I Want to Play Final Fantasy

[science]

So I've never played a Final Fantasy game before, but I saw a video for one of them, and it looked pretty fun, it reminded me of Shining Force.

So, would you guys recommend starting at Final Fantasy I? Or does it not matter at all? Is the first one boring? If I play it, will I not enjoy it, and maybe not get into the series?

 

[xcalibur]

Final Fantasy I & II on the GBA are pretty fun but I wouldn't recommend starting there.
Final Fantasy III, IV, V on the SNES are pretty great.
If you prefer 3D then I suggest you play FFIX for a more fantasy based RPG or FFVII/FFVIII for a more sci/fi story line. FFX is nice too but I didn't like it that much since it dragged on towards the end.

 

[science]

I prefer 2D, so I think I will start with some of the earlier ones. If you say I and II are fun, I think I should start there, and just work my way through

 

[Gaisuto]

Play V and VI on the GBA.
IV on the DS when it releases.

 

[science]

What I'm worried about with not starting on I is that I will be lost during the story. Will I be messed if I don't start with I?

 

[Tanas]

Does anyone know if FF IV DS is based on the hard Japanese snes release or the easier US release.

 

[XeonZ]

None of the games are connected story wise.

 

[myuusmeow]

None of the games are connected story wise.

The only connections I can think of are X and X-2, a character named Cid (not the same person though, same name) and Chocobos.

 

[Gaisuto]

Does anyone know if FF IV DS is based on the hard Japanese snes release or the easier US release.

Well all the reviews are saying it'll beat your ass senseless so let's go with Hardtype.

 

[VmprHntrD]

Coming from someone who has played most of the titles (11+ and 8 excluded) I'd say if you're into the N-era stuff (sprite based) your best bet is to start from a 'refined' scratch which is Dawn of Souls 1+2 on the GBA. That one fixed up the dated issues of some annoyances with leveling, cash, and stupid magic system of the old game (1) and in the other (2) it has a unique leveling system based on what you do in a fight but unlike the old copy it doesn't lower stats if you don't do certain things. Both have some great basic stories and get you used to what is to come.

If you wish to try another that's probably the best of the 2D based titles go with Final Fantasy 4. That title has the deepest more emotional and driving stories of the lot, the best challenge (outside of the easy US SNES version) and fairness to the challenge, and it has a traditional leveling system where you earn your spells, not buy and spam to the party like later ones that dumbed down the strategy factor.

 

[Twiffles]

Jump to IX, and never play VII. That's how I went. >_>

 

[raulpica]

Jump to IX, and never play VII. That's how I went. >_>

But... HOW?!

Final Fantasy VII is one of the best FFs ever... (IMHO, the best)

Also I didn't really like any FF after X.

@science
If you're into 2D, try FF4-6, if you're into 3D, try FFIII on DS and FFVII.

FF I is good, but the overall game system is a lot more simplicistic than the later FFs.

 

[science]

Okay, so just to confirm before I go head in. There is not a continuing plot? I can play 7, than 4, than 3, 1, 8, 2, and be fine?

 

[xcalibur]

Yeah, not a single one in the series is connected with each other.
Any ones which are could be considered spin-offs, with the only exception being X-2

 

[science]

I think I'm going to start with III then, as I want to use my DS, and then I will play IV when it comes out in a few weeks. Thanks guys!

 

[Twiffles]

Why does everyone say FFVII is the best? It's not, but apparently there's enough Tifa fanboys that keep wanting her boobs in next-gen graphics.

 

[raulpica]

Why does everyone say FFVII is the best? It's not, but apparently there's enough Tifa fanboys that keep wanting her boobs in next-gen graphics.

Because I've played almost every single FF (even the GB ones, which weren't FFs technically, but SaGas) and FFVII has the best gaming system (Materia is just teh pwnz), some of the best musics ever and the best story.
Maybe not the best characters (some could've done better), but still awesome

BTW, I would just prefer something like the GBA releases, but on DS (new dungeons, new materias and new events) or PSP (but I would prefer DS seeing how they screwed up so badly with FF7:CC)

 

[Psyfira]

Why does everyone say FFVII is the best? It's not...

How do you know? You've never played it, so your argument holds less water than a soggy paper hat.

Anyway that's not true; most people fight to the death between VII and VI over which was best, weighted in VII's favour because a lot of people were introduced to the series when it hit the PSX and it was a groundbreaking title at the time. Most people seem to prefer whichever one they played first. (incidentally that's VIII for me, so I'm being objective here).

 

[Trolly]

IMO the first FF you play always seems like the best lol. But maybe that's just me.
I absolutely loved FFX to bits, mainly because it was the first Jap RPG I played. I then borrowed FFVII off a friend and completed a few hours of it. From what I played, I loved, but my PS2 started giving CDs DREs, so I gave up. I'll play it through some day, but it's such a long game, and I swear it took ages for me to get to where I was on the first play through (I was only on the first disc of three as well).
Meh.
I played FFX-2 and it was only decent. It was a spin-off really, and nothing interesting. FFXI was apparently bollocks, so I never bothered with it. FFXII I made sure I played, but I just didn't like it. Probably the new combat system, but it just didn't work for me. Plus the storyline was nowhere near as epic as other Final Fantasy games.

Anyway, I'll stop ranting. Long story short is I've played the start of almost every Final Fantasy, but never had the patience to brave them until the end (even though I love them :\). So don't feel obligated to finish each one. Just go for whichever ones you want.

I recommend you play:
DS remake of FFIII and FFIV when it comes out
FFVII
FFX

 

[deathfisaro]

A lot of people like FF7 because earlier FF either took too long to get localized or did not at all.

Less people exposured at the time of release = less appreciation.

Try making a 10 year old play E.T. and see if you can get him/her interested enough.