Gaming The Final Fantasy Thread

What's your favourite single-player FF?


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Going through it now makes me realise that it really must've been ridiculously good when it first came out. I will have to play FF6 again at some point to get an idea of which one I prefer. I'm edging towards thinking that I prefer this but am not really sure as it's a long time since I played 6 now.
 
The Desert Palace was great. Esto Gaza next for you

The music is great, the puzzle is fine.. apart from one part where I always get stuck :lol:

It's just because you are stuck there with your rejects, oh and Dagger not concentrating was annoying. My first team is so much better than the rejects it's not even funny. Zidane, Eiko, Freya, Amarant= win. Damage, utility/flexability, survivability/healing, the only thing it lacks is AoE damage outside of Eiko.
 
The music is great, the puzzle is fine.. apart from one part where I always get stuck :lol:

It's just because you are stuck there with your rejects, oh and Dagger not concentrating was annoying. My first team is so much better than the rejects it's not even funny. Zidane, Eiko, Freya, Amarant= win. Damage, utility/flexability, survivability/healing, the only thing it lacks is AoE damage outside of Eiko.

"Gwok!"
 
Had one of the most longer fights I had ever. Intangir (that boss fight that is on an island in north east). Stop, fight, stop, fight, stop, fight x100.
 
Yup, Instagir is a complete dickhole. I watched a dude take like 40mins to kill him :lol:

I went there with not my best warriors and after about 10-15 minutes we were on tie (minus a lot of Phoenix Down and Potions). I could have defeated him there, but it would have take me another half an hour and probably 30-50 Phoenix Down and Potions. So, I had to restart the game and fight him with my best party (Terra, Locke, Edgard and Cyan) and I equipped them well and had on two of them the Stop spell. It was a long fight but this time he had no chance.
 
Yep, that fight sure can get pretty damn long. It's definitely one you should get your best team for and get them nice and prepared for it too. Otherwise, it's not gonna be much fun!
 
Finished the first part of the game. Now, it's World of Ruin. Kefka is the most annoying antagonist ever, his laughing is terrible. Can't wait to chop his head.
 
Preferred Sephiroth more to Kuja, too. There was more depth to his character and his background, and the link with Cloud - the best character in all of FF for me - made it even even better.

Kefka was just mindlessly fecked in the head for the most part but still a good villain.
 
Yeah that's why Kefka is so good as a villian, he's just doing all that shit because it amuses him. He's got no other motives, he doesn't care for control or the Empire he just straight up wants to feck everyones shit up because he thinks it'll be a laugh.
 
Yeah that's why Kefka is so good as a villian, he's just doing all that shit because it amuses him. He's got no other motives, he doesn't care for control or the Empire he just straight up wants to feck everyones shit up because he thinks it'll be a laugh.

True. One fecked up mentalist, that's for sure.
 
True. One fecked up mentalist, that's for sure.

How are you doing on Chrono Trigger, KingEric? I am thinking to go into it, after I finish this (hopefully 'till weekend). How does it stand compared to Final Fantasy 4, 6 and 7?
 
How are you doing on Chrono Trigger, KingEric? I am thinking to go into it, after I finish this (hopefully 'till weekend). How does it stand compared to Final Fantasy 4, 6 and 7?

Nearly finished it, unfortunately. It's a great game and a must play - pretty much a carbon copy of Final Fantasy so you can't really go wrong. :D The one thing that sets it aside and distinguishes it from most FF games (admittedly a pretty huge deviation) is a seriously cool idea. Won't say what it is but it's a great thing to have in an RPG. There are elements of it in other FFs but not to the same extent as in this game.

I think it's definitely better than 4, at the same sort of level as 6 and a fair bit behind FF7. I know it's controversial to say that 7 is better, but the difference in the quality of dialogue, the character interaction and the depth of plot between the great SNES JRPGs and the great Playstation ones I've played (and hopefully Chrono Cross which is next up!) is very clear in my opinion. With Chrono Trigger certainly there is no comparison in this sense with the likes of FF7, 8, 9 and also Xenogears. I know people would respond to this by saying that it's quite a light-hearted game and that this is the style, but that doesn't take away the fact that the game is impacted in these ways. The comparison to draw I think is with FF9, which is as you can see by this last page or so is an absolute masterpiece despite being comical and jokey in places. That's more of a throwback to the earlier FFs, but it weaves a beautiful story with top class dialogue. Chrono Trigger's story is still very good and a hell of an adventure, though (said it earlier in the thread but this genuinely must've been absolutely fecking amazing when it first came out). I prefer the story of this in some ways to that of FF6's in fact, although the criticism I level at Chrono Trigger in particular up there cannot be done so to the same extent with FF6. There is definitely more depth to that in terms of the characters and the in-game issues.

As far as plus points go, what's interesting is that I now really can see why some might have been disappointed at the comparative linearity between the two sets of RPGs. Chrono Trigger is a lot more open than the later FFs (more akin to 6) and leaves you needing to think a bit about how to proceed. This is arguably a pretty big advantage in comparison to FF7 et al. The battle encounters are less random too which is a bonus and there's some decent strategy to go with them at times.

The levelling system is basic but good in its simplicity (again, not a patch on the materia system of 7 or the ones in 8 or 10 in my opinion). The soundtrack... it is seriously good. I'm looking forward to finishing this just so I can download it all and listen to it on repeat! Reading up about it, it seems that Uematsu had a hand in this towards the end so it's no surprise. Mitsuda and Uematsu...talk about a dream team.

Basically, definitely play it! It's got a cool story, a quality premise and an amazing soundtrack. It doesn't surprise me at all that it is constantly lined up alongside FF6 as one of the greatest RPGs. It is such a clever game and an enormously impressive achievement.

Would recommend Xenogears for your to do list too, by the way. ;) That's another cracker with a pretty mind-blowing plot. The game itself is honestly quite dull sometimes in my opinion but the story is so gripping that it drags you through it. Square sure know how to churn out an RPG!
 
On to disc 4 tomorrow. The final few hours of disc 3 were just brilliant.
I'd forgotten so much about the game's plot that it was like experiencing it for the first time again.

The part where Zidane is injured and walking down the corridor trying to fight by himself might actually be up there for great gaming moments for me.
 
Nearly finished it, unfortunately. It's a great game and a must play - pretty much a carbon copy of Final Fantasy so you can't really go wrong. :D The one thing that sets it aside and distinguishes it from most FF games (admittedly a pretty huge deviation) is a seriously cool idea. Won't say what it is but it's a great thing to have in an RPG. There are elements of it in other FFs but not to the same extent as in this game.

I think it's definitely better than 4, at the same sort of level as 6 and a fair bit behind FF7. I know it's controversial to say that 7 is better, but the difference in the quality of dialogue, the character interaction and the depth of plot between the great SNES JRPGs and the great Playstation ones I've played (and hopefully Chrono Cross which is next up!) is very clear in my opinion. With Chrono Trigger certainly there is no comparison in this sense with the likes of FF7, 8, 9 and also Xenogears. I know people would respond to this by saying that it's quite a light-hearted game and that this is the style, but that doesn't take away the fact that the game is impacted in these ways. The comparison to draw I think is with FF9, which is as you can see by this last page or so is an absolute masterpiece despite being comical and jokey in places. That's more of a throwback to the earlier FFs, but it weaves a beautiful story with top class dialogue. Chrono Trigger's story is still very good and a hell of an adventure, though (said it earlier in the thread but this genuinely must've been absolutely fecking amazing when it first came out). I prefer the story of this in some ways to that of FF6's in fact, although the criticism I level at Chrono Trigger in particular up there cannot be done so to the same extent with FF6. There is definitely more depth to that in terms of the characters and the in-game issues.

As far as plus points go, what's interesting is that I now really can see why some might have been disappointed at the comparative linearity between the two sets of RPGs. Chrono Trigger is a lot more open than the later FFs (more akin to 6) and leaves you needing to think a bit about how to proceed. This is arguably a pretty big advantage in comparison to FF7 et al. The battle encounters are less random too which is a bonus and there's some decent strategy to go with them at times.

The levelling system is basic but good in its simplicity (again, not a patch on the materia system of 7 or the ones in 8 or 10 in my opinion). The soundtrack... it is seriously good. I'm looking forward to finishing this just so I can download it all and listen to it on repeat! Reading up about it, it seems that Uematsu had a hand in this towards the end so it's no surprise. Mitsuda and Uematsu...talk about a dream team.

Basically, definitely play it! It's got a cool story, a quality premise and an amazing soundtrack. It doesn't surprise me at all that it is constantly lined up alongside FF6 as one of the greatest RPGs. It is such a clever game and an enormously impressive achievement.

Would recommend Xenogears for your to do list too, by the way. ;) That's another cracker with a pretty mind-blowing plot. The game itself is honestly quite dull sometimes in my opinion but the story is so gripping that it drags you through it. Square sure know how to churn out an RPG!

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.
 
I was playing through Chrono Trigger a few months back, was really enjoying it. Then I stopped playing it for a while and now whenever I go back to it I can't remember what the hell I'm supposed to be doing :(
 
If he worked for IGN he would have said;

IGN are strange at times, but they had FF6 as their No.1 RPG, while Chrono Trigger in second place. A decision applauded by many gamers.

No, but I presume you're referring to their recent 100 Greatest RPG list, which I guessed the top 2 of correctly before they even began the countdown :)

Exactly. I remember a strange dude called John Cena (or something like that) praising FF and Chrono Trigger at a time that I haven't played any of them. Turned that he was right.
 
I completed FF9 last night. Uni work and FM were my breaks in between finishing it but it is a superb game. After playing FF8, i thought they'd gone backwards with the graphics when first playing it but it doesn't matter. The graphics suit the game, and the story and characters are one/some of the best.
 
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. :lol: 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. :D

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.
 
I definitely don't agree on all this dialogue business, you have to remember FF6 pushed boundaries there, and although pretty good, all those since aren't really amazing in the grand scheme of things.

Plus, and this is very overlooked, you should try the fan made roms that actually properly interpret the original scripts. The USA versions of the snes JRPG's had plenty of crap rushed translations.

There's no way any of the later FF's stack up to 6 or 7, and I'd place Chronotrigger as a better game than 8/10 and alongside 9/7 myself. Oh and even if they occassionaly get something right, feck IGN.
 
Can we all agree that Final Fantasy VI has the best soundtracks? Or there is another JRPG that is better at it?
 
Tough call. VII and VIII had pretty incredible soundtracks too.

And FFXIII, considering how poor the actual game was, actually had a great soundtrack, though not quite on the level of earlier games.

 
VII had Aeris theme which could be the best video game theme. Cloud theme was pretty good too.

VI though looks that it has better themes in general, with Terra's and Celes as the best one.

IV, can't remember any great theme there.

Need to update this after I'll play the others.
 
I've only played VI but it sure does have a breathtaking soundtrack. Even in the lower quality sound form it's in. I spent a whole day listening through the whole soundtrack, something i've never actually done with any other game before.