If I had any doubt to play it now, or to postpone it, well it has vanished. Going to play it immediately after I finish FF 6 (which shouldn't take long). Thanks for the review, much appreciated.
Heard about Xenogears, but right now I have many games in 'to play list'. Probably after a year or two.
No problem. Yeah, fair play. You've got a lot to go through with FF as it is.
Good on you with Chrono Trigger, it's class. You will absolutely love the FFs after that, too.
Cina said:
Chrono Trigger is better than all FF's, bar VI.
I think this is one of those things that people say a lot without necessarily arguing satisfactorily for. I can understand people saying it's the more impressive achievement than the games that came after it, but it is by no means clear cut which is the best out of the top JRPGs. It's just seen as some sort of incontrovertible truth that those two (FF6 and Chrono Trigger) are the best, but when you actually line them up against each other it seems less certain.
Comparing Chrono Trigger with FF9, say:
FF9:
Has a better and in general more engaging plot.
It has much, much better dialogue. This is then further compounded by the fantastic ATE system which gives greater substance to the setting and characters' personalities.
The relationships between the characters are vastly superior, and the links between the main characters and the storyline dwarf that of Chrono Trigger.
The villain(s) are deeper and more elaborate characters, again with better links to the main characters.
It is more difficult in terms of the battles themselves in my opinion, although this is probably going to be subject to opinion.
The levelling system is also better. Both systems are basic, although you cannot really get any more simple than the one in Chrono Trigger. FF9's is more complex and the customisation requires greater thought. It also makes every accessory/item worth getting.
'Synthing' and 'eidolons'. Synthing is a great idea, and in FF9 they do well to keep eidolons useful right until the end of the game. It's not like in FF8 whereby they become largely obsolete (barring Eden perhaps).
With Chrono Trigger:
The game is a lot less linear. This adds a lot to the game and makes general play more of a challenge.
The premise is more original - probably the most unique in any RPG i've come across. It is pulled off extremely well and the way the plot is done in view of that is clever.
Battles are less random, mostly not at all. Random encounters in JRPGs are notoriously annoying, and avoiding battles is an easier way to make the game a challenge.
Seems a pretty marginal strength by comparison, but the difference between 'Charm' and Zidane's 'steal'. fecking hell...steal is so annoying.
The music in the two games is of a comparable standard. I also think both games are comparable in the sense that they've made every character useful in their own way. It's next to impossible to pick out a best character/team in either game. Finally, with regards to sidequests, it depends what you want in a game. Character sidequests in Chrono Trigger is a great idea, but then again none of them are particularly challenging and seem disproportionately rewarding. The card game in FF9 is the complete opposite here as it has no reward whatsoever really despite being fantastic.
The chocograph side-quest is easily the best on either game and maybe the best in all of FF. The stuff with the sealed boxes in Chrono Trigger on the other hand is cool, though. I fecked one of them up because I didn't realise at first what could be done but luckily it wasn't all that in the end.
I haven't mentioned graphics here because people don't see that as having any bearing on comparisons, but you can obviously stick that with the plus points of 9 if you see it as significant. Personally I think the graphics are significant not just for the aesthetics of a game, but for the feel and seriousness with which you take it. With a storyline based game this is obviously important, although it is relative and not something you would consider if you're playing a game at the time of its release.
Ignoring that though, there is clearly a contest there and an argument to be had. I suppose it may depend on what you prioritise as being important.