I'll leave out the nes -games from the end in face of the fact that their plot and gameplay mechanics are too simple, graphics too ugly and music too miserable. Vote for the game you think of as best. Selectables are FFIV - FFX. I'll give my own vote for... well you figure it out. ;)

Oh btw. The last question has an error in it. The last selectable is FF X, not FF XX. Not yet anyhow. :rolleyes:

[ November 29, 2002, 10:07: Message edited by: Forashi ]

Poll Information
This poll contains 5 question(s). 43 user(s) have voted.
You may not view the results of this poll without voting.

Poll Results: Final Fantasy Poll (43 votes.)

When did you play your first (any) Final Fantasy game? (Choose 1)
* 1988-1990 - 7% (3)
* 1990-1992 - 0% (0)
* 1992-1994 - 5% (2)
* 1994-1996 - 16% (7)
* 1996-1998 - 30% (13)
* 1998-2000 - 26% (11)
* 2000-2002 - 16% (7)

Which (any) Final Fantasy -game was the first one you ever played? (Choose 1)
* FF I - 14% (6)
* FF II - 9% (4)
* FF III - 0% (0)
* FF IV - 0% (0)
* FF V - 0% (0)
* FF VI - 9% (4)
* FF VII - 44% (19)
* FF VIII - 12% (5)
* FF IX - 7% (3)
* FF X - 5% (2)

How many, and which games (all) of the Final Fantasy -series have you played? (Choose 10)
* FF I - 35% (15)
* FF II - 35% (15)
* FF III - 40% (17)
* FF IV - 49% (21)
* FF V - 49% (21)
* FF VI - 63% (27)
* FF VII - 84% (36)
* FF VIII - 79% (34)
* FF IX - 60% (26)
* FF X - 44% (19)

Is Final Fantasy uniqueness corrupting because of its huge growing popularity? (Choose 1)
* Yes. - 30% (13)
* Perhaps a little. - 21% (9)
* Not sure. - 12% (5)
* Not really. - 19% (8)
* Definitely not. - 19% (8)

Which one(s) of the following Final Fantasy -games was the best? (Why?*) (Choose 2)
* FF IV - 7% (3)
* FF V - 2% (1)
* FF VI - 16% (7)
* FF VII - 53% (23)
* FF VIII - 16% (7)
* FF IX - 19% (8)
* FF XX - 19% (8)

FF Five all the way! Getting to be any class was the best! Why can't you choose Final Fantasy 1, 2, or three for the last question?

As I said, FF 1-3 were nes-games (not sure about 3 now that I think about it). And nes is too underdeveloped, and far too geek -exposed (meaning, many would vote them not because they were really that good, but because they feel more "original" and "better" fans by doing so).

Edit: Btw, some still make the mistake of confusing FF 3 (US -version) with FF 6 (Japanese, original version). In Japan already 6 FF:s had been released, but their sixth was but the third one in US, so it was renamed Final Fantasy III. Most FF:ers know this.

[ November 29, 2002, 14:25: Message edited by: Forashi ]

I found X to be the best for me. Sure it was very linear, but I really hate games where you have too much freedom. I'm there for the story, not to run around looking for a key. It's graphics are quite simply a pleasure to look at, and the story is the best i've seen so far. My all time fave game, it's the one that sets the PS2 apart from the competition. Just every aspect is brilliant, from switching people in combat, to Bliztball league matches. I remember I got an Early Demo of the game with FFVI, I forgot all about the game I had bought and played the demo over and over again. Not a better game can be played anywhere.

[ November 29, 2002, 22:55: Message edited by: Z-Layrex ]

FFX isn't the best in the series in my opinion. Sure, they added voiceovers and it looked damn good but it was a pain in the neck to give your characters abilities (that whole sphere thing drove me nuts!) However, to it's credit I will play FFX over FFVIII any day of the week, hated that game through and through and there are no decent things to say about that piece of ****.

Thumbs up for FF VIII. I know that many people don't like this one, but i don't know why. I think it was still very good and i had great time playing it. Ok, maybe because i cheated with cocobo world mini game, but who cares since you don't like it. I somewhat liked junction system and all that drawing smagic, it seemed really arcadical. But the story, so many turnarounds, who could follow that... Ok, FFVII had (has) great (best) story!

VIII was my fave one on the PS1.

I like my RPG's with some character background, and that the background should be interesting.

Hence I don't like FF8, (Oh, isn't it a coincidence that we all came from the same foster home)

Seven, now theres a story with some backbone. Every character, besides Cait Sith, had a background with a story effecting aspect to it. Cait Sith's background is *SPOILER SPOILER* Reeve's, so you don't discover anything about him besides he has a heart (When he disagree's with something its usually for a good reason)

Enthasius that's the exact reason that I like FFVII. I couldn't stand the story in FFVIII, I thought that the main character Squall was a ****. With a bad story the whole Junctioning thing made the game unplayable to me.

I liked ffX, and I loved FF3/6. but none, bar NONE, can even begin to compare with FF7. it has earned its place in the hall of fame alongside chrono trigger and various other games.

--FenixStrife

FF6 is the best one.

My first FF was FFVII which was great, but with all FF games when nearing the end it becomes tedious, power up this, max this and so on and so on.

I played FFII - FFVI after FFVII and I wasn't impressed (partially because I didn't really get into the story due lack of time) so my fav is FFVII

Oh yeah. Chrono Trigger has to be THE best console rpg ever. And agreed, FF VII is the best psx game, second best crpg ever. Never played FF X, once saw it during a short visit to a friend of mine but that's it. Chrono Cross was ok as well, though it could've been a whole lot better. Too many main characters in it and the world was too small and simple. But I did like the musics.

FFVII is the best one in the series (second master summon coming next weekend, finally i did beat emerald weapon... ruby to go...).
I actually loved junction system in FFVIII (and beating Omega Weapon)

I've only played two of them, FFIX and FFVII.

And out of these, the first one's probably my favourite, but I like both of them.

I got FF9 first, but soon after I needed to get another one. so I got FFVII, because I found it in a second hand bit.

Does anyone know where I can buy FF8? :confused:

Does anybody know, are they at least planing to transfer FF IX or other sequels to PC?

Final Fantasy VI / III. Locke, Sabin, Celes, Terra... Despite limitations of SNES, they had personalities and their own background -be it a short one. The graphics were good, better than any of the previous ones or even VII, which had toyish characters, or VIII, which was just ugly. The music was not only listenable but enjoyable and the game system was done very well. Plus the game had dozens of secrets and no (weird) japanese humor (like fat chocobos falling from the sky). So, yeah; FF VI/III is the best of the serie...

[edit] But then; I haven´t played FF X...

[ January 02, 2003, 20:09: Message edited by: Virne ]

Virne, I already mentioned that the US version Final Fantasy III (yes the one you are talking about, with Celes, Terra, espers etc) is in reality Final Fantasy VI. In Japan, the sixth Final Fantasy was the third one to be published in US, and for that reason it was renamed FF III for the US version. So put your vote based on that.

I don't think it's too old or shallow either, every SNES Final Fantasy is supposed to be there for you to vote on. I only left the NES ones out. And even when I think that some of the GB FF Legends are good, I don't think it's fair to compare them with SNES / PSX / PS2 versions.

Let me just first of all say that I never liked any of the Final Fantasy games I've played. Except FF VII. Sure, the graphics suffer in comparison to newer ones, but the story was interesting, the characters had real depth, and the magic system was very interesting.

And Red XIII was just too cool. ;)

[ January 03, 2003, 06:46: Message edited by: Kam ]

I quite like FFVIII when I first played it, since it was the first FF game I was ever introduced to. While I ended up enjoying VII better in the end, VIII will always have a sentimental value to me. But my favourite? X. All the way. I loved, adored, relished, and every other descriptive word I can think of, that game. I loved the sphere grid. I loved the summons. I loved the characters. I cried at the end. My secret fantasy is to meet a guy like Auron :D (Though preferably not....well, that would be a spoiler. But you know what I mean.)

Yes, yes; I know, but I had to state it again to make the matter crystal clear (as there are always some lazy bonzos that skip most of the talk). It was a matter of no importance anyway.

[ January 03, 2003, 18:40: Message edited by: Virne ]

That fourth question is interesting (the one about uniqueness corrupting). FF4 and FF5 did seem to be very similar in plot; defending crystals unsuccessfully. But some repeating traditions do make things interesting. I especially liked seeing a Cid in every game.

FF 8 and 9 were the best! FF7 was pretty good.

FF7 and FFX were the only ones I enjoyed.. a lot.FF9 was hard but not because it is challenging but because of some ridiculous reason.It takes a while to use an item and while waiting you get your ass kicked by the beasts.Sometimes you don't even get to use it, you die before you get to.

I have played all the FFs(except tactics) and it is impossible to like one more than the others.
They are all great games in my not so humble opinion :)

I'm a FF freak all the way. I've played all of them except for the first two. I have to say they were all terrific games and any critisisms I make are based on each other.

The best in my opinion was FF8. Even though the character models were horribly rendered (even for PS standards) the game played well and the story was enthralling (I didn't mind the huge coincidence because it was such a huge plot twist). The junctioning system was good, but in the hands of a seasoned player you can break it into oblivion- when I powergamed my way through the game I got Squall to 6000 hp and damaging around 8000 by the end of disc 1. The card game was a nice distraction, it was also vital because you got most of your items faster through refining cards into items.
But the thing that made FF8 stand out from other FFs was its touch of reality. There was no real "bad guy", just people in different situations trying to make the best of it. It had people worried about passing exams and people facing the harsh realities of life. That's what I loved about the game; the way it rung true to reality.

The worst FF, in my opinion, was FFX. Though a great game in its own right, it paled compared to its cousins. It was way too linear; I like a story and I like some guidance but not that much, not when it hinders my ability to explore my surroundings and enjoy the scenery. One other I hated about it was the sphere grid. It was WAY too tedious, especially for people like me who like to buff their characters to the max at the end of the game. Another thing which stank was its lack of sidequests; sure it had sidequests for the ultimate weapons but nothing that was purely for the benefit of your enjoyment or some interesting tidbit about the story that made everything come toghether and made you understand something about your character.
In it own defence, FFX did boast the best soundtrack of all the FFs. The graphics were truly amazing and the new twist on the summons was truly original.

Anyway, my butt is getting tired after all the sitting I've been doing. I guess I'll go back to playing FF8 (for the 9th time no less).

It appears that so far most people were introdued the th FF ganes through FFVII on the PS1, including me ;) . It is still my favourite, and the ones that came after have just seemed very weak to me. I despised VIII with a passion. Really despised it. For a succesful RPG you have to like the character you play, and that fool was just some huffy jumped up twat. I never even got past the train hijack in it I hated him so much. What a waste of a potentialally good game. What a tragedy.
Haven't played X yet, but to be honest, after VIII and IX I'm not bothered about it. Besides, I no longer have a PS2 :p .
I did love the idea of the coolection of the earlier games on the PS1 too, but never got a chance to play them all and complete them before I moved from Scotland, and my flatmates PS2 ;) . Soon though, soon ;)

/me has evil plans to correct this BWAHAHAHAHAHA :evil:

FF7 is truly terrible. That is where the series took a turn for the worse. FF6 was the last good FF game, while FF4 is the overall best. Unless you count FF tactics - which was, incidentally, made by the guys who did Ogre Battle (a superior RPG series in my opinion).

After FF6 the series lost a lot of good things in my opinion. "Technology" was always used sparingly (airships and such), but it was done in a tasteful manner. With the arrival of FF7 they just went overboard and the whole technology thing and it lost its mystique (I especially hate that some characters can use guns now).

Quality characters? That ended with FF7 as well. Sometimes simplicity is can be better than complexity. Cecil is 10 times the hero that "Cloud" (worst name ever btw, on top of that he looked absolutely ridiculous) will be. Then you also get a barrage of lame characters such as Barret and that stupid stuffed animal. You may hate Edward the bard, but at least he had a background.

All in all the series headed in the wrong direction. Instead of doing something unique and heading into uncharted waters they decided to cater to the masses. An unfortunate decision for us hardcore RPG fans.

Yes, the choice to go for the masses is a very common one these days. And it's unfortunate that ppl such as I for example, who're more apt to like the special things that don't sell well on the market, are then left without good products. IMO though, FFVII was the last game true to the original FF-saga. And even though FFVI was good, I consider FFVII the best of the all the FF:s. Though FFVI still has a more important part of my memories, being the first game I ever played.

Nice way to say it Jesper! I didnt play all parts of the series since i have only PC and i didnt have the will to play the very first part(s). Still i didnt notice anything related to my question so if someone does know anything about transfering IX-th and X-th part to PC please say it, even if he knows that they wont be transfered.

Btw. is Bleem still best PS emulator and does it have version to emulate PS2 or there is something better?

[ January 14, 2003, 08:05: Message edited by: ToTaL ]

Yes, there is a PS2 emulator much better than Bleem, I won't link to it here, I don't think we're allowed. Just do a search.

Not really on topic but I must add that I just finished ChronoTrigger and it is one helluva game! Magus must be one of the coolest characters ever.

I've played FF since the original on the NES (not that i really knew what it was when i played it, albeit somehow i did manage to beat it... you can do crazy stuff as a 6 year old, anyhow) to date I've played them all (learned how to read/speak Japanese just for games in general and for FFII and III) and excluding FFT....FFIV is the best. it had a basic, easy to follow storyline that was done really well, FFVI was good, but it had too many characters trying to be the main character and it took away from it in a few ways. I'll not even speak of any after FFVII....and i'll speak of FFVII only because it did introduce more people into RPGs thus making them more mainstream and therefore there are now more of them. Give me Cecil and Kain any day over Cloud or Squall. Give me Rydia and Rosa way over Aeris or Tifa or Rinoa. Alright, enough ranting for me, thats my 2 gold pieces anyhow

I, unfortunately, have not played the nes-games :( though I have played FFVII-FFX and, imho, FFX had the best graphics (it is newer & on a more developed platform after all) and the mini-game was sweet...I would just spend hours & hours playing blitzball...

I am an absolute diehard FF freak. I finished FF9 like 6 times, FF10 3 times, FF8 not(by that time ff9 whas released so I quit ff8). Personally, I prefer FF9 and FF10 (can't choose)
I have played a total of 650 hours on the FF series (I am not joking). And oh yea, the sphere system in FF10 is very original and allows you to form your own presonal character and make him whatever you want. :D ;) :)