Starting the Final Fantasy franchise : need directions?

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TheFallen0999

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Hi(if the post is at the wrong place in the forum, please tell me),

I really want to start the Final Fantasy franchise for a long time, but don't know which one to start with. I can play the Final Fantasy III to VIII, FF:tactics, FF origins (on the psvita), also those who are playable with the recent consoles (ps3/xbox360). I also think I can play X and X-2.

The principal reason I want to play the (not the whole) franchise is because of the plot. Story is one of the main reason a game will be good(for me). That's why I would like some advice on which one of the series I should start with. I don't want to be confused by what is going on or have constant references about earlier games without knowing what happened. So which one should I start with? And which one should I avoid playing(because it'll be a waste of my time)? What are the must play in the franchise? Advice would be kind :)
 
This is a very... open ended question... you can ask 20 people this question and get 20 different answers :wacky:

But here is my advice...

My favorites were Final Fantasy IX, IV and Tactics. If you like Tactical RPG's I would definitely play Tactics. To me Tactics probably had one of the most amazing story's in the whole franchise. IV and IX though are just as amazing and are very easy to pick up and easy level up systems, so you wont be wondering too much about too much.

If you get those I would say get Tactics on the PSP (or download it on your Vita) along with IV. Tactics on the PSP version is slower than the PS1 as far as battles are concerned, but it is better translated and a lot more things to do in the PSP version. as far as IV on the PSP, you will get the main game and the sequel both in one (y) So never can go wrong there.)

IX only came out on PS1, but was amazing, and beautiful game. The characters are all great, and the plot is amazing.

If you want a change from the "fantasy" feel of most RPG's, with a medieval times, and a change to something more... Sci-Fi feel with it, then I would say go for VI, VII, and VIII. These three games vastly differ from each other and the rest of the series.

VI (probably my favorite out of these three) is argued to be the best Final Fantasy game (and best RPG ever). There is not one main character, so you can flip out whenever you want, and the story is so amazing and enemies are... unforgettable.

This can also be said about VII, again this one is argued to be the best Final Fantasy in the series (and again one of the best RPG's ever). This one has probably the most famous enemy in any Final Fantasy game. Sephiroth, who has basically earned the rights to be one of the best villains in almost any RPG.

If you want to do VIII, this one is very good story wise, but the leveling up, and GF/Draw system does take some getting use to. The monsters level up with you, so it isn't as simple as just fighting until you are strong enough. You will have to do a lot of things to get your characters to be the strongest they can be.


So I would start with any of these games, they give you a variety of what Final Fantasy has to offer in the other games, and are great as stand alone games.

As far as what to avoid... If you don't like MMORPG's (where you pay monthly) Stay away from XI and XIV (not out yet, but if you were thinking of buying it.)

Also I hate to say it, but I would avoid I and II, and probably III. They weren't bad games for the time, but today I has little to no plot, and the "level up" system in II is very annoying to get use to. As far as III is concerned, It for me just had a very... boring plot.

Hope this helps (fwi you can get IX also on the Vita)

Also if you want to get X and X-2 I would get it when the HD version comes out on the PS3 (y)
 
I think the majority of people I know i'd recommend them VII, VIII, IX, and X. These are the ones I first played before delving into spinoffs and smaller titles like tactics and I believe these will give you what you seek.

Alongside amazing soundtracks, these 4 are personal favourite games let alone final fantasy titles. Great stories, unique features in each game too.

Any of us on here would give you any help if you needed it, me included. I'm on steam pretty much all day ._. so feel free to get in touch.
 
Go with whatever you think looks most appealing.

No one is going to hold it against you if there's a game you can't stand to play.

I enjoyed

Final Fantasy Tactics
Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy VI

The most.

I still enjoyed games like the original Final Fantasy, VII, VIII and Tactics Advance, but those are my favorites. Titles I feel kind of sort of about: II, IX, XII. Did not enjoy: IV, V, XIII.

The perpetual doom of being trapped in a shit trilogy but a half decent game with a lot of room for improvement if you ignore the entire story and pretend academia is just a terrible dream you had: XIII-2.
 
To all of you : VI to VIII and IX are the most recommended on forums and they seem really appealing, but if I start with VI, will I miss a lot of plot? And yes, I'm new to "real" rpg (like Final Fantasy, the one I've played was a mix of shooter/rpg).

Thank you all for your opinions, I will carefully consider them ! :D
 
Well.. You wont miss any plot... none of the games are connected except when they say X-2 or something like that...

Also if you start with anything before VII just remember that they were on the NES and SNES first, so they are 2D graphics... and VII-IX are PS1 era graphics... Not sure how big you are into graphics, so just a heads up.
 
Oh, I didn't know they weren't related. For graphics, I don't really mind, as long as the story and gameplay still give me an immersive experience :D
 
In that case my personal favourites that I'd recommend are VII, VIII and X.

IX really encapsulates the spirit of the old games really well, but I don't like the battle system as much as some others. It's still a great story and has great music though.
 
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