Which FF has the best Replay experience?

[Rydrum2112]

Thought I would ask for people's opinions on this I don't know if it has been done before.

First a few things to clear up-
I want to stick to the modern era games- not the legacy ones, to me this means from FF6 and on [and not 7 and on as these forums define it].

I also want to stick to the console games.

By replay I don't mean a "new game +" or playing the game immediately after you finish. What I mean is when you replay the game a few years later, at least a year between play throughs.

 

[Rydrum2112]

In my mind 7 was the best initial play through, and I was surprised to find that after recently replaying (6-12) that I thought 8 was the most fun. Behind that I thought X had really go replay value too.

 

[Exoskeleton]

I think 6 and 8 are the most replayable for me. I've played 8 more times than I could count and am still not tired of it! I also found that 6 holds my attention very well. I'd say those two were really fun for me though. Hope I helped!

 

[alec]

I would say FF9. It's relatively shorter than the other FFs I've played, but replaying it is still challenging and entertaining.

 

[Soupgirly]

I would say FFX, I really love to play it the whole time! I love the story, the battles and everything. I played it nine or ten times and I'm still not tired of it, because it's fun to run through Spira and fight or make any missions, fight dark Aeons or get Anima and such.

 

[Demon]

Out of the available options, I'd choose 6 for replay value. It's rather simple and somewhat lends itself to the imagination well.

I have to say that X-2 is pretty replayable, it's arguably a bit open-ended and the experience can be a bit different depending on how you play. But since I didn't really like the game in the first place, I'm not going to vote for it.

 

[Ayen]

I'd say it's a toss up between X and VII for me. X because of the great storyline I can never get tired of no matter how long it's been since I last played it, and VII because of all the freedom you have once out of Midgar and the storyline.

 

[Meds]

To me they all have pretty good replay value (except for x-2, that game was more of a chore to me) and I've beaten VI,VII,VIII,IX, and X at least 3 times each.

However, I've finished VIII I think about 7 or 8 times, which is by far the most. I don't know why, as my favourites are VI and VII, but I guess it just has a lot of fun parts to it that made me want to experience it over again so many times.

They are all such wonderful games though...
*thoughtful sigh*

 

[Dishy]

Huh...well since you ruled out a new game +, X-2 is out. That game is pretty replayable, although I don't actually like the game all that much.

I personally find the early parts of VI to be a bit of a chore to replay through - for me the game doesn't start to really come together nicely until you reach the midway point.

VII replays quite well at the beginning with the bombing mission, the infiltration of Shinra HQ, etc. however I tend to find that once you leave Midgar - and especially more so after Junon - the game loses a bit of steam and I personally have a little bit of trouble motivating myself. (Case in point, I tried to replay VII after a good two years-ish recently, but I only got as far as Nibelheim). It is generally a brilliant game though, and a great choice to replay if you have the patience for the slow parts of the game.

VIII is actually probably the game I've replayed the most, so that speaks for itself to me. Despite the odd part of the game dragging a bit, those parts are interspersed nicely with interesting parts of the game, so it never feels like much of a chore. It's quite nicely paced IMO.

IX is absolutely awesome, and definitely worth replaying. I actually think it's probably the best-paced game in the series, and I don't particularly remember any part of the game that dragged much for me. Definitely either this game or VIII.

X... is an awesome game, but the advent of voice-acting and non-skippable cutscenes mean that this game can drag significantly more than other games in the series, and after the first playthrough I personally find the early hours of the game to be incredibly dull. Your call though. It's not that the cutscenes themselves are bad, I actually find the voice-acting in X to be quite agreeable, but hearing it over and over... ugh.

I've never completed XII, but I have restarted a few times, so I can hazard a guess, and I reckon XII would be too much like hard work to restart, considering how much there is to do in the game - you've got all the hunts, the Sky Pirate's Den, the bestiary, etc. Plus there's so much goddamn micromanagement in this game, from buying items and equipment, to buying the licenses FOR the equipment, plus your magicks, technicks, augments, and buying/setting gambits...
Plus money is quite short in this game, so doing all of that stuff is even more of a pain in the arse because you have to grind for loot. -.-

Hope this shed a little light, it's just my opinion though.

 

[Matseb2611]

Still can't put a definite vote out there, as I've only played VI, VII, IX and nearly finishing X soon, and also a bit of VIII. But from these so far, VII has been quite nice for replay value as I started replaying it a few days ago and the last time I completed it was about this time last year. VI seems nice for replaying too. I played it last month for the first time and now want to play it again.

 

[Rydia]

IX. For me, it's the game with the least amount of "dreaded" parts. You know, those short few parts in a game that you absolutely hate.

Plus I find the characters to be some of the most interesting in the series. And I love the mini games and sidequests, specifically chocobo hot and cold.

 

[Hilda Garde III]

Tough one for me, I'll tell you right now i enjoy replaying IX the most, i could play that game for the rest of my life
But i'm biased, and if i had to pick which game truly has the most replay value it has to be XII easily.
Loved the game although it's not one of my favourites, the freedom you get almost straight away, the nearly limitless different ways you can develop your characters, the hunts/sidequests and length of it win it for me.

 

[Rydrum2112]

It is really interesting to read people's opinions.

It is almost universal that the game with the best replay value isn't the initial best game. it is like the game we didn't like as much on initial play gets better- maybe we focus on the little things more knowing the main plot lines or something?

It is cool to see that these games are all good enough that each one is worth replaying- that should tell you something in and of itself.

Meds sums it up perfectly,

"They are all such wonderful games though...
*thoughtful sigh*"

 

[LLCJOneTwelve]

Has to be VII for me. Just a personal favourite, love the characters, the setting, the story, the musical score, is, imo, one of the best. Loved the amount of play time, some of the weapons, almost impossible to beat. Cant remember the amount of times ive played and finished it.

 

[strifehart]

I know it's not an FF game, but I've gotta say that of all the square games I've played, Chrono Trigger has by FAR the most replay value. 11 new endings available on the second playthrough? And you get to keep all of your stats and equipment? AND you unlock new bonus stuff with each ending you view? Sign me up.

 

[Gingerbread Lesbian]

Personally, I think it depends on the preference towards an individual title anyway, since you're more likely to stick at a replay if you enjoyed the game first time round or have a particular passion for that game. Nevertheless, I wouldn't say any of them have a better replay value over any other title. I think Final Fantasy XII probably has the hardest, yet longest replay value since you could easily be at it again for another 200+ hours, especially if you're a perfectionist. Final Fantasy VII - Final Fantasy IX probably have the easiest replay value since they have the best storylines, and are by far more popular in general.