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What Are Your For Real Favorite Final Fantasies?
- Thread starter Issun
- Start date
madhair60
Video games
IV, VII and IX.
VII was the one I first played and the first time I was aware of the series. It's still magical.
IX was the first one that was mine, by which I mean I didn't experience it through someone else; I bought it myself, with my own paper route money, and I dug the shit out of it.
IV is just - and forgive me for this - a game I played on PSP as part of the very alluring "Complete Collection", and its QOL features allowed me to enjoy an old JRPG of its vintage for the first time. In a sense it's the game that made me go "ah, this genre isn't a total write-off for me", so I'm grateful to it.
Honourable mention to XII, which is a majestic thing.
VII was the one I first played and the first time I was aware of the series. It's still magical.
IX was the first one that was mine, by which I mean I didn't experience it through someone else; I bought it myself, with my own paper route money, and I dug the shit out of it.
IV is just - and forgive me for this - a game I played on PSP as part of the very alluring "Complete Collection", and its QOL features allowed me to enjoy an old JRPG of its vintage for the first time. In a sense it's the game that made me go "ah, this genre isn't a total write-off for me", so I'm grateful to it.
Honourable mention to XII, which is a majestic thing.
That was surprisingly difficult, one more vote choice and V woulda' got it from me. And mine aren't likely to change by anything new, despite anticipating XVI. Also? The PSP version of IV is incredible and it's a crying shame its trapped on that good but obsolete platform, nothing to apologize for - ever! 
Beyond commentary above, my picks were IV, VII, and XIV.
IV's story and especially the characters meant a lot to me, most notably Cecil's path of change and redemption. I can still feel the unease and fear some of the boss fights and alotta' the latter sections of the games put me through when it was new to me.
VII is still so mega-popular but oh well, we can't always pick what affects us and I'm looking forward to playing Remake when I have the time! If I voted again this could just as easily been V for many, many reasons.
XIV... lightning in a bottle, its that simple.
Beyond commentary above, my picks were IV, VII, and XIV.
IV's story and especially the characters meant a lot to me, most notably Cecil's path of change and redemption. I can still feel the unease and fear some of the boss fights and alotta' the latter sections of the games put me through when it was new to me.
VII is still so mega-popular but oh well, we can't always pick what affects us and I'm looking forward to playing Remake when I have the time! If I voted again this could just as easily been V for many, many reasons.
XIV... lightning in a bottle, its that simple.
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VI is #1 for me, no question. It was my first, and the intense grip nostalgia for it has on me is almost impossible to shake.
XIV has come up from behind rather quickly in the past few years to the number 2 spot. Everyone here who plays it can understand why.
I ultimately gave my third vote to V, though I was torn between it and IV and VII. I have the most nostalgia for IV out of those three, but these days I mostly play it through the randomizer. VII still holds up but its influence is tiring. V I still play fairly regularly thanks to the fiesta, the system makes it very easy to revisit.
XIV has come up from behind rather quickly in the past few years to the number 2 spot. Everyone here who plays it can understand why.
I ultimately gave my third vote to V, though I was torn between it and IV and VII. I have the most nostalgia for IV out of those three, but these days I mostly play it through the randomizer. VII still holds up but its influence is tiring. V I still play fairly regularly thanks to the fiesta, the system makes it very easy to revisit.
Becksworth
Aging Hipster Dragon Dad
VII is one of those groundbreaking titles that is still fun to play today.
I appreciate what XII was trying to do and how it's kind of a proto Xenoblade gameplay wise.
Then the original I guess for old school dungeon crawl charm?
Honorable mention to IV. I liked it as a kid, but I played the US babby version and subsequent rereleases I've tried all seem to favor balls to the wall difficulty, so it's hard to go back to.
I appreciate what XII was trying to do and how it's kind of a proto Xenoblade gameplay wise.
Then the original I guess for old school dungeon crawl charm?
Honorable mention to IV. I liked it as a kid, but I played the US babby version and subsequent rereleases I've tried all seem to favor balls to the wall difficulty, so it's hard to go back to.
Three only is tough, every Final Fantasy is a precious baby, but I ended up goin with V, IX, and VIII.
V because it's the quintessential game in the classic mode. Just bursting at the seams with interesting and expansive mechanical ideas. People say it's got a weak story, but it really is a huge refinement of the storytelling techniques pioneered in IV. I like the focus on the small cast engaged in a whimsical adventure too. It's like a Saturday morning cartoon in all the right ways. Endlessly charming and endlessly replayable.
IX because it's the cumulation of the static-backgrounds-3D-models style of JRPG before technological advances would make it obsolete and it's Square's most sophisticated work in that style. I really like it's storybook aesthetics too.
XIII because I dunno. It's kinda a remarkable attempt. I got a lot out of it the last time I played and it's stayed with me. It's bold and singular and ambitious and I really admire it.
Bonus favorite because it wasn't on the list but should have been: 7R.
V because it's the quintessential game in the classic mode. Just bursting at the seams with interesting and expansive mechanical ideas. People say it's got a weak story, but it really is a huge refinement of the storytelling techniques pioneered in IV. I like the focus on the small cast engaged in a whimsical adventure too. It's like a Saturday morning cartoon in all the right ways. Endlessly charming and endlessly replayable.
IX because it's the cumulation of the static-backgrounds-3D-models style of JRPG before technological advances would make it obsolete and it's Square's most sophisticated work in that style. I really like it's storybook aesthetics too.
XIII because I dunno. It's kinda a remarkable attempt. I got a lot out of it the last time I played and it's stayed with me. It's bold and singular and ambitious and I really admire it.
Bonus favorite because it wasn't on the list but should have been: 7R.
At this point in history, the fastest click went to FFXIV. No question. It's just... everything. It's the über-Final Fantasy. Anything I could possibly want out of an FF, it's there, and I don't mean the plethora of franchise references.
VI is still the second favorite.
Third was the hardest, though. I veered wildly between V, XV, IX, and IV and my choice would likely vary depending on mood and atmospheric pressure. But eventually went with IV, predictably. I know everyone hates it now and it's not "right" to even like it, but it's still the archetype and it still made a huge impression on me that would shape my interests and expectations to this day.
VI is still the second favorite.
Third was the hardest, though. I veered wildly between V, XV, IX, and IV and my choice would likely vary depending on mood and atmospheric pressure. But eventually went with IV, predictably. I know everyone hates it now and it's not "right" to even like it, but it's still the archetype and it still made a huge impression on me that would shape my interests and expectations to this day.
So, FFIV has to be #1. It was one of the first SNES games I got and I own four different versions of it (...and have played three others, plus many romhacks) and it has both a powerful nostalgia value and a big influence on my personal storytelling style and what I think a jrpg should be.
I put I and VI as my other two picks, though those are weaker choices and I think are influenced by this particular time in my life when I don't have the time and focus to replay the longer, later games. I adored IX when I last played it, but that was 15 years ago. I was amazed by X when it came out and wish I could sink more time into the remaster. I don't know how much I can praise VIII and XII, given they both have major flaws, but I enjoyed them both immensely and I appreciate what they were striving towards. I really enjoyed the XIII trilogy, though the odds of me replaying it any time soon are slim.
(I'm not going to get in-depth so as to not rain on anyone's parade, but II and V never clicked for me; I don't share everybody's love for VII even while I acknowledge it was groundbreaking; and I've never played XI or XIV.)
I put I and VI as my other two picks, though those are weaker choices and I think are influenced by this particular time in my life when I don't have the time and focus to replay the longer, later games. I adored IX when I last played it, but that was 15 years ago. I was amazed by X when it came out and wish I could sink more time into the remaster. I don't know how much I can praise VIII and XII, given they both have major flaws, but I enjoyed them both immensely and I appreciate what they were striving towards. I really enjoyed the XIII trilogy, though the odds of me replaying it any time soon are slim.
(I'm not going to get in-depth so as to not rain on anyone's parade, but II and V never clicked for me; I don't share everybody's love for VII even while I acknowledge it was groundbreaking; and I've never played XI or XIV.)
Possibly my vitriol about it over in the main FF thread. To be clear, it is okay to like it and I'm sorry if my dislike of it was off putting!
I had a hard time picking between IV and VI, but superior nostalgia from my particular history gave the nod to IV. I put down X as the only one I could think of where I got hooked to the point of tackling endgame bonus content, and XIV as just an all-around lovely game that I'm still playing.
It's V, VIII and XIII. All stellar in writing, characterization, core cast dynamics, big emotions, women getting to do stuff and being featured, character-building mechanics/battle systems, music, monster design, meaningful world design structurally or texturally, integrating and infusing storytelling with series cosmological concepts, villains/antagonists, a sense of novelty or innovation. I don't have many complaints; if this stuff is in order I will probably like your game, and could easily apply it to many or most other series games too, but the mixture is most potent in this trio for me.
This is really tough. FFVI got me into the series and was my favorite for a long time, but lately I might actually prefer V and VII over it. I also love X and XIII. I have never had the urge to replay XII after beating it the first time, but I thought it was the best game ever while I was playing it.
I guess I'll vote for... V, X and XIII.
I guess I'll vote for... V, X and XIII.
I don't know if this is a bit or what, but you can just click "Change Vote" if you actually misvoted.
Anyway:
*nods respectfully to Yimothy as a personage of refined taste and distinction*
I had to vote for XI. Nobody else had and I did spend a lot of time with it in college. And its how I ended up here!
I voted for the original. One of the first games I ever played, along with Zelda that captured my imagination and made me want to come back.
X got my last vote. Everything between 1 and 10 I essentially skipped for a long time because of lack of access to consoles. 10 was my re-introduction to the series.
I would like to have voted for V. Its the one I've enjoyed as someone going backwards the most.
I voted for the original. One of the first games I ever played, along with Zelda that captured my imagination and made me want to come back.
X got my last vote. Everything between 1 and 10 I essentially skipped for a long time because of lack of access to consoles. 10 was my re-introduction to the series.
I would like to have voted for V. Its the one I've enjoyed as someone going backwards the most.
This is not a bit - I had not noticed that button lol. Thanks
I would say XII is far and away my favorite. The world is beautiful, the combat system is both restrictive enough to force consideration and open enough to allow push and pull, and the supporting characters are my favorite of any game in the series (I also like the main characters, but I think the real strength of the game is how they place in the world around them, as conduits for a world that requires the player to believe it).
V would be the one that "challenges" that. Probably my favorite main cast, and it's completely effortless in how they work off each other and build alongside the best job system in the series. I also love the conceits of the main struggle. I think it gets flack for being "a game about broken crystals" but it makes the actual cosmology around it and the consequences on a living planet thoughtful.
Then I voted for II. There's plenty that'd be under consideration, but i want to give it credit it's likely not going to get when limited to three choices.
V would be the one that "challenges" that. Probably my favorite main cast, and it's completely effortless in how they work off each other and build alongside the best job system in the series. I also love the conceits of the main struggle. I think it gets flack for being "a game about broken crystals" but it makes the actual cosmology around it and the consequences on a living planet thoughtful.
Then I voted for II. There's plenty that'd be under consideration, but i want to give it credit it's likely not going to get when limited to three choices.
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VI was an easy shoo-in. The rest were tougher.
I ended up picking IX an XII. I think after that, VII then X round out my top 5.
I ended up picking IX an XII. I think after that, VII then X round out my top 5.
I played them backwards from IX until X came out and the first few impressions stuck a lot stronger than the later ones, so IX and VII are way up at the top for me. VI would've been too, but then I got really into XIV. VII Remake is still my real favorite though, just narrowly edging out IX.
For me, FF8 is locked in. Even though FF15 came along and did a lot of what I loved about 8 but better. I'm already hesitant to vote for FF7, just because FF7R alone. FF10 is also hardlocked. Man this is so difficult... very mean poll, Issun!
Like everyone else, one pick was easy and I really labored over the other two choices. FFVI was a lock and probably will be in my top echelon of games from now until eternity. I've always said VIII was my second favorite but having experienced more of both the new and the old, I hesitated for a bit before locking it in. After that it gets really shaky but ultimately I had to give it to V for being the swan song of the classic era and just being a damn fun game even if I find myself returning to VII, IX and X more often.
I'm withholding judgement on XIV until I finally get some free time and feel like tackling Heavensward and beyond.
I'm withholding judgement on XIV until I finally get some free time and feel like tackling Heavensward and beyond.
F
I might lose some cred when I say it was the DS version I played, though. I really enjoyed it as a somewhat modernised game that kept the old ways about it. Even if I did have to redo the final dungeon three times because the last place you can save is outside of it.
You and me, JBear, you and me.
I might lose some cred when I say it was the DS version I played, though. I really enjoyed it as a somewhat modernised game that kept the old ways about it. Even if I did have to redo the final dungeon three times because the last place you can save is outside of it.