Final Fantasy IX
Reviewed by PWolfstien
Final Fantasy IX was a VERY hyped game for this series.
After the dissapointment of Final Fantasy VII and VIII for
not using the 'fantasy' aspect that the others before them
had, I guess Squaresoft heard the fans and boy did they ever
go back to fantasy! Now, *I'm* not saying that *I* didn't
like FF VII or VIII. (My reviews for each will come soon)
But, I do like how they went back to FF VI's setting so to say.
Graphics: 9/10
I CAN'T give it a 10. Why you say? Well, at some parts the
characters can look nasty on screen. Think Xenogears. Now
the graphics are EXCELLENT, don't get me wrong. They are the
best ever in an RPG. The background's look amazing, and so
do the effects ect in battle. My beef is when your in a town
ect, the characters (standing in the same place) can look
wierd (especially up close). Now I haven't played FF IX on a
PSX2. I've heard the graphics look VERY good on the PSX2 on
the subject I have beef with. That's my only complaint with
the graphics ... it is kind of minor though, but if you look
closely you'll notice. The FMV's are AMAZING, no lie. They
are the best on PSX and they are usually pretty long. I'm
personally all for FMV's in RPG's . I could only image how
even better this game would have been with voice acting (oh
boy) too bad. Common Square, bring the VA on! The
backgrounds are pre-rendered and they all look breath
taking, again best on the PSX. Maybe the graphics would get
a 10 on PSX2? I'll have to play it on that soon. (Mine is broke)
Sound: 10/10
FF IX has one of the best soundtracks in the history of
RPG's . They have the best composer :) Well anyway, the
battle theme and boss theme both rock respectivly. The game
has SO MANY memorable tunes, you'll be huming them for a
while. The opening theme is classic Final Fantasy, ending is
very nice as well.
Story: 10/10
As I've stated in my review's ... I don't spoil the story. I
will tell you that this game has my favorite story of all
time, even beating the previous number one of FF VI. The
story rocks, which brings me to.
Gameplay: 10/10
Well, he won't : (Anyway, Square created a very original
idea called ATE (Active Time Event) This lets you, the
player get more in touch with the characters ... EX What
Vivi is thinking while Zidane is in another place, away from
Vivi, ect. Some ATE's are optional, while others are
automatic. Blue bars, and silver respectivly. The battle
system is done VERY WELL this time. Unlike FF VIII, you can
now buy armor's ect! yay! Well each character has a job
class that CAN'T be changed. Zidane is a thief, Garnet a
white mage/summoner ect. Each character can learn
spells/support abailities from wepons/armor's . They can only
learn one's for them. Like Zidane can't learn black magic
from a certin armor but Vivi can, ect. You learn these
things with AP points that you get after winning battles.
Each spell/support abaility has their own pre-determined
amount of AP you need to get. You can have the abaility's
for as long as you wear the wepon/armor. Once you take them
off the abaility's are gone, unless you mastered them by
getting their AP points to full. Control is superub! Game is
four disc's and has great replay value because it's so good
ALA FF VI.
Conclusion: This is my favorite RPG of all time beating out
the previous number one *Breath of Fire IV* the reign didn't
last long though : (This game will keep you playing with the
great graphics/story/gameplay/sound. There is no RPG better
at this time.
Overall: 10 out of 10
