorite battle system? Why? Do you have a favorite weapon, attack or summon out of the entire series? Be specific!
FF Tactics had a fun battle system that combined puzzle with fighting, kind of like chess strategy. I always liked the Ultima spell from FF3. When I saw that, I know some ownage was coming.
BQ8: Name one thing you didn't like, or wish was improved, in the game you voted as your favorite this week.
FF3, nothing. It was well done all around. Good music, story, characters, and even rewarded the player with a decent ending, which for some reason most games lack these days, it had some closure.
FF3 did it right. If you notice I refer to 6 as 3 its because the ones that came over late from Japan were shit. I grew up with 3 getting it in 1994 and have the cartridge with that number on it. Outside of 2, 3, and tactics they have too much of the cliche JRPG elements along with the way the characters act in a cultural way that does not translate well to a western audience. FF3 told a great story and was polished well, something I can't say for the newer FF games that sell on the name alone and are produced currently 2 at a time.
BQ9: What are your expectations of Final Fantasy XIII?
2. Final Fantasy XII
3. Final Fantasy IV
4. Final Fantasy III
BQ1: The first Final Fantasy I played was Final Fantasy XII, about 4 years ago. I've played through it about 3 times, and I intend to pick it up again one day, but after the 11 hour marathon battle I had against Yiazmat, it won't be for a while.
BQ2: I've played IX, my favorite, through twice and am on a third playthrough. Funnily enough, after I beat it the first time I started another playthrough immediately afterwards which I hardly ever do for any game.
BQ3: Final Fantasy XII has my favorite music, along with all the other various spin-off titles that take place in Ivalice. I suppose my favorite song in the game is Phon Coast, along with Ozmone Plain and the Stilshrine of Miriam.
BQ4: I don't really like the CGI cutscenes in the series, but I think IX makes the best use of them. Some cutscenes use the in-game graphics while some combine in-game with CGI which makes the game's presentation a bit more interesting.
BQ5: IX has my favorite characters. I seem to find that the more realistic a character looks, the harder a game designer will try too hard to make them human and believable, while many cartoony characters are genuinely interesting and relatable without trying to be.
BQ6: I have to say Final Fantasy III. The game is quite old, so the characters are not all that great.
BQ7: Final Fantasy XII's battle system is the best, but Final Fantasy IV has the most amazing boss battles I've ever seen in the series.
As for my favorite attack, two words: Gil Toss.
BQ8: I like the fast paced, addictive combat of Final Fantasy XII, and I wish Final Fantasy IX could have combat that was closer to that as opposed to the sluggish, random encounter ATB system.
BQ9: I expect Final Fantasy XIII to be awesome.
BQ1: FF1 was the first FF game I played, this was in 1993. It is a game I try to revisit whenever I can, I think I've played through it with 8 different party combinations so far. It has neither gotten better nor worse.
BQ2: I've played through FF6 eighteen times. Its my favorite FF game of all time, the characters are great, the story is good, and kefka is the greatest FF villain ever. Also ever since it came out on the GBA revisiting FF6 has never been easier especially since I was able to play it during comp sci labs in college.
BQ3: Again FF6 has my favorite music.
BQ4: FF8 had some of my favorite cinemas.
BQ5: FF6 has my favorite characters, something about them just clicked with me, not sure what it is but they were just fantasy enough for me.
BQ6: FFX had the worst cast of characters in my opinion, maybe its due to the fact that it was the first voiced FF game but I just could not stand a majority of the cast.
BQ7: FF X-2 had an entertaining battle system IMO, I really liked the dress sphere/job change in the middle of combat which is also why I really liked the combat in the Persona series. As for favorite weapon it'd have to be FF6's Atma weapon paired with the offering and the fight command on a character with 9999 hp 4x hits for 9999 damage is just so satisfying.
BQ8: To be completely honest, I think FF6 is perfect as is, I can't think of any minor complaints or anything I'd want changed.
BQ9: My expectations for FFXIII are low enough that I don't even have the game preordered and will probably pick it up during the summer if I'm done with every other RPG thats coming out in spring 2010.
2. FF Tactics
3. FF8
4. FF4
5. FF9
6. FF7
7. FF12
8. FF5
9. FF10
10. FF3
11. FF1
12. FF2
FF11 not applicable since I don't play MMOs. I expect 13 to place in the upper half.
BQ1: What was the first Final Fantasy game you ever played? How long ago was this, and have you replayed it since then? Has it gotten better or worse after all this time?
Final Fantasy 1. I played it a few days after it came out. I tried to replay it when the PS1 version of it showed up but I just couldn't get through it anymore.
BQ2: How many times have you played or replayed your favorite Final Fantasy game? What makes you replay it so much?
I've probably replayed FF6 about 15 times. I replay it because the music, the characters, the story and the visuals all tie together perfectly. There's pretty much never a dull moment either.
BQ3: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite music? Care to link us to some of those songs?
FF6. Dancing Mad's probably my favorite. Or the song that plays on the Veldt.
BQ4: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite cinemas? Care to link us to some of those videos?
I have a hard time quantifying how good a cinema is as it needs the story around it to put it into context.
BQ5: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite characters? Why did you connect so much with them?
FF6. It's a big cast and quite varied but they all have a gravitas and history behind them that is breathtaking.
BQ6: Which game out of the entire series has your least favorite characters? Why did you dislike them so much?
FF2. They're pretty much blank slates.
BQ7: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite battles or overall favorite battle system? Why? Do you have a favorite weapon, attack or summon out of the entire series? Be specific!
Favorite battle system is FF8's because it can be dealt with in so many ways. You can devour, turn enemies into cards, turn off battles entirely, fight and level, whatever.
BQ8: Name one thing you didn't like, or wish was improved, in the game you voted as your favorite this week.
I wish FF6 was longer.
BQ9: What are your expectations of Final Fantasy XIII?
I expect it to be in my top 5 favorites. I've wanted a very linear story/character driven RPG for a long time now and it seems to fit the bill perfectly.
2) FF9
3) FF8
4) FF10
5) FF7
6) FF DISSIDIA
7) FF7 CRISIS CORE
BQ1: What was the first Final Fantasy game you ever played? How long ago was this, and have you replayed it since then? Has it gotten better or worse after all this time?
Final Fantasy Tactics was the first Final Fantasy game I ever played.. No idea how long ago that was. Recently bought it off PSN and started playing it, the controls are so horrible compared to Disgaea, no idea how I tolerated the controls back then.
BQ2: How many times have you played or replayed your favorite Final Fantasy game? What makes you replay it so much?
4 or 5 times, Final Fantasy 12 offered many different ways to play the game, I like challenging myself with low level play through, solo character, etc.
BQ3: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite music? Care to link us to some of those songs?
Final Fantasy 7 Chocobo Theme
BQ4: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite cinemas? Care to link us to some of those videos?
FF9 Alexandria
BQ5: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite characters? Why did you connect so much with them?
FF12: Balthier
FF10: Aaron
FF9: Stein, Vivi, Freya
FF8: Squall
FF7: Vincent
BQ6: Which game out of the entire series has your least favorite characters? Why did you dislike them so much?
FF12: Vaan, Penelo
FF10: Tidus, Lulu, Wakka
FF9: KUJA I HATE YOU
FF8: Squall (It's a love hate situation)
FF7: Red13
BQ7: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite battles or overall favorite battle system? Why? Do you have a favorite weapon, attack or summon out of the entire series? Be specific!
FF12 has my favorite battle system, I like the premeditation before bosses, but if it has an auto buff button without me turning the gambits for it would be nice. [FF13 is actually my favorite but I can't include it >:( ]
BQ8: Name one thing you didn't like, or wish was improved, in the game you voted as your favorite this week.
I wish the FF12 license board had more diversity instead of everyone with the same licenses. If FF12 has a FF7 grid sphere it would be really interesting.
BQ9: What are your expectations of Final Fantasy XIII?
High, after playing the japanese version through act 5 or so, I'm still really excited for it.
1. Final Fantasy VI
2. Final Fantasy XI
3. Final Fantasy Tactics
4. Final Fantasy VII
5. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
6. Final Fantasy V
7. Final Fantasy
8. Final Fantasy II
9. Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles
BQ1: The first Final Fantasy I played was the original on the NES.That was a while back, probably around 1995. I did replay it when I bought a copy of Final Fantasy Origins. It's still okay, but not nearly as fun as I remembered it.
BQ2: I've only replayed my favorite a few times. I just don't want to commit a whole lot of time to it, especially when there's other Final Fantasy games I've never played.
BQ3: I really love the music of FFIX. I think that Vamo Alla Flamenco is one of the more memorable songs of the series. Link below!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bxp7qJieKw
BQ4: Once again, Final Fantasy IX. The cutscenes really show off what the PS is capable of. I can't really talk about what happens in the videos without spoiling anything.
SPOILERS, in case you didn't read the post above.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEpbnlZPNE8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGdp_uyJ_Q4
BQ5: Final Fantasy Tactics. So many of the characters are basically good, but are being manipulated by a greater force.
BQ6: Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles. I can't remember anything about them, so they must not have been that great.
BQ7: Final Fantasy IX for me. Having abilities learned from weapons was a nice compromise between classes and customization. As for a favorite weapon, I really loved the look of the "thief swords" that Zindane used in FFIX.
BQ8: I wish there was something to remind you of where to go when you start the game. If I put FFVI down for a couple of weeks without beating it, I always forget where I'm supposed to go and have to start over.
BQ9: It sounds like a good game. I might return to the series if it sound good enough.
BQ1: FFVII, roughly ten years ago. For me it got better, as I grew up and got better at English.
BQ2: Only once, I very rarely replay single player games.
BQ4: FFIX. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp7xlm1_9f0
BQ5: Cecil. I wouldn't say I connected with him. I just love his story.
BQ7: FFIV, so simple and enjoyable.
BQ8: Well I wouldn't mind a big HD remake, with beautiful graphics and cut scenes. Should come with the possibility to play it in the original graphics too.
BQ9: It's a rollercoaster. One moment they are high, next moment they are low. I'm definitely looking forward too it, just not so much as I would have before XII.
2) FF XI
3) FF X-2
4) FF VI
5) FF IX
6) FF IV
7) FF VII
8) FF VIII
9) FF XII
10) Original FF (I can barely remember this one)
I simply loved the characters and story in FF X; it is one of my favorite games of all time. My 3 favorite games ever are Halo, Chrono Trigger and FFX.
Though I would like to defend my 3rd choice here, FF X-2. I thought it was totally awesome that Square-Enix took on a more light-hearted approach to an otherwise deep series. Playing with Yuna in the Mog costume was completely humorous.
I feel answering the bonus questions would be fairly pointless as I would say FF X for nearly every one except for BQ 6 for which I would say FF 7. I just did not connect with these characters and I was actually glad when Sephiroth killed Aeris because she kept getting in the way of Cloud and Tifa (who was way hotter).
As for FF 13 expectations, I can't say they are very high. I thought 12 was a major let down and from what I've seen/heard on 13 it doesn't sound like it has gotten any better.
2. FF Tactics
3. FFIV
4. FFVII
5. FFIX
6. FFXII
7. FFV
8. FFI
9. FFX
10. FFVIII
BQ1: What was the first Final Fantasy game you ever played? How long ago was this, and have you replayed it since then? Has it gotten better or worse after all this time? FFVI, sometime around 1996 or 1997. I've replayed it, most recently on GBA. It's still good, but it was the best the first time through. I own the SNES version, PS1 version, and GBA version, so that says something about how much I like it.
BQ2: How many times have you played or replayed your favorite Final Fantasy game? What makes you replay it so much? I've played through VI probably at least 5 or 6 times. It's the perfect Final Fantasy: great story, characters, music!, and pacing.
BQ3: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite music? Care to link us to some of those songs? VI definitely, then Tactics. I love what Uematsu did with the SNES sound chip. The GBA remake doesn't do it justice.
BQ4: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite cinemas? Care to link us to some of those videos? VII, as cheesy as it seems now, it was a reward to see one back in the day. The weapon battle where Rufus dies was so awesome.
BQ5: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite characters? Why did you connect so much with them? Probably IV. IV has so many good moments: Cecil's transformation to a Paladin, Tellah's sacrifice, Porom and Palom turning to stone.
BQ6: Which game out of the entire series has your least favorite characters? Why did you dislike them so much? X, I really didn't care what happened in that game. One of the worst FFs in my opinion.
BQ7: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite battles or overall favorite battle system? Why? Do you have a favorite weapon, attack or summon out of the entire series? Be specific!
Tactics, I love planning out what jobs my party will have. I love finally getting Orlandu and destroying everything with him.
BQ8: Name one thing you didn't like, or wish was improved, in the game you voted as your favorite this week. The random battles, they are way too frequent in VI.
BQ9: What are your expectations of Final Fantasy XIII? I think it will be really linear, but probably the most visually impressive game I've ever seen. I like old-school Final Fantasy better, but I think I'll still enjoy this one.
1. Final Fantasy Tactics
2. Final Fantasy IX
3. Final Fantasy VI
4. Final Fantasy X-2
5. Final Fantasy IV
6. Final Fantasy VII
7. Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon
8. Final Fantasy V
9. Final Fantasy Tactics: A2
10. Final Fantasy XII
11. Final Fantasy X
12. Final Fantasy VIII
13. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers
BQ1: Final Fantasy IV. Very, very long ago. I have replayed it since and it was enjoyable (and easier) to play through it again.
BQ2: Twice, max. I don't like to replay games unless I felt I did not complete the game well enough the first time.
BQ3: Final Fantasy V - Clash on the Big Bridge
BQ4: I don't actually recall any cutscenes at the moment.
BQ5: Final Fantasy Tactics. Butt pants.
BQ6: Final Fantasy VIII. I just didn't care much for them.
BQ7: I enjoyed all of the games with a class change system but Final Fantasy X-2 is probably one of the ones I liked the most. I like Gilgamesh because of his lore.
BQ8: Final Fantasy Tactics needs more butt pants.
BQ9: It will be pretty and cause me to gloss over any small flaw it has.
FF7 is probably not all that now. If I went back and played it, I'd probably think 12 was better, but none in the series has enraptured me the same as 7 did when it came out. In fact, few games EVER have had that effect. So 7 gets my #1 vote based on feeling-at-time-of-release.
BQ1: What was the first Final Fantasy game you ever played? FF7
How long ago was this, and have you replayed it since then? The day before it was released, and yes, I played it once on PC a few years back, but not long enough to form an opinion.
Has it gotten better or worse after all this time? I don't know, I'd prefer not to know.
BQ2: How many times have you played or replayed your favorite Final Fantasy game? Once
BQ3: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite music?
FF7. Aeris' theme, and Cid's theme, both kick ass. Also, there's a few great remixes at OCRemix.org
BQ4: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite cinemas? FF7. Yeah, they aren't even remotely technically impressive any more, but I remember this game with nostalgia and I'm perfectly fine with that.
BQ5: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite characters? FF7, plus... WAKKA!
Why did you connect so much with them? He's HOT.
BQ6: Which game out of the entire series has your least favorite characters? FFIII
Why did you dislike them so much? Played it well after its time, and it doesn't have the depth or complexity of more modern iterations.
BQ7: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite battles or overall favorite battle system? FF7. Don't like this active-battle-single-player-MMO thing.
Why? I actually enjoy menu battles. I know.
Do you have a favorite weapon, attack or summon out of the entire series? No.
BQ8: Name one thing you didn't like, or wish was improved, in the game you voted as your favorite this week. JUST FUCKING REMAKE IT ALREADY.
BQ9: What are your expectations of Final Fantasy XIII? Not a lot, to be honest. I dunno, it all looks so shiny and... CG. Also, no overworld? I miss having an overworld :(
XII Best Actual Game Design
V Most Fun to Play, Most Ridiculously Great Villain (Exdeath)
FFT Coolest Entry in the Series
FFTA Better Art and Gameplay than FFT (...but somehow not better)
XI The Essential Final Fantasy Experience
X Second Best Art Direction, Second Best Cast
VII Most Rewarding Story (ignoring the sequels)
VI Best World
IV Best Main Character (Cecil)
VIII Most Overrated, Favorite Character (Laguna)
X-2 Somehow destroyed all the character development and EVERYTHING that was good about its predecessor. Probably the most awful, cringe-worthy thing I have ever played. Its like they made a sequel to Shadow of the Colossus where the chick sings J-pop to kill the colossus, thats more fun than the original but a hollow shell that aborts everything good about the first version
(from favorite to least favorite)
1) VII, It was sometime in elementary school, probably third or fourth grade. I'm a junior in college now, so, uh, over ten years? I've played it three or four times since, and it holds up pretty well.
2)Twice, the first time I hated it, but my second time through I fell in love. I'm saving a subsequent play through for when life becomes too heavy a burden to bear.
3)IX has You Are Not Alone, my absolute favorite song, but VIII has such a beautiful soundtrack (Blue Fields, Fisherman's Horizon, Liberati Fatali, The Castle, etc) that none of the other soundtracks can compete with. X is a close second.
4)X, but thats kind of loaded because of that scene where Sin parts the fucking ocean with a lazer. Also the opening sequence is ridiculous.
5)IX, because each and every character has a purpose, a personality and some sort of character progression. Every other game has its duds in the cast, and even though Amarant comes close, IX has the strongest and most developed characters. VIII happens to have my favorite character, Laguna, who is so lovably goofy and I relate to him the most of any character.
6) VIII has the absolute worst cast ever. Laguna, Squall, Rinoa and Seifer are literally the only developed/interesting characters in the entire game. Everyone else is just a walking cliche/stereotype of absurdly shallow proportions. Although maybe its the awful cast that leads you to actually like Squall as a character.
7) XII, its easily the best by leagues. V comes as a close second. Anima (from X) is my favorite summon, and Excalibur in FFT is easily the most awesome sword ever.
8) Necron was totally out of the blue, and not nearly as satisfying an encounter as Kuja. I wish they could have somehow fixed the order of the last bosses, since Kuja deserved to be a lot harder to kill.
9) The battle theme gives me goose bumps, and the chocobo tune is the best yet. Itll automatically be better than X-2, thats for sure.
2. FFVI
3. FFVII
4. FFVIII
5. FF Tactics Advance
6. FFX
7. FF Tactics Advance 2
8. FFX-2 (AWFUL, AWFUL game)
BQ1: What was the first Final Fantasy game you ever played? How long ago was this, and have you replayed it since then? Has it gotten better or worse after all this time?
Final Fantasy III (VI) for the Super Nintendo, and I was pretty young. I've played it many times since, and the story is better the older I get, but the grinding feels more tedious.
BQ2: How many times have you played or replayed your favorite Final Fantasy game? What makes you replay it so much?
Replayed once.
BQ3: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite music? Care to link us to some of those songs?
I probably remember 8's opening song the most, with Opera house song from 6 second, and the Golden Saucer and battle songs from 7.
BQ4: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite cinemas? Care to link us to some of those videos?
8 has a lot of great ones, but the motocycle fights intro from 7 takes the cake.
BQ5: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite characters? Why did you connect so much with them?
9: Vivi is the greatest FF character I've seen, he's kind of like Tidus, only good. I like how fucked up Cloud is and Squall's pretty cool. But I'm gonna say Mog from 6 definitely ranks as my #2 favorite.
BQ6: Which game out of the entire series has your least favorite characters? Why did you dislike them so much?
X-2 is pretty disgusting, and X gets the silver metal for dull characters.
BQ7: Which game out of the entire series has your favorite battles or overall favorite battle system? Why? Do you have a favorite weapon, attack or summon out of the entire series? Be specific!
I like the simplicity of the combat in FFIX. Though I also like the Materia system in 7, and the turn-based strategy of Tactics. Didn't care for the system in 8 at all.
BQ8: Name one thing you didn't like, or wish was improved, in the game you voted as your favorite this week.
The big villain is kind of uninteresting, not the best of the series by far. He's not quite as scary as Sephiroth or as pure evil as Kefka, he's just kind of...there.
BQ9: What are your expectations of Final Fantasy XIII?
I have none. I'm just gonna see how it goes over; no doubts, no hopes.
BQ1: 10-2, no idea how long ago, and i still play it everyday. It gets better because it is an all new experience of awesomeness each time.
BQ2: 37.4, i replay it so much because, well, it is probably the best, most well conceived game ever created.
BQ3: The best song is obviously the 10-2 opening, it's inspirational and uplifting lyrics got me through high school.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt4a0qTKV7k
BQ4: 10-2 cinematics are easily the best, anyone that disagrees with this is obviously either high or Fro(8 was the worst I have ever seen, it is hard to believe anyone can like them, or like GTA more than metroid prime)
BQ5: 10-2 of course, I mean Yuna, Rikku, and paine are all such beautiful and intriguing women. This game has probably the best character development ever seen in video games, and you can't tell me you didn't tear up in the super secret ending when Tidus and Yuna hug.
BQ6: 8, because Fro wouldn't know a good game unless it hit him in the groin
BQ7: 10-2 has the best battles and battle system, it is so fluent and engaging i can only compare it to going down a slide with a sloth, it is THAT good. I will not be specific, weapon or whatnot 10-2 is good, anything not 10-2 is garb.
BQ8: The only thing they could do to improve on such a perfect game as 10-2 is to remake every other game in the series as 10-2. Oh, and maybe add some FPS elements, everyone loves when they add those.
BQ9: I expect final fantasy XIII to be SUGA N RAINBOWS