best Final Fantasy game for PS1? VII, VIII, or IX ?

Pshooter · Post by **Pshooter** » Tue Nov 22, 2005 4:54 pm

which do you guys think is best, and which is most open-ended/non-linear ?

Klatrymadon · Post by **Klatrymadon** » Tue Nov 22, 2005 5:17 pm

They're all pretty linear, for better or worse. I like VII the most purely because it's had so much time to grow on me. It has an absolutely fantastic soundtrack, which carries the entire game to some extent. I tend to see IX as the strongest in terms of things like the character development (which doesn't normally mean anything to a fan of balls-to-the-wall action games like myself, but I do appreciate it in a good RPG

), and it also appeals to fans who've been following this series from the beginning, in that it shrugs off a lot of the angst and 'sleekness', if you like, of VII and VIII. It really succeeds in getting back to creating a good old adventurous, heroic romp.

I enjoyed playing through VIII, but I've never gone back to it. I enjoyed the music and the junctioning system (I have a wee customization obsession), but the story completely failed to grab me and I grew bored of the petulant child act of most of the major characters very quickly.

A lot of people seem to have the same complaints, and I've never let reviews or general opinion colour my views on anything, so it's clear to me that something is lacking in this one. However, it is, generally speaking, a fantastic game - I just hardly ever feel the urge to replay it. No doubt it'll have some staunch supporters here who'll be quick to tell me why I'm so, so wrong.

If you're after recommendations, VII and IX are definitely your safest bets. I'd like to recommend picking up IV and VI first, though (I know this is not what you wanted, but they did get Playstation releases).

extrarice · Post by **extrarice** » Tue Nov 22, 2005 6:15 pm

Bal-Sagoth wrote:If you're after recommendations, VII and IX are definitely your safest bets. I'd like to recommend picking up IV and VI first, though (I know this is not what you wanted, but they did get Playstation releases).

Keep away at all costs! The PSX conversions of those games are just too painful - it's like playing a SNES emulator at 80% speed with a sucky music box, and it takes FFIV around 30 seconds to a minute to save or load a game.

Mind you, FFIV, V, and VI are all great games. It's just a shame that Squaresoft butchered the Playstation re-release of them. If you can, track down the original carts instead.

jpolz · Post by **jpolz** » Tue Nov 22, 2005 7:03 pm

VII and IX were great. VIII was garbage.

judesalmon · Post by **judesalmon** » Tue Nov 22, 2005 7:26 pm

My favourite is VII, and I genuinely think it is the better of the three.

I hated VIII, and loved IX, but everything about VII clicked in a way that the series hadn't done before, or since.

Klatrymadon · Post by **Klatrymadon** » Tue Nov 22, 2005 7:33 pm

Keep away at all costs! The PSX conversions of those games are just too painful - it's like playing a SNES emulator at 80% speed with a sucky music box, and it takes FFIV around 30 seconds to a minute to save or load a game

Ah! I haven't played the PSX versions, so I was unaware of this stuff. Bloody typical, though.

extrarice · Post by **extrarice** » Tue Nov 22, 2005 7:39 pm

Bal-Sagoth wrote:
Keep away at all costs! The PSX conversions of those games are just too painful - it's like playing a SNES emulator at 80% speed with a sucky music box, and it takes FFIV around 30 seconds to a minute to save or load a game
Ah! I haven't played the PSX versions, so I was unaware of this stuff. Bloody typical, though.

I just can't understand why they resorted to shoddy emulation, then charge close to $60 for the result?
The FFI and II remakes are excellent, though.

thesuperkillerxxx · Post by **thesuperkillerxxx** » Tue Nov 22, 2005 7:46 pm

Absolutely gigantic SNES carts translate poorly to disc based systems without any friggin RAM

I bought the FF4 in japan on release day 1997 and played it 10 minutes... absolute shite

EDIT: On topic... 7 and 9 are where it's at. but I would have to say 7 better, because I actually finished that one multiple times. Hades works wonders on ruby weapon.

Ganelon · Post by **Ganelon** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 1:14 am

The SNES ports aren't that bad IMO. They do get better from FFIV to FFVI with less slowdown and loadtimes and better intro and ending cinemas. Saving to memory cards still take way too long but there's temporary memo files for every game that save instantaneously. There are no extras for FFIV&V, FFVI's extras are pretty mediocre but CT has informative unlockables. Sound is weird and there are graphical discrepancies regarding Mode 7 but you do get a much better translation of FFIV as well as a slightly touched up translation for FFVI.

As for Ruby Weapon, Hades is effective but slow. Dazers duplicated via W-Item are a lot faster.

And while FFIX does attempt to attract back older fans, it certainly didn't attract me. Despite its simplistic system, lots of classic cameos, and a revival of the fantasy world, it didn't capture the epic mood of FFIV or the exoticness of FFV for me.

I guess I like FFVII best among the PS-only FFs because it had a refreshing variety of locales not seen before or since in an FF game.

Post by **BulletMagnet** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 4:04 am

VII was the "groundbreaking" one, in terms that it pioneered a system to really be able to customize your characters (namely Materia), but I tend to think that it tried a bit too hard to be "edgy" (though I'm in the minority). The character types are more or less stereotypes by today's standards, but back then they were a lot more unusual for the most part.

VIII replaced Materia with the "Junctioning" system, which was interesting to tinker around with, but took a lot of monotonous "drawing" from enemies...some players take to it better than others. The plot and characters were pretty bad IMO, but as a saving grace the game includes that absolutely genius (again IMO) Triple Triad card minigame.

IX tossed a bunch of elements from previous FFs into a blender and hit "liquify"; the atmosphere was weird as heck (hippo people walking through town and such), but learning techniques from equipment was neat to tinker with. Some really odd battle mechanics though (tents blind enemies, potions only restore at half their normal rate outside of battle, lots of luck-based techniques, etc.), and monotonous stealing (if you want the good items), since the main character's a thief...also, the Tetra Master card game is infinitely inferior to Triple Triad. Chocobo Hot and Cold is fun though.

Those are my opinions, at least...

superhitachi4 · Post by **superhitachi4** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 5:14 am

Pshooter · Post by **Pshooter** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 2:26 pm

how does Chrono Cross compare to the FF titles on PS1 ? some times you hear the game is average, sometimes you hear it's the best rpg on the ps1. The leveling up system sounds kind of strange.

extrarice · Post by **extrarice** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 5:21 pm

Chrono Cross can't really compare to the FF series - different beasts entirely. If you enjoyed Crono Trigger, do pick up Chrono Cross. The two are related, though you don't find out how until nearly the very end.

The level up system is interesting: there are about 40 characters you can find (waaaaaay too much IMO), so the thought of lvling up every one of them is daunting. But here's the kicker - whenever you finish a boss, or some other momentous task, everyone you've unlocked "levels up". These "level ups" increase your basic stats, but as you fight with a particular character, usually after ever battle minor stats increase by a small amount - HP, strength, etc. It does sound strange, but it has the effect of shifting the focus from mindless lvling to finding new "elements" (think Materia - lets you do magic and techniques).

I won't say it's the best RPG on PS1, but it's up there. The music is fantastic, visuals are nice, and the plot is interesting.

(fires up "RADICAL DREAMERS ～盗めない宝石～" on iTunes)

Post by **Icarus** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 5:40 pm

I love FF7. The best of the native PSX Final Fantasys to me.

8 was fun to play, and the Junction System was interesting (albeit flawed, if you managed to find places which had lots of regenerating Ultima or similar high-level magic, and it made the Edea final battle a cakewalk) but the only letdown for me was Squall, and the dialogue in general.

I loved 9 as well, back-to-the-roots fantasy adventure stylings, good magic and abilities systems, and pretty enjoyable. Just too short.

If I had to choose between all of the available FFs on PSX though, I'd pick FF6.

freddiebamboo · Post by **freddiebamboo** » Thu Nov 24, 2005 2:09 am

VII and VIII were both great I thought, with VII being the more enjoyable of the two (mainly due to VIII's god awful flashback scenes).

Never really got into IX with it's overly twee storyline and slightly plain characters. Seemed to lack the humour of the previous games too.

Naiera · Post by **Naiera** » Thu Nov 24, 2005 8:39 am

All three games are great and worth spending hours upon hours with. FFVIII is of course the weakest of the bunch. It certainly has a number of flaws.

FFVII is the best game EVER

FFIX is one of the best games released on the PSX.

sjewkestheloon · Post by **sjewkestheloon** » Thu Nov 24, 2005 10:53 am

as for ff4-6 for everyone's info they are being released everywhere (ie all regions) in the next year on the gba. with extras. it's going to be ace!

i've never played 5 so that can be a first and i'll be working on a perfect file of 4 from the day it comes out. god i love those ff games.

also can't wait for the ds port of ff3 as it looks from vids to be amazing.

Turrican · Post by **Turrican** » Thu Nov 24, 2005 12:49 pm

Best Squaresoft game you can play on a playstation - Final Fantasy VI. And yes, sorry, a butchered port of VI is still miles away from anything else.

Best Squaresoft game designed on playstation hardware - Vagrant Story.

FFT is a good runner up and FF VII is easily the best among the three episodes you mentioned... although it aged quite bad.

Diabollokus · Post by **Diabollokus** » Thu Nov 24, 2005 1:32 pm

Whats the deal with final fantasy numbers?

Is final fantasy 6 the same as 4
Is 5 the same as 3

Dam western release numbers confuse me#

Okay, how many games are between final fantasy 1-6? 3 or 4?

I just bought 7, came with a demo of 8 seems pretty good if a little slow. Final fantasy 5 and 6 are worth playing you say? Is snes emulation on the PC any good for it?

Post by **Shatterhand** » Thu Nov 24, 2005 3:17 pm

Chrono Cross is one of the 3 RPGs I played up until the end (Clocking no less than 50 hours on it) - I guess this means something, coming from an "I only play action games" player - The other two were Shining Force (Best RPG ever IMHO) and Chrono Trigger.

Now, the best Final Fantasy game on the PSX, imo, is Chocobo Racing. And this one isn't even all that good.

Last Guardian · Post by **Last Guardian** » Thu Nov 24, 2005 3:58 pm

BulletMagnet wrote: VIII replaced Materia with the "Junctioning" system, which was interesting to tinker around with, but took a lot of monotonous "drawing" from enemies...some players take to it better than others. The plot and characters were pretty bad IMO, but as a saving grace the game includes that absolutely genius (again IMO) Triple Triad card minigame.

I didn't mind the plot so much and really liked Rinoa but totally agree on the tediousness of the drawing system and Triple Triad. I think thats where most people lost interest in the plot and shifted their focus to hunting down those rare GF cards.

VII and Tactics are my favourites but I really enjoyed most Square psx games apart from Vagrant Story, just didnt get along with the battle system.

extrarice · Post by **extrarice** » Thu Nov 24, 2005 6:05 pm

Diabollokus wrote:Whats the deal with final fantasy numbers?

Is final fantasy 6 the same as 4
Is 5 the same as 3

Dam western release numbers confuse me#

Okay, how many games are between final fantasy 1-6? 3 or 4?

Here's how the NA/Japanese release breakdown went:
Japan---NA
1---1
2---not released until FF Origins on PSX and FF Dawn of Souls on GBA
3---Not released, coming to DS soon
4---2, then re-released as 4 in FF Chronicles for PSX
5---Not released until FF Anthology
6---3, then re-released as 6 in FF Anthology for PSX

After this point the numbers went straight across. Which is why it was confusing for the NA market when FF7 came out, because we just finished up "FF3"...

Diabollokus wrote: I just bought 7, came with a demo of 8 seems pretty good if a little slow. Final fantasy 5 and 6 are worth playing you say? Is snes emulation on the PC any good for it?

SNES emulation is fantastic on the PC. FF6 is definately worth playing, FF5 is also good.
If you don't want to spend the time to get the emulator and find roms, you can subscribe to Console Classix for $5 US and get access to SNES, Genesis, NES, GB/GBC, and Atari 2600 games. (NES and Atari 2600 games do not require subscription). It's kind of an online rom rental service.

Post by **BulletMagnet** » Thu Nov 24, 2005 9:38 pm

extrarice wrote:4---2, then re-released as 4 in FF Chronicles for PSX

It's worth noting, I think, that there were 2 releases of FF4 in Japan, "easy type" and "hard type"; the original US release of FF4 (as FF2) was based more closely (though not exactly) on the "easy type" game; the PSX re-release was based on the "Hard type," and was also (IIRC) retranslated.

extrarice · Post by **extrarice** » Thu Nov 24, 2005 9:57 pm

BulletMagnet wrote:
extrarice wrote:4---2, then re-released as 4 in FF Chronicles for PSX
It's worth noting, I think, that there were 2 releases of FF4 in Japan, "easy type" and "hard type"; the original US release of FF4 (as FF2) was based more closely (though not exactly) on the "easy type" game; the PSX re-release was based on the "Hard type," and was also (IIRC) retranslated.

Correct. I finished the SNES FF2 over a weekend. The PSX remake so far hasn't been that easy

And for the sake of completeness, there's Final Fantasy Mystic Quest, a painful addition to the series - very kiddie, very easy. It was intended for the US market, as Square didn't think (and rightly so, at the time) that we could handle decent RPGs. It was released later in Japan as "Final Fantasy USA."

Post by **Icarus** » Thu Nov 24, 2005 11:44 pm

Turrican wrote:FFT is a good runner up and FF VII is easily the best among the three episodes you mentioned... although it aged quite bad.

Yeah, FF7 hasn't really aged well, although I still laugh when I see Cloud and his big spiky head at the very beginning of the game. I still think that a remake of FF7 using the Advent Children CG models would kick all kinds of ass.

I forgot about FF Tactics. That game ruled. A lot of the PS1 Square games were pretty fun to play, like Xenogears, Parasite Eve, Vagrant Story and Brave Fencer, although there are notable exceptions (Parasite Eve 2, I'm looking at you).

Last Guardian wrote:I didn't mind the plot so much and really liked Rinoa but totally agree on the tediousness of the drawing system and Triple Triad. I think thats where most people lost interest in the plot and shifted their focus to hunting down those rare GF cards.

I think that's the main problem with FF8. Triple Triad was a lot more fun to play than the actual game and it's "suck magic from enemies" mechanics. While in concept, drawing magic is a good idea for an RPG (magic ammo!) for a game like FF8 it doesn't quite work, and would be better suited to a tactical or action RPG, something with a faster pace.

Ganelon · Post by **Ganelon** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 3:01 am

BulletMagnet wrote:
extrarice wrote:4---2, then re-released as 4 in FF Chronicles for PSX
It's worth noting, I think, that there were 2 releases of FF4 in Japan, "easy type" and "hard type"; the original US release of FF4 (as FF2) was based more closely (though not exactly) on the "easy type" game; the PSX re-release was based on the "Hard type," and was also (IIRC) retranslated.

Arguably, Easytype was based on and modified from the US release since it came out later. And what's commonly referred to as "hard type" is just the normal FFIV while "easy type" is actually called Easytype.

Zach Keene · Post by **Zach Keene** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 3:37 am

FF4ET actually snuck out first, but it only beat FF2US by a month or two.

I have no proof, but I suspect what happened is that the FF4ET people sent an early version down to the translation department (which then became FF2US) while continuing to fiddle around. Doing it the other way around (basing FF2US on FF4ET) doesn't make any sense, since it would require restoring several bugs and undoing a zillion changes to weapon stats.

Diabollokus · Post by **Diabollokus** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 10:18 am

The whole remake ff7 business is rather strange

Square say they would like to do it if they had time but a game that size would take years. The theres this dirge of cerberus business and the FF7 ps3 trailer. Certainly people will buy it but is there any real point?

Surely just remaking a game for graphical reasons is the purest form of evil in the game industry.

AntiPasta · Post by **AntiPasta** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 10:50 am

I'm gonna be the voice of dissent here (I can safely assume without reading all the other posts) by saying that I like VIII a lot more than VII. Pah.

extrarice · Post by **extrarice** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 5:40 pm

AntiPasta wrote:I'm gonna be the voice of dissent here (I can safely assume without reading all the other posts) by saying that I like VIII a lot more than VII. Pah.

OOooooo, somebody's gonna die today.........

(disclaimer: I haven't finished 7 or 9, haven't started 8, so I really have no opinion)