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Final Fantasy 9's opening hour is the most lavishly produced artifact of the PS1 era
- Thread starter ScOULaris
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Dreamwriter
Member
While I enjoyed the game, at the time I didn't think it was anything great. In fact, I thought the game was a little too fan-servicey. An overreaction to fans disliking FF8's dark technology-based story.
Novel Mike
Member
To me, I've always thought that FF9 is the true successor to the 16 bit entries. FF7 is widely popular for many reasons but game never felt like a real Final Fantasy to me, I see Final Fantasy is a Fantasy RPG with light to mild sci-fi elements and 7 was a Sci-fi RPG with very light Fantasy elements (most of which were things that excited in previous FF games). FF8 was a better mix of the two but it still focused more on the sci-fi then the fantasy elements, FF9 was a true return to form and really felt like a successor to FF6 then FF7 ever did and thats why I think its much better then the other PS1 FF games.
It wasn't just that for sure, the characters have much better defining arcs. Steiner is a completely different person at the end of the game compared to the beginning and I love his line when he makes fun of
I don't think all of the characters were developed perfectly (Quina, Amarant, and Freya all felt very secondary compared to the main 4 and Eiko) but you can pretty much say the same about several characters in every FF game. Then you have the story that was exceedingly well done (although it has some slow points for sure) and easily the best ending in the series.
Man I love FF9.
It wasn't just that for sure, the characters have much better defining arcs. Steiner is a completely different person at the end of the game compared to the beginning and I love his line when he makes fun of
Zidane and Garnets relationship after they comment how he fell for Beatrix and you even see Garnet get a bit huffy in response
Man I love FF9.
Mechanized
Member
I've done the intro like 10 times in the past 2 years and I always quit immediately after. Lol
Finished it back in the day though.
Finished it back in the day though.
One of the reasons why I love FF IX as well. Cutscenes in this game have everything. Opening of the game does a wonderful job on introducing you to Alexandria and the main characters. Every other cutscene in this game is pretty bad ass though. You´ll see OP. You´ll see.
And of course, obligatory;
Still one of my favourite boss themes in the series, Dark Messenger
FF IX OST is Uematsu's masterpiece imo.
And of course, obligatory;
Still one of my favourite boss themes in the series, Dark Messenger
FF IX OST is Uematsu's masterpiece imo.
6, 7, and 8 were all dark technology stories. 6 had its Magicite and 7 had its Mako. It was time for something like 9 again.
BuckRobotron
Member
FFIX is in the minority of rpgs where I always enjoy revisiting the entirety of the game, beginning to end. That even includes the cg movie events that I prefer to skip (if possible...) in many other games including some FF titles. Not that I mind story, I now strongly prefer in-engine and/or as-you-play story delivery now, minimize downtime.
But in FFIX I always enjoy such things as the Alexander v Bahamut vid or the ending sequence.
But in FFIX I always enjoy such things as the Alexander v Bahamut vid or the ending sequence.
John Kowalski
Banned
my heart
DiipuSurotu
Banned
Back in 2010 Sakaguchi released the original script for FFIX's opening:
http://web.archive.org/web/20111211083946/http://www.mistwalkercorp.com/en/column/pg187.html
http://web.archive.org/web/20111211083946/http://www.mistwalkercorp.com/en/column/pg187.html
butman
Member
This, the last true FF.
Relaxed Muscle
Member
True, one of the best moments in FF.
*presses [SELECT]*
Finished this game back when I as a 6th grader or 7th grader or so, I'm still grateful that I bought FF9 with my savings.
God, this game contributed a huge part in how I learn English and how it shapes my childhood, I still remember reloading several times just to see the CGI Princess cutting her hair.
God, this game contributed a huge part in how I learn English and how it shapes my childhood, I still remember reloading several times just to see the CGI Princess cutting her hair.
FFIX has a great deal of music in it but not all of it strikes me as particularly inspired, probably because of how much he had to write in such a short period of time. Compare to VI's soundtrack, which is almost entirely godly.
Most underrated dungeon ever.
in every MMO I've ever played I've always named my main character Ipsen. It's never taken and it sounds so good off the tongue.
Worldshaker
Member
I can't wait to replay IX. It's been a long time, and I absolutely love the world and everything is has to offer.
theofficefan99
Junior Member
The entire game is amazing.
JudgmentJay
Member
Because opinions. To me it has he best world, characters, and art in the franchise. The battle system is fine, especially when sped up. I very much prefer the more fantasy-based Final Fantasy games, and this one is the pinnacle.
That goes with out saying, not sure why you posted it.
Mine was a statmeant and not a question.
The speed thing I don't get either, the speed while a major problem is not remotely the worst part of the battle system in my eyes.
JudgmentJay
Member
Unless my memory is failing, it's a pretty standard turn-based combat system. What's bad about it?
Movalpolos
Banned
I still play through this every few years. Brilliant fucking game and still holds up with so much charm. You can also play co-op with a friend during battles.
Absolutely my favorite FF of the PS1 era.
Absolutely my favorite FF of the PS1 era.
Aside from the speed the Trance system is pure trash.
Auto activation and the ability to lose it before you've used it. I personally found it worthless and just unfun to use.
There is nothing about entering combat that feels enjoyable to me in FF IX. It's a very similar feeling of going into battle in PAper Mario Sticker Star.
The Right Deal
Banned
The pacing is what really makes the opening so special to me, lots of action while still giving you time to dink around in the world.
JudgmentJay
Member
I mean... disliking the entire battle system because limit breaks can sometimes come at inopportune moments seems like a pretty weak argument to me. But whatever floats (or sinks) your boat. I don't think the combat system is anything special, but I don't think any turn-based system is. They're neither good nor bad.
The best part about that song is how the melody is worked into most of the themes of places related to Terra.
Oelivert
Chamber of a Thousand Faces
Ipsen's Castle
The Four Mirrors
Terra
Terra is a beautiful theme.
Best Final Fantasy, with the best protagonist and romance. Love it.
I will always be the only person in FFIX threads who likes Amarant but fuck it he's awesome and I don't care much for freya nor quina. Eiko is awful though.
I will always be the only person in FFIX threads who likes Amarant but fuck it he's awesome and I don't care much for freya nor quina. Eiko is awful though.
ShadowOfTheIco
Banned
You could easily make a case for FFIX being the best produced game on the PS1.And I wouldn't argue with that.
I've been playing mainline Final Fantasy games since I was 9 years old in 1990, and this one is still my favorite one. I still can't believe to this day how much I enjoyed this game. I think I'm due for another replaying of it soon. I'm saddened that I'll probably never enjoy a Final Fantasy as much as this one, with the way the series has been going, but for me today the love and anticipation for a new JRPG is solely for Persona.
Battle may be a little slower in today's world, but it never felt overly drawn out to me. I also love that it brought back the 4 person party. I mean I was also kind of weird running both Eiko and Garnet in my party, so my DPS was even lower than most people. The pacing of the story was fantastic, and the You're Not Alone scene itself is still my favorite moment in all of Final Fantasy history. The only Square RPG I liked more than FFIX is Xenogears.
I think I'm gonna put this soundtrack on loop in my car again.
Battle may be a little slower in today's world, but it never felt overly drawn out to me. I also love that it brought back the 4 person party. I mean I was also kind of weird running both Eiko and Garnet in my party, so my DPS was even lower than most people. The pacing of the story was fantastic, and the You're Not Alone scene itself is still my favorite moment in all of Final Fantasy history. The only Square RPG I liked more than FFIX is Xenogears.
I think I'm gonna put this soundtrack on loop in my car again.
Completely agree. FFIX is my favourite game of all time, even though I pretty much always quit at disc 4 in my replays. The opening scenario, with the interleaved stories of Zidane/Steiner/Vivi, the play, the minigames, the vibrant and rich world, and the turned-on-its-head kidnapping story is one of my most treasured gaming memories.
I would personally extend the appreciation of its scenario design all the way through the end of disc 1 at least, and probably up through the end of Terra. At *every* point you are doing a memorable thing in a memorable place. Your party members are each on their own adventures, with groups forming and reforming in ways that make sense and keep things fresh. Some highlights for me are Burmecia, Cleyra, the Ice Caves, The Forest, Terra, Kuja's Palace, The Forgotten Continent... okay, pretty much everything.
I think this attention to scenario design is what's missing in JRPGs. There's a huge population on portable, but each one I play I quit quickly despite very competent battle systems and beautiful art. It seems like scenario design has fallen by the wayside. Bravely Default is a great example - I personally find it irredeemably boring to motivate the beginning of a story by having an opaque evil destroy some magic crystals/other macguffins.
VII and VIII also have impeccable opening scenario design. Eco-terrorists attacking a reactor, then hiding out in a city beneath a city, culminating in a battle through a corporate headquarters. A military academy, complete with trial against Ifrit and a live-fire situation in a besieged city. X does alright, but suffers as soon as it falls into the (I'm sorry to use this term, but) lazy scenario device of having to go to N temples and do N trials, to get N aeons. When the cast has to accomplish a number of tasks, all for the same reason, I personally lost motivation. I prefer to have good reason to be in each place, or no reason at all.
Anyway, sorry for the manifesto. Love this game.
I would personally extend the appreciation of its scenario design all the way through the end of disc 1 at least, and probably up through the end of Terra. At *every* point you are doing a memorable thing in a memorable place. Your party members are each on their own adventures, with groups forming and reforming in ways that make sense and keep things fresh. Some highlights for me are Burmecia, Cleyra, the Ice Caves, The Forest, Terra, Kuja's Palace, The Forgotten Continent... okay, pretty much everything.
I think this attention to scenario design is what's missing in JRPGs. There's a huge population on portable, but each one I play I quit quickly despite very competent battle systems and beautiful art. It seems like scenario design has fallen by the wayside. Bravely Default is a great example - I personally find it irredeemably boring to motivate the beginning of a story by having an opaque evil destroy some magic crystals/other macguffins.
VII and VIII also have impeccable opening scenario design. Eco-terrorists attacking a reactor, then hiding out in a city beneath a city, culminating in a battle through a corporate headquarters. A military academy, complete with trial against Ifrit and a live-fire situation in a besieged city. X does alright, but suffers as soon as it falls into the (I'm sorry to use this term, but) lazy scenario device of having to go to N temples and do N trials, to get N aeons. When the cast has to accomplish a number of tasks, all for the same reason, I personally lost motivation. I prefer to have good reason to be in each place, or no reason at all.
Anyway, sorry for the manifesto. Love this game.
Nekemancer
Neo Member
I'm a big fan of FFIX.
My FFIX OST is signed by Uematsu.
And this is the first time I've ever heard of a PLUS soundtrack......
I cannot even explain how excited I am to be able to hear new music that was composed for this game. I went and purchased a copy the moment I saw that it was still relatively available. Thank you for sharing this info!
GinoFelino
Member
I'll ask you guys too:
Does the NTSC version of Final Fantasy IX look noticeably better than the PAL version?
What with PAL versions often having black bars, being slower and having worse-looking CG..Is this the case for ps1 Final Fantasy's?
If so, I'm buying this for the fourth time.
Does the NTSC version of Final Fantasy IX look noticeably better than the PAL version?
What with PAL versions often having black bars, being slower and having worse-looking CG..Is this the case for ps1 Final Fantasy's?
If so, I'm buying this for the fourth time.
MulderYuffie
Member
I really need it too it's my fav FF game i'm so excited to replay it.
Weltall Zero
Member
Yup, FFIX had an incredible rollercoaster ride right up to the forest. The two parter opening sequence, the play (flamenco included), the getaway... all of it perfect.
semiconscious
Member
the last final fantasy that went all in on the 'fantasy' part, & still the greatest of'm all 
...
...Tar-Miriel
Banned
cant wait for those hd cutscenes on the steam release!
SpaceDrake
Member
It's really clear they wanted the whole game to be like Dollet. The Galbadia Infiltration section has much the same vibe, but after disc 1 they just had no idea where to take the story and had "Final Fantasy plot beats" to hit and it fell apart. VIII wanted to either be what XV has become, or wanted to just flat out not be an FF game and be a Metal Gear game instead - a game about modern high-powered operatives and whatnot. It gets really hobbled by being forced into a "Final Fantasy" frame later on.
Theodoricos
Member
FF9 truly is one of the best Final Fantasy games and it has one of the strongest intros in the franchise. I adore this game - it really is a love letter to fans of the original FF installments.
I slightly prefer FF6's first few hours to FF9's, but both are amazing.
I slightly prefer FF6's first few hours to FF9's, but both are amazing.
Great post right here. I could not agree more.
No thank you.
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