Favorite Final Fantasy

[Ren]

So! Due to the recent conversations in the thread Final Fantasy Analyses, I've become curious about the general FF fanbase in World Destiny. So this is one of two polls that I've created as a sort of curious experiment! The other one is located here.

After you vote, it would be conducive for you to explain why that is your answer, so as to incite insight (oh homonyms) and discussion. You don't have to, though!

WARNING: SPOILERS ABOUND IN MY BELOW DESCRIPTIONS. I fail in steering clear of any major spoilers. If you don't wanna know some of the spoiler-y stuff in VI, don't read any further!!!

As anybody who's ever heard me ramble on about the Final Fantasy series knows, I have a loving adoration of two specific iterations: Final Fantasy VI and Final Fantasy IX. However, for the sake of this poll, I only allowed people to choose one option. And so, while I adore both, I am forced to concede that Final Fantasy VI is the better game.

This game is the one that started breaking the mold for Final Fantasy. The first five were all different from one another, to be sure, but they all had the same basic set-up: a medieval sort of world, where heroes fight against evil or corrupted empires (i.e. Palamecia, Baron) only to realize that the enemy was not what they expected (i.e. Cloud of Darkness instead of Xande, Zeromus instead of Golbez or even the King of Baron). While IV may have introduced a wider story and more interesting characters than I, II, III, or even V (heck in I and III the characters didn't even have backstory [unless, in III's case, you're playing the remake on the DS]), there was a certain depth that was lacking... and the whole "medieval heroes searching for crystals!" stint was getting a little old.

And then, Final Fantasy VI changed... well, not everything, but quite a bit. Castles existed... but so did trains, engines, machines of war. The game was steampunk, and delightfully so (I have a fondness for steampunk). VI offered the widest cast of characters, and it took real player interaction to find out the backstories of each and every one that, while may not have been interesting on their own, were very poignant in the whole story, a sort of darkened tapestry. In fact, there's really not a main character; I consider Terra to be the main character, but she becomes completely optional during the second half of the game. Locke could be, but he's absent for good chunks of time. Heck, I've even seen some great arguments for Shadow being the main character! But this game doesn't really need one, y'know?

And it wasn't just all that. You pretty much knew who you were up against all along: Kefka, the moment he set Figaro castle on fire. We knew who we were dealing with before we'd ever really interacted with Emperor Gestahl - for it was not the Emperor, but rather Gestahl's insane stooge that poisoned the water in Doma and killed all those people. That doesn't make it any easier on your morale, however, when Kefka destroys the entire world halfway through the game.

VI is so dark, in a way that the games beyond it never quite managed to achieve. The whole game is filled with strange, strange moments that could almost be interpreted as artistic, if only on accident. The fight with Valigarmanda/Tritoch in the World of Ruin - long after the world's theme has changed for a third time - the original World of Ruin theme plays instead of boss battle music, and that theme is beyond haunting and depressing. The whole Phantom Train sequence. The fact that Shadow dies before he ever tells Relm that he's her father... despite the players having figured it out, had they seen his dreams in the inn. It's tragic, it's moving, it's poignant, it's revolutionary.

I could go on and on about it, but I won't. All these reasons, to me, are why VI beats out IX (as well as having the superior soundtrack, but only just). IX is too lighthearted to be the sort of chilling experience that VI was - not that I mind. The depths of Kuja's mind and his quest for individuality was never quite explored enough, nor was it executed as well as I would have liked.

I own a narrative that is a chick who played the Japanese version of VI and made note of where the official English translation faltered. This gave me an incredible insight into one of my favorite worlds, and I cherish this copy very dearly. When I'm bored or in a VI-ish mood, I like to pull it out and see what sort of things Ted Woolsey missed. (Not that I actually have a problem with his translation. It's really interesting, all things considered.)

To wrap this incredibly verbose post up, I will say that I'm really interested in everyone's favorite games and what you have to say about it!

[theshark]

I love love love love FFVII...

But IX was my first JRPG ever, my first Final Fantasy and the introduction to this beautiful world of RPG gaming that, seriously, changed my life. (I met my first gf because of Kingdom Hearts, dammit). So I can't help but love him above the rest.

Also, I love Medieval Fantasy. I really wish FF would set back once in a while. Well... IX was medieval, X was semi-futurist, XII was medieval, XIII was futurist... I hope thing keep like this, alternating. That would be cool. I really don't wish FF to move definitively into steampunk and futurism. It's damm cool, but when I think Final Fantasy, I think of dragons, crystals and cliches. And FFIX is a homage to all this.

Also, best character cast in the whole series. Steiner is my standalone favourite character.

[Deleted]

I was choosing between 6, 8, and 10, but finally chose ten for many reasons. First of course is somewhat nostalgia I'll admit. It was my first FF ever, and it's had a nice place in my heart because of that, but nostalgia is only a small reason.

The second reason was because of the soundtrack. While some other FFs have tracks that I utterly adore, (Terra-6 One winged angel-7 The crystal cave-3), 10s soundtrack to me is the most well written one. For example the main theme "To Zanarkand" Is a beautiful piece. It has emotion I can feel the music moving as it crescendos and decrescendos. It just feels wonderful to here. Another piece like "Someday This Dream Will End" sets the atmosphere of the location perfectly. It's mystifying and when you here it you feel sad because you know your at the end of the pilgrimage, and it continues into battle just to keep said feel. As well 10 includes some more techno/rock themes that are very well done. Seymour's theme from inside Sin, is by far one of my favorite tracks from any FF, just for the reason that it fits Seymour perfectly. As it starts you hear a chorus singing this is the buildup, but also shows Seymour way into Sin, and then the more techno feel starts. Here you can tell Seymour has totally fallen, and you know that by this music there is only one solution to him.

The next reason why I loved and still Love FF10 so much was the story. Yes I know the story has its flaws, some painfully obvious, but so does any other game. If anyone would look at the story of any game, or book, or Movie they would find faults in them as well. Back to the story of FF10 though. I feel it was well written and executed. From the way the characters interact all the way to how the story slowly climaxes from you only thinking that Yuna will destroy sin thus saving Spira, to learning that Yuna will die in the process, and that Sin will only come back, all the way too that everything every summoner had done, had been in vain.

The next point are the characters. Yes I'm well aware some Characters are not the best, but some are just plain amazing. Auron for example I feel is one of the best made heroes in an FF game ever. Then you have Seymour who while some people find creepy and annoying I find amazing. His back story of why he's so sadistic is just wow, and how his mindset is that life is only another disease that people suffer from. I just love that in a villain. Even Tidus I sort of like. He gets a lot of criticism for being whiny and a cry-baby, but at times can you blame him, sure there are scenes *Cough* Laughing Scene *Cough* That are quite unbearable to watch, but I still feel he's not as bad as everyone says. Also Wakka is voiced by the same person who voices Bender on Futurama.

Now another reason I love the game was it's battle system. I love the old battle system, but the one introduced in 10, was just very fun. It gave me time to think over my moves allowing a bit more strategy into my battles rather than quickly searching for my prime spells like I did in a lot of the older final fantasies. As well I feel the game hit how summons should have been spot on. Not that summoning a summon for one attack is bad, it just feels as if they should have been there until called back or they died like in 10.

As well the some people hate it, and some people love it, but I love it, what am I talking about now. I'm talking about Blitzball. This is probably my second favorite FF mini-game besides Triple Triad. I found it very fun and I lived making my teams, and even some playthroughs just leaving my team as the original Aurochs, then just playing through some Blitzball. It was all very fun to me.

Now all of this is what truly just makes me love Final Fantasy 10.

[Charme]

Ten all the way. Everything coolkid said, but I wanna go a bit further on storyline.

When it comes to emotions X was the breakthrough. It had the most dynamic characters in any game, even past Squall and his cheesy-arse 'Oh I suddenly love you Rinoa' shizz. This was WELL-FOUNDED dynamic that progressed at key points.

As a child, his father left him after he told him that he'd never be good enough. He spent years in an attempt to best his father's long-standing history and skill. At seventeen he was abruptly stopped by his almost never-there guardian, Auron, telling him that it was time for them to leave. Without any warning he is sucked into a new world where his father is once again a revered man...

But this time, he's a hero?

First thoughts: What the legitimate hell? My father was a drunk playboy, not a soldier, guardian, or whatever they call it here. How can they say they revere that ass? How can they consider him a good guy?

And thus he is once again stuck in an attempt to fill his father's footsteps, but this time he has no idea what his father has even done. And then Auron tells him that his father is Sin. He spent ten years believing that he could meet his father again and show him how much of a success he was, to show Jecht he was wrong, and now supposedly there's no way that can happen.

The most touching point of this story is when he finally has to face his father. After realizing that Jecht did everything he could to make him stronger- after learning that Jecht brought him to Spira specifically to kill him. It's like, I know you hate me son. You shouldn't have any trouble ending all of this. There is a moment where Tidus finally begins to believe that his father actually cares about him and when it comes time to kill him, he regrets every moment of it. Realizes that his father doesn't consider him weak, but is in fact very proud of him. The emotional dynamic here is absolutely wonderful. Tidus is in fact one of my favorite FF characters, beside Jecht and Auron.

Let's also not forget the crushing sensation he had to go through with the whole Zanarkand thing. When he stood on the back of Mt Gagazet looking at the ruins. It crushed him. Then when he discovered the cost of the Final Aeon.

Yeah, it's pretty harsh. Also the most amazing moments in FF history.

[Kuri, Queen of Feels]

Bet you guys can’t guess what I’m going to say, lol.
Final Fantasy XIII is my favorite. ( But honestly not by much) Final Fantasy X was my first love, and first Final fantasy I played and I do love it to fuckin’ death but the thing that pushes 13 just a LLIITTLLEE higher for honest to Etro favorite.
So I can actually ya know beat 13?

I SUCK at game. I do. omg shocker. So you guys wanna hear my first attempt at playing X? I got to the Sin spawn that is on the cliff above the beach where everyone dies basically. So that, that isn’t impressive.
But I did it without knowing what a phoenix down was, or knowing how to use the sphere grid. So I never leveled up my characters, or revived them when they died….lol.

So second time I tried to beat X. I got to fighting Seymore whee he use Anima. So I can beat Anima no problem…. Can’t beat seymore cause I made it impossible for myself. Yuna needs abilities I didn’t give her, and you can’t level her up at the point.

THIRD TRY I beat Yunalesca… aaaaannddd I’m lost. Idk where to go.

Now, Plot wise, my. god. X feels meh ;_; I watched my friend Emily beat it, and I just watched all the cutscenes. X I love greatly. But XIII.

Alright. So! 13! Aahh~ My love~

Everyone is now yelling at me LINEAR LINEAR AAAHHH ITS AWFUL
Yup. 13 is linear. And that’s exactly why I loved it so much. Can’t get lost if you have a little thing going GO HERE all the time, can’t f up as much as I did in X either, because they tell you what to dooooooo. I’m the type of person who needs constant direction or I panic.
What I play Final Fantasys for is plot. I honestly couldn’t care less about anything else. Plot will ALWAYS trump how you play any Final Fantasy for me. This is another reason why 13 is my favorite, because that is where Square put its focus. They wanted you to get through as much plot as you possibly could in 13 you get a huge amount of depth on their rather big range of characters.
<3 Hope in 13 I wanted to hug him and tell him everything was gonna be ok. Vanille was probably my favorite when I played it the first time. I actually associate my own personality with her more then any other fictional character I have come across ( and yet Kuri plays Serah what?)
Lightning I just really love. She’s gorgeous and a f’in badass, and I just, aahh Lightning how do I words.
Fang I enjoy fang a lot. I love her and Vanille haha.
Sazh. Personally never really cared XD he never really did anything until the “sugar and rainbows” scene. ( Which, btw is my favorite Final Fantasy Cutscene, ever.)
Snow…. Hate. Hate. Hate. He annoys me, so god damn bad I have been known to avoid anything that has to do with him XD.

My last little comment about why XIII is my favorite has more so to do with 13-2 I suppose, but I don’t care.

THE FANDOM

Since so many people hate XIII the fandom seems to have just banded together. Now, don’t get me wrong, the ship wars just… people need to get over themselves sometimes. But I have made a few new friends, just because we were able to connect via love of the xiii series and its almost like any 13 fan I have met in person instant I WANNA BE FRIENDS
I actually met one close friend I have now, because she stalked down my friend sandy who cosplays 13-2 Lightning. This person was so excited to see a XIII-2 Light Cosplayer she waited 40minutes for her to come back.

But yeah, I should probably shut up. I’m not making as much of a thought out “Here’s why 13 is superior post” because It isn’t, and I know it isn’t, but in my book, FFXIII is the best <3 Take that as you will.

[Vapor]

I like being different when I say XII is my favourite. First one I ever played, and the one I love most <3

I think the battle mechanics are one of the main reasons for this, even if they outside the usual battle mechanics for FF games, what with there being no random battles, plus chaining for looooooot~ No random battles actually makes it better in my opinion.. Running from one place to another isn't disrupted quite as much :3 Hold Flee and ruuuuuun /o/ Also the hunt system is cool~

As for the plot.. Well, I kinda played it on/off so much that I had months at a time where I didn't play it so the story has kinda gone poof for me.. But oh well, still love it :3

Characters.. Ashe<3 because reasons. Fran is a bunny which makes her awesome, and Penelo is just awesome in general. Vaan is.. err.. not the brightest bulb in the box, but I don't care for him much. He can go die in a hole for all I care. Basch and Balthier are pretty cool though~

X is pretty fucking awesome too. Because dat soundtrack and story and Rikku. XIII and XIII-2 are amazing too. That story ;~;

[Deleted]

Final Fantasy XII. The story was a diversion from Square's typical "finding love" and "love lost" themes. The story was intense enough to keep my attention, and the characters were developed enough to actually be fun to me. Also, Fran has a nice ass. >.> <.<

But it's the second one I've actually beat, and I love the gameplay soooo much. x3 Like Po said, no random encounters is great, and the bosses are epic. The Hunts are great, and the few cameos in game basically Gilgamesh brought back my days of playing Final Fantasy V older Final Fantasy games.

[falsettosuzaku]

Okay well, since this game hasn't come out in the west yet, I won't spoil anything. My favorite Final Fantasy game is Type-0. It's so unique and amazing, that I can literally play the game for hours without pausing it. I'm just excited when the game comes out here and all of you guys can play it yourself.

Anyways, the characters...holy crap. Class Zero, the fourteen main characters, are so epic. When you watch the first cut scene and see their amazing appearance, my heart was literally racing. I mean, look at them, they're all so badass. I mean, I love their uniforms and I would seriously wear them all day. All fourteen of them have different weapons (they kinda remind me of Orgy XIII) and it's fun to try out all of them and see which of them you enjoy playing as.

As for the story, it's probably one of SE's best, in my opinion. It's also the darkest, even darker than VI. I also have to mention that it's the bloodiest one in the series and I'm actually surprised that SE produced this gory game. Basically, the whole story is about war and Class Zero has to participate in many missions to lead their country to victory. Like I said, I won't say anymore; I don't wanna spoil it. I do have to say, that many points in the story made me sob. I have never cried so hard in my life... It's actually pretty sad. xD

One word to describe the soundtrack is epic. If you're interested, I'll give you the link to the soundtrack.

The gameplay is not turn-based... it's similar to Monster Hunter and Crisis Core. Like I said before, each of the characters have their own style of fighting, so it's fun to customize their abilities and use them to kill your enemies. Because it's on the PSP, the camera can get wonky, but you'll get used to it. The game can definitely get difficult if you're under leveled or if you just suck at it. Overall, SE should be proud of this game.

Anyways, I felt like I covered a lot. I'm still waiting every day for Square to say the official release date here in the west. I like the other FF games, but to me, this game beats all of them.