Final Fantasy 9

Since it's kinda in the theme to go and do FF9 since FF7 and 8 have been done to nicely wrap up that vein of the PS1 series, and this is our 50th review, I suppose this wasn't a suprise to anyone. So lets begin.

FF9 was a diversion for Squaresoft, per se. Final Fantasy 8 tended to be way too hardcore for your general RPG gamer, and the four discs of deep story and strange plot twists tended to turn people off in the middle of the first disc. For most people, it always seems like the first disc of ANY Final Fantasy game is just too long, and it seems like they crammed in too much story- but thats for impatient people. For us patient people, FF8 was good, but overall, it wasnt an easy game.

Enter FF9. Final Fantasy 9 is a very lighthearted game which seems to parody its old games while also taking parts from them, mixing it up into an almost mishmash of an RPG world. The game feels the most like Final Fantasy 1, with similiar characters/enemies/systems, but very graphically beautiful (For the PS1). Any long-time existing fan of the Final Fantasy series will recognize numerous references to almost every game in the series, giving it kinda a geekish feel.



The story and characters need to be commended for their light-feeling-ness. When you play this game, it doesnt feel very like very "Heavy" gaming- the enemy is bad, the characters are good and lighthearted, the world is immense and free, and the battle system is pretty fun. I consider this a "Break" from the dark overtones in FF7 and 8, which is a very good thing. This game might be pretty simple to play, but the system and story are suprisingly deep- but I never really did get that "Weighted Down" feel I get with some games. Its extremely hard to describe.

The battle system also is pretty interesting. Instead of sticking with the FF1 system, which would have made sense with all the other references to it, it creates a happy blend of FF7 and FF1 mechanics. Essentially, to gain magic or abilities, you equip armor or weapons with it. Of course, getting enough Magic EXP-like points will let you keep that magic indefinately. Also, it prevents you from overpowering by giving your character a level-dependent amount of points you can assign to magic, making you choose which abilities you REALLY REALLY want.



The graphics are OK. Compared to today's graphics, they naturally suck. However, keeping in mind that this is the PS1, this is pretty d*** good. It keeps up the Final Fantasy tradition of having picture backgrounds and 3D characters, but this time around the characters are MUCH more detailed, and the movies in-game are very animated and very interesting to watch. It has a kind of animalistic style, which might be fun for furries, but I really didn't notice it that much.

As for the music, again, more blowjobs to Uematsu. He matches the music so perfectly for the game that it basically helps the style go well, and I doubt that without it the game would have sold so well. Uematsu could probably turn any bland game and make it genius, and this is no doubt. Also, as an interesting note, he uses some old syntesizer-ish sounds in the music, reflecting FF1.

One annoyance with this game is, like any PS1 Final Fantasy game, some could consider it too long. If you get hooked into the game this is fine, but some people may beg for forgiveness- it seems like you're cursed with endless dungeons, bosses, and enemies. However, lucky for you that the story doesnt stagnate, and that it keeps the game along at a nice pace, but it just seemed that some of the sidequests and the like were a little too long for comfort. Then again, long sidequests are a bonus- typically, they feel tacked on.



One other gripe, which couldnt really be considered a gripe, is that it seems like Squaresoft became obsessed with Card battle systems for a time. Of course, this was somewhat close to the Pokemon fad, but I still think the card battle systems in both FF9 and FF8 were unneeded. It was VERY deep in this game, but sometimes I'd prefer having a longer, more complex main story than have all these little card battle things going on. Plus, I hate having to collect "Powerful" cards so I can get some ultimate item from a... card player. Lots of sense, Squaresoft- the geeky guy who is the best at cards carries a really powerful sword/armor/accessory/item? Sure.


Overall, I give this game 5 stars. While it might be to kiddy/anamalistic for some, it really is a nice light diversion from the heavy, long, complex games like FF5 and FF8. If you're looking for a game that will get you into RPGs, this might be it. However, if you are looking for a game more akin to the dark feelings of FF8 or Shadow Hearts, this isnt for you.

5 star(s) out of 5

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